"A You're Adorable"

COMMENTS AND SCHEDULE PAGE
07/13/03


KCNET OPEN HOUSE.....JULY 16 (MEMBERS).....JULY 17 (RIBBON CUTTING).....NOON-6:00 PM......


MIKE'S COMMENTARY
THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE
NEWS & NOTES BY SUE FOUST

MIKE'S COMMENTARY:
I'm not sure where this one got its start.  It must have been recently updated projected by the financial stats but the real message reflects eternity.

The Real Cost In Having A Child
I have seen repeatedly the breakdown of the cost of raising a child, but this is the first time I have seen the rewards listed this way. It's nice, really nice!
The government recently calculated the cost of raising a child from birth to 18 and came up with $160,140.00 for a middle income family. Talk about sticker shock! That doesn't even touch college tuition.
But $160,140 isn't so bad if you break it down. It translates into $8,896 a year, $741.38 a month, or $171.08 a week. That's a mere $24.24 a day! Just over a dollar an hour.
Still, you might think the best financial advice says don't have children if you want to be "rich." It is just the opposite.
What do your get for your $160,140?
Naming rights - First, middle, and last!
Glimpses of God everyday.
Giggles under the covers every night.
More love than your heart can hold.
Butterfly kisses and Velcro hugs.
Endless wonder over rocks, ants, clouds, and warm cookies.
A hand to hold, usually covered with jam.
A partner for blowing bubbles, flying kites, building sand castles, and skipping down the sidewalk in the pouring rain.
Someone to laugh yourself silly with no matter what the boss said or how your stocks performed that day.
For $160,140, you never have to grow up.
You get to fingerprint, carve pumpkins, play hide-and-seek, catch lightning bugs, and never stop believing in Santa Claus.
You have an excuse to keep reading the Adventures of Piglet and Pooh, watching Saturday morning cartoons, going to DisneyLand, and wishing on stars.
You get to frame rainbows, hearts, and flowers under refrigerator magnets and collect spray painted noodle wreaths for Christmas, hand prints set in clay for Mother's Day, and cards with backward letters for Father's Day.
For $160,140, there is no greater bang for your buck.
You get to be a hero just for retrieving a Frisbee off the garage roof, taking the training wheels off the bike, removing a splinter, filling a wading pool, coaxing a wad of gum out of bangs, and coaching a baseball team that never wins but always gets treated to ice cream regardless.
You get a front row seat to history to witness the first step, first word, first bra, first date, and first time behind the wheel You get to be immortal.
You get another branch added to your family tree, and if you're lucky, a long list of limbs in your obituary called grandchildren.
You get an education in psychology, nursing, criminal justice, communications, and human sexuality that no college can match.
In the eyes of a child, you rank right up there with God.
You have all the power to heal a booboo, scare away the monsters under the bed, patch a broken heart, police a slumber party, ground them forever, and love them without limits, so one day they will, like you, love without counting the cost. 

Here are some interesting observations about the male of the species.  Some or all of the comments apply to anyone  who is XY chromosomed.

Because I'm a man, when I lock my keys in the car I will fiddle with a wire clothes hanger and ignore your suggestions that we call a road service until long after hypothermia has set in.

 Because I'm a man, when the car isn't running very well, I will pop the hood and stare at the engine as if I know what I'm looking at. If another man shows up, one of us will say to the other, "I used to be able to fix these things, but now with all these computers and everything, I wouldn't know where to start." We will then drink beer.

 Because I'm a man, when I catch a cold, I need someone to bring me soup and take care of me while I lie in bed and moan. You never get as sick as I do, so for you this isn't a problem.

 Because I'm a man, I can be relied upon to purchase basic groceries at the store, like milk or bread. I cannot be expected to find exotic items like "cumin" or "tofu." For all I know, these are the same thing. And never, under any circumstances, expect me to pick up anything for which "feminine hygiene product" is a euphemism.

 Because I'm a man, when one of our appliances stops working, I will insist on taking it apart, despite evidence that this will just cost me twice as much once the repair person gets here and has to put it back together.

 Because I'm a man, I must hold the television remote control in my hand while I watch TV. If the thing has been misplaced, I may miss a whole show looking for it (though one time I was able to survive by holding a calculator).

 Because I'm a man, I don't think we're all that lost, and no, I don't think we should stop and ask someone. Why would you listen to a complete stranger. I mean, how the heck could he know where we're going?

 Because I'm a man, there is no need to ask me what I'm thinking about. The answer is always either sex or football. I have to make up something else when you ask, so don't ask.

 Because I'm a man, I do not want to visit your mother, or have your mother come visit us, or talk to her when she calls, or think about her any more than I have to. Whatever you got her for Mother's Day is okay, I don't need to see it. And don't forget to pick up something for my mother, too.

 Because I'm a man, you don't have to ask me if I liked the movie. Chances are, if you're crying at the end of it, I didn't.

 Because I'm a man, I think what you're wearing is fine. I thought what you were wearing five minutes ago was fine, too. Either pair of shoes is fine. With the belt or without--- it looks fine. Your hair is fine. You look fine. Can we just go now?

 Because I'm a man, and this is, after all, the year 2003, I will share equally in the housework. You just do the laundry, the cooking, the gardening, the cleaning, the vacuuming, and the dishes, and I'll do the rest.


 
 
 

KCNET CLASSES:
BEGINNERS:  This is a very basic six session course in computer techniques for the internet.  There is a per course charge of $20.00 for KCnet members and $25.00 for non KCnet members.  The class size is limited.   Pre registration is required.  Call 893-8111 or come in to KCnet to register before the next sessions.  The class will meet at KCnet.
Skills taught in the beginner classes include mouse techniques like drag and drop, plus very beginner basics for email and browsing the Web.
It is not necessary for attendees to have their own computers but it is very difficult to retain
information without practice.  You really would not try to learn to play the piano with out actual keyboard time.
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE COURSE CONTENT FOR BEGINNERS

INTERMEDIATES:  This is a six session course for those who have mastered beginner skills. There is a per course charge of $20.00 for KCnet members and $25.00 for non KCnet members.  The class size is limited.   Pre registration is required.  Call (893-8111) or come in to KCnet now to register for the next sessions.  The class will meet  at KCnet.
A ton of info is packed into the six sessions.
This course is designed for those who "think they know but don't"  and especially for those who "want to know" more.
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE COURSE CONTENT FOR INTERMEDIATES

ADVANCED:  (used to be called  "Senior Net Learners").  The cost for this class is $0.00 for members of KCnet and $2.00 per session for non KCnet members.  There is no set format for the sessions.  Occasionally we will take a specific subject and do a detailed study over a period of successive weeks.  Don't be afraid to ask questions.  The folks that have been attending for awhile are always happy for a review and in most cases new or better ways to do things will surface.  Questions stimulate in-depth exploration with the usual result being an understanding of how and why.
We welcome new attendees from the Intermediate sessions and our forever growing KCnet membership.  This is an advanced group and we cover a lot of territory. We are kind of free flowing.  You never know what will transpire.
It is not necessary for attendees to have their own computers but it sure helps with the learning curve.
Intermediate computer knowledge and Intermediate computer skills are necessary.

OTHER CLASSES:
CLICK HERE FOR ORIENTATION - BEGINNERS - INTERMEDIATE - ADVANCED
CLICK HERE FOR SCANNING - MAC- GENEALOGY - WEB PAGE - EXCEL - WORD - DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY - PHOTO MANIPULATION - OTHER SPECIALTIES

THIS WEEK'S BEGINNER-ADVANCED CLASS SCHEDULE:
We are gearing up class offerings because the extensive renovation project has come to a conclusion.  In other words, we are renovated.

Intermediate
Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:00 – 11:00 am
July 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17
Six-Session Course = $20 KCnet Members; $25 Non Members

Beginner Internet and Email
Mondays and Wednesdays 1:00 – 3:00 pm
June 30, July 2, 7, 9, 14. 16
Six-Session Course = $20 KCnet Members; $25 Non Members

Intermediate
Mondays and Wednesdays 1:00 – 3:00 pm
July 28, 30, August 4, 6, 11, 13
Six-Session Course = $20 KCnet Members; $25 Non Members

Digital Camera / Photo Manipulation
Tuesdays  5:30 – 7:30 pm
July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Five-Session Course = $30 KCnet Members; $35 Non Members

Orientation to KCnet
One-Session Class – No Charge for KCnet Members
July 16
Third Wednesday of Every Month 6:00 – 8:00 pm

Web Page Design for Beginners
Wednesdays 12:30-2:30 pm
June 25, July 2, and 9,  16
Four Session Course = $20 KCnet Members; $25 Non Members

ADVANCED CLASS:  Every Wednesday
The starting time is 9:00 AM on Wednesday July 16.  We meet in  Computer Lab 1 (The Big Room).  The leader is Mike Foust and anyone that wants to jump into the fray.  This class often becomes shared experiences learning.

Hi-Lites from the last session: Well, it was Pot-Pourri.  Topics covered this past week included a discussion of the Klez virus, a Spybot program, and site monitoring. 
Mike explained that the Klez virus is tricky because it sends itself to all addresses in an infected's address book and it randomly chooses one of the addresses from the address book to be identified as the sender of the virus email.  That masks the actual sender of the virus. 
Spybots:  Many sites place cookies on your computer that enable the originator of the cookie to track ones surfing habits. Some even collect passswords for various sites and can supply that information to other parties.  We downloaded Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.2  and installed it.  We then did a thorough clean of the teaching machine.  We found spy cookies from doubleclick, Microsoft, adclick, to name a few.  We decided that this was a good program and it is attractively priced, FREE!  Should your install it you should immediately read the tutorial under the Help option.  There are possibilities of disabling some wanted features in an attempt to clean Spyware.  Reading and comprehending the consequences of eliminating the spyware site by site will rid the user of unwanted files while allowing wanted files to remain intact. 
The download site is: http://spybot.eon.net.au/index.php?lang=en&page=download
Mike also told of a spyware find called Hackers.ag that is a small program that if accessed will  disconnect your modem connection and dial an International  long distance number causing charges of up to $99.00 per call. 
Webbymonitoring: http://www.changedetection.com/monitor.html     This site will allow one to register and identify special sites/internet addresses that one would like to monitor for updates.  Each site must be identified and then the service will email the user and inform them whenever the site is updated. 
There were good snacks again this week.  Will Raymond played Juan Valdez and resupplied the coffee bin.  I wander where he hitched the mule during class.  Mary Dutton brought Peanut Butter Meltaways, which they did very rapidly.   Joanna Condo made us some brownies that disappeared very fast too. Actually I was surprised that they made it to class.  Upon their arrival Ken and Wayne were both holding the goodie container and they had brownie smudges on their faces.  Also an unidentified source brought an abundance of pretzels which lasted through the Web Page Class.
Members of this group have volunteered to make snacks and help with the greeting chores for the two days of Open House next week. 
Show up this Wednesday, bring questions and suggestions too.    The time will be 9 AM.  I think you'll like the new
surrounds and the friendly folks.

BEGINNER - INTERMEDIATE - ADVANCED COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

The Beginner Group Course Content

The first session is a demonstration of the various parts of the computer.  We actually take a computer apart and show the various components.  We describe the computer memory, mother, sound and video boards, hardware, software, connections, peripherals, keyboards, mice, speakers, modems, etc.
Students do hands on in all six sessions starting with turning the blasted beast on.  We learn about the desktop and mouse control. Following lessons get into the internet and how to use the browsers to find information.  We learn about Web and email addresses, domains, sending and receiving mail, forwarding and replying to email, bookmarks, address books, and a touch of Hyper text Markup Language (HTML).  There is always time for questions and general exploration.  The pace is what the student makes.

The Intermediate Group Course Content:

We mess around with the desktop, rearrange icons, change backgrounds, create screen savers, learn to make shortcuts on the desktop, learn a bunch of ways to access the hard drive and discuss how our computers resemble a file cabinet in its organization.  We learn a little bit about extensions like .gif, .wav, .mid, .txt, .doc, .jpeg, .exe, and dot de dot de dot...  just to name a few.  We discover what special programs are already installed on our computers to help us see these special extensions.   We make folders and subfolders on the hard drive.
We copy and paste files into these folders.  We learn the difference between cut/paste and copy/paste.  We learn how to copy/borrow graphic and midi files from the internet and save them to the new folders we make.  Then we copy and paste files from floppies to the hard drive, we move files from the hard drive to a floppy disk.  We take floppies home with graphics and midis on them to put on the hard drives to use with email. 
We investigate the difference between uninstall and delete for programs and files and when it is appropriate to do either. We learn how to do a "Thorough" Scandisk, Defrag. and Cleandisk.  We become  proficient with Bookmarks and Forwarding messages.  The final week we will get into HTML in email.
So look out because we will be terrorizing our friends with neat souped up emails.  Yep!, we definitely learn enough to be verrrrry dangerous er creative. 
AND...WE HAVE FUN!!!.

The Advanced Class Content:

You name it, we'll discuss it.

 

NEWS & NOTES BY SUE FOUST:

KCnet's open house is Wednesday July 16, starting at noon.  The official ribbon cutting for the newly remodeled KCnet is Thursday, July 17 at noon.  Attendees will include officials from USDA, state and local government, Clinton County Partnership, news media, H&R Block, Phillips Dance Studio and KCnet.  We'll look for you then, too.

The Wednesday morning advanced class has responded to the call for help with the open house!  They're preparing finger food, donating door prizes and serving as hosts.  Jon Ahrens, retired Jersey Shore School District Music Director, will entertain with selections on a piano keyboard.  He'll show you what he's playing, using a computer monitor, and show you how to manipulate the song, too. What a group!  If you have not attended the advanced class sessions, held Wednesday mornings, please come and meet these KCnet whiz kids.  The term advanced is used to describe their skills, but you may be surprised to know that many of them are "advanced" in years, too. 

Another treat in store is a web page creation class, which will be in session until 1:30 PM on Wednesday.  This is the final class of the course, so most of the students will have their web pages ready for you to view.  You'll be amazed with what they have accomplished in 4 short sessions.

We're preparing a timeline display with pictures of you and your friends who have been involved with KCnet over the past 8 ears - Judy Yoho brought in her scrapbook and we have ours.  If you have pictures to contribute, bring them in.  Mark them with your name on the back and we'll post them.  It's fun to look back.

One more big item.  If you live in Sugar Valley, you'll want to note that because of road construction, a few poles have to be re-located.  Those poles hold lines of fiber which transport your Internet service from Loganton to Lock Haven and then "out" to the Internet.  There will be a disruption of service Wednesday, July 16th, during the time period of 8 AM to 5 PM.  That would be a good day to just come over to KCnet, walk through our newly remodeled building and then return home for restored service.

We'll see you Wednesday (the 16th).  Thursday is the formal ribbon-cutting.  Stop in then, too.

Ray McGill, owner of Nittany Travel, is the President of KCnet; William Raco is Vice-President; Judy Yoho is Secretary and Donald C. Miller of North Bend is Treasurer.  Other members of the board are Fred Bierly, Donna Gebhardt Lannan, Earl Keen, R. Keith  Kelly, Amy Lapriola, Paddy O’Hara-Mays, Bob Rolley, Rick Vilello, and Dave Winkleman.

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