American Business Computers Catalog -- circa 1981

"Michael" scanned in an old computer catalog and posted the link at Slashdot.com -- Fascinating site! (The site with the catalog sppears below at the end of my rambling). My how times have changed!


I bought my first computer, an Atari 800 XL, around 1980, followed in a few years by an Atari 520 ST. I learned to program in "Basic" (remeber Basin?) on those two machines and played some GREAT games! Some time later, Molly & were given funds to purchase an IBM "clone" 386 machine -- cost nearly US$1,000! It had a "huge" 40 meg fixed drive with 5" and 3.5" floppy drives, a 14" B/W monitor and -- I think -- a CD ROM drive. I was among the first in Taiwan -- maybe anywhere -- to get "into" e-mail and the Internet with a 7K "Zoom" modem on a pretty unreliable dial-up connection.


Now, I work on a 1.6 Mhz "home-brewed" machine with two 80 gig fixed disks, a DVD player and CD burner, scanner, color and laser printers, "ports-r-us" and a 2000/512 "24/7" connection to the Internet via ADSL. The machine itself cost much less then than our first clone. Molly's machine -- a 2.4Mhz Pentium laptop with a beautiful, vibrant LCD screen, a 20 gig hard drive, DVD and CD burner -- is networked with mine, and cost about the same to buy as that original "clone"! Yep...times have changed! /cj


American Business Computers Catalog, about 1981: "American Business Computers Catalog -- about 1981"

BreakPoint | An Army of Worms

BreakPoint | An Army of Worms:

BreakPoint with Charles Colson
April 16, 2004

Note: This commentary was delivered by Prison Fellowship President Mark Earley .

Imagine that you and two friends have spent a total of more than forty years in prison for your faith. When you're released, would you reason that you've endured enough setbacks for the Lord -- that it's time to ease up and avoid further confrontation? I would.

That's decidedly not the attitude of three leaders of the house church movement in China. On the contrary, they believe their years of having to work 'underground' have trained them for a major missionary thrust into other areas where witnessing has to be low-profile."

More >>>

Why Men Are Just Happier People (I'm counting my "blessings!")

Just recieved this little item form a dear sister in our church. It was good for me to be reminded of how little I have to complain about, and how "blessed" I am to be a man! ;-) /cj

Why Men Are Just Happier People -


What do you expect from such simple creatures?


His last name stays put.
The garage is all his.
Wedding plans take care of themselves.
Chocolate is just another snack.
He can be prime minister.
He can never be pregnant.
He can wear a white T-shirt to a water park.
He can wear NO T-shirt to a water park.
Car mechanics tell him the truth.
The world is his urinal.
He never has to drive to another service station toilet because this one is just too icky.
He doesn't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt.
Same work, more pay.
Wrinkles add character.
Wedding dress -- $3000. Tuxedo rental -- $100.
The occasional well-rendered belch is practically expected.
New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle his feet.
One mood -- all the time.
Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.
He knows stuff about tanks.
A five-day holiday requires only one suitcase
He can open all his own jars.
He gets extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.
If someone forgets to invite him, he or she can still be his friend.
His underwear is £8.95 for three-pack.
Three pairs of shoes are more than enough.
He almost never has strap problems in public.
He is unable to see wrinkles in his clothes.
Everything on his face stays its original colour.
The same hairstyle lasts for years -- maybe decades.
He only has to shave his face and neck.
He can play with toys all his life.
His belly usually hides his big hips.
One wallet and one pair of shoes in one colour for all seasons.
He can wear shorts no matter how his legs look.
He can "do" his nails with a pocket-knife.
He has freedom of choice concerning growing a moustache.
He can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25 minutes.


No wonder men are happier!!!!

The New York Times > National > Answer, but No Cure, for a Social Disorder That Isolates Many

_
It's four pages long on the site, but it's A MUST read! One more step toward understanding ourselves and OTHERS that might lead to better communications and relationships. /cj

The New York Times > National > Answer, but No Cure, for a Social Disorder That Isolates Many:

By AMY HARMON
Published: April 29, 2004


Last July, Steven Miller, a university librarian, came across an article about a set of neurological conditions he had never heard of called autistic spectrum disorders. By the time he finished reading, his face was wet with tears.
'This is me,' Mr. Miller remembers thinking in the minutes and months of eager research that followed. 'To read about it and feel that I'm not the only one, that maybe it's O.K., maybe it's just a human difference, was extremely emotional. In a way it has changed everything, even though nothing has changed.'


Mr. Miller, 49, who excels at his job but finds the art of small talk impossible to master, has since been given a diagnosis of Asperger's syndrome, an autistic disorder notable for the often vast discrepancy between the intellectual and social abilities of those who have it. "

Read it all...>>>

The New York Times > Technology > Circuits > Online Shopper: A Second Life for a Scruffy Bunny

A great read...persistence pays! /cj


The New York Times > Technology > Circuits > Online Shopper: A Second Life for a Scruffy Bunny:

By MICHELLE SLATALLA
Published: April 29, 2004


ALL of my children have proved highly susceptible to imaginary friends.
First came Zeebie, a stuffed zebra that my oldest daughter dragged around until he deteriorated into a grayed lump of holey fabric. Even after stuffing spilled like intestines from his belly, she accepted no substitute.
Next, Bubby. After 13 years as my middle daughter's most trusted adviser, this Fisher-Price Puffalump is the most down-and-out plush toy I've ever seen. If the Puffalumps had a skid row series, he would be the poster boy. Scrofulous and shrunken, Bubby is best picked up with tongs if at all. But when his ears wore away, I knew better than to try to replace him. Instead I obtained a spare Puffalump, harvested it for parts and stealthily sewed on ears at night after prying Bubby from my sleeping daughter.

Thus, I knew from the start that a certain creature would be trouble."

Read on >>>>

Dr. Joanne Pransky World's First Robotic Psychiatrist - Ask Dr. Joanne

Is THIS for REAL? /cj


Dr. Joanne Pransky World's First Robotic Psychiatrist - Ask Dr. Joanne:

"Got a problem with your robot? Does your robot have a problem with you?

Do you ever get angry at your robot? Is your child spending too much time with his robot toys? Does your robot get lonely when you leave? Is your robot jealous of other family members, pets, or other robots, or are your family members the envious ones? Maybe Dr. Joanne can help!" More>>>

Dr. Joanne Pransky World's First Robotic Psychiatrist - Ask Dr. Joanne

Is THIS for REAL? /cj


Dr. Joanne Pransky World's First Robotic Psychiatrist - Ask Dr. Joanne:

"Got a problem with your robot? Does your robot have a problem with you?

Do you ever get angry at your robot? Is your child spending too much time with his robot toys? Does your robot get lonely when you leave? Is your robot jealous of other family members, pets, or other robots, or are your family members the envious ones? Maybe Dr. Joanne can help!" More>>>

Simple, effective pop-up blocker -- Google Toolbar!

A friend recently asked me about a good pop-up ad block. This simplest and most effective one I've found is a part of Google's Toolbar. Check it out at:

http://toolbar.google.com/

Chuck

The 50 Best Christian Places to Work - Christianity Today Magazine

The 50 Best Christian Places to Work - Christianity Today Magazine:

". . . . Conducted by the Best Christian Workplaces Institute (BCWI), the survey polled more than 10,000 employees from 107 organizations in a variety of Christian industries (including this year's new additions: church-related organizations and businesses with a Christian mission that do not necessarily offer explicitly Christian products or services). But the workplaces that stood out were the ones that extended the boundaries of loving one's neighbor to include office colleagues. These organizations look more like Christian communities than Christian corporations, and their employees treat one another more like family than co-workers."

Whether your part of a christian organization, or manage one, you should read this article. /cj

Finding God in the Heavens - Christianity Today Magazine

Finding God in the Heavens - Christianity Today Magazine:

"If C. S. Lewis were alive today, he wouldn't be at all surprised by new evidence of life on Mars. When he wrote his science fiction novel, Out of the Silent Planet, Lewis introduced a medieval concept of the heavens to modern readers.

Moderns are taught to think of 'space' as empty, except for an occasional star, separated by light years of nothingness, says Louis Markos, English professor at Houston Baptist University and author of Lewis Agonistes. Traveling to Mars via spaceship, Markos says, Lewis's hero Ransom 'finds what the medievals would have expected -- a warm place full of life.'"

More >>>

One China, three players - SCMP

One China, three players (South China Morning Post)
Wednesday, April 28, 2004

FRANK CHING

The Shanghai Communiqué signed by US president Richard Nixon and premier Zhou Enlai in 1972 asserted: "The United States acknowledges that all Chinese on either side of the Taiwan Strait maintain there is but one China and that Taiwan is a part of China. The United States government does not challenge that position."

It was on this basis that America and China normalised relations in 1979. At the time, both Taiwan and the mainland agreed that there was only one China. The two governments were also similar in that both were essentially dictatorships.

Now, however, much has changed. The mainland has experienced spectacular economic growth, but the Communist Party continues to monopolise power. Taiwan, though, has become a democracy where human rights are safeguarded. What is more, Taiwan has repudiated the idea of "one China", the one element that the two sides had in common.

Washington, trying to maintain a modicum of order, keeps up appearances by saying it continues to practice a "one China" policy. However, there is a growing sense that the current situation cannot be maintained much longer. Two influential academics, David Lampton, director of China studies at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced and International Studies and the Nixon Centre, and Kenneth Lieberthal, of Michigan University, the former senior director for Asia at the National Security Council, recently co-authored an article in The Washington Post, headlined: "Heading off the next war."

They wrote: "The framework that has buttressed peace in the Taiwan Strait for decades is disintegrating ... Unless an improved framework is adopted soon, war across the strait will become increasingly probable, with the United States likely to be drawn into it."

Certainly, all sides recognise the situation as one fraught with the potential for miscalculation. For a long time, Washington's policy was one of "strategic ambiguity", keeping both the mainland and Taiwan guessing as to whether it might intervene if war should break out. The US is encouraging both sides to engage in dialogue to lower tension. However, as long as Beijing insists on the precondition that Taiwan first accept the "one China" principle, no talks will be held. The US has warned Taiwan not to go too far in acts Beijing finds provocative, such as holding a referendum and drafting a new constitution, while warning Beijing not to resort to the use of force. But there is a danger that somehow, sometime, one of the three parties might miscalculate.

The evolution of Taiwan into a democracy and the heightening of a Taiwanese sense of national identity are fundamental changes that cannot be swept under the carpet. Today, no government in Taiwan can cut a deal with Beijing without the consent of the electorate. Beijing hopes to find a way of taking over Taiwan despite American objections, while an increasingly assertive Taiwan is frustrated at its continuing international ostracism. All the while, the US tries to ensure that Beijing will be a friend rather than an enemy.

The Bush administration seeks to manage the Beijing relationship by emphasising its "one China" policy. But even there, James Kelly, the assistant secretary of state for East Asia and the Pacific, has acknowledged that what the US considers a "one China" policy is not the same as Beijing's policy. In fact, he suggested, it was difficult to define just what the US means by its policy.

In the meantime, Beijing is frustrated that America offers increasingly sophisticated weaponry to Taiwan. Taiwan, alone, seems confident that it has nothing to fear. In fact, so sure is Taiwan of American support that it has substantially reduced defence spending for well over a decade. In such a delicate situation, the smallest misunderstanding could lead to disastrous consequences.

Frank Ching is a Hong Kong-based journalist and commentator.

frankching1@aol.com

New cars are getting too expensive to fix | csmonitor.com

Ok...after that Bugatti article, here's a dose of "reality"...although I'm not likley to ever own a car with "xenon high-intensity-discharge headlights," our 5-year old Chevy Lumina has two airbags, and It would cost more than we paid for the car used to replace them! Read on... /cj


New cars are getting too expensive to fix | csmonitor.com:

"Last fall, a brand new BMW 3-series car rolled into the Old Dominion Carstar Collision Center in Eugene, Ore. - literally. A teenager was 'driving dad's car,' says shop owner Patty McConnell, and rolled it over - with little apparent structural damage. The teen walked away, and normally the damage wouldn't have been hard to repair. But the BMW had so many air bags 'it looked like a balloon,' recalls Ms. McConnell. The new car, worth more than $30,000, was totaled. "

MUCH more >>>

"How the Bugatti Veyron Works"

OK, OK...this is totally frivolous, but I spent my teenage years in the 50's and 60's in Southern California's "car-culture" and was an avid reader of Hot road Magazine and Road & Track. This is surely the ULTIMATE muscle car.

Howstuffworks "How the Bugatti Veyron Works":

"How would you define the most amazing production car in the world? Would it be:

The car with the most horsepower?

The car with the fastest top speed and acceleration?

The most expensive car?

At the moment, the Bugatti Veyron appears to have it all:

A W-16 engine that can produce 1,001 horsepower

A top speed of 250+ mph (400+ kph)

A zero-to-60 time of three seconds

A zero-to-180 time of 14 seconds

A price tag somewhere in the $1 million range.

In this article, we will take an in-depth look at this amazing automobile and see how it is possible to fit so much performance into a single machine. It all starts with the engine... "


More >>>


Be sure to follow the links and the instructions on THIS PAGE to Bugatti's site and check out the detials concerning the engine. Makes the heart beat faster!

Yahoo! News - Last Oldsmobile to Roll Off Assembly Line

Yahoo! News - Last Oldsmobile to Roll Off Assembly Line:

LANSING, Mich. -

The Oldsmobile, the line of cars that started out in 1897 and featured models such as the Rocket 88 and the muscular 442, is coming to an end this week.

The last Olds, an Alero, is due to roll off an assembly line Thursday in Lansing, the same city where the brand was born.

General Motors Corp. had announced in December 2000 that it would discontinue the Oldsmobile, the oldest automotive brand name in U.S. history. " More >>>

Take Two Aspirins, E-Mail Me Tomorrow

The New York Times > Health > Take Two Aspirins, E-Mail Me Tomorrow:

By ANAHAD O'CONNOR
Published: April 27, 2004

Several times a day, Dr. Tom Delbanco sits in front of his computer, opens his e-mail and fields questions from his patients.
Electronic communications between doctors and patients, he says, may be the next best thing to a home visit." More >>>

The New York Times > Books > Defenders of Christianity Rebut 'The Da Vinci Code'

The New York Times > Books > Defenders of Christianity Rebut 'The Da Vinci Code':

By LAURIE GOODSTEIN
Published: April 27, 2004

Hearing that the best-selling novel 'The Da Vinci Code' may be sowing doubt about basic Christian beliefs, a host of Christian churches, clergy members and Bible scholars are rushing to rebut it.

In 13 months, readers have bought more than six million copies of the book, a historical thriller that claims Christianity was founded on a cover-up -- that the church has conspired for centuries to hide evidence that Jesus was a mere mortal, married Mary Magdalene and had children whose descendants live in France.

Word that the director Ron Howard is making a movie based on the book has intensified the critics' urgency. More than 10 books are being released, most in April and May, with titles that promise to break, crack, unlock or decode 'The Da Vinci Code.' Churches are offering pamphlets and study guides for readers who may have been prompted by the novel to question their faith. Large audiences are showing up for Da Vinci Code lectures and sermons."

More >>

CNN.com - Expedition to search for Noah's Ark - Apr 26, 2004

CNN.com - Expedition to search for Noah's Ark - Apr 26, 2004: "WASHINGTON (AP) --

An expedition is being planned for this summer to the upper reaches of Turkey's Mount Ararat where organizers hope to prove an object nestled amid the snow and ice is Noah's Ark.

A joint U.S.-Turkish team of 10 explorers plans to make the arduous trek up Turkey's tallest mountain, at 17,820 feet, from July 15 to August 15, subject to the approval of the Turkish government, said Daniel P. McGivern, president of Shamrock- The Trinity Corporation of Honolulu, Hawaii.

The goal: to enter what they believe to be a mammoth structure some 45 feet high, 75 feet wide and up to 450 feet long that was exposed in part by last summer's heat wave in Europe.
'We are not excavating it. We are not taking any artifacts. We're going to photograph it and, God willing, you're all going to see it,' McGivern said." More >>>

Stay away from eConcepts' Xeon Firewall!

THIS IS PRETTY LONG, BUT YOU REALLY SHOULD READ IT.
IF YOUR LOOKING FOR A FIREWALL, DON'T USE THIS ONE!


I have been using Zone Alarm's fine firewall for *many* (seven or more) years -- first it's free edition, and, more recently, in it's paid Plus Edition. I have been absolutely satisfied with ZA, and have frequently recommended it to folks who, with the advent of cable and ADSL "24/7" connections, are becoming more security conscious. However, there are still folks who are suspicious of "free" software or who don't want to pay $49.95 plus yearly fees for updates -- I don't quite "get" either position when my computers security is at stake, but...there it is!


Getting to the point! When I ran into the "free" firewall application called "Xeon" at FreeDownloadCenter.com. I did a Google search concerning it, and one download site called it "one of the most powerful firewalls available on the internet." Anyway, I thought I'd test it out and see if I could recommend it to friends who are looking for a cheap solution to online security. I *really" do believe in encouraging people to protect us ALL by protecting their own machines!


Here is my NOT-so-pleasant experience In a nutshell:


Xeon ain't "free" -- though it is only $19.99 to purchase.)


Xeon didn't protect my computer


Xeon's installation program installed spyware, "hijacked" my home page
AND "grayed out" the home page setting option in Internet Explorer.


Regarding protection, port security is one of the most important functions that a good firewall should "ace." I tested with GRC's Shields Up! -- which always shows my computer to be fully "stealthed" on the Internet. Using Xeon, Shields Up! reported that two ports, 445 (MSFT DS) and 1025 (Host), were completely *OPEN*! Only one port was "stealthed" (135, RPC) and the rest were only "closed."


My advice: Stick with the "tried and true" providers of Internet security -- Zone Labs, Norton, McAfee, et. al. I use PestPatrol's "Cookie Crusher", SpyBot's "Immunize" and also scan with Ad-Aware. Xeon was still able to "hack" my browser settings! I was able to straighten out what Xeon had messed up using Regedit, PestPatrol and Ad-Aware-- BUT IT SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED IN THE FIRST PLACE! (Pardon the shouting.)


After this "harrowing" experience, I decided to take my research into eConcepts' Xeon Firewall a step further. I wanted to verify that Xeon's installation program has, in fact, installed a notorious piece of adware/spyware -- ISTBar (http://www.isearchtech.com/terms.html) on my computer. PestPatrol detected it right after I had installed Xeon, but I couldn't be sure that it wasn't there before. Now I'm sure.

I re-ran the Xeon installation program up to the point that the SLA (Software License Agreement) appeared. I read it through (wish I had before!) It's pretty much the usual "yadda-yadda" UNTIL you reach the very end, where there is an un-clickable link to none other than http://www.isearchtech.com/terms.html -- the "proud" purveyors of the ISTBar. PestPatrol lists ISTBar in two categories:


Hijacker: Any software that resets your browser's settings to point to other sites. Hijacks may reroute your info and address requests through an unseen site, capturing that info. In such hijacks, your browser may behave normally, but be slower. Homepage Hijackers will change your home page to some other site. Error Hijackers will display a new error page when a requested URL is not found.


Adware: Software that brings ads to your computer. Such ads may or may not be targeted, but are "injected" and/or popup, and are not merely displayed within the form of an ad-sponsored application.
This really burns me up! A product, which some are touting as an "advanced fire wall, is actually 'legally" hacking its users computers -- "legally" because they did the usual "glance and click" when confronted with an SLA. Sure, shame on me when I ignore the contents of SLA's and EULA's, but eConcepts are SHAMELESS to offer software that installs spyware and hijacks your browser's start and search pages and characterize it as a *security* application!


Man, was I taken in, and, if I had NOT already had a firewall of choice installed and had not been at least a BIT tech savvy, I would probably still have been using it -- all the while thinking that my Internet connection was protected!


OK. 'Nuf said. I'm posting this experience in hopes that I can keep at least a few others from being taken in and made vulnerable.


Chuck

Fewer Than 1 in 10 Teenagers Believe that Music Piracy is Morally Wrong

Welcome to The Barna Group!:

April 26, 2004
(Ventura, CA)

For decades, music has created a source of identity and enjoyment for teenagers. While that has been true for many years, a major recent change concerns how teenagers acquire their favorite musical styles and artists. Millions of teens now copy CDs for friends and download unauthorized songs from the Internet -- activities commonly referred to as "music piracy." To address the piracy problem, the recording industry has leveraged legal action against music downloaders and tried to force the closure of illegal Internet music-sharing services (such as the original Napster and Kazaa).

But a new study conducted by The Barna Group suggests that, despite the widespread coverage of the legal arguments and fight against piracy, most young consumers possess no moral qualms about getting music illegally. Instead, the vast majority of teens (86%) believes that music piracy -- including copying a CD for a friend or downloading non-promotional music online for free -- either is morally acceptable or is not even a moral issue. Just 8% claim that such activities are morally wrong.

Moreover, the online survey of 1,448 teenagers showed that a teen's moral perspective on music piracy was the most significant predictor of his or her engagement in music theft. The study, conducted for the Nashville, Tenn.-based Gospel Music Association (GMA), also discovered that the piracy-related views and behaviors of born again Christian teens are nearly the same as those of non-born again young people. "

There's MORE >>>

Yahoo! News - China Rules Out Hong Kong Vote for Leader

Yahoo! News - China Rules Out Hong Kong Vote for Leader:
By MIN LEE, Associated Press Writer

HONG KONG - China's most powerful legislative committee ruled Monday that Hong Kong will not have direct elections for its next leader in 2007, crushing hopes in the Chinese territory for a quick move toward full democracy.


Under the ruling, the territory will be allowed to make changes to its electoral methods but only gradually, said Tsang Hin-chi, a Hong Kong delegate to the Chinese National People's Congress Standing Committee.
The decision ruled out what many Hong Kong people have been demanding: the right to democratically elect a successor to the unpopular Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa in 2007 and all lawmakers in 2008. Tung is seen as one of the biggest impediments to Hong Kong's achieving democracy. "

More HERE and HERE.

The New York Times > Week in Review > Praise God and Pass the Music Files

The New York Times > Week in Review > Praise God and Pass the Music Files:

"THE Christian punk band Relient K built its audience by playing songs of faith for the Christian marketplace. Except for their devotional lyrics, the band sounds indistinguishable from a secular rock group. And the audience, in turn, has responded like fans of other musical genres: downloading the songs free from unauthorized file-sharing services.


In the last month, more than 340,000 people have helped to give away the band's songs by offering free downloads on file-sharing services like KaZaA, according to BigChampagne, a company that monitors Internet file-sharing.
As the Christian music industry gathers this week in Nashville for the Dove Award, its equivalent of the Grammys, high on the agenda will be the findings of a new online marketing study commissioned by the Gospel Music Association that suggests that Christian teenagers are nearly as likely to download unauthorized files as their non-Christian peers." More >>>

BBC NEWS | Health | Baby sleep problems lead to drugs

BBC NEWS | Health | Baby sleep problems lead to drugs:

Toddlers who have problems sleeping are twice as likely to smoke or use alcohol or drugs as teenagers, researchers say.

The University of Michigan scientists say sleeping badly as an infant does not mean a child will definitely abuse substances as a teenager.

But they say early sleep disruption could be a 'marker' for later problems.
Writing in Alcoholism; Clinical and Experimental Research, they say their findings show the importance of ensuring children sleep well.

Professor Maria Wong, University of Michigan
The relationship between sleep problems and the use and abuse of alcohol in adults is well known, with people using drink to help them sleep, but the researchers say this is the first study to look at the issue in children."
More >>>

Leonardo's car brought to life

Guardian Unlimited | The Guardian | Leonardo's car brought to life: "Leonardo's car brought to life

Open top three-wheeler. 2004 reg. Italian design and craftsmanship. Zero mpg. No emissions. Easy parking. Programmable steering

John Hooper in Rome
Saturday April 24, 2004
The Guardian

It has taken more than 500 years to get from the drawing board to the showroom, but today the first working model of the 'car' conceived by Leonardo da Vinci is to go on display at an exhibition in Florence.

Eight months' work by computer designers, engineers and joiners has proved something that had been doubted for centuries: the machine sketched by history's most versatile genius in or around 1478 actually moves.
'It was - or is - the world's first self-propelled vehicle,' said Paolo Galluzzi, director of the Institute and Museum of the History of Science in Florence, who oversaw the project. " More >>>

The New York Times : Home From Iraq, and Without a Home

The New York Times: Home From Iraq, and Without a Home:

"THIS is how Nicole Goodwin travels these days: with her 1-year-old daughter pressed to her chest in a Snugli, a heavy backpack strapped across her shoulders, and a baby stroller crammed with as many bags of clothes and diapers as it can hold. When you are a homeless young mother, these are the things you carry.

PHOTO

And tucked away somewhere are the documents attesting to Ms. Goodwin's recent honorable discharge from the United States Army, as well as Baghdad memories that are still fresh.

Two months ago, she returned to Bronx circumstances that were no less difficult than when she had left them three years earlier; no yellow ribbons greeted her. Now, every day, she soldiers on to find a residence where the rent is not covered by in-kind payments of late-night bus rides to shelters and early-morning rousting. All the while, she keeps in mind the acronym she learned in the Army: Leadership. L is for loyalty; D for duty; R for respect; S for selfless service; H for honor; P for personal courage. 'And I is my favorite,' she says. 'It's integrity.'

On Thursday morning, Ms. Goodwin wheeled her heavy-duty stroller into the Lower Manhattan office of the Coalition for the Homeless, a nonprofit organization that is trying to help her. For the last couple of nights it has put her and her nuzzling daughter, Shylah, up in a hotel." More>>>

Slashdot | NYS Senator Suggests Criminalizing Spyware

Slashdot | NYS Senator Suggests Criminalizing Spyware: "Posted by timothy on Saturday April 24, @07:03PM
from the truth-in-labeling dept.

putch writes....

'New York State Senator Michael Balboni has introduced legislation to make the dissemination of spyware a criminal act. You can read the full bill text here. Is this a good thing? It defines spyware as software that transmits personal information or computer usage data without obtaining explicit approval from the user. It would seem to me (IANAL) that it would be quite unenforceable, but may send the right message to spyware outfits. Also interesting is that it requires any 'legitimate' spyware to disclose any bandwidth it may consume and requires the disclosure to be in bits per second.' The bill is quite short and readable. (This might remind you of the recently introduced anti-spyware bill in the U.S. Senate.) "

Kerry Role in Antiwar Veterans Is Delicate Issue in His Campaign

The New York Times > Washington > Campaign 2004 > Kerry Role in Antiwar Veterans Is Delicate Issue in His Campaign:

"When questions were raised last month about whether a 27-year-old John Kerry had attended a Kansas City meeting of Vietnam Veterans Against the War where the assassination of senators was discussed, the Kerry presidential campaign went into action.

It accepted the resignation of a campaign volunteer in Florida, Scott Camil, the member of the antiwar group who raised the idea in November 1971 of killing politicians who backed the war. The campaign pressed other veterans who were in Kansas City, Mo., 33 years ago to re-examine their hazy memories while assuring them that Mr. Kerry was sure he had not been there.

John Musgrave, a disabled ex-marine from Baldwin City, Kan., who told The Kansas City Star that Mr. Kerry was at the meeting, said he got a call from John Hurley, the Kerry campaign's veterans coordinator.

'He said, `I'd like you to refresh your memory,' ' Mr. Musgrave, 55, recounted in an interview, confirming an account he had given to The New York Sun. 'He said it twice. `And call that reporter back and say you were mistaken about John Kerry being there.' '" More >>>

Become part of the solution ...

If you would like to become part of the solution to the proliferating occurrence of worms and probes trying to "worm" their way into your computer by helping to gather data -- or, if your just curious about how often you are probed, the download offered at this site may be of interest to you. /cj

WormRadar:

"WormRadar was developed by Roger Thompson, a first generation anti virus person, to determine which worms and probes were bouncing off his firewall. "

BBC NEWS | Europe | France closes its last coal mine

BBC NEWS | Europe | France closes its last coal mine:

"The final shovelful of coal has been mined in France, bringing to an end an industry nearly 300 years old.

A last, symbolic block of coal was dug out at the La Houve mine, kicking off three days of events to mark the end of coal mining in France.

The mine, near the town of Creutzwald on the German border, is the last of an industry that once employed 300,000 and fuelled France's industrial revolution.
Nuclear power now provides 80% of the country's energy needs."

CNN.com - NASA says some 'Iraq' photos are shuttle victims - Apr 23, 2004

CNN.com - NASA says some 'Iraq' photos are shuttle victims - Apr 23, 2004:

"WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- Several dozen photographs of coffins recently identified by news organizations as remains of U.S. soldiers who died in Iraq are really images from the space shuttle Columbia explosion last year, U.S. space officials said Friday.

"The National Aeronautics and Space Administration said up to 73 images posted on a Web site, www.thememoryhole.org, that media organizations used were mistakenly identified as photos of casualties from Iraq.

"'Many news organizations across the country are mistakenly identifying the flag-draped caskets of the space shuttle Columbia's crew as those of war casualties from Iraq,' NASA said."

More >>>

Is One-Fourth of Your E-Mail Getting Lost?

Is One-Fourth of Your E-Mail Getting Lost?:

"You probably know that spam is wreaking havok with e-mail systems, but you probably don't know how unreliable it's made these systems become.

"A new report shows that most major Internet service providers (ISPs) shunt into end users' Junk Mail folders -- or simply delete -- about one-quarter of the corporate opt-in communications that their customers have requested.

"That's a big number, and it's growing. The story of how bad the situation has gotten, and what people are trying to do about it, is important for every company that send messages." More>>>

BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Israel cinema to show The Passion

BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Israel cinema to show The Passion:

"An art house cinema in Israel will show The Passion of the Christ after commercial distributors in the Jewish state refused to handle it.

'We see this as a chance to hold an educational discussion on the subject,' said Alon Garboz, director of Tel Aviv's Cinematheque.
Mel Gibson's blockbuster has been accused of being anti-Semitic.
Israeli distributors turned it down because of the controversy and concern they would not recoup their investment. " More>>>

The Myth Of The 100-Year CD-Rom

OUCH! I'm going to have to re-think my backup and archiving stratgey after reading this!


The Myth Of The 100-Year CD-Rom:

"Are we putting too much faith in the ubiquitous 'recordable CD', or CD-R? It is undeniably one of the most useful means of storage around, offering an inexpensive way to save digital photographs, music and files and costing less than 50 pence per disc.

"If you check the claims made by some manufacturers of popular CD-R brands, you will see that some make bold claims indeed. Typical boasts include: '100-years archival life', 'guaranteed archival lifespan of more than 100 years' and 'one million read cycles'. One company even says data can be stored 'swiftly and permanently', leaving you free to bequeath those backups of your letter to the electricity company to your great-great-grandchildren.

"But an investigation by a Dutch personal computer magazine, PC Active, has shown that some CD-Rs are unreadable in as little as two years, because the dyes in the CD's recording layer fade. These dyes replace the aluminium 'pits' of a music CD or CD-Rom, and the laser uses that layer to distinguish 0s from 1s. When the CD is written, the writing laser 'burns' the dye, which becomes dark, to represent a '1' while a '0' will be left blank so that if the dye fades, there's no difference; it's just a long string of nothing to the playback laser.

So have you already lost those irreplaceable pictures you committed to the silver disc?" More >>

Using Chuckz Blog....

For those of you who are visiting Chuckz Blog for the first time, a few words about how to use it:

1) Postings are listed chronologically -- most recent postings at the top, earlier ones at the end.

2) Posting dates and times are TSD (Taiwan Standard Time).

3) After 30 days, postings are archived and can be accessed via the links on the right margin.

4) I am the only one who posts to this weblog -- though, obviously, only some of the material originated with me.

5) Some of what is posted here was written by me (I'll take the 'heat' for those postings.) ;-)

6) I 'vet' other articles, URL's etc that I post, but that doesn't mean that I agree with everything said by those authors or on those sites.

7) If you see something here that prompts a question or comment, or to which you'd like to respond, there is an e-mail Contact link in the right column.
Enjoy!

BEWARE OF SPOOFED RETURN ADDRESSES IN E-MAIL!

_
This morning, AVG antivirus on my computer flagged and quarantined the following e-mail...

From: support@symantec.com
Sent: Friday, April 23, 2004 1:41 AM
To: chuckzmail@johnstonz.net
Subject: Re: Virus Sample

The sample file you sent contains a new virus version of mydoom.j.
Please clean your system with the attached signature.

Sincerly,
Robert Ferrew

Of course, the trap is that the file that they included (which my anti-virus caught) was actually the launcher for the virus!

Just a reminder: Anti-virus and security companies NEVER attach files to e-mail. And, return addresses, such as "support@symantec.com", above, CAN be "spoofed." These days, unfortunately, you can't be certain that the e-mail you receive is really from the person in the "From:" field.

So, NEVER open/run an executable file in an attachment or (even) a ZIP file without checking with the sender unless you were expecting it...even if you think you know what's in it!

Two sites to satisfy your quest for what's new in tech and gadgets...

You won't believe what you can find on these two sites!

engadget
Engadget - www.engadget.com

Mike's List - "the Silly Con Valley Report"
http://www.mikeslist.com/

AOL Madness (Warn Your Friends) -- LangaList Std Edition 2004-04-19

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I'm reproducing this article from a tech list to which I subscribe in hopes that those of you who use AOL for your e-mail can put some pressure on AOL to clean up its act "from the inside." /cj

LangaList Std Edition 2004-04-19:

2) AOL Madness (Warn Your Friends)

"AOL is at it again. This time, it's reading *inside* its members' emails, and preemptively blocking any messages that contain links to sites that AOL doesn't want you to see.

"Note: I'm *not* talking about simple mail blocks, where a mail is discarded if it originates from a 'forbidden' address. No: AOL is parsing the content of its members' emails and blocking them even if they merely *mention* a site that AOL disapproves of."

There's more here, too...

"But Why?" - Parenting

"But Why?" - Parenting:

". . . . That's why it's essential to take advantage of your preteen's sometimes-annoying tendency to question everything. Talking her through your decision-making process will help her develop her own discernment abilities. When she asks why you won't let her see a certain movie or stay out past 9, talk her through your reasoning. When she tries to push her limits by asking 'what if' questions, guide her through the process of making a good decision."

There's some good advice given in the article...read on! /cj

God's Word for 'Up and Outers' - Today's Christian

God's Word for 'Up and Outers' - Today's Christian:

"'Let me get this straight,' said a confused Garry Kinder to the Bent Tree Country Club manager. 'You want me to teach the Bible study — in a bar?'

The manager had explained that the ballroom, which Garry had requested, was in use every Sunday morning. So it was either the bar or nothing.

The Bible study that Garry, a successful Dallas businessman, had been holding in the Cosmopolitan Lady Fitness Club, had quickly outgrown its space and desperately needed a new home.

But a bar?"

Read on...and be encouraged about what people who catch God's vision for service can do... /cj

More reflection on the Passion...

A friend who is a member of our sponsoring congregation, College Heights Christian Church in Joplin, MO, wrote in response to my earlier posting concerning viewing The Passion. I liked how she expressed the film's impact on her life. /cj

". . . I was convicted again and again of how much He loves us to go through all that pain and suffering willingly for us. He could have chosen at any moment to stop it...yet he took on all our sin, our tears, our sufferings, our trials, our pain...What kind of love can that be? One I can only begin to comprehend. Yes, I too am still processing & probably will be until I meet him at heaven's gates."

WORLD April 24, 2004: Brother against Brother

_
As part of our celebration of Christ's resurrection at Community Church of Taichung on Easter Sunday morning, we viewed portions of chapters 17-20 of The Gospel of John film, produced "word for word" from the Good New Bible (produced by Visual Bible, International). Later in the week, one of our CCT members commented on the impact of viewing and hearing "Jesus" pray repeatedly and with great passion for His followers to love each other and to remain ONE with each other.

That loving, humble oneness that Christ prayed for, and died for, has been shattered again and again through the years by the Church's tragic bent for debating, splitting, litigating and denominating. When I read about situations --such as the one described in the article that follows -- that fly in the face of Paul's injunction against taking brothers in Christ to secular court to settle differences, I cry for Christ and for His Body. In the words of a song released by the once "cutting edge" Christian rock group, Petra, this infighting must seem "just like Judas' kiss" to our Lord.

Follow the link below to the site and read the entire article, and then pray for Christ's "broken" Body -- not the one he sacrificed in prefection for our sins, but the not-so-perfect one that is being sacrificed daily before the eyes of the world on the altar of our arrogance and pride. Ultimately, while it may matter who was "right" and who was "wrong," it is pride that prevents us from acknowledging that we do ALL get it "wrong" from time to time. On the other hand, it is GRACE and MERCY that allow us to "look good" before the Lord and to "bear with" one another -- not "being right." /cj


WORLD April 24, 2004: Brother against Brother:


"RELIGION: A church dispute in Fresno lands in a civil court�and could set a precedent for government meddling in ecclesiastical mattersBy Lynn Vincent

THE FIRST TIME CAROL Rodriguez entered the Cross Church in Fresno, CA., she was an infant. Today, she is president of the church board. A member for more than 40 years, she has never known another congregation.
Clarence and Irene Weslowski, Cross Church members for 60 years, knew Mrs. Rodriguez when she was a baby, the daughter of a friend. Today, the Weslowskis know her as president of the board that voted to terminate their memberships in the church.

The Weslowskis and Mrs. Rodriguez are just three of the people involved in a brewing church split, a tragic tear in fellowship that has the camel of government poking its nose into the tent of the church. And not only at the Cross Church. If a Fresno County Superior Court judge's order in the resulting lawsuit stands on appeal, the camel could inch its way into the tent of the church universal. . . ."

Cal Thomas: Apologize for what?

_
I've discovered Cal Thomas! No wonder he's the leading political commentator of the day -- maybe of the decade! I understand that he's very witty and entertaining as a speaker, but he sure goes right "for the jugular" in his written commentary. Perhaps you'll think him inflammatory, but, in these days when so many good men are saying nothing, maybe we could use a bit less PC "tolerance" and bit more "healthy" polarization. Just an opinion... /cj


Cal Thomas: Apologize for what?:

"Both psycho and babble were on display at President Bush's news conference Tuesday night (April 13). Four times, by my count, reporters tried to get the president to admit he had done something wrong. What they really wanted was a huge headline: 'President Admits Fault for 9/11' or, even better (from their perspective), 'President Admits Mistakes in Iraq War.'

"Frustrated by their inability to pry such words from the president, Don Gonyea from National Public Radio tried another tactic. Rather than asking a question, Gonyea made an accusation. He charged Bush with being a failure as a communicator because he uses the 'same phrases' a lot and his speeches 'don't vary from one to the next' and maybe that's a major reason 'for your falling support.' Reporters' questions don't vary a lot, either. If you didn't know the guy was from NPR, you might have guessed from the tone and ideology behind his question that he works for Al-Jazeera or the John Kerry campaign.

"The question may have produced the best and most persuasive response of the evening. The president said he doesn't make decisions based on polls and that he hopes 'I have communicated my convictions.' He added that people should know by now that 'when I say something, I mean it. . . .'"

Cliack on the link above to read it all. And, while you're browsing, also check out World on the Web...a great news site. /cj

Comics.com Home Page

Sarah Elizabeth Mehrens referred to this comics site on her blog the other day. Need something to clear the cob webs from your brain? Check it out! /cj

Comics.com Home Page

Improbable Research -- What's New

An example of what you can expect to find on The Annals of Improbable Research weblog...

Improbable Research -- What's New:
"Home-Grown Growth Curves

Do you find yourself pregnant, and wanting some mathematical amusement? Here's something simple and pleasing.
During the course of the pregnancy, use a lamp to project your silhouette on the wall once a week. Have someone trace the outline in pencil.

You might want to write the date next to each curve. (You might also want to do the tracing onto a large piece of paper affixed to the wall, rather than onto the wall itself.)

[NOTE: It may be that this is an old form of amusement, but that we simply haven't heard of it. In any event, it is not as widely known as it might be. To help remedy that, we would love to post links to a few good sets of growth curves. When you have produced your full set, we invite you to post a photo of it on your web site and send us the URL that points to that photo. We would like to then publish a set of links to the first few, as examples that others may follow.] "

Toronto Sun Columnist: Coren - It's religion gone mad

Toronto Sun Columnist: Coren - It's religion gone mad:

"HOW DOES one discuss the state of the Islamic faith, the Middle East, terrorism and the world without upsetting people? Frankly, it's almost impossible.

I'm not talking here of a fear of abuse and attack or of being accused of political incorrectness. I couldn't give a fig about that. No, I mean the need to hold on to common courtesy and avoiding making generalizations that could hurt good people.

Here are some recent examples, in that I have so little room to discuss this issue in full.

We used to be told by pop stars and other philosophers that 'the Russians love their children too.' It was self-evident then that all people loved their young. Now I'm not so sure. Do the Palestinians, for example, love their children too?

I should think most of them do.

But I have to be candid: many of them don't. . . . "

This needed saying. The use and abuse of children as "cannon fodder" among SOME Muslims certainly has bothered me a LOT! Read on... /cj

Articles - Mission Network News

Articles - Mission Network News: "International (MNN) --

Evangelism, church planting, and discipleship is the focus of most mission organizations. The ultimate goal is introducing people to Christ. However, computers are becoming an increasingly important part of that work. But, with computers come viruses, hackers and other types of cyber attacks which can jeopardize their work.

The Director of Information Systems with the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism is Neil Glotfelty. He says ABWE must make stopping viruses and hackers a top priority. 'Because viruses not only can come in and shut down operations,' says Glotfelty, 'but the email viruses have tendency of robbing your identity, stealing your address books, and security is a huge concern for an international mission agency like ours. Often times in areas where our missionaries serve, we have to be careful.' "

There's more on the site... /cj

Taiwanese learning that life is more than making a living

The pace of daily life and its associated stress discussed in this article is something that has always been obvious to expatriate living in Taiwan. Those of us involved in mission work or education experience this phenomenon "from the outside" (mostly), but, our expat friends who are involved in business or industry as advisors, consultants or entrepreneurs often find themselves caught up in the "Taiwan treadmill" and express amazement at the stamina of Taiwanese engaged in commerce. However, according to this article, their stamina really isn't that great; in fact they are paying the price for their pace physically, mentally and spiritually, and it is costing lives. Worth reading and learning from! /cj

Taiwanese learning that life is more than making a living: "Publish

Date:01/16/2004
Story Type:Issues;
Byline:Louise Liu

"According to a study, Taiwanese on average work longer hours than anyone in the world. Though such diligence has made them prosperous, it may also be turning them into one of the world's most stressed-out societies. Free-lance writer Louise Liu, based in Berlin, examines recent signs of heightened awareness of the dangers of stress to physical and mental health and the imperative to change their lifestyle.

"Early in December of 2003, people in Taiwan were shocked by the news of the sudden death of Wen Shi-ren, a well-known entrepreneur in the Taiwanese IT industry admired by many for his philanthropy and dedication to his work. As Wen died at the relatively young age of 55, his death generated widespread reflection on its cause. Examination of his lifestyle reveals a probable contributory factor: He was a workaholic who set extremely high expectations for himself and lived under constant stress.

" . . . Taiwanese have the highest average number of working hours anywhere in the world. The average working hours per person per year on the island is currently 2,282 hours, which means nearly 44 hours of work per week. In comparison, Americans work an average 1,952 hours per year, while the average for Germany is 1,561 hours. Therefore, working hours in Taiwan are 1.4 times longer than in Germany, a condition which one may reasonably surmise is more conducive to stress."

Gone Phishing -- Yet Another Scam!

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"If you haven't heard about so-called 'phishing,' you will. In fact, you or a friend may have been taken in already by one of a number of phishing scams. According to the Anti-Phishing workgroup, phishers can dupe five percent of the recipients of fake e-mail requests into handing over their passwords, credit card, and financial information. It's a bonanza. Even the Federal Trade Commission has a site regarding this scam.

So what is phishing, anyway? The credit for coinage of the original term -- phishing -- is vague but seems to stem from the words phony and fishing, with a possible nod to the rock band Phish. The concept is also called brand spoofing and carding. It got popular a year or two ago, when fake letters from PayPal were sent as spam. The letters asked people to update their information at the Web site. You'd click and go to what looked like the PayPal site. If you submitted information there, you'd been phished. The scams were fairly transparent -- sometimes they'd tell you that your information had been lost somehow -- and only the gullible were lured into this scheme. Identity theft followed shortly thereafter. . . . "

Read on at the URL below...be informed, be safe... /cj

Gone Phishing -- Yet Another Scam!:

Harbin Snow & Ice Festival - R Todd King: China Photos 2003 - Northeast Winter

These images are pretty awesome...not likely that most of us are going to see anything like this in OUR back yards -- though they actually did transport some of these to Taiwan a few years back. (The smaller ones, of course!) ;-) /Chuck

R Todd King: China Photos 2003 - Northeast Winter

Giving to Churches Rose Substantially in 2003 -- The Barna Group

"Giving to churches and other non-profits in 2003 recovered much of the ground lost during 2002. The latest Barna Update explores household giving, tithing, and which segments of the population are most generous in their giving to churches and other non-profit organizations."

Read the full story by clicking on the link below... /cj

Welcome to The Barna Group!

The Passion of Christ -- Less and MORE than I expected...

Molly & I took a few days off during the week before Resurrection Sunday and checked into the Grand Hotel in Taipei for some down time. We slept late, watched sitcoms on the Star World channel (don't get it on cable in Taichung), visited the Taipei Fine Arts Museum, strolled the Mall in "Taipei 101" (the worlds tallest building -- at the moment), did major "stocking up" for ourselves and CCT at CostCo -- and we viewed the film The Passion of Christ.


We, like you, had been hearing the hype about this film for many months, and had heard from family, friends and strangers (some of whom had seen it and some of whom hadn't) that it was either "convicting", "intensely moving", "too violent" or "overrated" and why we should (or should not) view it. We're not "opening night" people, so Molly & I waited until we could change the pace of our life a bit and take time to process what we saw. We're still processing.


I've have to admit that I was reluctant to view the film on many levels. First of all, I am usually suspicious of "hype" -- and there had been plenty of that! Also, because of who I am as a Christian, my faith tends to be more toward the "head" end of the spectrum than the "heart" end. I am normally uncomfortable with appeals, illustrations, sermons, anecdotes and experiences that seem to be aimed at manipulating emotions in order to get at beliefs and produce action. In a strange sort of way, I also was almost "afraid" that I would be touched or moved beyond my ability to make a reasoned response to the film. On another level, I was very concerned about being disappointed or disillusioned after all the build-up and hype. ("Is that all it was?")


Well, much to my joy and enrichment, "The Passion" turned out to be both less and more than I had bargained for. The violence depicted in the scenes of my Lord's torture, flogging and crucifixion, while intense, prolonged and extremely unpleasant, was LESS gratuitous and offensive than I had anticipated. Sure, time could have been borrowed from those horrific scenes and added to the end to more fully highlight Christ's victory over death. But this film is not about Jesus' victory, it is about His love shown in His "passion" (suffering). Yes, there were times when I looked away, but Jesus' family and friends, as well as the passers-by, the curious and, even, His enemies must have looked away, as well. Admittedly, there is a difference between this agony displayed to several million viewers on a wide, cinematic screen, and the same pain observed by a few hundred citizens lining the streets of Jerusalem or a few score onlookers surrounding the cross. But, much to my surprise, it wasn't "too much."


It was "enough." Enough to remind me of the LOVE that moved Jesus along the road to the cross -- beginning with His first breath as a human being. Enough to highlight the immeasurable love of God against the background of my own sin and unworthiness, the ignorance and unbelief of "His own people", and the callous indifference and brutality of those who beat, tortured and, ultimately sacrificed "the Lamb of God" on the Altar of Heaven. Enough to remind me that faith, holiness, hope and endurance are impossible and "empty" without the love of God operating in my life.


Did viewing The Passion of the Christ "change" my life? No, but it forcefully reminded me of the Love of God and the "purpose-driven" life that Jesus lived -- and left as an example for me to follow. Strangely enough, since music is one of the strongest "doors" to my emotions, I didn't notice (and still can't recall) the musical score of the movie. Instead, I recall one strong refrainn that continually ran through my head -- and touched my heart -- during the movie: How MUCH He loves us!


A passage from Isaiah 53 also came to mind continually as Jesus made His way to the cross:
"My servant grew up in the LORD'S presence like a tender green shoot, sprouting from a root in dry and sterile ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. He was despised and rejected -- a man of sorrows, acquainted with bitterest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way when he went by. He was despised, and we did not care." Jesus only becomes "attractive" to those around us when we communicate His LOVE through our words and deeds and then tell them what He did for them -- for LOVE.


An article by Max Lucado (see below) came through my inbox just in time to reinforce the deecomprehensionsioj and appreciation for God's great love that "The Passion" is helping to "grow" in me. Whether you have seen the passion, intend to see it soon, or never intend to view it, Max's words are worth reading. Ultimately, God's love is not about US, it's about who GOD is and about how He demonstrated His love through the "passion" of our Lord.


Read on...

Chuck
.................................


Deep Down from Heaven - Your Spiritual Life:


"Several hundred feet beneath my chair is a lake, an underground cavern of crystalline water known as the Edwards Aquifer. We South Texans know much about this aquifer. We know its length (175 miles). We know its layout (west to east, except under San Antonio, where it runs north to south). We know the water is pure. Fresh. It irrigates farms and waters lawns and fills pools and quenches thirst. We know much about the aquifer.

But for all the facts we know, there is an essential one we don't. We don't know its size. The depth of the cavern? A mystery. Number of gallons? Unmeasured. No one knows the amount of water the aquifer contains. . . ."

Read the entire article by clicking on the link above... /cj

BreakPoint | Is Anybody Listening?

BreakPoint | Is Anybody Listening?:

"When I'm introduced to speak, I'm often called a prophet. It always makes me cringe. I think it's a little self-promoting for me to think of myself in those terms, and besides, biblical prophets got stoned or exiled or rejected. Who wants the job? Nobody really likes a prophet because he tells people things they don't want to hear. Today, I'm going to fill that role: I'm going to tell you something you don't want to hear.

"The fact is that we are going to have legalized gay 'marriage' in the United States . It's inevitable, I believe, unless Christians and others speak up strongly.

"I was on Capitol Hill a few days ago and met a group of senior congressional staff. They cornered me to tell me that they are greatly alarmed over the lack of public support for the Federal Marriage Amendment. No senator was reporting any unusual number of calls or e-mails."

Read Colson's entire article by clicking on the URL above, and then consider signing the petition. /cj

Will Your Computer Habit Get You in Trouble?

ShortNews - the News-Community

Police raid home for pot after seeing high electric bills
Carlsbad, California

Police raided a suburban home after the family's US $250-$300 per month electricity bills led them to suspect that the homeowners were growing marijuana under high-intensity lamps.
Instead, they found often-used washing machines and dryers, three computers always left on, a dishwashing machine running often and three children who forgot to turn off lights when they left a room.
"It's hard to believe a high utility bill would be enough to issue a state warrant," said Dina Dagy, who owns the home. She is demanding a written apology. Police said they have apologized verbally and were following proper procedure.

Everything you never wanted to know about Kudzu-The Vine

Kudzu-The Vine:

"Kudzu is native to Japan and China, however it grows well in the Southeastern United States. Kudzu is a vine that when left uncontrolled will eventually grow over almost any fixed object in its proximity including other vegetation. Kudzu, over a period of several years will kill trees by blocking the sunlight. For this and other reasons many would like to find ways to get rid of it although little has been done to control its spread. The flowers which bloom in late summer have a very pleasant fragrance and the shapes and forms created by kudzu vines growing over trees and bushes can be pleasing to the eye.

"The following statement appeared in an agricultural bulletin in 1928, about 20 years after it was first introduced in Florida as a forage crop. 'Kudzu is not without disadvantages. It is slow and expensive in getting established, is exacting in requiring only moderate grazing and mowing, is deceptive about its real yield, especially to those who do not know it well, and sometimes becomes a pest.'"

Everything you never wanted to know about Kudzu at this site. Fascinating reading! /cj

9/11 Tribute

A very moving memorial to the events of September 11 is available on the web page by clicking on the image of the twin towers at the upper left of the page. /cj

9/11 Tribute

Firms Look to Limit Liability for Online Security Breaches - Security Knowledge Base

Security Knowledge Base:
By Jonathan Krim
Friday, March 05, 2004

"In the face of ongoing attacks by computer hackers, some companies that store their customers' personal data are adopting a new defensive tactic: If your information is stolen, they're not legally responsible.

"Across the Internet, retailers and other service providers that handle consumer transactions are requiring customers to sign agreements waiving any right to sue the companies if the businesses are hacked, regardless of how secure their systems are.
The waivers are contained in lengthy terms-of-use agreements that consumers often click to accept without reading closely. " More . . .

After reading this article, look at an early posting on ChuckzBlog concerning identity theft. Until companies take responsibility for securing the information we place in their care, we're going to have to be especially careful to take precaution at our disposal when shopping on- and off line. /cj

Identity Theft: What, Me Worry?

Identity Theft: What, Me Worry?:

". . . . there are ways to minimize the risk of ID theft. If you have time to balance your checkbook, shop online, or apply for a passport, you have time to check up on your personal information and take action if something's amiss.

"Such advice comes too late for Albert and Glenda Gray and Grey Todd, three people who face months, if not years, of work to clear their names, secure their finances, and restore their peace of mind. In truth, they will likely always be haunted by the fact that persons unknown to them have their personal information."

A must read with useful contact information on the second page of the online PC Magazine article. Identity theft is NOT an online hazard -- face-to-face transactions and unsecured mailboxes can also put you at risk. It wook months for friends of ours in California to get their good names back. Read on HERE...

Our President (Great Email) Bush in Church

Our President (Great Email) Bush in Church: "May God bless our President!

This is for real. I called Laura Lefler in Sen.. Alexander's office today, 2/23, and she confirmed that she wrote it and is now overwhelmed with it spreading via the internet. She sent it so several friends and they then put it on its journey. (Larry Hone)

Subject: Bush in church, Very interesting

I'm at the 8:00am service at my church, St. John's Episcopal, at Lafayette Square, across from the White House. (I wanted to go early because I was going with Alice and Brent for breakfast at the Cracker Barrel in Manassas.)
Much of the service was uneventful--nice, but uneventful--until it comes to the part of the service when the priest says, 'Greet one another in the name of the Lord' I turn to my right to exchange the peace with my friend, Amy Fox Smythe, who was was on the other end of my pew. I then shake hands with the person in front of me, and turn around to say hello to the person behind me.

The person behind me was our 43rd President George W. Bush." ....

A very encouraging read! Click on the link above to read the whole account of this encounter with President Bush. /cj

'I Thirst' - Christianity Today Magazine

'I Thirst' - Christianity Today Magazine: "'I Thirst'
A meditation on one of the last words of Christ.
By David Neff | posted 04/01/2004

I thirst.

Jesus suffered horribly. To his followers and foes alike, it was unthinkable that the Messiah descended from David should suffer so. And yet his followers came to believe that this Messiah of David's stock was not only destined to recapitulate King David's glorious reign, but first to suffer as David suffered: abandonment, rejection, and, yes, even thirst."

Read on at Christianity Today... /cj

US-CERT Cyber Security Tip ST04-006 -- Understanding Patches

US-CERT Cyber Security Tip ST04-006 -- Understanding Patches:

"When vendors become aware of vulnerabilities in their products, they often issue patches to fix the problem. Make sure to apply relevant patches to your computer as soon as possible so that your system is protected. "

Been on vacation, so haven't posted anythng for a few days. This was in my Inbox when I returned, and i thought it was a good reminder. You can read the entire story at the URL above. /cj

WorldNetDaily: Pirated copies of Gibson movie stir Chinese

WorldNetDaily: Pirated copies of Gibson movie stir Chinese: "
Posted: April 1, 2004
1:00 a.m. Eastern

Copyright 2004 WorldNetDaily.com

Christians in China believe their communist government won't show 'The Passion of the Christ,' but pirated copies of the film on Jesus' suffering and death are playing to small gatherings throughout the country.

The private viewings with poorly made DVD copies and Chinese subtitles are accompanied by prayer gatherings and questions by young agnostics who want to know more about Christian faith, reports UCAN, the Union of Catholic Asian News in Hong Kong.

'The Passion' has 'struck a heavy blow against atheism,' says one Chinese youth. "

Cool Games

Cool Games

There's some fun stuff on this site for both kidz AND adults...Including an "Etch-a-Sketch".

/cj