In Reply to the Message wherein it was written: [elided]
If government monopolies can't hack it, what chance do private companies have?
Um, a _better_ one, now that government monopolies are largely out of the way, leaving significant infrastructure for them to use? There's this one little company called MCI, see, and there's this _other_ little company called BT, and... {rrring-rrring} Operator: "Thank you for using MonoTel: and how may we help you today?" You: "I'd like to place a call...?" Operator: "And who would you like to call today, Sir?" You: "Uh, my big bother Sam in Washington, please. He's at 212, 555..." Operator: "I see. Hrmm, let me see if management says it's OK for me to dial that number for you... please hold while I look up our policy on you calling your family." {long pause} Operator: "Hello, Sir? You: "Um, yes, hello?" Operator: "Um, Sir, have you paid your phone bill for today?" You: "Well, gee, I _think_ so... how much was it for today?" Operator: "Well, our rates went up again at Noon, so that may account for the discrepancy. Let me connect you to our Loan Officer so you can arrange payment..." You: "No, PLEASE, I just need to call my brother, plea-" Operator: {click... buzz... whirr} Loan Ofcr:"Hello. Loan Department. May I please have your 20-bit customer fingerprint?" You: "Uh, sure. Let's see.... 01 D4 3E...{etc}...C2 0A." Loan Ofcr:"OK, fine. Now, what can I do for you today, Sir? You: "Look, I just want to call my big brother Sam in DC, and they connected me to you instead..." Loan Ofcr:"Oh, I see, and have you paid your daily bill today, Sir?" You: "Well, I THOUGHT I did. I went to the telephone, I inserted my MonoTel smartcard and I dialled the passcode. Then it sucked the card in and didn't give it back to me! I figured it was enough." Loan Ofcr:"Well, it happens to allof us, Sir, don't feel bad. Now, what sort of collateral will you be putting up for this call? Do you own or rent? You: "Well, I used to own, but then I decided to add a modem line, so I had to refinance..." Loan Ofcr:"Ahhh, so this will be a third or a fourth phone mortgage for you?" dave ____________________________________________________________________________ "The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has determined that the Maximum Load Capacity of my butt is two (2) persons at one time, unless I install handrails or safety straps. As you have arrived sixth in line to ride my ass, please take a number and wait your turn. Thank you." ________________________________________________________________________ Dave Del Torto +1.415.65432.31 tel Manager, Strategic Technical Evangelism +1.415.631.0599 fax Pretty Good Privacy, Inc. http://www.pgp.com web