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"A Dream Is A Wish" KCNET NEWSLETTER
10/02/05
COMMENTS AND SCHEDULE PAGE

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

MIKE'S COMMENTARY AND/OR BITS OF WISDOM

A close look at Indian summer Note: The following is unedited text from the Web site of the National Weather Service office in
Detroit-Pontiac, Mi. By: Bill Deedler, Weather Historian
An early American writer described Indian Summer well when he wrote, "The air is perfectly quiescent and all is stillness, as if Nature, after her exertions during the Summer, were now at rest."

Indian Summer Definition
The American Meteorological Society's Glossary of Weather and Climate defines Indian summer as: "A time interval, in mid- or late autumn, of unseasonably warm weather, generally with clear skies, sunny but hazy days, and cool nights. In New England, at least one killing frost and preferably a substantial period of normally cool weather must precede this warm spell in order for it to be considered a true "Indian summer." It does not occur very year; and in some years tow or three Indian summers may occur."
This passage belongs to the writer John Bradbury and was written nearly an "eternity" ago, back in 1817. But this passage is as relevant today as it was way back then.

The term "Indian Summer" dates back to the 18th century in the United States. It can be defined as "any spell of warm, quiet, hazy weather that may occur in October or even early November."
Basically, autumn is a transition season as the thunderstorms and severe weather of the summer give way to a tamer, calmer weather period before the turbulence of the winter commences.
The term "Indian Summer" is generally associated with a period of considerably above normal temperatures, accompanied by dry and hazy conditions ushered in on a south or southwesterly breeze.
Several references make note of the fact that a true Indian Summer can not occur until there has been a killing frost or freeze. Since frost and freezing temperatures generally work their way south through the fall, this would give credence to the possibility of several Indian Summers occurring in a fall, especially across the northern areas where frost or freezes usually come early.
While almost exclusively thought of as an autumnal event, I was surprised to read that Indian Summers have been given credit for warm spells as late as December and January (but then, just where does that leave the "January Thaw" phenomenon?).

A Granddaddy Explains Indian Summer

Yes, sonny, this is sure enough Indian summer.
Don't know what that is, I reckon, do you?
Well, that's when all the homesick Indians come back to play. You know, a long time ago, long afore your granddaddy was born even, there used to be heaps of Indians around here - thousands - millions, I reckon, far as that's concerned. Regular sure 'nuf Indians - none of them cigar store Indians. They was all around here - right here where you are standin'.
Don't be scared - ain't none around here now, leastways no bad ones. They been gone for many years.
They all went away, so there ain't no more left.
But every year, 'long about now, they all come back, leastways their spirits do. They are here now. You can see um across the fields. Look real hard. See that kind o' hazy, misty look out yonder? Well, that's them Indians - Indian spirits marchin' along an' dancin' in the sunlight. That's what makes that kind of haze that's everywhere - it's just the spirits of the Indians all come back. They're all around us now.
See off yonder; see them teepees? They kind o' look like corn stocks from here, but them's Indian tents, sure as you're a foot high. See um now? Sure, I knew you could. Smell that smoky sort o' smell in the air? That's the campfires a-burnin' and their pipes a-smokin'.
Lots o' people say it's just leaves burnin', but it ain't so. It's the campfires, and them Indians are hoppin' round um to the beat.
You just come out here tonight when the moon is hangin' over the hill off yonder and the harvest fields is all swimmin' in the moonlight, and you can see the Indians and the teepees just as plain as can be.
Did you ever notice the leaves turn red 'bout this time of year? That's just another sign of those redskins. That's when an old Indian spirit gets tired of dancin' and goes up and squats on a leaf to rest. Why, I can hear 'um rustlin' and whisperin' and creepin' round among the leaves all the time; and every once in a while a leaf gives way under some fat old Indian ghost and comes floatin' down to the ground. See - here's one now. See how red it is? That's the war paint rubbed off an Indian ghost, sure as you're born.
Soon, all the Indians will go marchin' away again, back to the happy huntin' ground, but next year, you'll see um traipsing on back - the sky just hazy with um, and their campfires smoldering away just like they are now.
© Joe McCutcheon - Found at http://deerlake.com/#WhatsNew

THE DAWN OF AUTUMN
As I stroll down the path,
I revel in the beauty of the trees,
All the golds and reds and browns.
Make Autumn so beautiful to me.
As I walk along I see the squirrels-
scampering to and fro.
They're wondering where to bury their nuts ,
so they can find them in the snow.
The ground is becoming golden,
As the sun shines through the trees.
It brightens up the woods,
Beckoning to you and me.
The trees are becoming bare,
yet when I look around,
Everything is so still,
so many leaves are upon the ground.
The ground still warm from the summer sun,
The wood chucks running to their nests,
Squirrels sitting on branches,
taking their much needed rest.
This is the dawn of Autumn.
A time to give thanks.
For all our seasons
For all we have -
For all our blessings.
© Judith Schreiber
Found at http://deerlake.com/#WhatsNew

CHUCKLES, WE GET CHUCKLES
The KCnet Help Desk has fielded support issues very similar to these.

Tech support: What kind of computer do you have?
customer: A white one...

Customer: Hi, this is Celine. I can't get my diskette out.
Tech support: Have you tried pushing the button?
Customer: Yes, sure, it's really stuck.
Tech support: That doesn't sound good; I'll make a note.
Customer: No .. wait a minute... I hadn't inserted it yet... it's still on my desk... sorry....

Tech support: Click on the 'my computer' icon on to the left of the screen.
Customer: Your left or my left?

Tech support: Good day. How may I help you?
Male customer: Hello... I can't print.
Tech support: Would you click on "start" for me and...
Customer: Listen pal; don't start getting technical on me! I'm not Bill Gates, dammit!

Customer: Hi, good afternoon, this is Martha, I can't print. Every time I try, it says 'Can't find printer'. I've even lifted the printer and placed it in front of the monitor, but the computer still says he can't find it...

Customer: I have problems printing in red...
Tech support: Do you have a color printer?
Customer: Aaaah....................thank you.

Tech support: What's on your monitor now, ma'am?
Customer: A teddy bear my boyfriend bought for me at the 7-11.

Customer: My keyboard is not working anymore.
Tech support: Are you sure it's plugged into the computer?
Customer: No. I can't get behind the computer.
Tech support: Pick up your keyboard and walk 10 paces back.
Customer: OK
Tech support: Did the keyboard come with you?
Customer: Yes
Tech support: That means the keyboard is not plugged in. Is there another
keyboard?
Customer: Yes, there's another one here. Ah...that one does work...

Tech support: Your password is the small letter a as in apple, a capital letter V as in Victor, the number 7.
Customer: Is that 7 in capital letters?

Customer: I can't get on the Internet.
Tech support: Are you sure you used the right password?
Customer: Yes, I'm sure. I saw my colleague do it.
Tech support: Can you tell me what the password was?
Customer: Five stars.

Tech support: What anti-virus program do you use?
Customer: Netscape.
Tech support: That's not an anti-virus program.
Customer: Oh, sorry...Internet Explorer.

Customer: I have a huge problem. A friend has placed a screen saver on my computer, but every time I move the mouse, it disappears.

Tech support: How may I help you?
Customer: I'm writing my first e-mail.
Tech support: OK, and what seems to be the problem?
Customer: Well, I have the letter 'a' in the address, but how do I get the circle around it?

A woman customer called the Canon help desk with a problem with her printer.
Tech support: Are you running it under windows?
Customer: "No, my desk is next to the door, but that is a good point. The man sitting in the cubicle next to me is under a window, and his printer is working fine."

And last but not least...
Tech support: "Okay Bob, let's press the control and escape keys at the same time. That brings up a task list in the middle of the screen. Now type the letter "P" to bring up the Program Manager."
Customer: I don't have a P.
Tech support: On your keyboard, Bob.
Customer: What do you mean?
Tech support: "P".....on your keyboard, Bob.
Customer: I'M NOT GOING TO DO THAT!

~HMMM~

If people evolved from apes, then why are there still apes?

The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four persons is suffering
from some sort of mental illness. Think of your three best friends,
if they're okay, then it's you.

KCNET CLASSES:

Internet and Email
4 session course
Topics include using the browser to find information on the Internet, web and email addresses, sending and receiving email, forwarding and replying to email, bookmarks, using the address book, and more. There is always time for questions and general exploration.

Beginner Windows 9x/XP
4 session course
Topics include an introduction to all parts of the computer, learning about the desktop, mouse features and operation, and features and operation of the keyboard. Also creating shortcut icons, using recycle bin, wallpaper and screen savers, toolbars and taskbars, drag and drop, using window features (minimize, maximize, resize, etc), control panel, accessing the different drives, and more. There is always time for questions and general exploration.

Intermediate Windows 9x/XP
4 session course
Topics include organization of windows programs, creating and organizing folders, file extensions, saving files from Internet, folder and file views, formatting floppy disks, installing programs, download programs from Internet, HTML email, uninstall vs delete, scandisk and defrag, email attachments, and more. There is always time for questions and general exploration.

Advanced Windows 9x/XP
4 session course
Topics include a review of the management of folders and files, an introduction to photo manipulation, introduction to web page creation, using the sound recorder, attaching recordings to emails, introduction to eyeball cams and Internet transmission, and an introduction to burning your own CDs. There is always time for questions and general exploration.

KCnet Users Group: (formerly know as "Senior Net Learners" most recently called "Advanced Class"). I wanted to call this class "The Abusers Group", but Sue would not hear of that. Attendees are persistent in their search for computer knowledge. They ask great questions and present interesting challenges. 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 Advanced 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.
KCnet Advanced Class computer knowledge and Advanced Class 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 CLASS SCHEDULE

KCnet Users Group: Every Wednesday
The starting time is 9:00 AM on this WednesdayOctober 5. We meet in Computer Lab 1 (The Big Room). Leadership is Mike Foust and anyone that wants to jump into the fray.
Quite a day this past Wednesday.
We got rollin' with some pics sent by Advanced User viewers and other gleaning by Mike. Then settled into the seats and took another wild tech ride. Among the many 'puter topics covered we...

...were reminded to download the latest Firefox upgrade (Firefox 1.0.7) at http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/releases/1.0.7.html
Do not uninstall any previous Firefox, simply download the upgrade and ionstall it. All previous settings will remain.

...heard about a FREE CNET course for Hybrid Car enthusiasts. Register at http://nl.com.com/view_online_newsletter.jsp?list_id=e407
There are 6 lessons starting October 3. Registration is necessary.

...heard a review of Ports from Wayne Smith. We began discussing ports last week and a n understandable definition was needed.

...discussed some Google offerings like the Google Desktop. & Picassa. We had visited both in previous classes and we continue to learn more about them in future sessions.

Snacks: Umm Umm Good! Kitty Laubscher brought fresh Veggies. Joe Marasco brought a very tasty home made Texas Sheet Cake. John Way brought in a super tasty Bannana Bread. Katie Carr found a perfectly ripe Cantalope for dessert.

This class often becomes idea swapping and we learn by sharing our many experiences and I'll tell you all again, that really happened this week.
Thanks to all that brought in suggestions, asked questions, and helped with explanations.

OTHER KCNET CLASSES STARTING SOON
Call KCnet 893-8111 to register

PC Basics Course
October 10, 12, 17, & 19 -- 12:00 - 2:00 PM
Pre Registration necessary - call 893-8111
Instructor: Wayne Smith

Ebay Class-- basics for selling and buying
October 11, 13, 18 & 25 -- 5:30 PM- 7:30 PM
Pre Registration necessary - call 893-8111
Instructor: Kerry Clausen

Web Page Creation (Beginners)
October 11, 13, 18, 20, & 25 -- 10:30- 12:30 AM
Pre Registration necessary - call 893-8111
Instructor: Mike Foust

Intermediate Windows
October 24, 26, 31 & November 2 -- 12:00 PM-2:00 PM
Pre Registration necessary - call 893-8111
Instructor: Wayne Smith

Investing Class
$5.00 per session -- New attendees are welcome.
Future sessions will be held on the last Tuesday of each month at 6:00 PM.
Next sessions will be: October 31, November 29, and December 27
Group Leader: Howard "Bud" Casselberry

Music Creation
Starting when four students register--call 893-8111 to register.
Participants should be able to play a piano/keyboard by sight or ear.
Instructors: Carsten "Jon" Ahrens & Mike Foust

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

MAC User Group
Meets 2nd Wednesday of each month
Time is 4:30 PM
Instructor: Clair Falls

For more class details and to register visit: http://www.kcnet.org/class/
Registration can be done online, simply click on the course you are interested in and enter the information requested. Registration can be done via phone 893-8111.

NEWS AND NOTES WITH SUE FOUST:

Beware: E-Mail with forked tongue

In keeping with my inclination to “warn” you about the pitfalls of the Internet, I do want to ask that you be particular wary of any e-mail you may receive that would ask for personal information, credit card numbers, any kind of account numbers including bank numbers or password information.

Recently, many unsuspecting people got letters asking them to update their PayPal accounts. And, some of those people actually responded with account information. This is directly from the PayPal site and should make you suspicious of anything you receive that asks for personal information.

Please use the following tips to stay safe with PayPal:
• Safe Log In: To log in to your PayPal account or access the PayPal website, open a new web browser (e.g., Internet Explorer or Netscape) and type in the following: https://www.paypal.com
• Greeting: Emails from PayPal will address you by your first and last name or the business name associated with your PayPal account. Fraudulent emails often include the salutation "Dear PayPal User" or "Dear PayPal Member".
• Email Attachments: PayPal emails will never ask you to download an attachment or a software program. Attachments contained in fraudulent emails often contain viruses that may harm your computer or compromise your PayPal account.
• Request for Personal Information: If we require information from you, we will notify you in an email and request that you enter the information only after you have safely and securely logged in to your PayPal account.

Often, fraudulent emails will request details such as your full name, account password, credit card number, bank account, PIN number, Social Security Number, or mother's maiden name.

Email Security
• Look for a PayPal Greeting: PayPal will never send an email with the greeting "Dear PayPal User" or "Dear PayPal Member." Real PayPal emails will address you by your first and last name or the business name associated with your PayPal account. If you believe you have received a fraudulent email, please forward the entire email—including the header information—to spoof@paypal.com. We investigate every spoof reported. Please note that the automatic response you get from us may not address you by name.
• Don't share personal information via email: We will never ask you to enter your password or financial information in an email or send such information in an email. You should only share information about your account once you have logged in to https://www.paypal.com/.
• Don't download attachments: PayPal will never send you an attachment or software update to install on your computer.
If you think that you have received a fraudulent email (or fake website), please forward the email (or URL address) to spoof@paypal.com and then delete the email

If you're trying to figure out why KCnet Volunteer Gary Clark looks pleased, I can tell you it's because he's almost finished testing the many donated monitors that have been dropped off at the KCnet headquarters in Lock Haven. He's tested and found 50 of them that are good, working monitors. We have begun to sell these to people who want to keep a spare for emergencies and to people who want to upgrade what they have. Selling price is $10 - $15.
Thank you, Gary!

Until next week...

KCnet Board Of Directors Officers: President Bill Raco, Vice President Bob Rolley, Secretary Jon Ahrens, Treasurer Don Miller and Past President Judy Yoho. Other members of the board: Carolyn Carl, R. Keith Kelly, Paul Korn, Donna Lannan, Amy Lapriola, Tom Livingston, Ray McGill, and Rich Wykoff.

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