Cox and email revisited

On Sat, 2004-01-31 at 17:25, technomage wrote:
> well,
> it does sound like an issue on THEIR end. However, it could also be a
> sendmail/postfix configuration issue as well.
>
> one thing you really must consider is: Cox is in the business to make money
> and offer a product (albeit one with some restrictions) and they don't yet
> recognize linux as more than a very small portion of the equation. now if
> their userbase used linux on more than 10% of the systems, they would start
> paying attention.
>
> the big thing here (and I have been mostly happy with my cox internet service
> over the last few years) is that we need to get more users of cox HSI using
> linux (even if its just as a firewall/router). the more that use linux and
> claim it (have them write in letters to the management as snail mail) the
> more attention will be paid. if cox suddenly realizes that 50% of its market
> share has gone to linux in the last year or so, your damned right tey'll
> offer support for it (such as setting up netscape, offering tech help on
> basic networking issues, etc).
>
> I have, on more than one occassion, offered my help to cox inc. to help get
> linux into the mainstream (by being a outsource tech support CSR for the
> linux community). so far, they haven't responded with anything more than
> "thanks, we'll keep it in mind" (in other words, don't call us, we'll call
> you)..
>
> so, just for shits and grins, when they say they only support windows, I'll
> just plunk an old 486 running windows 95 on the circuit and say thats what I
> got. since they say they only support M$ products (and windows 95 IS an M$
> product - getting the picture?) I present them with what they want without
> getting into an arguement. I have sent a snail mail to their corporate HQ in
> atlanta. However, I am the only one I know of that has done so (one lone
> voice in the woods). we need to get the likes of ESR and others to buy stock
> in the corporation and then vote as a single proxy block (significant power
> can be had this way if done properly and will often result in the corporate
> suits listening because their very wallets are threatened). We could do the
> same with all other cable/HSI operations around the country. it may sound too
> simple and/or hokey, but it does work. the only problem is getting folks to
> buy stocks in these firms and then put them together as a single voting block
> (proxy).
>
> well, what do you think>
---
I think you miss the boat.

First, yes it's a configuration issue with cox - they won't allow you to
run your own mail server unless you're on a business account and yes,
they are restricting relaying that doesn't appear to come from one of
the hosts on their system - they don't use ip addresses to decide
whether relaying is permitted or not.

Secondly, you can offer all of the outsourced support you want but they
aren't going to take you up on it. If they say anything other than we
don't support it - then they have assumed responsibility - this includes
'referring' their customers to others.

Lastly, Win 95 is a Microsoft product and they will support it - they
also support Macs - they would support Linux if they figured that it
wasn't an insignificant number. As for running Linux on even just a
router, I'm quite certain that the mix of FreeBSD & Linux appliances
sold as DSL/Cable Modem Sharing router devices by the various brands
constitutes a significant market share and they won't support those
either. But they NEVER offer help on basic networking issues - they only
go to the point where they will get ONE computer online. Networking,
routing, miscellaneous devices are simply the customers responsibility
and I think quite rightly.

Craig