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

MIKE'S COMMENTARY AND SOME BITS OF WISDOM

A couple of months ago my oldest grandson told me about a blog site he was using and actually gave me his site address.  I was pleased with his site but as I looked around to some of the other blogger efforts I became appalled.  He told me that some are like that and you just ignore them, like one would in person.  I didn't think too much more about the conversation and the sites until I found a Washington Post Article in the email the other day.  It piqued my interest and I read it. Wow! I've now become concerned about these internet sites that are specialized for teens to chat, interact/blog with anyone sleuthing about the abundance of kids' personal data.  In most cases, actual personal photos are provided by innocent youngsters.  These kids are, for the most part, interested in interacting with other kids their age and point in life.  Their candidness and willingness to express their inner feelings presents a smorgasbord of likely prey for perverted adults.  These kids reveal their names, ages, school, church, town, streets, where they work, siblings information, hangouts, likes, dislikes, parent schedules and their personal schedules for all to see.  Some are shopping for their own desires or advertising their physical attributes.  But most are just trying to communicate in their own world.  They fail to realize that their comments and pictures are available to the entire world.  And yet many tend to feel that their space has been violated if parents or school officials access their writings.  I'm not surprised and I am really concerned.  Anyone, regardless of age, can register, browse and openly communicate with any youngster willing to respond.  Data bases make it easy to designate an age, sexual preference, and location for individuals to contact and communicate. I think this is another proof that kids' computers should be used in a general living area and not in bedrooms, behind closed locked doors.  I am also convinced that responsible adults should share in their child's computer experiences.  Having a private diary is one thing - sharing ones inner feelings and experiences with the world is not a diary.  It has become increasingly easy for perverts to gain access to young prey.  It would be no easier if a sign were hung on a front door proclaiming that a confused and vulnerable teen dwells inside, just walk right in. The following are excerpts from the report recently featured in the Washington Post.  I recommend that parents and grandparents read the article, access the sites, make some judgments and then have a heart to heart with their young loved ones.  Maybe a open session or two with educators or other interested social groups could be helpful.  I believe this is a family social issue not a government issue.  It should be worked out between parents and kids.  Pertinent internet address links are available at the end of this article. (Mike) Teens' Bold Blogs Alarm Area Schools Uninhibited Online Remarks Full of Risks, Officials Warn By Tara Bahrampour and Lori Aratani  Washington Post Staff Writers   January 17, 2006; Page A01 No one under 18 would be surprised to hear that teenagers like to post their intimate thoughts and photographs online -- they've done it for years. But school administrators have begun to take notice, and some are warning students that their online activities may affect not only their safety, but also their academic and professional lives. In recent weeks, several Washington area schools have taken action against the use of blog sites, in particular Facebook.com but also the sites MySpace.com and Xanga.com, which allow teenagers -- and sometimes younger children -- to post details of their lives for all to see. Sidwell Friends School in the District recently prohibited students from using their school e-mail addresses to register for access to Facebook, a widely used networking site for college and high school students. Before the holidays, Sidwell, Georgetown Day School in the District and the Madeira School in McLean wrote to parents to warn them about use of the site, and the Barrie School, in Silver Spring, recently asked a student to leave over the misuse of a blog... ...Besides the most obvious danger -- adult stalkers enticing teenagers into face-to-face meetings -- Cole warned that personal information posted online can also be read by college admissions officers and future employers... ...Blogs abound with seductive poses and confessions of love, hate and everything in between... ...A girl, at a private Washington school who got drunk, reports that "the buzz is fun as hell, but if you 'accidently' go to far, you'll end up having a very nice chat with that burger you ate earlier floating in the bottom of the toilet." An Alexandria girl with an abusive mother confides that she wants to have a baby, even though it would "most likely make everything 5,000 times harder." A girl from a Fairfax County school posts photos of herself in a bikini, inviting boys to comment... ...But lockable journals and triple-underlined threats of "PRIVATE, KEEP OUT!" have given way to instant messaging, reality shows and a cyberculture that many adults find naive at best and exhibitionist and dangerous at worst... ...said that the sites pose new quandaries for educators, including cyberabuse. He cited a recent case in which three middle-school students in the Chicago area were suspended after posting obscene and threatening remarks about a teacher on a Web log... ...students have been writing these sorts of things for years but have been doing it in their notebooks, where nobody would have ever stumbled across it," he said. "With blogs, it's a sign of things to come -- we're sort of testing the notions regarding free speech."... The rest of the story and missing partsare available at: http://snipurl.com/lngk The blog sites are available at:  http://www.MySpace.com http://www.Facebook.com http://www.Xanga.com

The Discovery of the Heaviest Element:  I received this bit a couple of days ago.  Although it is intended to be entertaining, it does describe fairly accurately,  the mess we continue to support and tolerate as the American Way of Governing. A major research institution has recently announced the discovery of the heaviest element known to science. The new element has been named "Governmentium." Governmentium has one neutron, 12 assistant neutrons, 75 deputy neutrons, and 224 assistant deputy neutrons, giving it an atomic mass of 312. These 312 particles are held together by forces called morons, which are surrounded by vast quantities of particles called peons. Since Governmentium has no electrons, it is inert. However, it can be detected, because it impedes every reaction with which it comes into contact. A minute amount of Governmentium causes one reaction to take over four days to complete, when it would normally take less than a second. Governmentium has a normal half-life of four years; it does not decay, but instead undergoes a reorganization in which a portion of the assistant neutrons and deputy neutrons exchange places. In fact, Governmentium's mass will actually increase over time, since each reorganization will cause more morons to become neutrons, forming isodopes. This characteristic of moron promotion leads some scientists to believe that Governmentium is formed whenever morons reach a certain quantity in concentration. This hypothetical quantity is referred to as "Critical Morass." When catalyzed with money, Governmentium becomes Administratium, an element which radiates just as much energy as Governmentium since it has half as many peons but twice as many morons.

 
 
 

Give Me the Wind I am at my best with the wind in my face, When overcoming the challenge, with pace. The pace that requires more effort, more strength. But once gained momentum, endures with great length. It's easy to sit back, placid and calm Comfort is only a relative balm. It seems an advantage, better than strife But is dulled by stagnation, stifling life. Progress needs movement, energy, drive, No chance for improvement if you do not strive. Nothing's for nothing: cause and effect. That which you work for, you've more chance to get. So give me the wind, let it blow in my face, The more I confront, the more strength I'll embrace. Steps are not mounted, nor challenge o'ercome. Without certain courage or effort be done. ~ Craig Nicholson ~

 
 
 

Special January Offering at KCnet KCnet will also be offering a Basic Excel Class. starts January 31. This class is for those who want to learn the basics of Microsoft Excel.  The class is in 4 sessions,  9:30 – 11:30 AM.  Sessions are January 31, February 2, 7 and 9.  The fee is $45, and includes a textbook. Class sizes are limited to 10.  Advance payment and preregistration are suggested.  You may register by calling (570) 893-8111 or visit www.kcnet.org/class.  KCnet Helpdesk is available  Please call 893-8111 for a technician.

~HMMM~  Why does everybody have a different definition of "good enough"? & After you've heard two eyewitness accounts of an automobile accident,  you begin to worry about history.

 
KCNET CLASSES

NEWS AND NOTES WITH SUE FOUST:

Just want to update you on a few of the KCnet programs.   • There are 24 people enrolled in the ICDL Program.  The International Computer Driving License, ICDL, is a certificate signifying job readiness.  It is earned after passing exams on-line and can be presented to a prospective employer as proof of computer skill. • ICDL Workshops are scheduled at KCnet’s computer lab so that people can get some help and instruction in the areas in which they are weak in skills.  An assessment test for each of the 7 modules will either allow a participant to automatically pass that module or indicate where more study is needed before taking the next test.  The purpose is to get our work force up to speed with computer skills.  The result can be a better work force as well as improved self reliance and self esteem for each person who works hard and passes all 7 modules. • Increased emphasis will be placed on providing a safe place for children on the Internet.  Our education staff is determined to provide information to parents about the pitfalls their children are liable to find.  The first such public effort is today, January 21, during a program at Central Mountain Middle School.  Education Coordinator Tammy Harrington and members of the Education Committee, KCnet Board members Judy Yoho, Rich Wykoff, Carolyn Carl and Bill Raco, will be on hand to talk with parents and distribute information about a “safe Internet” for children. • KCnet’s Computer Service & Repair staff members are receiving professional training, preparing for A+ Certification.  Certified Trainer Casey Friese, in the striped shirt, is the  instructor.  The “students” will attend about 40 hours of classroom training, ending in a test for the highly regarded certificate.  The picture was taken before the start of their 4th session.  Sitting, left to right are Gary Clark, Mike Sinatra, Roxanne Fryer, and Wayne Smith.  Standing, left to right are Tim Snyder, Steve Stewart, Ron Calhoun, and Friese.  Ken Dale missed the picture. Click on the picture to view an enlargement of the photo. 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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