Two Options When Using *228

When I dial *228 on my LG VX-4400 phone, I'm presented with two
options: to program my phone or to update my roaming capabilities
(PRL).

What exactly is done when I choose the option to program my phone? I
know it doesn't update the software (currently at version 6), so what
actually happens?

Thanks.

Randal

"Randal" <rroeNOSPAM@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:iq91mv4fjtcf3j0n6ogmmnlkktfk4uja47@4ax.com...
> When I dial *228 on my LG VX-4400 phone, I'm presented with two
> options: to program my phone or to update my roaming capabilities
> (PRL).
>
> What exactly is done when I choose the option to program my phone? I
> know it doesn't update the software (currently at version 6), so what
> actually happens?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Randal

It does just like it says, it programs the phone. Loads the #, PRL, network
ID's.



KC

In article <lZ18b.703$%G3.484@newsread2.news.atl.earthlink.ne t>,
_KC_ <kc@kc.com> wrote:
>
>"Randal" <rroeNOSPAM@verizon.net> wrote in message
>news:iq91mv4fjtcf3j0n6ogmmnlkktfk4uja47@4ax.com.. .
>> When I dial *228 on my LG VX-4400 phone, I'm presented with two
>> options: to program my phone or to update my roaming capabilities
>> (PRL).
>>
>> What exactly is done when I choose the option to program my phone? I
>> know it doesn't update the software (currently at version 6), so what
>> actually happens?
>>
>> Thanks.
>>
>> Randal
>
>It does just like it says, it programs the phone. Loads the #, PRL, network
>ID's.

Maybe it's the geek in me, but when I hear "update the programming", I
think "update the software". As a computer scientist, when I program, I am
dealing with software. What *228 option 1 does is *configure* the phone.
Kind of like the difference between getting a Windows Update, and tweaking
the Properties of some application. The Property sheet does not "program"
the application, it "configures" it.

Or is the distinction between programming and configuring blurred by
the public at large?

"CharlesH" <hoch@exemplary.invalid> wrote
> Maybe it's the geek in me, but when I hear "update the programming", I
> think "update the software". As a computer scientist, when I program, I am
> dealing with software. What *228 option 1 does is *configure* the phone.
> Kind of like the difference between getting a Windows Update, and tweaking
> the Properties of some application. The Property sheet does not "program"
> the application, it "configures" it.

I concurr 100%. then again I work in the computer industry too.
I think its a very poor choice of wording for the prompt. Most people
have an idea of what it means to take your phone into a VZW store
and have it "Updated". Naturally they make the connection to the *228
prompt.

> Or is the distinction between programming and configuring blurred by
> the public at large?

This too. Its still blurred. What would you expect the answer to be if you
asked the question "what do you do to the remote after unpacking your
new TV?" ...

-Quick

Some time around Thu, 11 Sep 2003 12:24:13 -0700 (give or take a month), someone
called "Quick" <dhorwitz@NOSPAMcisco.com> rambled on about:


>I concurr 100%. then again I work in the computer industry too.

This shouldn't be an option for the average person. This should be performed at
the store, or if your told to by customer service. It can bring too many
problems. It might not let you update it if it has already been done, but I
don't take the chance.



-W

It "Programs" your new phone with you MTN#, PRL, and wutever other info
your phone needs to be activated so that you can use your new phone.. It
is Verizon's way of not having to release unlocking information to you
on the phone. unlike with Sprint they just blindly toss around the MSL
code allow people uneeded access to the sensitve internal setting of
their phone so they can screw things up.

--
Statements made by me are of my opinion and knowledge, and do not
express those by Verizon Wireless(R).
Any information I give is subject to change without notice, and may not
be completely accurate.


Randal <rroeNOSPAM@verizon.net> wrote in article
<iq91mv4fjtcf3j0n6ogmmnlkktfk4uja47@4ax.com>:
> When I dial *228 on my LG VX-4400 phone, I'm presented with two
> options: to program my phone or to update my roaming capabilities
> (PRL).
>
> What exactly is done when I choose the option to program my phone? I
> know it doesn't update the software (currently at version 6), so what
> actually happens?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Randal

[posted via phonescoop.com]

On 11 Sep 2003 18:35:56 GMT, CharlesH <hoch@exemplary.invalid> wrote:


> Maybe it's the geek in me, but when I hear "update the programming", I
> think "update the software". As a computer scientist, when I program, I
> am
> dealing with software. What *228 option 1 does is *configure* the phone.
> Kind of like the difference between getting a Windows Update, and
> tweaking
> the Properties of some application. The Property sheet does not "program"
> the application, it "configures" it.
>
> Or is the distinction between programming and configuring blurred by
> the public at large?

Nope, it's the pedant in you. What you call "programming" is only
configuration.

Real programming is done when creating the microcode which creates a
processor's instruction set. No, wait, REAL PROGRAMMING is done when
laying out the mask to create the silicon.

--
Mark

Some time around Thu, 11 Sep 2003 21:03:23 -0400 (give or take a month), someone
called Mark Allread <mallread@flatsurface.com> rambled on about:

>Real programming is done when creating the microcode which creates a
>processor's instruction set. No, wait, REAL PROGRAMMING is done when
>laying out the mask to create the silicon.

No real programming is when the sperm fertilizes the egg.

-W

"Double U" <PleaseSpamMe@myEmail.com> wrote in message
news:md42mvkoo4qi20evggd4jhdmihfmr8mav4@4ax.com...
> Some time around Thu, 11 Sep 2003 12:24:13 -0700 (give or take a month),
someone
> called "Quick" <dhorwitz@NOSPAMcisco.com> rambled on about:
>
>
> >I concurr 100%. then again I work in the computer industry too.
>
> This shouldn't be an option for the average person. This should be
performed at
> the store, or if your told to by customer service. It can bring too many
> problems. It might not let you update it if it has already been done, but
I
> don't take the chance.

Why? its pretty harmless and bullet proof. It keys off of your ESN (the
phones permanent "serial number"). The network checks to see of that
ESN is in the service provider's data base. If it finds the ESN it will
download
the "account information" to the phone (your phone number, home SID, etc.).
You can do it as many times as you want. This information has nothing to do
with which plan you have. I assume its *possible* that something could go
wrong and you end up with inconsistent information or something... but this
could only happen while trying to activate your phone (it doesn't work yet
anyway) and you end up having to go to a store. How can you say it shouldn't
be an option for the average person when you have no idea of what it does?
Thats like saying only mechanics should be allowed to drive cars.

-Quick

I'm baffled... from your sig someone might get the impression
that you work for VZW. VZW doesn't lock their phones.

-Quick

"VZW Guy" <vzwguy2004@yahoo.com> wrote
> It "Programs" your new phone with you MTN#, PRL, and wutever other info
> your phone needs to be activated so that you can use your new phone.. It
> is Verizon's way of not having to release unlocking information to you
> on the phone. unlike with Sprint they just blindly toss around the MSL
> code allow people uneeded access to the sensitve internal setting of
> their phone so they can screw things up.
>
> --
> Statements made by me are of my opinion and knowledge, and do not
> express those by Verizon Wireless(R).
> Any information I give is subject to change without notice, and may not
> be completely accurate.
>
>
> Randal <rroeNOSPAM@verizon.net> wrote in article
> <iq91mv4fjtcf3j0n6ogmmnlkktfk4uja47@4ax.com>:
> > When I dial *228 on my LG VX-4400 phone, I'm presented with two
> > options: to program my phone or to update my roaming capabilities
> > (PRL).
> >
> > What exactly is done when I choose the option to program my phone? I
> > know it doesn't update the software (currently at version 6), so what
> > actually happens?
> >
> > Thanks.
> >
> > Randal
>
> [posted via phonescoop.com]

Some time around Fri, 12 Sep 2003 09:43:00 -0700 (give or take a month), someone
called "Quick" <dhorwitz@NOSPAMcisco.com> rambled on about:

>Bla bla freaking bla
>be an option for the average person when you have no idea of what it does?
>Thats like saying only mechanics should be allowed to drive cars.

I have worked tech support. Don't have anything that you don't want the public
to have access to.

-W

"Double U" <PleaseSpamMe@myEmail.com> wrote in message
news:f5u3mvkc58gck82gd1ia5c2g5vr25pcjsn@4ax.com...
> Some time around Fri, 12 Sep 2003 09:43:00 -0700 (give or take a month),
someone
> called "Quick" <dhorwitz@NOSPAMcisco.com> rambled on about:
>
> >Bla bla freaking bla
> >be an option for the average person when you have no idea of what it
does?
> >Thats like saying only mechanics should be allowed to drive cars.
>
> I have worked tech support. Don't have anything that you don't want the
public
> to have access to.

Granted. Now weigh that against cost. 30+ million customers. Many activating
new phones every year or two. If it can reasonably be done by the customer
how many techs can you eliminate? Not to mention the personel fronting for
them.

-Quick

V's tech support doesn't seem to know that there are two options.

"_KC_" <kc@kc.com> wrote in message
news:lZ18b.703$%G3.484@newsread2.news.atl.earthlin k.net...
>
> "Randal" <rroeNOSPAM@verizon.net> wrote in message
> news:iq91mv4fjtcf3j0n6ogmmnlkktfk4uja47@4ax.com...
> > When I dial *228 on my LG VX-4400 phone, I'm presented with two
> > options: to program my phone or to update my roaming capabilities
> > (PRL).
> >
> > What exactly is done when I choose the option to program my phone? I
> > know it doesn't update the software (currently at version 6), so what
> > actually happens?
> >
> > Thanks.
> >
> > Randal
>
> It does just like it says, it programs the phone. Loads the #, PRL,
network
> ID's.
>
>
>
> KC
>
>

Some time around Fri, 12 Sep 2003 10:25:57 -0700 (give or take a month), someone
called "Quick" <dhorwitz@NOSPAMcisco.com> rambled on about:

>Granted. Now weigh that against cost. 30+ million customers. Many activating
>new phones every year or two. If it can reasonably be done by the customer
>how many techs can you eliminate? Not to mention the personel fronting for
>them.

I am saying don't have it as an audible option. When a person gets a new phone
have the instructions in the letter sent with the phone, or have the customer
rep tell them on the phone. The can be accessed during the call, but the average
user doesn't know about it because it isn't heard.

Or another option get a separate number for activating the phone.