Digest

Messages in FedEx ITD Retiree Breakfast Club group.

Page 67 of 70.

Jimmy Glenn Burk7/30/2016

If my memory is correct, Ancel's answer is pretty close. the batteries were not being charged properly...and by continuing to overcharge, there was an memory effect on the batteries in which they never held a viable charge. The batteries actually had to be drained and then recharged. Bruce Lindow & dept designed a 'battery hospital' to cycle the batteries correctly.

Subject: FedEx history trivia:

Jimmy Glenn Burk7/27/2016

FedEx history trivia:What is 555-1212?

Deby Abbott Jolley7/27/2016

Isn't that the number for information? Precursor for googling a phone number?

Elizabeth Ward Blaylock7/27/2016

How about 526-5261 for correct time and temperature report? We called it "Jam Jam 1"

Deby Abbott Jolley7/27/2016

JamJam still works!!

Dave Hansen7/27/2016

Used by Telco to test the line.

Carl Wayne Hardeman7/27/2016

Junior Samples' cell phone number?

Bob Black7/28/2016

That was BR-549

Jane Meredith Robbins7/27/2016

Directory Assistance. ATT still uses that number for DA on their cell phones and will charge your account!

Jimmy Glenn Burk7/29/2016

Answer: in this case, it was the Zapmail mpn or address to the closest packet node where admin messages about the document were sent; it was also the phone number for at&t directory assistance

Subject: FedEx History Trivia

Jimmy Glenn Burk7/27/2016

FedEx History TriviaAt the end of Zapmail the number of documents transmitted on a peak day was around 55,000;What percentage of those documents were sent from an address in Washington DC, to an address in Washington, DC???

Jimmy Glenn Burk7/31/2016

Answer: 10%

Subject: FedEx history trivia?

Jimmy Glenn Burk7/27/2016

FedEx history trivia?FedEx was one of the first transportation companies to deploy timeplex and I-Net switches to integrate voice and date across it's network. It then started a subsidiary Telecom enterprise called FITC to buy and sell telecommunications services, it then deployed an X.25 network to integrate 3270 and packet traffic, followed by a CISCO router network across all it's locations.Who was the 2nd company, which followed just about everything FedEx did, but years later....and even sent a thank you message to FedEx for working out the kinks in these technologies...so they didn't have to?

Gary Phillips7/27/2016

The switches were TimePlex and NET (Network Equipment Technologies) iNET (Integrated Network) was what the network was called.

Jimmy Glenn Burk7/31/2016

Answer: UPS

Subject: FedEx History Trivia

Jimmy Glenn Burk7/27/2016

FedEx History TriviaAbout how many radio tower leases did FedEx have in many cities to support it's dispatch vehicle fleet?a. 100+ b. 330+ c. 550+ d. 880+

Jimmy Glenn Burk10/28/2016

answer d. 880+

Subject: FedEx History Trivia

Jimmy Glenn Burk7/27/2016

FedEx History TriviaWhich of the following is true about FedEx connecting directly to the Internet initially?a. the person that signed a free 30 day direct connect circuit to the Internet was sent to signature jail b. upper management didn't want to support this or pay for it c. it cost $1,000 a month d. the only FedEx users of the Internet were technical people using usenet support groups

Gary Phillips7/27/2016

Probably all. A. Was Jimmy Burk I think.

Jimmy Glenn Burk7/29/2016

Forwarded comment: Your post on the Internet reminded me. We were using Western Union as a fax service for the call centers to send Customs clearance documents. In the late 1980s Technical Support used Western Union to exchange messages with IBM's internal PROFS using the x.400 protocol. Some of the FedEx Ops Research folks wanted to exchange messages with university professors who were using the newfangled Internet e-mail. I approached our Western Union rep about connecting FedEx's EMC2 to the Internet. He said he would check on it. He came back in a week or two and said he must have misunderstood me. He couldn't find anyone who knew what the Internet was.

Jimmy Glenn Burk7/29/2016

Answers: a. the person that signed a free 30 day direct connect circuit to the Internet was sent to signature jail TRUE, although signature jail only lasted a couple days...in this case b. upper management didn't want to support this or pay for it TRUE, we did it anyway; Major cost savings were being realized from work that Dale Browning and Irene Williams were doing on consolidating network costs; we decided to take some of those savings and just do it anyway c. it cost $1,000 a month FALSE It cost $5,000 a month; the Internet was so new, the closest connection point for Memphis was St. Louis, so the majority of this cost was a 56kbps direct line circuit to that location d. the only FedEx users of the Internet were technical people using usenet support groups TRUE

Subject: Wishing a Happy Birthday to FedExr Linda Hook Stewart Reeves!

Jimmy Glenn Burk7/28/2016

Wishing a Happy Birthday to FedExr Linda Hook Stewart Reeves!

J. David White7/28/2016

Happy birthday Linda.

Subject: FedEx ITD History Trivia (Signatures):

Jimmy Glenn Burk7/31/2016

FedEx ITD History Trivia (Signatures):a. Who signed his memos JET and what did he do?b. Who signed his memos JLB and what did he do?c. Who signed his memos TAM and what did he do?d. Who signed his memos RJP and what did he do?

Jim Bentley7/31/2016

A: Janice Elaine Turner, comm software

Penny Hitchcock Hopper7/31/2016

I was thinking Jim Tolleson (sp?) in COS.

Don Rose7/31/2016

Penny Hitchcock Hopper You are correct. Jim signed as JET, and most of the COS folks called him JET. I know I did.

Jim Bentley7/31/2016

B: Jim Barksdale, FedEx Big Dog

Elizabeth Ward Blaylock8/2/2016

If you are going to run with the Big Dogs you have to get off the porch!

Jim Bentley7/31/2016

D: Dr Ronnie Ponder

Jim Bentley7/31/2016

C: T Allen McArtor, flight

Don Rose7/31/2016

D. Ronny Ponder. Many things at FedEx including SVP of IT.

Cheryl Bowen7/31/2016

James E. Tollefson, VP, Colorado Springs Data Center.

Peggy Dawson Black8/1/2016

A. Jim Tollefson VP software dev in COS B. Jim Barksdale CIO C. T. Alan McArtor D. Ron Ponder SVP IT

Timothy Joseph Frassinelli8/2/2016

Barksdale, COO, Netscape. McArtor, VP, Advanced Projects, SVP AOD, Administrator FAA. Former Blue Angel. Supporter of St. Jude. Ponder, SVP IT, Phd.

Subject: Monday afternoon in downtown Memphis TN.

Peter Carabetta8/1/2016

Monday afternoon in downtown Memphis TN.

Subject: Wow... Got 3 at once in Memphis TN

Peter Carabetta8/2/2016

Wow... Got 3 at once in Memphis TN

Subject: Just got off the phone call with Dr. Ron Ponder. He follows the ITD Breakfast group and enjoys every ...

Jimmy Glenn Burk8/2/2016

Just got off the phone call with Dr. Ron Ponder. He follows the ITD Breakfast group and enjoys everyone's postings.He fondly remembers working with so many good and hardworking people at FedEx as he and all of us built systems that had never been done in the industry.For those that didn't know Dr. Ponder, he built FedEx's Operations Research department from scratch and that group was heavily involved in all decisions from where to fly the planes, what forecast of volumes from every zip to zip, which planes to fly and optimum routes and schedules to fly them. He then managed a consolidated department of Operations Research and IE or SIS, Strategic Integrated systems.After Jim Barksdale was promoted from CIO to COO of the company, Dr. Ponder was chosen to be the new SVP/CIO of IT and Operations Research.He led the IT department into a new real time communications world where FedEx expanded into , Customer Automation, International Systems, Cosmos IIB package tracking, and many other systems.Many people fondly remember him setting up the first major Project Managment meetings, affectionally called the Ponderama's that allowed interaction of many groups....and use of a green fish...He left FedEx in the early 90's to become the CIO and then COO of Sprint and many other high level positions in the industry.I'm hoping we can tape an interview with Dr. Ponder in the near future, he has a lot of valuable history tidbits and memories inside his head.

Subject: FedEx Trivia

Jimmy Glenn Burk8/4/2016

FedEx TriviaDo you have a favorite pen, pin, cup, trinket or dodad that you still have kept from your FedEx career?

Melissa Leech Ziemer8/4/2016

Just found a box of them cleaning out the garage: "Don't Panic" pins, Christmas wrapping paper sheets, International Zap Mail pen, and much more.

Don Rose8/4/2016

I have a ton in boxes somewhere.

Debora Williams Waller8/4/2016

I have several items also.

Sherrie Hughins Gully8/4/2016

I have pins, buttons and mugs.

Deby Abbott Jolley8/4/2016

I have a couple of the big ole planes that I received as awards. I think those are my favorites...

Mark Baugh8/4/2016

Jimmy Glenn Burk8/4/2016

what is the top object?

Clayton Roderick8/4/2016

Crack pipe ?

Mark Baugh8/4/2016

Zap Mail Ka·zoo

Chris Jones8/4/2016

i have a kazoo too

Mark Baugh8/4/2016

Chris Jones8/4/2016

This is a ZapMail promotional poster for our International service. There is a set of 5 prints-Paris, Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam and Brussels. This one is the Paris poster.

Pat Woodruff Gunter8/4/2016

I use a few mugs for every day...mostly good memories. 😊

Melody Preuitt Mettes8/4/2016

Does anyone have the "unimportant" stamp that was nixed just before the ZapMail launch? I want one!

Irene Williams8/5/2016

I have the plastic plane that you awarded me for "best presenter" at an all management meeting you held. Topic was "Dale Grear is 40 Today". We were in a park for the meeting.

Subject: The Tandem Systems Group taken at the CAC around mid 1980's.

Jimmy Glenn Burk8/4/2016

The Tandem Systems Group taken at the CAC around mid 1980's.L-R: Ray Burk , Steve Swanberg, Danny Baser, Dale Teets, Bob Palasz, Gary Holmes, David Windham, Steve Morrison, and Lance Nelson.

Chris Apalodimas8/4/2016

They were a great group. Back in 1986, Kurt Wulff and all of them were so helpful getting us to 1) convince Dr. Ponder to do SUPER system on the Tandem and 2) really working hard to make it all work as we moved forward.

Susie Coyle Richardson8/4/2016

Steven Swanberg

Chris Apalodimas8/4/2016

I always loved working with Steve. . he was knowledgable and a great sense of humor!

Mary A Johnson8/5/2016

SUPER is officially retired, but one txn is still in production

Rebecca Felts8/5/2016

I worked with some of those folks.

Steven Swanberg8/11/2016

Notice which one is not wearing a tie and if you can zoom in on his hand take a look at how he is holding his can of soda . . . Gary should not have had to leave this Earth the way he did https://www.facebook.com/GbobHolmes?fref=ts

Jimmy Glenn Burk8/11/2016

For the Halloween Nonconnah Fall Festival, Gary wore a t-shirt costume with a Tie painted on it....

Jimmy Glenn Burk8/11/2016

...and I got Gary his interview at FedEx with Jim Moore for a programmer position. Gary didn't own a suit or dress shoes, so he wore his Dad's suit, shoes and tie....it loosely fit, but Gary did get the job working with Jim Bentley

Subject: David White: To the best of my memory from 1987 the FedEx employees in picture were:

Jimmy Glenn Burk8/4/2016

David White: To the best of my memory from 1987 the FedEx employees in picture were:Back Row L to R: Greg Nemec, Sharon Roberts, Carol Williams (now deceased), and Carla S. Moore.Front Row L to R: Marsha Wallace, Jonnie Carrion, Marie McVay, J. David White, & Jon Peacock.

Marie McVay8/4/2016

This was taken on the ribbon cutting of the PBX our team installed at the Parts Bank on Perkins (I think)! We were all in our teens! .

Subject: True or False (in the early 80's) Answer any of the following.

Jimmy Glenn Burk8/4/2016

True or False (in the early 80's) Answer any of the following.a. FedEx's Computer Center after the Cook purchase was in Clark Towerb. It was OK with company policy to drink while at lunchc. The computer systems were moved to 2955 Republican from Clark Towerd. A Data Systems goal was to get everyone , in IT, a 3270 terminal or PCe. If the department reached it's quarterly goal, everyone got a day offf. You always got your birthday off, or a day of your choosingg. A 4 day work week was planned for all IT employees but stopped

Buddy Johnson8/4/2016

A T B T C F D T E T F T G T

Don Rose8/4/2016

All true except C.

Buddy Johnson8/4/2016

Computer systems were moved from Clark Tower to CAC Mod I in a highly organized weekend effort.

Sonny Holman8/4/2016

A very long weekend, Buddy!!

Buddy Johnson8/5/2016

Yep

Ben Moore8/8/2016

A sleepless weekend other than a brief nap on Ed White's couch.

Ann Hoff Crum8/4/2016

B was true......and a manager always put the groups lunch on an expense report!!!!

Danielle Harnisch8/4/2016

Couriers as well as managers drank daily 1978

Peggy Dawson Black8/4/2016

a. True b. True c. True d. True e. False f. False g. True

Ann Hoff Crum8/5/2016

Goes back to 1973 when I stared!

Jimmy Glenn Burk8/8/2016

Answers (to best of my memories) TRUE a. FedEx's Computer Center after the Cook purchase was in Clark Tower TRUE b. It was OK with company policy to drink while at lunch ---and many many did FALSE c. The computer systems were moved to 2955 Republican from Clark Tower as stated the Computers were moved to the CAC or CTC facility on Airways across from the West runway FALSE d. A Data Systems goal was to get everyone , in IT, a 3270 terminal or PC although many in IT wanted a terminal (PC's weren't really available or useful in early 80's) Jim Barksdale stated that he wanted everyone to have one,,,,that needed one...but not just everyone TRUE e. If the department reached it's quarterly goal, everyone got a day off true in IT or DATA SYSTEMS as it was called...and the initial quarterly goal was to get all the printed reports out on time TRUE f. You always got your birthday off, or a day of your choosing true in IT or Data Systems FALSE g. A 4 day work week was planned for all IT employees but stopped it wasn't planned for all IT employees but was heavily discussed and there were proposals for programmers and some other groups to go to 4 day work weeks. I wasn't part of those conversations but was told, there was pushback from the Field Operations side who wanted to do the same thing and they couldn't reconcile a common policy; several groups in FedEx currently have 4 day work weeks

Terrie Hoerning8/9/2016

All true, except C

Subject: Photo of first Amazon aircraft; Amazon is using a 3rd party to procure, paint & fly the jets for the ...

Jimmy Glenn Burk8/5/2016

Photo of first Amazon aircraft; Amazon is using a 3rd party to procure, paint & fly the jets for them.https://www.yahoo.com/news/first-amazon-prime-airplane-debuts-040123215.html

Deby Abbott Jolley8/5/2016

That link didn't work for me, but I found it here: http://www.cnbc.com/2016/08/05/amazon-has-unveiled-its-first-branded-cargo-plane-to-speed-up-deliveries.html

Photo of first Amazon aircraft; Amazon is using a 3rd party to procure, paint & fly the jets for them.

Shane Borden8/6/2016

The only way to make a small fortune in aviation is to start with a large one. Amazon should leave this to the pros.

Johnnie Edwards8/6/2016

They are smart....leasing

Michael D. Mehl8/7/2016

"America, you've got a new airline! There's no First Class, no meals, no movies...in fact, no passengers…just packages!" Wait…I think that's been done before!!

Subject: FedEx History Trivia around 1996-97

Jimmy Glenn Burk8/5/2016

FedEx History Trivia around 1996-97What & Where was this? Who was the Officer? Where did he get his uniform?

Jimmy Glenn Burk8/5/2016

Marcie Littles Moss8/5/2016

It was on the back parking lot of Business Park...Halloween maybe...

Peggy Dawson Black8/5/2016

Barry Poole

J. David White8/5/2016

He got the uniform from Shelby County Sheriff's dept. Barry used to be a volunteer EMR with SCSD Emergency Services.

Rebecca Felts8/5/2016

Cute photo

Terry Walker Smedley8/6/2016

Goodness is that Leslie Hazenfield?

Dan Elliot8/6/2016

Yep, it sure is!

Jimmy Glenn Burk8/6/2016

This photo was taken at the Nonconnah Fall Festival around Halloween 96. It was a regular event in the Telecom group held behind 2828 Business Park which boardered Nonconnah creek. Most of the ladies in the photo worked in Customer Automation for Jim Thannum on Airways. In the evenings at the location, roaming, were ladies of the evening, to the point that if a lady employee worked late, they were escorted to their cars for their safety. Since the Fall Festival was around Halloween many dressed in costumes and this group happened to dressed as shown. Barry Poole was a volunteer for the Sheriff's department and wore his uniform(he mentioned that he did this because it allowed him to speed anywhere he wanted...)

Drew Perkins9/13/2016

Yes Terry, that is Leslie.