Blogs

Despite all the clamor in the security world about the looming analog deadline, this mainstream news article points out the more widespread panic about analog getting the axe. Since I've personally experienced tunnel vision about this issue from a security-only perspective, I enjoyed reading about irked GM customers who discovered that the cars they bought were equipped with analog OnStar units that wouldn't work come February and couldn't be upgraded despite being less than five years old. BUT, GM did issue some customers a $500 voucher towards the purchase of a new GM vehicle ... And people say the US car industry is floundering. AND, I thought the author did a decent job of including the woes of the security world in the article--towards the bottom of course, but how else will they get you to read the whole thing? However, this article, I can't say the same for. It too was about the analog issue, but frankly, it was just awful. Here's a few of my favorite choppy sentences (granted, it is broadcast writing - never trust anything you hear on television): In home security and fire alarm systems, the change only effects back-up systems. Primary systems function using land phone lines. But if those lines are ever effected by weather or cut by burglars the security system switches to its back-up. The back-up is usually a cellular phone line. If the connection is analog, it must be changed or else security companies would never receive an emergency signal alerting it to call 911. "As long as your [land line] telephone is working, we're going to receive signals from the [security system]," said Vinton security expert Scott Bolen of Alert Security Services.