[Tfug] Asterisk VOIP Class

[George Cohn]

Stephen Hooper wrote:

> 
> Appropos nothing, but I don't really understand how this became a bash
> "engineering" types thread.  Personally, I could care less:  I am not
> an engineering type.  Still, I have to wonder what all this is
> about...
> 

My comment wasn't meant to bash engineers.  They are the creative minds 
that invented all of this wonderful stuff.  But once it is in place, we 
need techies to keep it running.

Having worked in the electronics and IT fields for over 32 years, I saw 
a lot of "fiefdom".  The PC techs felt that something as mundane as 
moving a telephone was beneath them.  The network guys wouldn't be 
caught dead moving a PC or printer.  The *ix folks wouldn't talk to the 
Windows folks.

The reality is everything is moving to a network model.  Soon, phone 
switches will be nothing more than another server on the network.  Phone 
sets will be just another network appliance like a printer or PC.  If 
you don't believe that, take a look at the Cisco offerings.  Their Call 
Manager VOIP server is one of their hottest products behind switches and 
routers.

The intent was to get the computer folks thinking along the lines that 
everything is converging.

As for what are the credits good for?  Yes, I suppose they could count 
as an elective somewhere in a technical degree.

There are a number of classes at Pima that fit in this category.  Harry 
McGregor teaches a Unix security class that is not a requirement for any 
degree but it provides useful knowledge for those working in the "real 
world". Ron Evans teaches a similar one on network security.

I would love to take Harry's class but it got canceled the last time it 
was offered due to low enrollment.

George Cohn