



   Editorial

   Why is it so disappointing when a personal icon becomes just like
   everyone else - human?  Paul Somerson in his June 1995 PC Computing
   column of 6/95, fell from my pedestal of unimpeachable objectivity
   while keeping his track record for humor, color, and oftentimes,
   courage.

   Somerson's description of the poor and outclassed Senator from
   Nebraska as a "Censorious Cornhusker" who will limit speech and
   ideas to that of "gloppy pablum" is a wonderful bit of over-
   statement.  I envy Somerson's way with words and in the class of -
   I wish I had said that first is the phrase "as popular as voting
   against oxygen" when critiquing the alleged Communications Decency
   Act.    What clinched it for me was the killer phrase, albeit a bit
   too in, and a bit too hot, and more than a bit too arrogant with the
   Somerson characterization of Exon as a "paranoid technophobic prig(s)".

   I know that this rhetoric should not be compared to calling one who
   disagrees with your position as a knee jerk liberal, -the L word,
   - Socialist or worse; Or tagging law enforcement as black booted thugs
   ready to cut down women, children, gun owners, gays, blacks, browns,
   yellows and everything in between; Or tarnishing those with Conservative
   values as Fascists; Or suggesting that death, by any means of doctors
   performing legal abortion services to pregnant women is justified.
   Very scary stuff!

   It seems to me, however, that this is pandering to group think and or
   group speak. It reflects the accepted norms of dialogue, style, custom
   and rigidities of those who no longer control the informal computer
   networks and more specifically the Internet. To be very blunt, it also
   sells magazine subscriptions. The traditional Internet playground
   supported by universities with their faculty and students, DOD
   contractors and their subs, and hardware/software developers and their
   opinion making computer professionals is over! The private club has been
   replaced at the mere cost of about $25 per month for unlimited access with
   homepage. Questions of privacy, commerce, public service access, legal
   enforcement of drug laws, copyright protection, encryption, and porno-
   graphy are legitimate and important areas for thorough and thoughtful
   debate. We  have the option to disagree without being disagreeable. We
   have the obligation, because this is our turf, to ameliorate the extremes
   and to help fashion solutions which protect privacy and prosecutes those
   who use the Internet to engage in sedition, murder, or theft of property.

   If computer professionals, as Somerson fears,  turn the Internet into a
   "soulless Sesame Street" it is because we engage in stereotyping with
   labels that are worn out and without utility while turning a deaf ear and
   closing our collective eyes to behavior that is offensive, rude and in
   some jurisdictions illegal.  If we don't clean up our own act, it is
   very clear, the Fed will...one way or another. 



   Letters  to  the  Editor

   On Idiots Redux...Issue #4

   May 5, 1995
   My biggest concern was that the rest of the publication was fairly
   respectable, and contained some very well thought out content. If the
   reader were to jump to the article and see the 'ranting' that Mr.
   Miller produced, it might leave a bad taste in their mouths.  I
   especially like the premise behind Mr. Miller's article.  It was just
   the execution that I had a problem with.

   He seemed to get too far into personal peferences and unchecked facts.
   You cannot win the hearts of the readers if they notice the gross
   errors in your article and Mr. Miller had some pretty bad errors.  The
   last thing we need is a 'Rush Limbaugh' of the computer world.

   Hopefully, in future articles, we will see him deflate even more
   balloons that the computer publishing industry has formed, but with the
   dignity of factual data behind him.

   Sincerely,
   Kevin Taufner

   Our writers are invited because they don't rant and do keep reminding
   us all, this editor in particular, that ranting creates much heat and
   very little light. To  equate differences of opinion or preference with
   a "Rush Limbaugh" style  is neither accurate nor enlightening. It is in
   the same category as the Somerson attack upon Sen. Exon.  (See
   Editorial this issue) Neither characterization says much! This
   publication, if it stands for  anything, is one that provides an
   untethered voice for responsible and careful computer professionals. As
   long as our readers feel that ours is a unique approach we will
   continue  to do "our thing" and let the chips of opinion fall where
   they will..   lbl


   The WindoWatch Homepage

   For those of you who remain uninitiated to the WindoWatch home page we
   urge you to visit.  Often you will find brand new articles from our
   staff and others. We try to remember to announce these offerings and of
   course will republish them in the next regular issue of the magazine.
          www.channel1.com/users/winwatch/WindoWatch.html



   Our Newest Colleague

   A very big welcome to Jim Gunn who will be bringing his considerable
   talent to WindoWatch.  Jim has been publishing the SALT PUDDLE POINTLESS
   which is a teasing satirical rag loaded with information.  He and his Lady
   will provide their own unique spin to the growing and more visible world
   of WindoWatch.


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