Logan Daily News

Net Watch
by Bob Green

Several years back, New York City had a rather colorful mayor who always asked everybody "How'm I doin'?" That's the question that I'd like to ask Logan Daily readers. How'm I doin' so far? Are there some issues that you would like to see addressed in this column that haven't been touched on yet? What do you like and what don't you like? With two active local internet providers as well as outside providers like AT&T, Compuserve and others, there are a growing number of local cybernauts out there. I'd like to hear from all of you. It's as simple as posting an E-mail to mdpine@brutus.bright.net, or contact me the old fashioned way at 614-332-2613. In the near future, I hope to have my own home page that you can visit at any time. Included will be back copies of all my columns, as well as a place where local people (including businesses) can list any computer specialties they'd like to offer local people. One of the frustrating things that computer users in the area face is where to turn when help is needed. I've been thinking that it would be real nice to have a comprehensive list of local resources that everybody could have access to. If you like this idea, let me know. If you think it stinks, let me know that too, and why.

In the last several weeks, I've been learning about E-mail discussion groups firsthand. What are E-mail discussion groups, you ask? Broken down to its simplest form, an E-mail discussion group is a central idea with people attached. There are currently close to 50,000 of these groups existing on the Internet. Do you have a special interest that you would like to discuss with other people from all over the world? For an example of the wide variety of groups available, turn on your computer and log in to the Internet and go to http://www.liszt.com/ . In the appropriate search box, type in the word that best describes your interest. I have an older Volkswagen Jetta that's fun to drive on our hilly winding roads, but when it breaks down, parts are hard to find. In addition, some of the problems experienced with foreign cars might not be familiar to local mechanics. I'd like to see if a discussion group exists for VW's. I type Volkswagen in and three groups come up with a brief description of what each group is all about. One of the three seems to match what I'm looking for. Following the simple instructions, I subscribe to the group. There is no cost at all to subscribe. If this is an active group, when I check my E-mail tomorrow, there may be several messages awaiting me. What happens is that when one member of the group sends a message, it automatically goes to all the members of that group throughout the world. If I'm looking for a special part or am experiencing a specific problem, all I have to do is send an E-mail with an appropriate description, and chances are I'll have my answer back sometime that same day. If it doesn't appear to be what I'm looking for, I can unsubscribe as easily as I signed on. Maybe you're into livestock. Let's see what that turns up. Yes, there is one group on that subject. If you're a pastor, there are currently eight groups available. Check it out for yourself. It's fascinating to become involved in ongoing conversations with people from all over the world. Singles? Of course, seven groups exist under the name singles, and I'm sure many more exist under different names for that subject. You don't ever have to be lonely again!

Several months ago, I was in one of our local stores, and one of the managers came up to me and complimented me on my column. Expressing my thanks for his compliment, I asked him if he was involved in the Internet. After he responded affirmatively, I asked if he had a story that he would like to share. Evidently he's a little shy about sending an E-mail, but he verbally described how he met his fiancée over the Internet through one of the on-line chat groups. That is still a facet of the Internet that I have yet to explore, but if anybody else is involved in chat groups and would like to "walk me through", I sure would welcome your help. Just like the E-mail discussion groups, the chat groups exist for just about any subject under the sun.

On the darker side of the Internet, there is a movie out now called "The Net". I watched it last week mainly to see if there were any tricks that I could pick up. The movie displayed a scenario where the Internet was used in a most sinister way to gain control of an entire economy. It moves pretty fast and it's interesting as well as exciting. It showed how the central character used a chat group and how the information she shared was used against her. It's pretty bizarre, but it will keep most people interested.

New local site alert! Go to www.hockinghills.net and take a peek. It requires the Netscape 2.01 browser, so I couldn't bring it up, but I understand it will be another showcase for Hocking county businesses. There's a lot of activity out there where Hocking countians are either getting involved or being affected in some way by the Internet. The Logan Daily Newspaper editor, Dwight Crum, was telling me how state and local police are using the Net to set up temporary Web pages to aide in transmitting information about escaped criminals and such to the press. It seems the Web page is set up with all the appropriate information and then all the news media are contacted via phone, fax or E-mail and invited to participate in the site. This has been very effective in helping capture felons. If you're a criminal, you might be involved in the Net and never even know it.

Well, my space is up, so surf safe till we meet again.