(information compiled by Mike Walton (kyblkeagle@aol.com) )
I don't know about you, but I'm constantly on the move, going to this place to talk
with someone, and then to that place to work on something else and then to another
place for dinner...
The way that I've managed to keep up with what I'm doing and where I'm going is
by using one of two binders that I keep with me all of the time. The binders allow me
to write and place inside them information that I need to keep up with...
Wouldn't be nice, however, if there was an online "binder" that could keep your stuff
handy...one that you can access from anywhere and wouldn't it be cool if we could also
use it to do "other stuff" with: for instance, to save some of our frequently-asked for
files (like a resume, or a copy of a military discharge form or a copy of a marriage license)
for safe-keeping AND so that when you needed a copy, it's just as simple as "click, click,
print, done?"
Well...here it is. The SECOND generation of "My Digital Binder(tm)" The first generation
had some problems. The biggest problem was that just about everything in it was being
either revised, sold to new companies, or they decided that nobody wanted their
services so they quit!
I've been using ALL of these resources over the past year and while I can't assure you
that they may not be sold to another firm, that they are in the resource business for
"the long term."
In order to use My Digital Binder{tm}, I have had to install a disclaimer statement and ask you
to read it before entry. I cannot force you to read this; but please do read it because it contains
important information in connection with using My Digital Binder(tm):
DISCLAIMER INFORMATION: Please read before using!
The majority of these web-based applications require you to use a browser which will support Javascript and/or frames. I'm not a big fan of either, although I use a little of both on my sites. I have tried to find programs which will work with or without frames and with or without Javascript. If you have problems with running or using any of these programs, and your browser does not support or you've turned off the Javascript or frames features, that's probably why it doesn't work.
I have verified through using all of these sites and resources that they are NOT "trojan programs or resources" which culls users information and then uses it against them. I had to take one such resource off Version 1 because I found out that they were selling my account information to another firm which sent to my Hotmail (tm) account X-rated information I did not request. No such sites exist on Version 2. If you encounter unusual problems with using these programs, please let me know so that I can either correct it with the cooperation of the organization; or take that part off the site (or take the entire site down).
Some of these programs require you to create and use a "user ID" and password to gain entry. Please note: NONE OF THE PASSWORDS NOR USER IDs COME TO ME IN ANY FORM.
DO NOT USE THE SAME USER ID AND PASSWORD THAT YOU USE TO LOG ONTO THE INTERNET WITH; DO NOT USE A USER ID ("MikeWalton") AND PASSWORD ("Blackeagle") THAT PEOPLE CAN EASILY FIND OUT AND USE; AND DO NOT GIVE YOUR USER ID AND PASSWORD INFORMATION OUT TO ANYONE (THAT MEANS US TOO!)
LOG OFF EACH COMPONENT BEFORE MOVING TO THE NEXT ONE; and INSURE THAT ALL BROWSER WINDOWS ARE CLOSED WHEN YOU ARE COMPLETELY DONE.
IF YOU FORGET YOUR PASSWORD, OR SOMEONE GUESSES YOUR PASSWORD AND DESTROYS OR ALTERS YOUR DATA, OR SENDS ALARMING EMAIL OR NETMAIL USING YOUR ID AND PASSWORD, OR SENDS MESSAGES OR ALLOWS OTHERS TO USE YOUR ACCOUNT WHICH YOU DID NOT PROPERLY LOG OFF FROM, I NOR ROSE WALTON PC COACHES ASSUMES ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THAT ACTION. PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT ME CONCERNING OBTAINING PASSWORDS OR ENTRY INFORMATION TO ANY OF THESE SITES....I only know how to get into them using MY user ID and password. While not recommended, I use ONE set of user IDs and passwords for ALL of these sites...it makes it easier for me to gain entry to them without having to recall several ID-password combinations!
Some browsers (for instance, Microsoft (tm)'s Internet Explorer 4 and 5 and Netscape(tm)'s Communicator) will ask you if you want your user ID and password information "stored" onto their server or onto the computer you are using. SAY NO!! I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS TO ANYONE, and if you do so, you do so at your OWN RISK. A "stored user ID and password" makes things convienent...you don't have to remember anything. But neither does anyone else coming to the site using that same machine. If they have access to "your stuff," they can alter or send inflammatory stuff to others --in YOUR NAME. So write the user ID and password down, keep it with you, and DO NOT LET THE COMPUTER NOR ANYONE ELSE KEEP IT FOR YOU.
I recommend opening up a Hotmail (tm) account first and then when other programs here ask you for an address where they can send your password to if you have forgotten it, you can give them your Hotmail (tm) address. You can then retrieve the information much easier and from virtually anywhere in the world...anywhere, of course, with an active Internet connection!
To maintain these FREE accounts, you must use them at least once every 14 days or so. So every two weeks, come here, log onto each of the resources you've subscribed to, and just check it. You do NOT need to input anything...as long as you access the account, the service to which you've subscribed to will recognize that you are a "current user" and will keep your account active. Besides, you might see something else on another "branch" of The Tree that interests you!
Finally, two of these sites may contain information not suitable for children to read or review. The content of some of the USENET NEWS discussion forums (by using DejaNews) and the search feature of "ALL Search" may expose children to images and/or text which is not suitable for them, in my opinion. There is no way for me to restrict the amount or reference of information from those sites, and I nor Rose Walton PC Coaches assumes any responsibility for anything you or any family member chooses to do or view with these search engines and reference tools. I trust that parents will exercise caution and be there with their children as they search and find useful items for school, church or youth programs they may be a part of.
WHAT ALL IS INCLUDED IN MY DIGITAL BINDER?
Here are the components of My Digital Binder:
Interface:
When you first see My Digital Binder, it looks like a nice binder cover. Clicking on the graphic in the
corner opens the binder.
The binder itself opens up to full-screen, and you can actaully use it as a background for anything else
you're doing while online. On the left side is a clock which tells you when you "opened" your Binder followed
by a pull-down menu which will allow you to go to various locations when you press the "GO" button. Instead
of your browser "switching pages", a new window will open up with the content you are looking for or want to use.
When you are finished with that "page", close the window and you'll be back at your Digital Binder.
Content:
Hotmail: Hotmail is the best free mailing program out there, which is a good reason why
Microsoft (tm) bought it! I use Hotmail every day to stay in touch with my military friends and to read and
respond back to two military-related mailing lists. And because it is "compatible with regular email" (the
term is "POP3 compliant"), I can also "plug in" my regular email access information while I'm on the road and
never be without my regular email too.
There's a slight problem with Hotmail, however: I can only save 2,000,000 bytes (2MB) worth of information.
Total. That means that if I want to keep things on my Hotmail account, I have to be really picky about it.
Shoutmail: Shoutmail is a great way to never be without voicemail. It is a email forwarder, reader
(the postings are actually read over the phone to you and you can leave a voice message which is converted
to email!), incoming and outgoing fax and more.
Most of the features on Shoutmail are free; however, there is a cost for storage and for using the fax
or voice features past the 30 minutes free per month...and it's use them or lose them.
AOL NetMail: "You got mail!"(tm) when you use AOL's NetMail feature. If you have an existing America
Online (AOL) account, you can access your email anywhere where's there's a browser. It works the same as
your regular AOL mail account; however, you cannot send really long messages because it times out at a certain
point!! You can attach items, just like with Hotmail, but unlike Hotmail there's no "limit" or quota as to
how much mail you can store or get. Remember, this is for AOL users ONLY.
There's a separate feature for those wanting to get pages; forget it. I didn't use it as a component because
it required the installation on each machine being used components.
Jeeves is one of those large search engines; you put the information you want in, and it "hits"
several search engines for free for you and returns a lot of information.
I like it because it gives you not just the information, but related information as well.
Freesite: Have you ever wished to have lots of FREE STUFF?? Well, your day has arrived. I added
this one because they have a lot of FREE STUFF to give away to computer owners....I got some of it...
The bad thing about Freesite is that the site is really, really, really busy.
DayTimer: Yes, that's DayTimer, the people that I should have stock in! They have developed the best
calendar (*duh!*) and reminder site out there...and get this: If you have one of their REAL binders, you
can even PRINT the contents of the calendars and reminders to go inside your binder (A great thing to have for
those owners of My Binder!)
The bad part is that it's slow on most of the machines I've used it on. But hopefully, they will get their
stuff onto a new and faster server!
DejaNews: There are something like 5000 or so USENET News Groups out there, bulletin boards with all
kinds of content on them. DejaNews helps you to find the discussion groups and topics of interest to you.
CAUTION: DejaNews has LOTS of content on it which may NOT be suitable for children to read, review,\
or even have access to. I use DejaNews to catch up on Scouting issues which are discussed in one of the USENET's
many forums. I do NOT have my children around when I do this, however, because I can not be guaranteed of the
language, descriptions or forums that will "pop up" there. There is NO WAY to filter this content...so use a
great deal of personal discretion when reading or viewing DejaNews!
If you ever wanted to do research on anyone whom have posted a note, DejaNews is the way to do it!
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| [Hotmail] | Free email |
| [Shoutmail] | Free tollfree number, faxing, forwarding |
| [AOL Webmail] | (AOL subscribers only) Get/Send AOL mail without the software! |
| [Ask Jeeves] | Combines your searching |
| [TheFreeSite] | Free stuff -- lots of free stuff! |
| [DayTimer] | Free scheduler and calendar |
| [DejaNews] | USENET News reader/editor |
| [OneLook] | Dictionaries, Thesaruses, and Encyclopedia |
| [InfoPlease] | Dictionaries, Thesaruses, and Encyclopedia |
| [USSSP] | U.S. Scouting Service Project |
| [Compass] | Scouter's Compass (Scouts-L Archives) |
| [Maps] | Maps...of just about any and everything! |
| [Switchboard] | Find a phone number, an address or an email address! |
(information compiled by Mike Walton (kyblkeagle@aol.com) )
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