The Prepaid Press - April 15, 2008 - (Page 14)

CALLING CARDS April 15 · 2008 - 14 Book Review Webster’s New World Telecom Dictionary By Gene Retske technical, nor condescending. Writing a dictionary for a subject as full of jargon, acronyms and malapropisms as is telecom is a daunting project. Even common words like “switch,” “route,” and “POTS,” can take on different meanings in a telecom dialog. And, the highly technical nature of the subjects can lead to definitions that are impossible for the average person to understand. The standard text, and one of the most widely read books in telecom, has been Newton’s Telecom Dictionary, now in its 23rd edition. But, the man who edited Newton’s for much of its history, has now published his own version of a telecom dictionary. Webster’s New World Telecom Dictionary (Wiley, 2008, ISBN 978-0-471-77457-0) is written by Ray Horak. It is a far different book than Newton’s. Horak has resisted the urge to entertain, so this book reads like a serious work, and has all new definitions. Full disclosure, I am on the Advisory Board for this book, and offered suggestions to Ray as he wrote the book. But, then again, Harry Newton was my first publisher and mentor years ago, so I think I can be impartial. Webster’s is focused more on the technology, and defines over 4,600 terms and acronyms used in telecom in its 568 pages. Horak provides charts, diagrams and drawings to accompany his definitions where necessary. The definitions are clear, concise and well written. There is no editorializing, just usable definitions. A dictionary is one of the most difficult books to write. Just coming up with a comprehensive list of terms is onerous enough in itself. But, to define each of these terms in a way that is understandable by the unwashed masses, is mind boggling. Horak has done an admirable job, and created a work that can be used where Newton’s can cause problems. For example, in the expert witness work I sometimes perform, Newton’s funny or flippant definitions can be used to impugn the credibility of the source itself. You will not have this problem with Webster’s; it is a work that will never cause you a red face if you use it in a hostile environment. In all, I will continue to keep both on my bookshelf, and value them both, cognizant of the differences. Books about telecom subjects generally fall into one of two categories: Very Basic or Incomprehensible. For the vast majority of us that fall between these two extremes, there is a new dictionary of telecom terms that is neither too THE PREPAID GRAPEVINE 1700 members and growing! The Prepaid Grapevine is the only interactive meeting place for the prepaid industry. Members share news, opinions and business strategies daily. Management Changes At IDT Carrier Shakes up Senior Management .. e board h Get on the know! Get in t JOIN TODAY, IT’S FREE! VISIT WWW.PREPAIDGRAPEVINE.COM NEWARK, NH (April 1, 2008) IDT Corporation (NYSE: IDT, IDT.C) announced that Liore Alroy has been named CEO of IDT Telecom as part of broader restructuring program designed to cut costs and achieve profitability. Alroy joined IDT in 2001. Since 2004, he has been the Chief Executive Officer of Net2Phone Inc., an affiliate of the Company that was fully acquired in 2006. Alroy served as an Executive Vice President and as Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Company. “I am delighted that Liore will be taking the helm of our telecom business. He has been a leader in the VOIP industry, and is ideally suited to identify and execute on opportunities created by emerging technologies,” said Jim Courter, IDT’s CEO. Alroy will replace Motti Lichtenstein, who also served as IDT’s Executive Vice President for Telecom. The company said Lichtenstein is leaving to pursue other business opportunities. As part of its restructuring and cost reduction program, the Company also announced that Marc J. Oppenheimer will step down as Chief Operating Officer of IDT. Oppenheimer will be working with the company to ensure a smooth transition of his duties to other members of the IDT management team. Source: IDT Corp. (www.idt.net) http://WWW.PREPAIDGRAPEVINE.COM http://www.idt.net

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of The Prepaid Press - April 15, 2008

The Prepaid Press - April 15, 2008 Motorola to Split Mobile Payments: The Saga Continues Contents The Retske Report: Election Year and Woody Hayes Regulatory Rundown: 2008 First Quarter Mobile Update 5 Minutes with Mark Herrington tppEXPO’08 Spotlight New Handsets Announced at CTIA Prepaid Wireless in Brief Prepaid Wireless Roundup Virgin Mobile Reports Earnings of 6 Cents Movida Files Chapter 11 LiveWire Mobile Acquires Groove Mobile Boost Selects Vesta for Transactions RadioShack to Offer Trumpet Mobile Service Virgin Offers New Pay as You Go Plans Book Review: Webster’s New World Telecom Dictionary Management Changes at IDT Spot Rates Calling Cards in Brief The State of Prepaid Technology: Productive Coexistence FTC Asks Court to Halt Prepaid Calling Card Scam Louisiana Community Mulls Tax on Prepaid Cards Pactolus Wins VON Magazine Award iBasis Lowers Pakistan Rate for Pingo The Legal Line Biometric Update: Keep Your Shirt On AccountNow Ends Upfront Fees Evolution Benefits Acquires SmartFlex Payments in Brief NetSpend to Offer Bill Payment and Top-up Union Bank Introduces Contactless Card Ingenico Announces Development Kit Prepaid 101: Stupid Card Tricks PLS Offering Walk-In Bill Payment Spend Gift Cards ASAP Credit Card Breach at Hannaford Bros. NACS Withdraws Opposition to Tobacco Bill Study Finds Gift Card Packaging Increases Sales NACS Names International VP Inflatable Display Provides Inexpensive Signage Retail Focus in Brief Our Advertisers Contact Us

The Prepaid Press - April 15, 2008

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