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ENUM Protocol in Australia?

Posted by Hemos on from the using-it-down-under dept.

Master Kai writes "Looks like Australia's thinking about implementing ENUM, an internet protocol that will convert a simple phone number into a URI. The benefits are obvious, use one number to contact you on any communications medium. Your website, fixed phone, fax, mobile (cell) and email address. But at what cost to our privacy? I know that personally I prefer to give out my email address, because I can change it at the click of a button. And what about spam? Not only would spamers have your email address, but your contact numbers too. Eeeep! Anyway. It looks good nonetheless. Check out the news article , and for the Australian Communications Authority Discussion Paper. "

10 of 142 comments (clear)

  1. I already... by Romothecus · · Score: 3, Funny

    get phone calls from spammers anyway.

    1. Re:I already... by bakes · · Score: 5, Funny

      I have received a few SMS spams in recent weeks. Apparently 'someone I know secretly fancies me', and wants me to call a 1902 number. They obviously fancy me enough to take 4.95 a minute from me, but not enough to meet me in person and let me stuff it down the front of their pants.

      --
      Ho! Haha! Guard! Turn! Parry! Dodge! Spin! Ha! Thrust!
  2. Hey Baby can I get your website? by Nathdot · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Sure you can. It's www.555-6789.com"

    *Later*
    "Yowzer, that mama was hot,hot,hot... Hang on... 555 (dawning on him) GODDAMMIT!!!"

    1. Re:Hey Baby can I get your website? by OO7david · · Score: 3, Funny

      Or for the geek girls:

      "Sure I'm Jenny and my number is http://86.75.3.09

  3. phone number? Not mine by Bloody+Bastard · · Score: 3, Funny

    I used to put my work phone number in my emails until a stupid guy from a mail list started to call me to discuss some topic that he disagreed... what a pain in the neck!!!

    1. Re:phone number? Not mine by joshtimmons · · Score: 5, Funny

      John, is that you? I've been trying to call, but your number doesn't work anymore...

    2. Re:phone number? Not mine by bilbobuggins · · Score: 3, Funny

      was it your boss? i stopped putting my number in emails when my boss started using it too...

  4. Re:What in the heck is a "URI" anyway? Did I miss. by saskboy · · Score: 3, Funny

    Universal Resource Inibitor?

    Thanks. ;-)

    --
    Saskboy's blog is good. 9 out of 10 dentists agree.
  5. Since A Phone Number Is Arbitrary... by Tsali · · Score: 5, Funny

    Personally, I think they should match it to your license plate number. That way, you can call people who are driving horribly and then email them about how badly they were driving via your PDA. We could turn road rage into its own medium.

    So if you don't have a phone number because you're one of the few people on the planet that doesn't have a phone, would you be unknown to the Australian government?

    --
    This space for rent.
  6. Just call me '7.2.4.8.7.5.3.2.2.6.8.8.e164.arpa' by ukryule · · Score: 3, Funny

    Great! This makes life much simpler.
    According to the ENUM spec my new easy-to-remember all-purpose address will be:

    7.2.4.8.7.5.3.2.2.6.8.8.e164.arpa

    No longer will I have to use that impossible to remember email address (1st name)@(surname).org