BACKTALK

And the Readers’ Choice Is… Communications Technology’s Readers’ Choice is an annual awards program that honors the industry’s most innovative new products. A panel of engineers will select finalists from among the entries received, and Communications Technology’s readers will choose the winners during the SCTE Cable-Tec Expo held June 15-18 in Orlando, FL. Entries are being accepted in the following five categories: advanced video services, cable telephony, high-speed data, operational support systems and outside plant. All entries must be received by April 23, 2004. For entry details, visit www.broadband-pbimedia.com/ct/awards/rc/index.html, or contact Jennifer Whalen at (301) 354-1797 or [email protected]. Career Moves SeaChange International appointed Ira Goldfarb senior vice president, worldwide sales. The company also named Stuart Lipson as vice president of content solutions. SCTE named Tom Russell its director of standards. Russell comes from TTM Develop-ment Co., where he served as a technology consultant. He has an extensive background in both broadband and consumer electronics through positions with Philips Broadband, Thomson Consumer Electronics and OnePath Networks. Russell has been involved in standards since 1992 through the Telecommunications Industry Association. Quotables Comments received at sister publication CT’s Pipeline regarding the satellite industry’s "Stop Feeding the Pig" ad campaign: "The satellite operators are accurate in reporting the continually escalating rates of their cable counterparts… Satellite still offers more for less in the form of video programming. If we take into account cable’s local programming, the availability of high-speed Internet access and telephony, there really is no comparison. Cable wins." —Leonard T. Muscato, Potomac Falls, VA "The satellite industry has resorted to election campaign tactics to try to lure customers away from a solid, proven industry. Their lack of ability to offer competing information services and business-class services seems to have turned them into rabid dogs." —Steven C. Traynor, VP, engineering and technical services, JAL & Associates "Too bad that the pig could not be shown in a follow-on context as being harnessed to a train of farm carts piled with farm debris-each labeled with the name of a regulation that cable must adhere to (which DBS doesn’t)." —Marty de Alminana, business development manager, transponders, Electroline Corrections In "VOD Victories: Be Careful What You Wish For," which ran in February 2004, we failed to note that Cox Communications is continuing to use Concurrent Computer Corp. for its VOD expansion in San Diego, which includes configuration of Cox’s Intelligent Asset Management System. Cox is not using Midstream Technologies or Broadbus Technologies in this deployment. In the February 2004 issue, we incorrectly listed the company of the author of "Death of the ‘Cable Guy.’" C. Scott Hisey is the chief operating officer for General Fiber Communications. We apologize for any confusion.