Sherman Lee's Report2:My Adapting to the internet

REPORT 2:

MY ADAPTING TO THE INTERNET

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TECHNOPHOBIA

My adapting to the internet was at first not a friendly experience. I had and still have what they call "technophobia." Technophobia is a fear of technology which in my case is the computer. Having technophobia is just like having any other kind of phobia, for example: phobia of dogs, phobia of heights, phobia of crowds,etc... and it does'nt bother you until you are faced with it, then the phobia takes over you.Usually people will try to avoid phobic situations. My sister for example has a phobia of geckos and when she see's one she panics and when she thinks that there is a gecko in a room she will not go into it no matter what. As for me I always had technophobia over computers mainly because I never understood them. But now Its futile for me to try escape computers because we are now living in a computer age where almost ever facet of our lives will be affected by computers. So I decided to face my phobia and try to overcome it.

There are 2 main ways of getting over phobias: (1) The first way is through process of facing your phobias by making slow steps each day towards it, for example if I was afraid of heights I would on the first day stand on a short flight of stairs then on the second day a larger one then on the sixth day I would stand on top of a building, I'll continue to do this until I became comfortable with heights. (2) The second way which is the fastest way is what is called "systematic desensitization" which is exposing the patient to the phobia until they are able to cope and be compfortable with it, for example if I still had a fear of heights I would just make myself go up to the tallest building and stand there until I got over it. In my case with technophobia I tried the second kind of treatment by enrolling in two psycology clasess that were designed around computers whereby forcing me to learn and use them. I must say the first couple of weeks were so very very frustrating it was like I was learning a new language or something but the more I was in front of the computer and learning what it was about the more friendlier it became to me. I don't want you to get the wrong impression, I am not cured of technophobia, but I now know how to manage it.

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10 PROBLEMS WITH SOLUTIONS

As you may already know, working with the internet is no picnic.Problems arise all the time especially when you have to create your own files.Here are 10 problems I have encountered in this class.

Problem #1:

What is the difference between title and heading?

One of my first problems in creating my file is knowing what is the difference between the title and the heading.Many people get confused between the two.The title is what is read by netscape and it is located in the top of the screen when you are on netscape.The title should include your name and the subject of your file.The heading is the text that is usually at the top of your file.For example: The title of this file is "Sherman Lee's REPORT2:HOW AM I DOING WITH MY FILES" and the heading which is above the devil reads "HOW AM I DOING WITH MY FILES."

Problem #2:

Why do I even need a title?

I think one of the best reasons for having a title are so search engines would be able to find your file by reading its' title because they do not read your heading.

Problem #3:

How can I change the size of my headings?

You can do this by typing in a code right before your heading.How you type in your code is determined by what size font you desire. I am not sure how far the range is but the largest is 1 and it gets smaller as the numbers get larger.When you know how large you want your font size to be all you have to do is type the letter "h" and then the number size you desire after. After that is done make sure at the end of your heading you type in the same code you did in the begining except it has a "/" mark before it.For example: "< h1 >HEADING< /h1 >" (remember not to type in any of the quotation marks that I have up and don't leave spaces between the brackets the way I did. I did this so you are able to read it!)

Problem #4:

How can I make any of my text bold or Italicized?

The code for bold is "< b >" and the code for italics is "< i >".Remember to close off all codes with the "/" mark.For example: For Bold type; "< b > BOLD < /b >" and for Italics type; "< i > ITALICS < /i >" (remember not to type in any of the quotation marks that I have up and don't leave spaces between the brackets the way I did. I did this so you are able to read it!)

Problem #5:

How can I view my e-mail?

The very first thing that you have to do is to get your UHUNIX ID.I got mine from the first floor of Keller in the computer information center.All you have to have is your UH identification card or proof of registration.They will then give you your login name and a password.This password could and should be changed as soon as possible.Keep in mind it might take 3 to 5 days for you to start because they have to process everything.Once you have everything you will first click on either a "Telnet(E-MAIL)" icon or the "WinQVTNET16" icon or a computer like icon. After you did this you will probably have many different servers to choose from (ex:Uhunix3.its.hawaii.edu) Choose anyone.if it doesn't work then that server is probably busy so try a different one.Once your in it will ask you to login. Thats when you type in your given login name, do this and press Enter when you are done.Then the next prompt will ask you for your password, type it and press Enter when you are done.When this is done successfully you will see a uhunix prompt.It is characterized by having a percentage sign at the end of it (ex:uhunix3%).Type "pine" and then press return (ex:uhunix3%pine).When this is done successfully then you will see a menu. On this menu you will choose "FOLDER LIST" and make sure you use the arrow up keys to choose this option.Press return on this option and then locate the message that you want to read.Then use the arrow keys to move the highlight bar over the message and press Enter.(Make sure when you are finished using PINE to logout.This is done by typing "logout" on the uhunix prompt.)

Problem #6:

How can I send e-mail?

You have to first go to the Main Menu in PINE.You will then choose the option "COMPOSE MESSAGE". Highlight it and press return. Then you need the e-mail address of whoever you want to send the message to.For example: My e-mail address is "shermanl@hawaii.edu". Then type in your message.When your done press the control button and the letter "x" to send the message.(Make sure when you are finished using PINE to logout.This is done by typing "logout" on the uhunix prompt.)

Problem #7:

How do I change my password and why?

First of all the password they usually give you is probably pretty hard to remember so it would be more practical if you were able to make-up your own password and secondly you want to be the only person who knows your password!On you uhunix prompt you want to type "passwd"(ex:uhunix5%passwd). The next promp will display the uhunix id that will have a password change.This will prompt yo for the old password for this account.At the old password prompt, enter your currrent password which should include a mix of numbers and words that must be at least six characters long (ex:711food) then press enter.Keep in mind that the password WILL NOT APPEAR ON THE SCREEN! When all this is done successfully then you should read this message: "NIS entry changed on nis" (NEVER LET ANYONE KNOW YOUR PASSWORD, ITS A SECRET!!!)

Problem #8:

How do I get to my CSS account?

When you are on the uhunix prompt type in "telnet www.soc.hawaii.edu" then press return(ex:uhunix4%telnet www.soc.hawaii.edu).If it didn't work the first time don't worry it always does this to me just try again!When this done successfully then you will see a different kind of prompt that will tell you to login, it should read "WWW login:" just type in your css login name.Then type in your css password on the password prompt.When all this is done successfully you should see "WWW:~$" That means your there!Now all you need to do is type in your next command.

Problem #9:

How do I indent?

Thanks to Rowney Martinez I am now able to indent!All you have to do is type "< dd >" before the paragraph you want to indent.

Problem #10:

How can I figure out how someone made their file?

One easy way is just to ask them, just kidding! All you have to do is go to "view" on the top of the netscape screen and press it until you see some options. Then you go to the "source". Click there and it will show you how they did everything.You can even "print" it for future reference, I do.

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