[ale] AT&T having outgoing email issues

[Geoffrey]

Jim Kinney wrote:
> They answered the phone!?!?!

One minute hold time actually.  The idiot I got on the line first was 
obviously a script dweeb.  Asked me for the 'error number.'  Told him 
there was no error number.  He told me there is ALWAYS an error number, 
was I using Outlook or Outlook express.  I told him neither I was using 
Thunderbird.  He told me the did not provide support for Thunderbird.  I 
told him I didn't want support for Thunderbird, that there was a problem 
with their outgoing email server.  He asked me to reboot my computer.  I 
again told him the problem was on his end not mine.  Finally, I booted 
up an old laptop that has Outlook and produced his error number for him. 
  He then got quiet for a very long time.  I asked if he was still 
there, he asked me to hold please.  I was then summarily disconnected. 
Called back got the 'all circuits are busy' message, which told me that 
they were probably now aware that they really were having a problem. 
Called back again, held for 12 minutes and then was told the problem 
would be resolved in 24 hours.

-- 
Until later, Geoffrey

Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little
temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.
  - Benjamin Franklin