KC News 3/99

Vol.1, No.3

KC News is a free service of Kahl Consultants. Technology. Use it appropriately. Put it in our hands. Visit us at http://www.kahl.net

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To add someone or to stop receiving; send email.
 

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Y2K
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This month we comment on some Y2K predictions... (sung to the tune of "Wish I Were a COBOL Programmer")

+    PREDICTION (1)
How extensive will Y2K be? Will it affect all of society or just government? A large portion of mission critical federal government computers will possibly fail because they will not be Y2K compliant.
    COMMENT:
What's so scary about that? Why just a few years ago the US government was out of commission for over a month! And republicans have been trying to cut government influence for years!

+    PREDICTION (2)
Any microprocessor that uses the two digit date code is suspect. This includes micro controllers embedded within hardware that operates facility subsystems. Many facilities built or renovated within the last 20 years contain embedded computer systems that control, monitor, or assist in operations. Many of these systems could malfunction. Elevators might stop working, parking themselves on first floors with the doors open; HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems might stop operating correctly; access control and security systems could stop operating, and automated lighting systems could fail.
    COMMENT:
Elevators parking on the first floor? With the doors OPEN?? You mean not crashing into the basement or shooting through the roof? Hey, I thought that Y2K had potential as an action movie theme!

+    PREDICTION (3)
The Y2 problem could seriously threaten US national security is in the procurement of "supplies and equipment totaling over US$23 billion annually for Army forces around the world, LSSC's (Logistics Systems Support Center's) inability to ensure that CCSS (Commodity Command Standard Systems) is Year 2000 (Y2) compliant could result in a loss of operational support that would be widespread, costly, and potentially debilitating to important Army and other DOD (Department of Defense) agency missions."
    COMMENT
The army and other defense agencies debilitated? As in "rendered useless"? All over the world?? Hmm, maybe this Y2K thing isn't so bad after all?

+    PREDICTION (4)
Imagine the ripple effect if HALF of the computers in use are not made Y2K compliant.
Although the other half may be compliant, many of them will fail when communicating with computers that have not been readied.
    COMMENT
Communicating? You mean like when someone emails you a file with a virus?

+    PREDICTION (5)
Bank computers might not function properly, which means a large percentage of the population might not have access to their funds.
    COMMENT
No money? But, but... how can you breathe without money?! This will throw civilization back into the days before 24 hour ATMs!

+    PREDICTION (6)
The power grid may cease to provide power. Keep in mind that although the utilities' computers may have been readied, they will likely be required to "talk" with computers that have not been made Y2K compliant.
    COMMENT
No power? Oh, you mean a blackout? That might cause looting and rioting! Hmm, I could always use a new stereo...

+    PREDICTION (6)
Unless critical computer systems are made Y2 compliant, wholesale problems will occur in both the public and private sectors. Even the PCs that so many use in the workplace and at home will suffer if they are not readied for this event.
    COMMENT
Virus infestation, bad sectors, hard drive crashes, lost files, missing links, system crashes, error messages, hardware conflicts, software incompatibilities... I've had wholesale problems since I laid eyes on my first PC!

The end is nigh! We are all doomed!?! Nah... think of Y2K as a good reason to take off from work and enjoy nature with your puppy - far away from your PC.

Get your very own Y2K clock here (this mini-app only takes up a mere 20k):
http://www.winsite.com/info/pc/win95/desktop/k2count.exe/

Y2K Tip:
Don't plan on traveling on an airplane around midnight on December 31, 1999.
 

==================
Site for Sore Eyes
==================
AMAZON.COM
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Amazon.com is one of the most successful sites on the net. We are proud to announce that Kahl Consultants in association with amazon.com is offering you discounted books and music. Please send my puppy to obedience school by using our link next time you browse or shop AMAZON:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect-home/kahlconsultants

KC TIP:
Another fine way to ensure that my puppy gets enough nourishment is to use the long distance services offered by GlobalCom. Cheap calls (especially for calling abroad!), calling cards, callback service, and lots more telecommunication tidbits are at:
http://www.kahl.net/global
 

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WinTips
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Let Your Fingers Do The Clicking!
---------------------------------------
Who needs a mouse? I bet I know a keyboard shortcut for just about anything you can do with a mouse. Windows or Mac. Who cares?? I care! It's much faster to use your keyboard. Remember, every single time you put you hand on a mouse you are working less efficiently. Do yourself a favor, and learn a dozen or more of the basic keyboard shortcuts. We present at least one every month in KC News.

Start by looking a little closer at what those PULL DOWN MENUS have to say. Heck, you can reach any pull down menu by holding down the ALT key and punching in the letter that is shown underlined. C'mon, even your puppy could do this!

Keyboard Shortcut Du Jour
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ALT-F4 is not a secret US spy plane. It is a keyboard shortcut which can close ANY window. Try it. Hold down one of the ALT keys next to your space bar and then click the F4 button. Presto! The window is gone.
 

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!!Hoax Alert!!
==========
Friends, it's a big mess. Too many people on the net have nothing better to do than send out chain letters and useless email. Totally oblivious to things such as bandwidth abuse. Please DON'T PANIC! Internet and email warnings (real & fake) and hoaxes are unraveled at:
http://www.kahl.net/hoax

Here's a "true" story out of San Francisco. . .

It seems a man, wanting to rob a downtown Bank of America, walked into the branch
and wrote "This iz a stikkup. Put all your muny in this bag." While standing in line,
waiting to give his note to the teller, he began to worry that someone had seen him
write the note and might call the police before he reached the teller window. So he
left the Bank of America and crossed the street to Wells Fargo. After waiting a few
minutes in line, he handed his note to the Wells Fargo teller. She read it and surmising
from his spelling errors that he was not the brightest light in the harbor, told him that
she could not accept his stick up note because it was written on a Bank of America
deposit slip and that he would either have to fill out a Wells Fargo deposit slip or go
back to Bank of America.

Looking somewhat defeated, the man said "OK" and left the Wells Fargo. The Wells
Fargo teller then called the police who arrested the man a few minutes later, as he was
waiting in line back at the Bank of America.
                                                                        [Believe it or Not!]
 

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NetTips
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EQUINOX SPECIAL
------------------------
Equinox is this month. On March 21. Both day and night will be 12 hours long. Better yet, until the fall equinox, every night will be longer than every day! At least in the northern hemisphere.

Did you see Venus and Jupiter at conjunction last month? They were only
a quarter degree apart. An amazing sight! For more astronomy news, photos, and links, visit RadiKahl Astronomy at:
http://www.kahl.net/radikahl/astro/
 

GUTENBERG LIBRARY
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Our new puppy is named Bronte, after the writer Emily. I downloaded Wuthering Heights, Emily Bronte's most famous work, as an Etext, a 263 Kb zipped text file. From Project Gutenberg. Contains everything from famous novels to obscure textbooks, free. A "must bookmark".
http://www.gutenberg.net

Thanks to all who wrote in their comments. Send us your questions for the 4/99 edition of KC News.

Cheers,

Alex
Kahl Consultants
http://www.kahl.net
 

THE PLUG
========
How has your small business or organization been performing lately? Do you have enough clients? Do you want enhance your presence on the net? Some of our latest clients include:
- NATURELUX Furniture
- HLM Hummingbird Landscape
- GEOS Green Earth Office Supply

Technology. Use it appropriately. Put it in our hands. Kahl Consultants are always at your service at http://www.kahl.net
 

THE PUNCH LINE
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Total US felony convictions at State & Federal levels in 1994:
    167,457 Convicted violent felonies
    290,645 Drug felonies
 

==============
The Fine Print
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* CTRL: Control Key (there are 2 of these on your pretty little
keyboard)
* Home & End Keys: found next to the Page Up and Page Down keys, to the
right of the alphanumeric portion of your keyboard (even on laptops)
* Keyboard combinations: hold down the first key, then press second key
shortly
*ALT: Alternate Key (one on each side of the space bar)