Autumn Issue 
In this issue... 

Editor’s Notes  
 by Marsha Brandsdorfer  
Letters to the Editor 

 Technology and Its Influence on the Future 
 by Keith Fenwick  

Review of Susan Rabin’s book: "Cyberflirt: How To Attract Anyone, Anywhere on the Word Wide Web" 
 by Marsha Brandsdorfer  

Hints from Hintz for Computers: 2nd in the series 
 by Ernest Hintz  

Club Member e-Mail Mailing List 
 by Ernest Hintz  

Calendar  

April 21, 2000 

Dear Marsha, 

About the newsletter: You are a great writer !! Your way of writing is really fun to read. I thought that you would write about computers, but it is mostly about your personal life and thoughts that can apply to many other people.  You should make money on writing. 
A newspaper would be a good idea !! 

Dimitra Boucouvala 
---------------- 

April 21, 2000 

Hi, Marsha, 

I read both your pieces in the computer club newsletter.  You're right; it is difficult here for many people.  One can only decide for himself or herself whether it's worth staying or not, because all places have their advantages and disadvantages. 

Bye, 

Edward Suranyi 

As we become more reliant on technology, one of the things that has started to interest me is how much we will come to rely on computers in the future and how, or if we will maintain some degree of control over them.  Relying on computers not just in our regulation and monitoring of various situations and to collect and manipulate data, but to actually make decisions on how we live with little or no human input. 
Will the computer systems that are being developed now become intelligent, almost sentient, and be able to operate, to run whole societies with little or no human input?  In the future, will we even program computers, let alone monitor the activities of these systems?  Or will we retain some form of control over the artificial intelligence's that we will no doubt develop as we seek new ways to make our lives easier and more fulfilling or our businesses more efficient? 
It seems to me that one of the important issues that faces the human race in the future is who or what is ultimately in charge of our destiny?  Will there always be some human input, or a degree of human input and who will decide who that will be?  Alternatively, will we be content to let some artificial entity that is beyond present conception to run our affairs and perhaps ultimately supercede the human race? 
When I was growing up, there was from time to time, a lot of talk about how machines would revolutionize the world we live in.  I always used to conjure up visions of human form robots rather than computers that would stride purposefully across the landscape undertaking all those tasks that we had decided were beneath us.  Domestic robots would vacuum the floor, do the washing, cut the wood, and cook the meals. Other robots would do things like drive buses and perform all the labor-intensive tasks that humans did at work, but would gladly give up. 
No doubt, these visions were fueled by the popular science fiction of the day.  The robots were coming and they were going to change the world.  The Asimov Robot series of novels, the sci-fi movies, and television series of the time, fueled these impressions.  Science fiction which depicted societies either overrun with robots or grappling with intelligent robot takeovers, or deciding to do away with them altogether, because if we humans do not have anything to do with ourselves, we'll either get ourselves into trouble or simply vegetate.  The concept of technological intelligence was always given a vaguely human form, no doubt to make it easier to accept. 
The reality today is likely to be a complex piece of equipment sitting in a room somewhere that controls among other things; robots.  One of the alarming prospects of a technological society has always been what happens to the people whose employment or prospect of employment is taken over by robots or any other form of technology. 
However, the most alarming prospect in my mind is not what people will do with their time, but who or what will be telling them to do with it.  It is difficult to peer into the future and wonder what might happen given the present state of global economic and political structures, which we all operate in today.  Structures that might not be suited to a technological age, but which might still be in vogue far into the future.  Who actually owns the means of production and capitol, raw materials, and labor and how those resources are shared around will largely determine our individual roles in the future.  Will we be ruled by large corporate structures motivated by greed, an extension of the economic environment we live in today, where we all work for a company, or not, as the case might be and at their mercy for our livelihoods? 
On the other hand, will new structures arise where everything is collectively owned and will we find new ways of determining who deserves what reward for their contribution to society?  Will we collectively have any input into these structures?  Or will we be content, as long as our basic needs are met and we can get on and enjoy life, to let someone or something else worry about that for us?  Given the interest shown by many people today in politics, it is a natural assumption that we may become less interested in politics or administration in the future and then be at the mercy of whatever political or quasi-political structures that might develop.  It is an intriguing speculation to wonder whether the present belief that the free market is the best solution to cure our economic and social ills. 
The open, capitalist market orientated economic model that the western  nations of this world have been championing since the advent of the first communist economy in Russia might well be replaced by something quite similar to the old communist model at some stage in the future.  Where everything is collectively owned and there is no concept of individual control or ownership.  The choice or development of, a new economic system might come down to whether we can overcome our primeval instincts that glorify the ethic of survival of the fittest at all costs and try something new.  The time is long past when the survival of the human race or various parts of it relied on this style of behavior, the ruler of the tribe no longer has to be the best hunter or warrior, or one of its modern manifestations. 
In many ways the glorification of the free market is simply a modern manifestation of the increasingly obsolescent survival of the fittest ethic.  We do not have to look very far for economic models that might be modified to enhance our lives in the new technological or digital age that is upon us.  The subsistence style economies of the pre-European Pacific Islands are not unique but they are an example of economies that developed under conditions that in many cases ensured that the necessities of life were in abundant supply. 
Gathering enough food to ensure that a family, tribe, or village, or any other social structure, did not require much effort and because of the perishable nature of the food, any surplus was given away.  The social and political structures that developed within these economies are another matter and would not suit any modern age just as European feudal societies are not a suitable model.  We are hopefully long past the time when a few aristocratic landowners or hereditary rulers ruled the roost and education was reserved for those prepared to undertake priestly duties.  While the term robot conjures up an image of a machine built in the image of a man, the robots we have today are far more likely to be a piece of equipment monotonously performing some task in an industrial plant somewhere. 
The real impact of technological development has been in the data processing equipment that controls robots or machines; computers.  That is all a computer is, something that can make rapid and very complex calculations.  How many widgets that have to be built, what shape they should be, and what materials should be used to create those widgets.  As our skill in building computers and writing the software that runs them improves so does their complexity and ability. 
However, they remain electronic machines, tools for us to employ in a wide range of endeavors.  This might not always be true, we may endow then with some form of intelligence, or it is possible that they will develop a level of real intelligence or reasoning themselves if we are not careful. 
We are becoming increasingly reliant on computers in our lives and in the not too far future massive and incredibly complex computing systems will be developed that can autonomously run entire societies.  Computer systems will control everything from how many widgets are made and where, to monitoring and controlling the environments we live in, and possibly regulating most other parts of our lives. Talk of intelligent computers has emerged out of the realms of science fiction to become an everyday reality in today's world.  Even my motorbike has a processor attached to the carburetor that can "remember" throttle settings for more efficient operation. 
As we become more reliant on computers and other technology, we also become more collectively vulnerable to problems that may occur.  Most of us have probably had experiences where our lives have been plunged into turmoil because of a computer problem.  It might be something as simple as the electronic funds transfer system breaking down just as you reach the checkout counter at the supermarket or the computer that runs the payroll at work falling over just as the wages are being sorted out.  More likely is that the personal computer you use in your home or work has had a frustrating fit that is not simply resolved.  Simple things, not in themselves fatal, but an indication of our total reliance in some areas on computers and electronic networked systems. 
What worries me is that in our arrogance or assumption that technology is fool proof, we will develop systems on which we are totally reliant, but discover that we have no control over.  Imagine a whole town, city, or nation, let alone the whole planet, totally reliant on a supposedly intelligent or fool proof system to regulate environments or provide food that suddenly develops a mind of its own or starts to malfunction. 
What happens if we develop an artificial intelligence to run our world that suddenly decides that we are not a necessity to the efficient running of whatever society develops in the future?  If we blithely assume that any system we develop is infallible, then we may find ourselves in a situation where it is impossible to unplug a system that we have developed even if we recognize what is going on because we are totally reliant on that system in order to survive. 
If you think this kind of concept is a bit far fetched, think back a few months and recall the publicity surrounding the possible effects that the so-called Y2K bug might have had on our societies and what may have happened if all the dire predictions surrounding the advent of the new millennium had come true. 

To subscribe to this newsletter send e-mail visit http://home.iprolink.co.nz/~sam/sam.htm, enter your e-mail address and hit the Listbot icon. 
sams soapbox (C) Copyright 2000 Published by K.Fenwick, PO.Box 90312 Auckland NZ,  mailto:sam@iprolink.co.nz, 

 "Susan Rabin's book is about utilizing the Internet as an opportunity for dating..  Susan talks about the different avenues on the Internet where you can meet people.  One area she discusses is chat rooms.  Personally, I found chat rooms to be a major waste of time.  It reminds me of a late night bar, wherein everyone is talking at the same time, not listening, yelling to be heard, and not making any sense.  I think that a lot of young kids and teenagers like the chat rooms, so certainly the chances of meeting anyone seriously are limited there. 
 She also mentions message boards aka "news groups." I haven't used news groups in years, but I did find it can be a nice place to meet someone.  I have been corresponding via e-mail for about five years now with Keith, from New Zealand.  We initially "met" when I posted a message on a news group, and Keith responded.  Message boards are where you will find  "nearly every special interest or hobby site, (and they) function much the same way as personal ads do.  You compose a message, either entirely of your own creation, or relating to someone else's posted question or comment, then wait for a reply.  If the site is a popular one, I guarantee you, you will not have to wait long." (pg. 42). 
 Personal ads are another venue for opportunities.  My friend Tom corresponded to several women through the Yahoo Personals, and is now dating someone.  It's not a guarantee, however.  I answered a few Yahoo Personals on but I hadn't received any responses.  It probably helped that Tom posted to these women that he had an extra ticket to an expensive theater show and was looking for someone to attend it with him.  Fortunately, he ended up liking the woman he did end up going to the show with and they decided to see each other again.  However, if they hadn't any chemistry, it could have made his theater experience a memorable experience in more ways than one. 
 Susan mentions single sites, and in the back of the book she lists some.  I personally have a free personal ad running on  and .  Susan says that posting a photo is not necessary, and in some cases not recommended.  I have found that most people who post photos post old photos of themselves when they were younger.  I met a man through  who sent me a photo attachment of himself.  He was not bad looking when I met him, but I remembered that in the photo he sent me he didn't have the gray hair that he had in person.  I personally don't feel comfortable sending photos of myself to "strangers."  I would have to be corresponding for a long time, before I were to send a photo, if ever.  Some men have asked me immediately to forward a photo of myself or asked me for my home telephone number, and when I decline, sometimes they stop writing.  However, I don't mind, since I don't want to be judged on my photo anyway, and don't feel comfortable giving out my phone number immediately either.   I gave one man my phone number too soon, and he kept calling me every day.  We talked a few times and every time he quoted the Old Testament or the Torah and talked about religion constantly and it just turned me off, since I am not religious at all, and he sounded like a religious fanatic.  Since he had my phone number, he kept calling and leaving me messages on my voice mail.  I just did not respond and finally he gave up.  However, it was a nuisance and that lesson reminded me to be more cautious about who I give my phone number to and when. 
 Another man asked me after writing me two times, if he could have my telephone number.  I refused and then I never heard from him again.  And other one lives in Boston, hasn't asked for my photo or phone number, and we have become e-mail pals. 
 Susan encourages using the Internet as a source to meet people, because it has a large circulation.  This is true since it does go all over the world.  She says that also many web personals are free and the ones I mentioned above are.  There are those that charge and I haven't tried any of them, except for , which gave me a free 10-day trial.  One man wrote me, but I wasn't interested as he lived about 60 miles away, and therefore I didn't respond.  Another good thing about the net, is that you don't have to "reject" anyone, per say.  When someone asks me out in person, who I am not interested in, I have to reject them face-to-face, and that is difficult and uncomfortable for me.  On the Internet, you can just write that you are not interested or not respond.  It's much easier. 
Early in her book, Susan does mention about using caution.  I was very glad to read this, because it can not be emphasized enough.  She says to "regard your Internet acquaintance as exactly what he or she is: a stranger.  Assume you know nothing of his or her background, motivation or intentions....Keep your personal information to yourself." (pg. 6).  I have a mail box address I use, so if I want to give out an address for someone to send me a card or photo, I tell them that address.  I never give out my home address.  As I mentioned above, I have learned to not be readily free in giving out my phone number. 
 Susan says: "Don't believe what anyone tells you.  Everything you know about a 'net-quaintance could be the truth, or it could be a compilation of hand-picked omissions.." (pg. 6) For instance, I met someone on the net who told me he was divorced.  We met two times in a public place, and the second time he confessed he was still married, but separated.  His confession occurred when he stated he had a lot of grief about "family lawyers," since he said he was dealing with one now to divorce his wife.  I said, "I thought you were already divorced?"  He said, "No, well, I will be.  I'm living apart from her."  This example shows how people can tell half-truths. 
 In "Cyberflirt," Susan says not to respond to hostile, threatening or obscene messages.  I've had some e-mail pals write me some weird messages, or sometimes just very opinionated.  I know it's better to just not respond to those than take the time to even answer. 
 Susan says, "..  use your head if you choose to meet the special someone face to face.  What you are planning is a blind date with a total stranger.  Agree to meet only in a public place.  That means no cars, no secluded sports, no apartments or houses.... It's always better to be safe than sorry." (pg. 7)  I highly recommend cafes for a first meeting.  There are certainly enough Starbucks around.  This way you can have some coffee and talk, and aren't committed to a long span of time.  You can stay longer if you want, and if you want to leave, you can just go, and so can the other person. 
 Susan states in her book, there are several advantage of meeting people through the net.   One main item that I agree with is that you are doing it on your own time and on your own "turf."  She says that if you don't want to deal with someone, you don't know to.  I personally like that it's on my own time.  I can e-mail people late at night, early in the morning.  I don't have to worry about waking them up, or staying on the phone a long time!  I can respond when I feel like it, and don't feel like I'm put on the spot. 
 In "Cyperflirt," Susan says that it is easy for people to respond to web personals because the "Internet sites make it easy for an interested party to respond to an ad.  There's no stationery to choose..  no stamps to buy and no hassles.." (pg. 79).  She says: "There are two general types of personals spaces: large, singles-oriented, well-visited sites whose purpose is general matchmaking (men in search of women, men in search of men, women in search of women, etc.) and smaller, more narrowly targeted, interest-oriented sites whose goal is matchmaking within a specific group of people (i.e. single parents, Jewish or Christian singles, antique collectors, readers of certain magazines, etc.)."  (pg. 80). 
 Susan gives some tips on running an ad.   She says to be specific, but brief.  I remember when I lived in New York and liked readings some ads in the back of  New York Magazine.  Some of the longest ads were from men and went on and on. I knew that advertising in New York Magazine was quite expensive, so I just thought these guys were show-offs, expressing that they have money and that's why they can run long ads.  I did not think that a long ad meant this person was any better than someone running an average 10-word ad. 
 She says that you shouldn't write about your medical history or your pet peeves, or the disappointments of your lifetime.  Who wants to read, "I was married ten years, my wife dumped me, she took the kids and now I'm bitter and don't trust anyone over the age of thirty.  But, I am lonely now.  Please write." 
 The personal ad, Susan suggests, should be positive, maybe even include some wit.  She includes a list of some words that might be used if you feel this way about yourself.  They include: "energetic, warm, vibrant, caring, adventurous, creative, witty, romantic, sensitive, upbeat." (pg. 86). 
 The author of "Cyperflirt" also writes about responding to ads.   She says that "to get the best response, don't be the first response.  The e-mail generated by a personal ad tends to come in a monumental early rush, then trickle off as time goes by.  Needless to say, recipients tend to weed out the early returns heavily, often without even carefully reading them.  When you see an interesting ad, wait a week or two before e-mailing.  You we be less apt to be deleted with the earlier candidates."  (pg. 91). 
 This is true, wherein I belong to a club called the "E-Mail Club" (,and  in the beginning when I first ran my ad, I had about twenty responses.  I tried to answer as many as I could, but it just got overwhelming, and so I weeded out many that had responded.  However, now that I only get responses once in a while, I write almost everyone who writes me. 
 Susan suggests to avoid conversational turn-offs.  For instance, don't be quick to judge or criticize, or be opinionated.   In the e-mail club listing, I mentioned that I liked bowling (as I had belonged to a league at the time), and that I liked the spectator sport of hockey.  This man wrote me and said, "Really, Marsha.  Come-on bowling and hockey? You must like something more interesting than that.  Why not something fun, like dancing?"  Needless to say, his message not only did not get a response from me, but I happily enjoyed hitting "delete." 
 Susan says also, that if you want, you can creative your own web site.  I haven't done this, although I may want to in the future, since I have a lot of hobbies and interests.  Keith, in New Zealand loves dirt bike riding and has written a science fiction novel, and has a personal site dedicated to these hobbies.  It is:  www.home.iprolink.co.nz/~sam/. 
 Susan writes that you might register your site at search engines.  I think that I am missing out on not having a web site, which could be a good biography of myself.  I could certainly clarify a lot of facts about myself on the site, which I wouldn't have to constantly repeat to e-mail pals.  For instance, in my site, I would mention that I belong to the San Francisco Computer Peninsula Club, and list some of my hobbies and interests, including going to San Jose Sharks games, attending movies, reading and writing.  Susan suggests setting up a guest book on your site or having easy access for people to e-mail you.  This could be another way of meeting people. 
 If you want to eventually meet the people you correspond with on the Internet, again to be sure to use caution.  Sometimes the net gets a bad rap, because some people who spend hours on their computer might be considered to be socially inapt, or a psycho, as we hear stories about people being taken advantage of by people they corresponded with on the Internet.  Susan says that you'll be less likely to meet a fraud, cheat or sicko on the Internet, if you ask yourself some of these questions before setting up that first date (which, I reiterate should be in a public place): 
"Make a list of every fact you know about this person: his real name, his age, his physical type, his profession, etc....." 
T ab"Refer to your list of facts again.  Ask yourself how you know these facts.  Are these things he has told you?  How many of them are details that you might have surmised, assumed or projected?.." 
T ab"Is his schedule flexible... Could he have 'forgotten' to mention his wife and three children in his personal ad?..." 
T ab"How much do you know about her family/personal life?  Did she pull you in by revealing a personal drama or problem?  It is dangerous to become involved with a drama queen - particularly one you really don't know." 
T ab"In what areas does he express the must curiosity about you?... Does he want to know what kind of books or films you like?  Or does he ask the most questions about how you invest your money?" (pg. 111). 
 Susan says that if you meet a person through the Internet, to be sure not to have a false sense of intimacy, unrealistic expectations, and look at geography as an issue. 
 Of course, it is not good to become a "cyber-addict," wherein you spend more time on the Internet than you do with real people around you.  I think that, in conclusion, if you have a balanced life, use common sense, and have some time to dedicate to the Internet, you might find it is a good place to meet some interesting people.   I know that, although I haven't met anyone through the net to date at this time, I still have made very interesting e-mail pals. 
 I think Susan Rabin's book is a good reference guide to using the Internet as another source to meet people.  However, like anything else worthwhile, it requires time and patience.  One of my e-mail pals Garry, in New York sent me this book, but it mentions at the end of the book, you can purchase a copy on the web at    or by calling Penguin Putnam books at 800/253-6476. 

"Hints from Hintz for Computers: 2nd in  the series" By Ernest Hintz 
  ----------------------------------------------- 
Edited by Bob Wallace and Marsha Brandsdorfer (editors of SFPCC newsletter).  If you have any additions or any questions please e-mail hints@hints.com 
 "Don't leave home  without your Favorites URLs (IE): 
 1.  Next time you're at your computer, copy your favorite folder to a floppy disc and take it along with you.  When visiting your friend, or mother-in-law, etc., and discussion leads to a web site you want to share, you're all prepared.  Netscape users can do something similar by copying the Bookmark.htm file. 

 Finding the file you worked on 6 or 12 months ago (WINs & NT): 
 2.  Go to the start button, find or search (depending on what version of Windows or NT you're using), then click on files and folders.  Again, depending on what version of Windows you're using, you either can go to advanced, or in Windows 2000 there is a box asking for "Containing text."  You recall that in the document you're looking for, you used the words "Main St." and "Waverley Ave."  You then enter these into the "containing text" area, and start the search.  You can reduce the length of time the search will take, if you are sure that the document that you're looking for is in one folder or sub-folders under that folder.  If you're not sure, let it search your complete hard drive and list the files that the search program finds with the text you entered. 

 Uninterruptible Power Supply or UPS (all computers): 
 3.  Here in California, seldom were there power outages.  However, due to the wisdom of deregulation of power, it appears that forced power outages or so-called "brown outs" are a real threat.  In the past, some considered this a power user item.  However, today, with useful UPS prices in the $100+- price range, it should be a standard item.  Have you ever been in the middle of a project, such as a spreadsheet, maybe at tax time, or writing a lengthy e-mail, and suddenly somewhere in the house the same electrical line your computer is connected to blew the fuse or circuit breaker?  If you have a UPS, this becomes a minor experience.  If it is a major power outage, you can quickly save what you're working on and shut down your computer in an orderly fashion.  Sam's club, or Costco, or probably a number of other places offer UPS that runs in the range of 500 VA.  If you do not understand what 500 VA stands for, in brief it means that you should have enough power to power your computer and monitor to shut it down within 5 to 20 minutes.  If the fuse or circuit breaker in your house or office blew, it gives you enough time to find it and get the power back on.  If there is a major brownout, it should give you enough time to save your work and shutdown in an orderly fashion.  APC (www.apcc.com) unit with 500 VA with about 15 minutes of battery power, was available at Sam's club late July 2000, for under $80.  Final suggestion, is to purchase a unit that has the capability of shutting down your computer on its own, via a cable that comes with the UPS, and a unit for which you can replace the battery, should the battery or one of the batteries fail.  Also, there are some companies other than APC that make good units. 

 Excel Spreadsheet shortcut (Win9x & NT): 
 4.  In Excel, when adding up cells, you can use this formula.  Use = sum (first cell:last cell).  Then = sum (B6:B18), by dragging your mouse over the cells you want to include in the formula.  Notice that the column from B6 through B18 is for a total of 12 cells, and also after inserting this formula, you must hit Enter key. 

 ShowDeskTop Icon (Win9x & NT): 
 5.  For those of you that have installed Windows Explorer 4.x and above, you may notice an icon near your start button that has a yellow pencil in the center of what looks like an old ink desk blotter.  If you put your mouse over it, it will say "Show Desktop".  Here is a good way of using this icon.  No doubt, once you become familiar with it, you will find your own uses.  For example, if you're writing a private letter and a family member or office colleague walks up to your computer, all you have to do is click on this icon and everything open on your desktop will minimize.  Now you can speak with the visitor without any concern that they are reading what is on your screen.  After your visitor leaves, click on Show Desktop again, and voila, you will be back where you left off. 

 A few short cut keys (most Win document programs): 
 6.  Ctrl+Home goes to beginning of document. 
  Ctrl+End goes to end. 
  Alt+underline letter on menu opens the menu. 
  Alt+F And then O in Word to Open a document. 
  [Ctrl-O opens a document in WordPerfect. -Bob] 

 Screen shots - this can print picture of a window when a print option is not available: 
 7.  Open a Wordprocessor program (Word or WordPad).  Switch to the Window you want to print (example: C drive in My Computer).  Switch to Word by using Windows Taskbar Microsoft Word button at the bottom of screen.  Edit/Paste or click on paste button on Word/WordPad toolbar.   Now you can print the screen shot. 
 Ctrl+Alt+Del can help you close or shutdown a frozen program (Win9x): 
 8.  Ctrl+Alt+Del will bring up closed program windows with the frozen program on top, and if you're using standard window colors, it will be highlighted in blue.  Click on the program that is frozen or which window is not responding.  Next Click on End Task button.   It may take several times of End Task button to end the frozen or non-responding program. 

 Document list on the Start Menu (Win9x, NT, Win2k): 
 9.  The document list is a fast way of going back to the document or documents you were working on last, since it lists about the last 10 or so files that you opened.  I have been asked how to clear this, so that the next user of the computer will not see what documents were worked on last.  My recommendation is use MS program PowerToys listed in the Control Panel as Tweak UI (discussed in the last Hints from Hintz).  Under the far right hand tab called Paranoia (first heading  under this tab is Covering Your Tracks), you will see an item you can tag, listed as Clear Document history at logon. 

 WordPad (Win9x, NT, Win2k): 
 10.  WordPad comes with all the above versions of Windows.  WordPad only takes up 1.2 mb of hard disk space and can save and read Word for Windows version 6.0 format, including RTF (Rich Text Format).  So next time the computer you're working on does not have a word processing program, use WordPad.  Granted, it does not have spell or grammar checking built in, but it is fast and a very useful program.  Now there is no excuse that your relatives or friends can not open the Word for Windows documents you saved in version 6.0 format and e-mailed to them.  If you can not locate WordPad under Accessories, you can install it from the Windows installation CD or diskette 

"Club Member e-Mail Mailing List" By Ernest Hintz  

Edited by Bob Wallace and Marsha Brandsdorfer (editors of SFPCC newsletter).  If you have any additions or any questions please e-mail hints@hints.com 

 "Our Computer club has established an Internet e-mail mailing list for the SFPCC club  members to easily exchange computer questions and computer ideas.  As a club member you may discuss e-mail questions, suggestions, etc.  For some time, your SFPCC Executive board has successfully operated a private closed mailing list.  Incidently, any club member is welcome to also join the SFPCC Executive board and the  SFPCC e-mail list, and may do so by attending at least three executive board meetings. 

SFPCC-L is a CLOSED LIST 
  ------------------------------------------ 
IMPORTANT - DO NOT post this list mailing address on the SFPCC club's web page or any other  web page, or anywhere else on the Internet.  The REASON is that the SFPCC list does not wish to  become part of any SPAM mailing list. 

ADDRESS 
  --------------- 
The SFPCC e-mail mailing list address is SFPCC-L@e-groups.com  (for SFPCC club members only) 

OBJECTIVE (mission) of the SFPCC e-mail list 
  -------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 1.  Sharing of information and questions that club members have. 
 2.  Use of the SFPCC e-mail list is more timely than leaving your question until club meeting. 
 3.  In addressing/e-mailing the SFPCC e-mail list, you avoid having a lengthy Internet list of addresses.  This way also avoids that your recipients of your e-mail shouldn't end up  on mailing lists or additional SPAM list they don't want to be on. 
 4.  The main benefit of this list is that, as members, we know each other, therefore, the answers are well intended and positively directed to you, individually.  Yes, we all know there is a vast amount of Newsgroups, Internet addresses and other e-mail lists; however, these usually tend to address a broad number of questions and answers, as well as unfortunately, contain SPAM mail.  Also, your individual e-mail address has a higher degree of possibility of becoming part of SPAM mail list. 
PRIVACY POLICY 
  -------------------------- 
 No SFPCC e-mail address list will be given out by the SFPCC club or SFPCC e-mail list to ANYONE.  This list belongs to San Francisco Peninsula Computer Club, not any one specific member. 
 
MODERATORS - (function to add or delete club members from SFPCC e-mail list) 
  ---------------------- 
  1.  Bob Wallace 
  2.  Ernest Hintz 

JOINING and TERMINATION 
  ----------------------------------------- 
 1.   JOINING: Club members who wish to subscribe to the list can do so by sending an e-mail to SFPCC-L@egroups.com.  Ask to join and identify yourself as a SFPCC club member.  Please allow approximately 2-4 working days for the list moderators to approve you for full access. 
 2.  TERMINATION of write access from SFPCC e-mail list.  If any 2 club members disapproves strongly of another club member's e-mail behavior, these 2 club members must e-mail the moderators a copy of the disapproving e-mail and the reasons that the e-mail should not be part of the list.  These 2 club members must e-mail their complaint to the moderator and the club member  that they disapprove of the e-mail behavior.  Once the complaint is received by a moderator, a follow-up e-mail warning notice from the moderator will be sent to the SFPCC list, thereby putting on notice for one month from the date warned, the club member whom the complaint addresses. 
 3.  SUSPENSION:  If any club member has 3 active individual complaints, his club member's SFPCC e-mail writing function to the SFPCC e-mail list will be indefinitely be suspended. 
 4.  APPEAL:  Any club member who is suspended from the SFPCC e-mail  list can appeal their suspension from the list at a SFPCC Executive board meeting.   If the club member is not satisfied with the SFPCC Executive board majority decision, the club member may appeal at will to the SFPCC general membership at a SFPCC general club meeting. 

SFPCC e-mail list RULES 
  -------------------------------------- 
  1.  NO e-mails regards politics or religion. 
  2.  NO e-mails regards jokes or junk mail. 
  3.  NO profanity of any sort. 
Any additional or future rule will be posted in the SFPCC e-mail list. 

Suggestions on HOW-TO-USE the SFPCC e-mail list 

------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
 1.  Use short sentences and bullet points. 
 2.  If using text from an e-mail that you're responding to,  include the relevant text, not the whole e-mail. 
 3.  Mark urgent e-mails with words like "help!" or "crisis" - but use these words sparingly! 
 4.  USE "DRIB" (Don't Read If Busy) in the subject line, so that the recipient knows it can wait. 
 5.  FILE attachments should not be sent to SFPCC e-mail list, unless more than 3 people ask for the same file.  Note if you are attaching a file, make sure the person getting them has the capability to download them quickly and easily.  [Some e-mail providers do not allow file attachments within their services. -Bob] 
 6. No question is a DUMB question, and ask for the reply to be addressed back to the SFPCC e-mail list. 
 7.  Finally, If you want a reply, ask for one. 
 
GENERAL 
--------------- 
 Please notice that the e-mail list the SFPCC list is using has small advertisements at the bottom of each e-mail.  If we wish to eliminate this, there is an approximate cost of $60 annually.   It is up to all of us as SFPCC Club members to participate, for we can make this list as functional or good as we want to. 
 Note, should you login the www.egroup.com web site, any personal information you post on the group web site is not within the control of the SFPCC e-mail list.  Note that to participate in the SFPCC list, you do not need to give out any personal information; you only have to be a SFPCC club member. 

CALENDAR 

Meetings are always the second Thursday of the month at 222 Laurel Street, at 7:30 p.m.  Cross streets are Oak and Hull.  Please do not park directly in front of the building.  You may park at the lot behind the stores at Oak and El Camino, or park down the street, parking in front of the building is reserved for residents of the complex.  Look for signs leading to the meeting room.  Occasionally, access to our meeting room is unavailable, and since we do not want to cancel any meetings, we would then meet at the Round Table Pizza just up the street on El Camino.  This does not happen often.  However, should you find that the meeting room is locked, please look for us at the pizza place, and buy yourself an inexpensive salad!  Sorry for the inconvenience. 

The next meetings are September 14, 2000 and October 12, 2000 (Columbus Day). 

For September, the presentation planned is "Windows 98 Control Panel and Tools" by Jerry Havnar. 

At the time of publication, scheduling had not been determined for our October meeting.  Lee Hill suggests checking our club web site for an update.  Remember, it is  www.sfpnn.org.  You can also check out Judy Oliphant's page, which is: www.sirius.com/~jlo. 
 - ed. 

 
[On a personal note: The San Francisco Giants are  
doing great this year.  Let's hope they make it to the 
play-offs. - Marsha]