October 2001
 

The following letter refers to Tom Keating's Cc: column in the August 2001 issue of Communications Solutions:

To the editor:

The article "Open Standards For Better Communication" by Tom Keating as a bit disappointing, as I expected to gain a better understanding of how standards are effecting technology. 

The first four paragraphs read like the Cisco press kit which the author referenced. As I can see the benefit to Cisco of this outstanding press, I would have rather the article center around standards instead of specific products which have adopted standards.

This is simply my humble opinion as a reader. TMC is consistently delivering content of high value. I definitely enjoy your services.

Thanks,
Suzanne Young

Tom Keating responds:

Dear Suzanne:

Ouch! You make it sound like I'm a Cisco patsy. I think you missed the point of the column, which was to discuss how exciting open standards such as SIP, iMIP, and Enum can help improve communications. Hence the title, "Open Standards For Better Communication." I cited Cisco simply as a demonstration of the power of open standards. It is difficult to discuss the need for standards without demonstrating real world scenarios on how open standards can help improve communications. I also used Microsoft as an example in my column. Oh, perhaps that's it! I mentioned Cisco and Microsoft in the same column. No wonder you're displeased. I'm surprised the Linux and Mac contingents haven't berated me on this column!

I did, however, provide my own "theoretical" opinion on how open standards could change the communications landscape in the future. In particular, I made mention of how an open instant messaging standard could lead to some very interesting possibilities with real business applications. I thought I covered all the bases on this column, but I guess I can't please everybody.

The following letter refers to Tom Keating's Cc: column titled "Just How Open Is 'Open'?" in the May 2001 issue of Communications Solutions:

Hi Tom,

I think the telephony board manufacturers may be leading themselves down the same track as the producers of the old vinyl record. If they are not careful a newer, more efficient method will burst on to the scene and a major shift in the industry will see many players unable or unwilling to change or just completely caught off balance. There are many examples of this happening -- not just in one industry but in most.

Kind Regards,
Tui Davies

Hi Tom,

I just spotted your article on open standards which mentions the Cisco ATA 186. Thanks for the wonderful and flattering remarks. I'm also glad you mentioned Voicenet and their innovative approach to VoIP services. We need more companies like Voicenet to come up with new applications and services (thinking out of the box).

Regards,
Grace Hu-Morley
Product Manager
Voice Technology Center
Cisco Systems, Inc.

People interested in contributing to Communications Solutions are welcome to view our editorial calendar online and contact the editor who handles the appropriate section (Enabling Technologies, Corporate Solutions, Interactive Commerce, Next-Gen Networks/Services). Our editorial guidelines can be found here. Please contact managing editor Carol Bancroft with any questions.

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