[clug] Disturbing mail from Optus

Duncan Roe duncan_roe at acslink.net.au
Sat Feb 10 06:32:29 GMT 2007 

Hi Michael,

I think I remember reading about Windows Live ID (at work, where I have to use
Windows) - I didn't take much notice of it at the time but I don't think it's
webmail.

Generally I don't use their webmail anyway (I use POP), but I had to go there
because their spam filter had impounded a flight itinerary I'd forwarded to
myself from my work account. The moral there might be to turn off their spam
filtering - it lets most of it through to me anyway so no great loss.

As to what they're trying to do - I'll keep the list posted as I find out more.
My impression so far is total ignorance on their part that they have any
customers not using Windows.

In Melbourne, Optus run their own cables (like TransACT), so they're rather more
than just an ISP. We have a broadband / phone package (and a good tie-in with
Optus prepay mobile as well).

Cheers ... Duncan.

On Sat, Feb 10, 2007 at 02:33:38PM +1100, Michael Cohen wrote:
> Hi Duncan,
>   Im not sure I understand what optus is trying to do here. What is this
>   windows live id? is it some kind of new windows only authentication method?
>   Surely no ISP can require a windows only authentication to get their
>   customers to log in - most (if not all) customers use ADSL FW/routers which
>   usually run linux and rely of standard open protocols to log in. Even if
>   people arent aware they are running linux on their gateway most likely.
>
>   Similarly, they cant possibly implement a proprietary log in to web mail,
>   because the whole point of web mail is that you need to log in from internet
>   cafes, your office etc. So the interface needs to be very standard and simple
>   because  most customers dont have much control of where they log in from.
>
>   Then mail services such as pop and imap are standard, because most users use
>   outlook express which can not (correct me if im wrong) connect to an exchange
>   server anyway - nor would exchange be a suitable platform for a large number
>   of users like in an ISP (cost and stability issues). So they must still offer
>   pop/imap to customers.
>
>   I think this whole thing is about them implementing some kind of web portal
>   which may be ms based. I went to the page, but (and I have broadband
>   account) got bored after about a minute of loading lots of unneeded crap. It
>   seems almost unusably heavy in its current form and will undoubtadle have to
>   be cut down once everyone starts using it.
>
>   Maybe they are trying to get publicity by beating up windows name - i think
>   the email below implied that they were in partnership with ms over a dozen
>   times... That is truely something to be proud of.
>
>   As far as the usability of myzoo - most people couldnt care less because I
>   dont really see many (even windows users) really wanting to use this site -
>   its way too heavy, not very well oranised (seems to try to put heaps of
>   different unrelated things on the same page), takes _ages_ to load. pretty
>   much a web design lesson on what not to do. I wouldnt get to worries if:
>
>   > With your Windows Live ID you can personalise your homepage, set up your own
>   > blog through Spaces and access sites and services provided by Optus and ninemsn.
>
>   Im sure I can find better ways to personilise my homepage, and maybe even blog.
>
>   Further:
>   > In the coming months, we'll replace your current OptusNet Webmail service with
>   > an enhanced Windows Live Mail service. This means your login details, webmail
>   > and contact records will be transitioned to Microsoft so we can provide you with
>   > a vastly improved Webmail and calendar service.
>
>   Its time to use gmail perhaps? Sounds like they are just outsourceing your
>   web mail to hotmail so they dont need to maintain it.
>
>   The important thing is not to worry - linux users are already the majority in
>   the ISP world - and if they cant use a service you can quite easily switch to
>   another carrier. Note that if you signed up for a contract, and they changed
>   the access method, so that you can not use their services any more - you can
>   just terminate the contract (contracts work both ways). We cant really stop
>   people from shooting themselves in the foot - we can just laugh at them when
>   they do.
>
>   Michael.
>
> On Sat, Feb 10, 2007 at 09:39:46AM +1100, Duncan Roe wrote:
> > Hi everyone,
> >
> > Most of you will likely not have seen this because you have TransACT in
> > Canberra, or ADSL or whatever. But here in Melbourne, Optus Cable has served my
> > needs well, until now.
> >
> > The email below appears to indicate a plan to cut off all but Windoze lusers
> > from their webmail service.
> >
> > I have already responded to their feedback URL regarding this plan. But I doubt
> > if one response will make any difference - even if it did refrain from being
> > impolite or abusive.
> >
> > Perhaps anyone with an Optus home phone would like to chip in? Or what about
> > SLUG members? - anyone on Optus cable in Sydney?
> >
> > <rant>The Linux community needs to demonstrate its numbers when the telco's
> > marketing departments dream up wrong-headed schemes like this one, or tolerate
> > second-class service. </rant>
> >
> > How about it, guys?
> >
> > Cheers ... Duncan.
> >
> > P.S. In a separate response I suggested they publish their terms & conditions
> > other than as Word docs (I said pdf would be fine).
> >
> > ----- Forwarded message from myzoo at optusnet.com.au -----
> >
> >  X-Mailer: MIME-tools 5.420 (Entity 5.420)
> >  Subject: Welcome to myZOO
> >  From: myzoo at optusnet.com.au
> >  To: duncan_roe at optusnet.com.au
> >  Date: Tue,  6 Feb 2007 09:37:17 +1100
> >
> >
> >
> > ============================================================
> >
> >           Your new Optus homepage is here.
> >
> > ============================================================
> >
> > The new myZOO site is here!
> >
> > As featured in past newsletters and on the OptusNet homepage, Optus and ninemsn
> > have been working together and have taken your feedback into consideration
> > regarding myZOO BETA. As a result we've created a brand new site for you called
> > myZOO. You can check out the latest horoscopes, news, weather, music charts,
> > competitions and much more!
> >
> > Member Services is still just one click away.
> >
> > Member Services, Webmail and Usage details to manage your account are still just
> > one click away, at the top of every page.
> >
> > Choose the content you want.
> >
> > You'll see various modules for different content like news and horoscopes.
> > Simply drag the modules you want and drop them into place on the page. You can
> > also select more or less content to be displayed for each module.
> >
> > Even more personalisation with Windows Live ID.
> >
> > On your first visit to myZOO, you'll be given the option to create a Windows
> > Live ID. From then on, you'll use this ID to login to OptusNet services.
> >
> > With your Windows Live ID you can personalise your homepage, set up your own
> > blog through Spaces and access sites and services provided by Optus and ninemsn.
> >
> > Exciting new services coming soon.
> >
> > Soon you'll be able to access all kinds of new services using your Windows Live
> > ID.
> >
> > In the coming months, we'll replace your current OptusNet Webmail service with
> > an enhanced Windows Live Mail service. This means your login details, webmail
> > and contact records will be transitioned to Microsoft so we can provide you with
> > a vastly improved Webmail and calendar service.
> >
> > At this time, if you haven't already, you will be required to create your
> > Windows Live ID in order to access your Webmail records on the new service.
> >
> > Create your Windows Live ID now.
> >
> > We do encourage you to visit myZOO and create your Windows Live ID now to enjoy
> > the extra personalisation. However, we'll send you a reminder and further
> > instructions closer to the transition to Windows Live ID mail services. Your
> > first use of this future service will be taken as acceptance of our new terms
> > and conditions.
> >
> > If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of this information, please
> > fill out the myZOO feedback form at
> > http://www.optuszoo.com.au/help/cable/feedback and an Optus representative will
> > reply to your query. You can also view the changes to terms and conditions at
> > http://www.optus.com.au/sfoa.
> >
> > Go to myZOO now at http://www.optuszoo.com.au
> >
> > Regards, The Optus Customer Solutions Team
> >
> > ----- End forwarded message -----
> >
> > --
> >  Please avoid sending me Word or PowerPoint attachments.
> >  See http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/no-word-attachments.html
> > --
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> >
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