MCI, our long distance carrier, has had some fiber optic cables cut
between Hayward and San Fransisco.  San Fransisco is apparently the nearby
distribution center for regional traffic.  A portion of our access to the
world is therefore cut off.

	Calls within the 408, 415, and 707 areas are not affected.  Any other
call (including international) will find a higher rate of busy rejection. 
Since it is external to our system, you can't camp on.

	This happened early this morning.  At first, it seemed like we wouldn't
be affected much at all, but as the busiest period of the day (now, you guessed
it) approached, our access dropped to nearly nil.  While writing this memo,
I've been asked 7 times for a workaround, and also have spoken to MCI about it.

	The good news is that the problem will be fixed by this evening (they
estimate 6 PM).  And the workaround is to wait if you can, because in order
to make a call, you must dial the Atari operator and ask her for the long
distance operator.  Then you must make an operator-assisted call--tell the
long distance operator the number you need and she will connect you.  If she
says you can dial direct, tell her our lines are down and you can't.  They'll
be hearing that a lot today.  A word to the wise:  Operator assisted long
distance is one of the most expensive calls you can make.

	In summary: If you need to call out of the 408, 415, or 707 areas:
Wait til tomorrow if you can;  otherwise dial 0 and tell Robin or Yvette
that you need an AT&T operator.  They'll connect you, and tell them what
number you want.

	This offer expires at the end of today (they will NOT connect you
to an AT&T operator after the lines are repaired).

sas

	The AT&T operators are known to tell people, "If you dial
10-ATT or 10288, you can dial direct."  WE CAN'T.  Our switch is too
old.  It was designed, built, and programmed long before the phone
network breakup.  We are getting an upgrade which should make it
possible, but we don't have it yet.  If you want to make a long distance
call (non 408, 415, 707), and it has to be today, it has to be done
by voice.  If they insist, tell them you want the call to be
operator-assisted (cuz we'll pay for it that way anyways).

	Please tell those who need to know but don't read VAXmail regularly.

sas

	... have been repaired.  You may now dial direct.
MCI warns that since the lines were down yesterday, traffic is 
expected to be a little heavy today.  If you encounter a
busy signal provided by the outside network, simply try again
in a few minutes.  To make things a little easier, you may
use the SAVE/REPEAT functions;  when you get the outside busy,
FLASH, and dial a pound-4.  You'll be reconnected to the busy
signal.  Hang up.  When you want to try again, simply dial pound-7
(don't dial 9 first).  Your saved phone number will be dialed instead.
This should work for any outside call, including international.
By the way, this feature is available and useful all the time, not
just today.

	The Atari-operator-getting-the-long-distance-operator
offer has expired.  They are no longer supposed to extend calls
to the long distance operator for you, so please don't put them in
the uncomfortable position of explaining it to you--don't ask them to.

	Please pass the word.

sas