Star-Telegram
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Dedicated to helping you untangle the World Wide Web
Volume 3 - Number 1
January 3, 2000
Terry and I spent the coming of the new Millennium at a quiet party with some very dear
friends. We were planning on joining the festivities at the big downtown Fort Worth bash.
We're glad now we opted for the small party. We also had a wonderful holiday season. In fact
this Christmas was the first Christmas we didn't have to leave the house and go somewhere. We
didn't ever get out of our PJs until 2:00 in the afternoon! It was wonderful!
Let's talk about what we have in store for everyone this year. Today's issue will be a cleanup
from some hold-overs from last year. I've got a bunch of sites that I didn't have the
opportunity to tell you about last year. I'll also point you to some of my favorite resources
and sites on the net as well as some really neat newsletters that I subscribe to. In future
issues, we're going to be talking about DSL (digital subscriber line) versus Cable, home
networking, genealogy, ergonomics, and maybe Terry will chime in and do a column on needlework
and quilting resources on the Net.
In fact, I've volunteered to do an ergonomics presentation with the March StarSIG meeting.
I'll be bringing all sorts of neat ergonomic products from
Bennett Printing & Office Supply
where I am the Marketing Director. I may also have some of the reps from different
companies join me to talk about their products as well. Many of you know that I've had a
carpal tunnel release done on both of my wrists recently. Considering my extensive use of
computers in my line of work, it was the best decision I've ever made in my life. Before the
operations, I was awakened several times a night with severe pain shooting up my arms. I've now
become much more aware of what to do and not to do concerning my computer work in the workplace
and at home. For our March issue, it will probably be dedicate to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and
ergonomics.
Let's get on with the first issue of "Your Web Connection" for the year 2000. I guess we're
going to have to say "for the year 2000". Normally you could say "the first issue of Your
Web Connection for 1999." Somehow "the first issue of Your Web Connection for 2000" just
doesn't work as well. Anyway, here's the first issue for the new year. As I mentioned, we're
going to do a bit of house cleaning and clear out the old file folder of sites that I've been
saving for you. As always, we'll end the issue with some chuckles that my friends have sent
me. Also our column archive has been updated. You'll find a link to our past columns to the left.
But first let's take a look at an interesting list I found.
I love lists, especially Top 10 ones. This is a pretty cool list complied by Gary Krakow of
MSNBC. I'm just going to list his choices. If you want to read more, click on the link above. As you read them, see if you agree or disagree.
We all get too many emails clogging our inbox every day, so why am I recommending subscribing
to some newsletters so you can have more stuff coming in? Well, these are a couple that I
really enjoy and they are a quick read, so they don't take a lot of your valuable time.
From their web site, they explain what the Darwin Awards are:
Whenever the current newsletter arrives, it is one of the first items that Terry and I read.
If you want to read more, click on the link above to visit their site. On the site, you'll
find a place where you can subscribe to their newsletter. One of the current stories entitled,
"The Dog and the Jeep" ends very tragically and shows that there are some real idiots in the
world. This is a must read!
To visit the Grimm's Fairy Tale site, point your browser to:
Speaking of National Geographic, last Christmas Terry got me a complete set of the magazines
on CD-Rom. They are really fascinating especially looking at all of the old ads. I haven't had
the time to look at all of them yet, but the older issues I have looked at give you a
wonderful snapshot of the time when they were written. The first issue was really insightful
with a long article giving the mission of the society.
Since I am a history buff, I really enjoy sites that are packed full of the
history of famous landmarks. The Las Vegas Strip is uniquely American and has a
rich past history. As Deanna DeMatteo, who maintains the site, says, "The strip is a world of its own, Where else can you go to visit
Egypt, New York, the Tropics, Kings and Queens, Rome/Greece, Hollywood, and much
more all on one street?" This is the street of lights, excitement, and
dreams. Some dreams come true becoming a great success and others die a sad
death." Terry and I have only visited Las Vegas once and I was fascinated by it. It
is a city that never stops and has no sense of time. Deanna includes a wonderful
historical timeline of the Las Vegas strip. To take a look at the site, point
your browser to: Terry and I hope to go back and visit very soon. Quotes to live by If you don't go to other men's funerals, they won't go to
yours. * Clarence Day I was going to buy a copy of The Power of Positive Thinking,
and then I thought: What the hell good would that do? * Ronnie Shakes I can please only one person per day. Today is not your day.
Welcome to a new edition of
"Your Web Connection" and a New Year and, depending on who you talk to, a new Millennium.
Apparently, since you are reading this, the world hasn't come to an end, all of the computers
didn't stop working, and we still have electricity and water. What's the best part of the new
millennium for me? All of those guys that were predicting doom and gloom are now out of a job!
Maybe now we can get on with our lives. I was reading an article,
New Year arrives in U.S. after only minor
glitches, on New Years Day on the MSNBC site that
predicted the the Y2K bug and fixes in the United States would end up costing around $365 for
every American. That totals out to around $100 billion! Worldwide the repair bill may run from
$300 billion to $600 billion. Now here is the kicker, the legal bills for Y2K related lawsuits
is predicted to climb as high as $1 trillion. Wow! Enough said about Y2K.
The definitive Top 10 gadget list of all
time
DotComGuy
Something else we're going to be following on a monthly basis is Mitch Maddox,
now legally known as DotComGuy. On January 1, 2000 he is starting an interesting experiment.
DotComGuy walked into an empty house at Noon on
January 1 and doesn't plan to leave until 2001. He will live entirely off the resources of the
Net. He feels this experiment will become a learning experience on how to utilize e-commerce
in the future. It's going to be interesting following how he does. If DotComGuy makes it
through the whole year, he will earn a total of $98,280 from sponsors. The first month he
will earn $24 and each month he stays the amount earned will double. You can follow along on
his site at:
www.dotcomguy.com
Email Newsletters That I Recommend
The first, probably one of my
favorites is the Darwin Awards
notification list. Terry and I normally read the newsletter together and end up rolling on the
floor.
"What are they? In the spirit of Charles Darwin, the Darwin Awards celebrate evolution
in action by commemorating the remains of individuals who most contributed to the improvement
of our gene pool. Winners minimize their own genetic contribution by suffering idiotic and
fatal misadventures, thereby dousing our gene pool with chlorine. Or in other words, the
Darwin Awards recognize evolution by commemorating the remains of individuals who inadvertently
kill themselves through their own stupidity, thereby improving our gene pool."
http://www.mailbits.com/
Grimm's Fairy Tales
Anything these people do is first class. Visit this "eye-candy" site and let
National Geographic take you on a trip of myth and mystery. Their presentation brings you
12 "unvarnished" tales based on a 1914 translation. Spend some time at the site
and get involved in the captivating tales.
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/grimm/
Las Vegas Strip History
Net-Humor and Life's Ponderances
Tomorrow isn't looking good either.
Mailbits.com* Kevin Nelson
The brain is a wonderful organ. It starts working the moment you get up in the morning and does not stop until you get into the office.
* Robert Frost
The reason grandparents and grandchildren get along so well is that they have a common enemy.
* Sam Levenson
Fall is my favorite season in Los Angeles, watching the birds change color and fall from the trees.
* David Letterman
USA Today has come out with a new survey - apparently, three out of every four people make up 75% of the population.
* David Letterman
I am returning this otherwise good typing paper to you because someone has printed gibberish all over it and put your name at the top.
* An English Professor, Ohio University
The word 'politics' is derived from the word poly, meaning 'many', and the word ticks, meaning 'blood sucking parasites'.
* Larry Hardiman
I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.
* Douglas Adams
Thus the metric system did not really catch on in the States, unless you count the increasing popularity of the nine-millimeter bullet.
* Dave Barry
The secret of success is sincerity. Once you can fake that you've got it made.
* Jean Giraudoux
There is only one difference between a madman and me. I am not mad.
* Salvador Dali
We're all in this alone.
* Lily Tomlin
You can go a long way with a smile. You can go a lot farther with a smile and a gun.
* Al Capone
I told the doctor I broke my leg in two places. He told me to quit going to those places.
* Henny Youngman
If it were not for Thomas Edison, we would all be watching television in the dark.
* Michael Landon
It matters not whether you win or lose; what matters is whether I win or lose.
* Darrin Weinberg
Remember that as a teenager you are in the last stage of your life when you will be happy to hear that the phone is for you.
* Fran Lebowitz
The genius of you Americans is that you never make clear-cut stupid moves, only complicated stupid moves which make us wonder at the possibility that there may be something to them we are missing.
* Gamel Abdel Nasser
A little humor
How do crazy people go through the forest?
They take the psycho path.What do Eskimos get from sitting on the ice too long?
Polaroids.What do prisoners use to call each other?
Cell phones.What do the letters D.N.A. stand for?
National Dyslexics Association.What do you call a boomerang that doesn't work?
A stick.What do you call cheese that isn't yours?
Nacho Cheese.What do you call Santa's helpers?
Subordinate Clauses.What do you call four bull fighters in quicksand?
Quatro sinko.What do you get from a pampered cow?
Spoiled milk.What do you get when you cross a snowman with a vampire?
Frostbite.What has four legs, is big, green, fuzzy, and if it fell out of a tree would kill you?
A pool table.What lies at the bottom of the ocean and twitches?
A nervous wreck.What's the difference between roast beef and pea soup?
Anyone can roast beef.Where do you find a dog with no legs?
Right where you left him.Why are there so many Smiths in the phone book?
They all have phones.Why do bagpipers walk when they play?
They're trying to get away from the noise.What is a zebra?
26 sizes larger than an "A" bra.What do you get when you cross a pit bull with a collie?
A dog that runs for help ... after it bites your leg off.What does it mean when the flag is at half mast at the post office?
They're hiring.What kind of coffee was served on the Titanic?
Sanka.
Thanks for stopping by. If you'd like to be added to our email notification list that will let you know when our column is updated, just let us know. We'll be glad to add your name to our list. The list is private, so you don't have to worry about your email address getting out. Because we use a very good GroupMail program, the notification letter has only your email address on it so no one knows who else is on the list. If there is a topic or site you'd like to see covered in the future, let us know and we'll take a look at it. We'll be back the first Monday of February! Have a wonderful January! And let's all start the New Year our right by having a positive attitude in all that we do! It will make a difference in your lives.
Created by Chuck and Terry Mencke
Send mail to Chuck & Terry"Your Web Connection" was last modified: December 24, 2000
URL: http://www.star-telegram.com/archive/webback/2000/conn0103.htm