[UCIMC-Tech] IMC Telephone system in the basement

[Chris Ritzo]

Thanks Mike,
This really clarifies for me why there's two lines to begin with.
Long term, Josh and I have thought about putting in an open source PBX
computer inside the building in the past and this would be a next step
toward providing all sorts of other options. It will be a bit before we get
to that though. It's mostly a matter of devoting time for research and
testing, which anyone who's interested could help out with.

Chris

On Sat, Sep 10, 2011 at 4:59 PM, Mike Lehman <rebelmike at earthlink.net>wrote:

>  Just a bit of history on the old BTP line, of which I'm uncertain who
> installed it. The issue was that it was basically a partyline extension to
> the main IMC office phone. Once Americorps came along, two issues came up
> with that. The 344-8820 # is far busier. And for various contractual and
> legal reasons, the main office phone needed to have a dedicated, not a
> shared line.
>
> The second Comcast line currently in use is -- I think -- the RFU studio
> line. Again, it needs to be a dedicated line for FCC rule compliance
> reasons, since people on it could potentially be on the air.
>
> So any solution that works is OK, particularly if there's no additional
> cost. However, when this was last evaluated, a third line would be required,
> which was going to be an additional cost.
> Mike Lehman
>
>
> On 9/10/2011 3:55 PM, Chris Ritzo wrote:
>
> The punchdown boxes are largely not in use, but are in use for groups who
> want their own phone service. For instance, C4A the main group upstairs on
> the second floor, has their own land line and the phone company used the
> punchdown box for that.
>
> The IMC is using Comcast voice, and how it's set up in the building is only
> partially documented. I could use some help with that if you're interested.
> If you know how the punchdown boxes work, that knowledge would be of great
> use to Tech in tracing the existing cabling that's in use, & mapping it's
> path through the building. We'd then be set to expand (and remove old crap
> that's just old & there & non-functioning)
>
> We could run a phone cable to BTP as you suggest, but no other working
> groups have this, so I'm inclined to support a longer-term solution (such as
> setting up Asterix) that would allow us to provide a more robust service to
> all groups building wide.
>
> Let me know if you'd like to help with any of that.
>
> thanks,
> Chris
>
> On Sat, Sep 10, 2011 at 3:43 PM, <fiscella at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> The PBX would be mostly beyond my experience.  I'm not sure how much
>> we'd use extensions, we don't exactly have a receptionist.
>>
>> We might just run a phone cable from the room and punch it in as an
>> extension.  That'd let us share the outside dial tone and make any
>> necessary calls, right?  Is the post office still using the same
>> punchdown box that we have in the hall?
>>
>>
>> On Sat, Sep 10, 2011 at 2:54 PM, Chris Ritzo <chris.ritzo at gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>> > Hi Jay & Phil,
>> > The last effort I put in on this was to track down & document the IMCs
>> phone
>> > service and to test lines to the room. We have Comcast business with
>> digital
>> > voice and I believe there are two lines usable from the cable modem.
>> >
>> > Our next steps would be to look at setting up some sort of free PBX
>> computer
>> > such as Asterix http://www.asterisk.org/
>> >
>> > which would allow us to add functions like voice mail, extensions for
>> > different working groups, etc.
>> >
>> > this is the direction we'd like to go in, and if you are interested in
>> > helping Phil, let's talk more.
>> >
>> > -Chris
>> >
>> > On Sat, Sep 10, 2011 at 2:14 PM, Jay Schubert <jay.schubert at gmail.com>
>> > wrote:
>> >>
>> >> Techsters,
>> >> Can anyone update me on where things were left with the IMC wired
>> phones
>> >> in the basement?   We used to have phone service in our space and I
>> recall
>> >> that at one point there was some attempt to restore it, however I don't
>> know
>> >> what happened or what the current situation is.   We have a volunteer
>> (cc'd
>> >> on this mail) who is familiar with telephone systems and is willing to
>> put
>> >> in some work if it is still an option which can be explored.
>> >> Please let us know.
>> >> Thanks,
>> >> Jay
>> >> _______________________________________________
>> >> IMC-Tech mailing list
>> >> IMC-Tech at lists.chambana.net
>> >> http://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/imc-tech
>> >>
>> >
>> >
>>
>
>
>
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