Moloch Industries News

Well, I didn't see it coming as fast as it did, but the Ricochet network is going down the Wednesday. The company is in debt huge, the current assesment of debt is 1 Billion dollars. I just got my Ricochet modem less than 3 weeks ago and I thought when the company filed for chapter 11, the company was just going for a re-org. Wireless Web Connect emailed this last night:

Dear Ricochet WebConnect! subscriber,

As you know, the Ricochet WebConnect! wireless data solution we offer is based on the Ricochet network, owned and operated by Metricom, Inc. of San Jose, California, a separate and independent company.

Like you, we love the Ricochet network along with the speed and flexibility it provides.

Metricom has just advised us that it is no longer able to continue in business. Unfortunately, this means that the Ricochet network is scheduled to be shut down on Wednesday August 8th, with possible service degradation before then. This could happen despite WWC having strenuously argued for at least a 30-day notice to subscribers and resellers, so that you and we could have time to transition you to our new service, Anywhere WebConnect!.

WWC is doing all possible to prevent the Ricochet network from being turned off, or to rapidly revive the Ricochet network in case it is actually turned off. If this should happen, hold onto your Ricochet modems until further notice. If the network is turned off, we will suspend billing on your Ricochet WebConnect! account on the same day. We will either settle or continue your account when the final fate of the Ricochet network is known. You will not be billed for the time the network is down.

Meanwhile, we want you to consider us your Wireless Data Solutions provider regardless of what happens with Ricochet. We have expanded our service offerings to include more than just the Ricochet service, and have a number of very exciting services coming in the very near future, including improvements in both data speeds and coverage areas. Believe it or not, there are faster and less expensive options coming right around the corner. We consider it our job to keep you apprised of these.

Should Ricochet service become unavailable temporarily or permanently, you will need another immediate solution for your wireless data needs. We will provide this solution and we remain committed to giving you the best service available. Effective Monday, August 6th, we will be selling a cellular wireless data service provided through the largest national carrier. We chose this service because of its stability, so that you will not have to experience network failures in the future. This service has a nationwide service area with over 200 covered cities. It will not work with your Ricochet modem, so a new CDPD modem will be needed, and we are working hard to get you special consideration on this as an existing WWC subscriber.

Please call us on 800-811-7426 (starting on Monday) for more details on this, and please keep checking our website at www.wwc.com for updated information.

Sincerely,
Wireless WebConnect!

posted by Moloch # 8/04/2001 10:24:00 PM 0 comments

After some difficulties, the move to SoCal is coming into shape. I should have completed my move by the 15th of August. My new dwelling is located in Manhattan Beach and it seems to suit me fine for right now. I didn't plan on this place but, you don't always find what you are looking for I guess. The problems were just miscommunication but I do have an apartment. My place is in Manhattan Beach and is still close to the water. Arial shot of my apartment is here and here is the map.

So here is the deal, I have a couple of gigs in LA for work but I am always looking for the better opportunities. My resume is at http://moloch.org/tommEE/resume. Maybe on the weekend after my moving I will get together with the rest of SoCal peeps and celebrate my arrival. For my East Coast friends, we will be gathering at The Raven on August 10th at 10PM.

posted by Moloch # 8/03/2001 07:14:00 AM 0 comments