Newsletter No. 14

No. 14Jan.1991 CUHK Newsletter Not yet. It took time to obtain funds from the UPGC to buy a new system to replace the old one. From 1987 to 1990, the University busied itself with preparing applications, providing justifications, inviting tenders, and selecting suitable models. During the period, the number of full-time staff grew to nearly 2,800, who had to share the use of the same old 36 trunk lines to reach by phone those working outside the University. Good Tidings of Great Joy for All: Replacement is Near Now listen to the good news from the Buildings Office: in about four months' time, a new system named Harris 20-20 Integrated Voice and Data PABX will come to our rescue. New cables havebeen laid all over the campus since last July in anticipation of its arrival. When it is fully installed, the system will accommodate 2,400 extension lines, 800 data lines (capable of linking PCs to the databases at the University's Computer Services Centre), and 128 trunk lines. Such a capacity can be further enlarged if required at a reasonable cost. All telephones with dials will in due course be replaced by push-button tel-sets, each equipped with basic functions like call waiting, call transfer, abbreviated dialing, and conference calling. Halleluja! Better late than never! One word of caution though. There will be a transitional period when the new system has to be used side by side with the old, as it is not possible to change all the wiring and telephone sets at the same time. The Buildings Office also warns that most extension numbers will be changed and installation processes will inevitably cause inconvenience in the office. But surely nothing can be more inconvenient than what we now have at our finger tips, and let the telephone operators worry about new extension numbers. We telephone users will be only too glad to exchange new name cards printed with new telephone numbers to celebrate the advent of a new telephonic era on the campus. Your New Telephone Can Wo rk Miracles Call Waiting This service allows you to answer a second call while you're already on the telephone. A ‘warning tone’ informs you that someone else is waiting on the line. If you wish, you can put the first caller on hold while you talk to the second and return to the first caller later. Call Transfer This service allows you to direct all incoming calls to any other telephone number until you cancel the instruction. The calls are transferred automatically without the awareness of the caller. It will be most useful if you need to leave your office but don't want to miss an important call. Abbreviated Dialling This saves you time in reaching frequently called numbers. Telephone numbers can be stored in the memory and then dialled simply by keying a two-digit code. Conference Calling This allows you to add other parties to an already established telephone conversation. A ll can talk to one another simultaneously. 7