For several years now I have been suggesting that newcomers to the internet come to the meetings of the Kawartha Internet Users Group. Here, I tell them, you can get answers to your questions, and meet people who will help you over the initial humps. I should also warn them to expect to be bewildered at first. Half the crowd at these meetings thinks the other half is speaking a foreign language. But bear with it - it soon starts to make sense, and before long, you will find yourself helping others.

This is the conundrum faced by the group - it is constantly evolving. The "membership" includes people with a variety of expertise, from novices, who come to get help with the basics, to veteran users with new discoveries to share. Of course, the internet and all the surrounding technology is also evolving, so even the "veterans" are constantly learning. This is both a challenge and a frustration. With the constant upgrades of computers and software, teaching people to use the internet is a moving target. Also, "getting started" is the hardest part. Even to someone familiar with computers, software and Windows, setting up a new modem and /or a new internet account can be a challenge.

The user group meets on the second Thursday of each month, at the Lion's Hall, Main St., Bobcaygeon. We start at 7 pm, and try to finish by 9 o'clock. A typical meeting starts with the standard items - minutes, financial report, new business. We then "go 'round the table": each person introduces him/herself, and says what they have been doing lately on the 'net. Some may not yet be on-line (or, as one frustrated soul put it, "my computer is on-line, but I'm not."). They ask questions, make suggestions, or offer new discoveries. Some of the questions can be answered on the spot by other attendees. Others are best answered with an actual demonstration, which can be done later in the meeting. And many are resolved at the coffee break, where the real "networking" takes place.

This is the chance to get answers. But many of the answers are lost in an alphabet soup of acronyms or technical jargon. Be assured that if you are confused, you will be doing a favour to at least half the audience by asking to have the explanation repeated in English. And, since the raison d'être (whoops) of the group is helping people to use the internet, no-one will be offended.

After a coffee break, we generally have a "hands on" demonstration. This has been particulary useful in the last few months, when we have had the use of a laptop computer and overhead projector, courtesy of Nexicom. At the March meeting, Ric Scott showed us how to build a web page, using Microsoft Front Page Express, and to "upload it" to the server (ie. his internet provider's computer), so that it can be seen by anyone in the world.

In fact, people from around the world can (and do) make reservations at Ric's cottages from his page at http://watersed@kawartha.net/we.htm . The software he used is "bundled" free with Windows 98. The skill required is minimal - if you're already familiar with Windows and browsers and word-processors.

If you're not ("what's a browser?") - the user group meeting is a good place to start. Or - if you're an experienced surfer - there's always more to learn. See you at the next meeting.