imagine this imaginary conversation with an ISP help desk:

helpdesk: "good day sir. how can i help you?"

customer: "help - my internet and my ADSL line is not working anymore."

helpdesk: "does your phone is working?"

customer: "no, not at all - i'm calling you from my mobile."

helpdesk: "did you checked the cablings? is the plug inserted correct in the walljack?"

... 2minutes of rümschelrümschel... we hear an 'outch' - seems the customer banged his head against the table or so...

customer: "<little bit dizzy>yes, i've taken it out and plugged back in - but still no signal"

helpdesk: "hmm.. let me check your line - " ... <tiptiptip> ... "yes, i dont see any signal on our side - it could be that you have a psysical access problem"

customer: "no, i'm not challenged!!!"

helpdesk: "i mean that your physical line of the t-e-l-e-p-h-o-n-e might be interrupted / broken somewhere. you know, the thin cable ..."

customer: "what should i do? call an electrician?"

helpdesk: "no, we will open a ticket at <put in your favorite last mile provider or:> the local telco".

... some days later ...

helpdesk: "good day sir. we've got now feedback from the local telco company. your line should be fixed within the next days"

customer: "what is it?"

helpdesk: "lets call it problem with the last mile access..."

customer: "... which means?...."

helpdesk: "well... it seems that someone stole your wire?"

customer: "sorry, i'm disturbed.. he stole what??"

helpdesk: "as you might have heard the price increase for copper has lead some criminals to pick exiting copper lines which are digged in the street... some made a fortune with copper lines..:"

customer: "this would explain why my electrian had to put in new electrical-cables - they might have disappeared some days ago... i had no power at all... "

customer: "... and my internet was not working ... thats why i called you"

helpdesk: <speakless>

otherwise..please refer to "the internet help desk" (old but always good :)) http://www.mrmouse.ch/fun/video/wesmonocable.mov

-steven

ps: plz reserve in your agenda the 17th of july - next ZH beer event will be planned for this date :)