CHATTANOOGA ENGINEERS CLUB http://www.chattanooga.net/engineers/CEC.htm Volume LI October 9, 2000 12:00 noon The Cellar at Union Square THIS WEEK__________________________________________________________________ Dr. Craig A. Depken, of Design Associates, Inc., will speak on how technologies can be used in the presentation of facts in courtroom litigation. Dr. Depken may include topics such as accident reconstruction using CAD and other engineering methods, and how engineers and engineering concepts are being used in legal cases. LAST WEEK___________________________________________________________________ Gene Shatlock, Tennessee Area Vice President, Mike Davis, Area Product Development Manager, and Lamar Pearson, Operation Manager, of Comcast Communications, introduced the new residential high-speed data services and the digital cable service that is now available to some areas in Chattanooga. Founded in 1963, Comcast has grown from a single system cable operation into communication companies. Comcast Cable is the country's third largest provider of cable services, and is expanding its cable operations to deliver digital services, and provide faster Internet service. Comcast has 8.4 million cable subscribers. Comcast is trying to provide multiple services to the same customers, entertainment, internet service, and possibly phone service in the future. Comcast@Home delivers high bandwidth Internet access with national and local content directly to subscribers PC. However, an interface DOCSIS, will be required. DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Systems Interface Specifications) is a standard interface for cable modems, the devices that handle incoming and outgoing data signals between a cable TV operator and a personal or business computer or television set. The cable modem provides faster data transmission speed than a traditional phone modem. Faster speed allows subscribers to enjoy multimedia content such as video and audio clips and 3-D virtual reality images. Graphics and multimedia download in seconds. One draw back to the always on connections is the security issue. With DSL and cable modem being installed in more homes, hackers have found new playgrounds. Since BlackIce was launched in 1999, more than 200,000 copies of the firewall monitoring software have been sold. In introducing our speakers, Fred Lupton showed the notification he recently received at his home letting him know that digital cable is available. Customers will be notified as various clusters are upgraded to digital cable network. Customers can than choose to change to digital cable service. Digital technology enables Comcast to compress the signals, thereby offering many, many more channels than were previously possible. COMING PROGRAM________________________________________________________ October 16 - Shannon Boss, Tennessee Donor Services. October 23 - Steve Leach, "Volunteer Army Ammunition Plant site, its history, and its road access to the community." October 30 - Field trip, LiteSpeed Racing Components. --- Chattanooga Technology Council Mailing List | A free service provided by To unsubscribe, e-mail: ctc-unsubscribe@cdc.net | CDC Internet, Inc. For additional commands, e-mail: ctc-help@cdc.net | http://www.cdc.net "