This is OT, perhaps way OT, but maybe not.... I'm back from ISPCON in B'more, and while it had the usual show swag, etc, there was one highly useful tract. The Regulatory track has participation from multiple FCC staffers from all across the agency; Regulatory, Common Carrier, Wireless, and others. Associates found it highly worthwhile. a) It was possible because it was local. Let me explain something that those of you with no USG experience may just not grok. It's REALLY hard to get travel money. All kinds of justifications for hotels are needed. Congress looks askew at anyone (err anyone ELSE, as their junkets are always work related...) going anywhere on Uncle Sam's nickel. But local mileage is easy. Overnight? Ferrget it. b) Like it or not, more & more of "the Internet business" is in the FCC's eyesight. That's NOT to say they now regulate this, that or the other - or that they can solve the Northpoint/TW/ whatever. But they are learning lots. And the HillCritters often call to ask them questions. It's to your benefit for them to know your side. Dave Farber just spent a year there as Chief Technologist. He was the first NetHead in that role, a traditional Bellboy slot. I think you'll find he thinks it time in his life well-spent. So my points: If organizing a symposium of any sort in the DC region; look into both having FCC (& other agency) panels, and inviting staffers. Participate in the process. There's more to our (abiet flawed) democracy than creating hanging chad on that Tuesday in Nov. You'd be surprised how much effect ONE person/ISP can have.... We now return to Sean's Favorite Fiber FUBAR's, already in progress. -- A host is a host from coast to coast.................wb8foz@nrk.com & no one will talk to a host that's close........[v].(301) 56-LINUX Unless the host (that isn't close).........................pob 1433 is busy, hung or dead....................................20915-1433