"The Unicorn Song"

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

MIKE'S COMMENTARY AND SOME BITS OF WISDOM

Who Was St. Patrick? St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, is one of Christianity's most widely known figures. But for all his celebrity, his life remains somewhat of a mystery. Many of the stories traditionally associated with St. Patrick, including the famous account of his banishing all the snakes from Ireland, are false, the products of hundreds of years of exaggerated storytelling. Taken Prisoner By Irish Raiders It is known that St. Patrick was born in Britain to wealthy parents near the end of the fourth century. He is believed to have died on March 17, around 460 A.D. Although his father was a Christian deacon, it has been suggested that he probably took on the role because of tax incentives and there is no evidence that Patrick came from a particularly religious family. At the age of sixteen, Patrick was taken prisoner by a group of Irish raiders who were attacking his family's estate. They transported him to Ireland where he spent six years in captivity. (There is some dispute over where this captivity took place. Although many believe he was taken to live in Mount Slemish in County Antrim, it is more likely that he was held in County Mayo near Killala.) During this time, he worked as a shepherd, outdoors and away from people. Lonely and afraid, he turned to his religion for solace, becoming a devout Christian. (It is also believed that Patrick first began to dream of converting the Irish people to Christianity during his captivity.) Guided By Visions After more than six years as a prisoner, Patrick escaped. According to his writing, a voice—which he believed to be God's—spoke to him in a dream, telling him it was time to leave Ireland.  To do so, Patrick walked nearly 200 miles from County Mayo, where it is believed he was held, to the Irish coast. After escaping to Britain, Patrick reported that he experienced a second revelation—an angel in a dream tells him to return to Ireland as a missionary. Soon after, Patrick began religious training, a course of study that lasted more than fifteen years. After his ordination as a priest, he was sent to Ireland with a dual mission—to minister to Christians already living in Ireland and to begin to convert the Irish. (Interestingly, this mission contradicts the widely held notion that Patrick introduced Christianity to Ireland.) Bonfires and Crosses Familiar with the Irish language and culture, Patrick chose to incorporate traditional ritual into his lessons of Christianity instead of attempting to eradicate native Irish beliefs. For instance, he used bonfires to celebrate Easter since the Irish were used to honoring their gods with fire. He also superimposed a sun, a powerful Irish symbol, onto the Christian cross to create what is now called a Celtic cross, so that veneration of the symbol would seem more natural to the Irish. (Although there were a small number of Christians on the island when Patrick arrived, most Irish practiced a nature-based pagan religion. The Irish culture centered around a rich tradition of oral legend and myth. When this is considered, it is no surprise that the story of Patrick's life became exaggerated over the centuries—spinning exciting tales to remember history has always been a part of the Irish way of life. )  ~ The History Channel ~

 
 
 

IRISH BLESSINGS Lucky stars above you, Sunshine on your way, Many friends to love you, Joy in work and play- Laughter to outweigh each care, In your heart a song- And gladness waiting everywhere All your whole life long! May you live a long life Full of gladness and health, With a pocket full of gold As the least of you wealth. May the dreams you hold dearest, Be those which come true, The kindness you spread, Keep returning to you. May the friendships you make, Be those which endure, And all of your grey clouds Be small ones for sure. And trusting in Him To Whom we all pray, May a song fill your heart, Every step of the way. Whenever there is happiness Hope you'll be there too, Wherever there are friendly smiles Hope they'll smile on you, Whenever there is sunshine, Hope it shine especially for you to make each day for you as bright as it can be. May you enjoy the four greatest blessings: Honest work to occupy you. A hearty appetite to sustain you. A good woman to love you. And a wink from the God above. May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back, May the sun shine warm upon your face, The rains fall soft upon your fields and, Until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand. May brooks and trees and singing hills Join in the chorus too, And every gentle wind that blows Send happiness to you. May your troubles be less, And your blessing be more. And nothing but happiness, Come through your door.

Not So Irish

Harsh Words I ran into a stranger as he passed by, "Oh excuse me please" was my reply. He said, "Please excuse me too; I wasn't watching for you." We were very polite, this stranger and I. We went on our way saying good-bye. But at home a difference is told, how we treat our loved ones, young and old. Later that day, cooking the evening meal, My son stood beside me very still. As I turned, I nearly knocked him down. "Move out of the way," I said with a frown. He walked away, his little heart broken. I didn't realize how harshly I'd spoken. While I lay awake in bed, God's still small voice came to me and said, "While dealing with a stranger, common courtesy you use, But the children you love, you seem to abuse. Go and look on the kitchen floor, You'll find some flowers there by the door. Those are the flowers he brought for you. He picked them himself: pink, yellow and blue. He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise, and you never saw the tears that filled his little eyes." By this time, I felt very small, and now my tears began to fall. I quietly went and knelt by his bed; "Wake up, little one, wake up," I said. " Are these the flowers you picked for me"? He smiled, "I found 'em, out by the tree. I picked 'em because they're pretty like you. I knew you'd like 'em, especially the blue." I said, "Son, I'm very sorry for the way I acted today; I shouldn't have yelled at you that way." He said, "Oh, Mom, that's okay. I love you anyway." I said, "Son, I love you too, and I do like the flowers, especially the blue." ~ Author Unknown ~

 

Also Not So Irish ...But Informative

The Guys' Rules A friend sent this interesting set of rules.  I'll not give official credit to him so as not to cause a problem. The he Mrs. in that household also reads this column.  The sender began the email with the following comment:  "If you don't hear from me in the near future its because my wife read the rules below............" At last a guy has taken the time to write this all down……….  Finally, the guys' side of the story is being told! We always hear "the rules" From the female side.  Now here are the rules from the male side. Please note..  All the Rules are numbered "1" ON PURPOSE! 1.  Men ARE NOT mind readers. 1.Learn to work the toilet seat.  You're a big girl.  If it's up, put it down.  We need it up, you need it down.  You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down. 1.  Sunday sports.  It's like the full moon or the changing of the tides.  Let it be. 1.  Shopping is NOT a sport.  And no, we are never going to think of it that way. 1.  Crying is blackmail. 1.  Ask for what you want.  Let us be clear on this one:  Subtle hints do not work!  Strong hints do not work!  Obvious hints do not work!  Just say it! 1.  Yes and No are perfectly Acceptable answers to almost every question. 1.  Come to us with a problem only If you want help solving it.  That's what we do.  Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for. 1.  A headache that lasts for 17 months is a problem.  See a doctor. 1.  Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument.  In fact, all comments become null and void after 7 Days. 1.  If you won't dress like the Victoria's Secret girls, don't Expect us to act like soap opera guys. 1.  If you think you're fat, you probably are.  Don't ask us. 1.  If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one . 1.  You can either ask us to do something Or tell us how you want it done.  Not both.  If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself. 1.  Whenever possible, Please say whatever you have to say during commercials. 1.  Christopher Columbus did NOT need directions and neither do we. 1.  ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings.  Peach, for example, is a fruit, NOT A color!  Pumpkin is also a fruit.  We have no idea what Mauve is. 1.  If it itches, it will Be scratched…..  We do that. 1.  If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing," We will act like nothing's wrong.  We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle. 1.  If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear. 1.  When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear Is fine...Really. 1.  Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are PREPARED to discuss such topics as baseball, shotgun patterns, or golf. 1.  You have enough clothes. 1.  You have too many shoes. 1.  I am in shape.  Round!  IS a shape! 1.  Thank you for reading this. Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight; But did you know men really don't mind that?  It's like camping.

 

Special January Offerings at KCnet ICDL WORKSHOP KCnet is offering a 6 week workshop on computer skills necessary for the workplace (ICDL). This workshop includes instruction in 4 categories of computer skills: Fundamental Concepts of Information Technology, Using the Computer and Managing Files, Word Processing, and Internet and Email. Individuals who complete the workshop successfully will receive an International Computer Driving License (ICDL) starter certification, and the opportunity to complete a full ICDL certification.  The ICDL workshop starts January 10th and runs through February 16th, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 to 11 AM. The registration fee is $100 and includes all materials and testing fees. Advanced registration is required.  The ICDL certification program is designed to show employers that a potential or existing employee has the basic computer skills necessary to perform daily computer tasks. ICDL is comprised of seven modules that demonstrate competency in the following areas: Fundamental Concepts of IT, Using the Computer and Managing Files, Word Processing, Spreadsheets, Databases, Presentations, and Internet and Email. Upon completion of each training module, the candidate will take a proctored exam. Failed tests may be retaken as often as necessary. Once all tests have been passed, the candidate receives ICDL certification. The ICDL is an internationally accepted certificate. It can simplify employment procedures and assures the employer that the applicants and/or staff have the necessary level of knowledge and competence to use common computer applications. This workshop counts as 21 credit hours of ACT 48 continuing education credits, the full ICDL training and certification counts as 42 credit hours. ICDL certification is also worth 7 credit hours transferable to almost any college or university.    Intermediate Microsoft Excel KCnet will also be offering a Intermediate Excel Class.  The class is 4 sessions, March 20, 22, 27 & 29 -- 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM.    The fee is $45, and includes a textbook. Class sizes are limited to 10.  Advance payment and preregistration is required.  You may register by calling (570) 893-8111 or visit http://www.kcnet.org/class.  Do you want to set up a small network in your home or office?  Do you have computers at every desk and wish you could share one or two printers among several users?  Would you like to share files with others in your office?    Small Business Networking KCnet will hold a 2-session seminar to help you explore basic networking concepts, Monday March 27 at 9-11 AM and Wednesday March 29, 9-11 AM.  Classes will be held at the KCnet Building at 18 East Main Street, Lock Haven. Network technicians will discuss equipment and software needed to set up a simple home or business local area network.  Your network can be wired or wireless that will connect to the Internet, sharing files and printers between two or more computers (PCs). There will be structured learning but the technicians will keep some time open to answer your networking questions.  This class's target audience are users who are comfortable with their PC and its operating system and who want to improve their office efficiency to take better advantage of having multiple PCs. The charge for the 2 sessions is $20 and reservations are required.  Coffee and donuts will be provided.  Call 893-8111 to make your reservation today. Keystone Community Network is a non-profit community technology center located in downtown Lock Haven.  KCnet is an equal opportunity service provider. KCnet's Helpdesk is available  Please call 893-8111 for a technician.

~HMMM~   Most people walk in and out of your life...... but FRIENDS leave footprints in your heart

 

KCNET CLASSES

Intermediate Windows Third & Final Sessions March 13 & 15 -- Noon - 2:00 PM Instructor:  Wayne Smith PC Basics Third and Final Sessions March 14 & 16 -- 9:00 AM - Noon Instructor:  Wayne Smith Beginner Web Page Creation Third and Fourth Sessions March 14 & 16 -- 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM Instructor:  Mike Foust

NEWS AND NOTES WITH SUE FOUST:

Have you ever watched someone at their computer, typing, pausing, typing, chuckling, typing, pausing, typing… Instant messaging is best thought of as the computer's equivalent of CB radio, albeit done with typing, not voice. Basically, you find a "channel" (sometimes called a room) if you want to do a public chat, or you can watch for friends and initiate private chat with them if they are online. Let's say you are BigFisherman (your "screenname" or "chat handle"). You logged into the chat network and in your buddy list is WaderLover your fishing buddy. You were browsing the net when the messenger beeped... Your buddy just logged in and your messenger is notifying you as you had set to do. You want to know how his fishing trip went, so you double click on his name to establish a connection.    Once connected, you get a small window where each person types their own message, and it shows up on both machines. So you end up with something like this: BigFisherman: So how was your fishing trip today? WaderLover: Weather's perfect, but the fishies ain't biting BigFisherman: Really? Must be your lures. What were you trying for? WaderLover: Trout. I have this custom fly I got from my friend, who...  Well, you get the idea. You type one sentence, they type one sentence, and the result appears almost instantaneously on each other's computer. Thus, instant messaging!  It's similar to text messaging on a cell phone, except Instant Messaging (IM) is a bit more interactive, as you can see a full conversation going on.  As you can imagine, this is quite a bit different from e-mail. E-mail is a bit slower, longer, more... deliberate. E-mails are like letters whereas IM is more like... chat. Clearly, if you know how to type you'll get more out of IM. Instant messenger programs fall into a few major networks: AOL Instant Messenger (also called AIM), Microsoft IM, and Yahoo! Messenger. They each have their own program and operate their own network, and are not compatible with each other.  You can use IM as long as you can get to the Internet.  Any Internet Service Provider, like KCnet, can support instant messaging. If you've never used IM before, you'll need to choose one of the big camps, download their specific IM program, and register your "handle" or screen name, as AOL calls it. By this time, all the good ones are probably taken, so you'll probably end up with something like BigFisherman3642 or something like that. But be creative (don't use your real name and do not make your profile accessible).  In general, messenger programs are quite safe, as they don't transfer any code, (i.e. program), just text, but some of the messengers let you send files to your friends, and receive them as well. Fortunately, that can be turned off completely. There were supposedly a few IM viruses that exploit the ability to link to certain websites and such, but you can turn those off in the security settings as well. Basically, NEVER click on any URLs and such unless you can trust the referrer. That security tip applies anywhere... on websites, in e-mail, even in IM. The IM clients are mostly free, especially the single-network ones. The multi-network clients that are still in testing are free, but they may charge later. Also, the messengers may contain additional-cost features like video, Internet phone calls, and so on. Pure chat is free though. As for which one to use... It really depends on who are you likely to be chatting with and if they are already on a certain network. It doesn't hurt to run multiple IM programs, it just makes your desktop look a bit cluttered. The big 3 (AIM, MSNM, and Y!M) are constantly improving their products, and new features are constantly being added and bugs addressed. Check with your friends and family who are already using an instant messenger and join that network.  Keep each other in the "buddy list", so you can just track each other, and try the whole thing out. Parents would be wise to be aware of this part of the Internet, be aware of what their children can be doing and how. Have fun, and again, welcome to the wide world of Internet! 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.

Return to top of this page.

	HOME PAGE KCNET NEWSLETTER
	TECHNICAL PAGE TECHNICALLY SPEAKING, VIRUS AND OTHER STINKY STUFF, INTERESTING SITES
	FUN PAGE TRIVIA, QUOTES, CHUCKLES AND BELLY LAUGHS
	KCNET SENIORCENTER.NET HOME PAGE NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES 2005, 2004, 2003, & 2002 KCNET NEWSLETTER MEMBER PAGES