Some people may have questions, others may have fears. The answers to modern computer and Internet questions are available, however, from several local sources.
It’s worth the investment and the investigation, because people who do not take advantage of the Internet are missing “the world,” according to Joe Herpers, vice president of sales for Clarkston-based Contemporary Computer Concepts.
“It’s the first place I go to look things up,” Herpers said. “If it’s a word I don’t understand, if it’s a translation. For me it’s supplanted the Yellow Pages. It’s a great resource.”
Rob Bondy, CEO of the firm he calls “3C,” said people need not be afraid of the ever-increasing technology. While some older folks (he defines older as “over 30” in the computer context), may be hesitant to dive in if they have not so far, help is available.
“Somebody has already done whatever you’re going to, so there are millions and millions of people who are able to help you,” Bondy said.
Mollie Lynch, director of the Independence Township Library, is one of those people, and she knows more.
The library has computer stations for young children and teen agers (both with filtering software) and a room reserved for adult users and for training. Obtaining a card from the reference desk gives folks 30 minutes of free access to the Internet.
“They’re well used,” Lynch said. “The teen one is always full after school, and the training center gets full on a regular basis. When there’s a power failure, we get a lot of people coming in to use our computers.”
A three-session instruction class is offered, usually once a month, to give people the basics.
“A lot of it’s just playing, and getting used to it,” she said.
There are other classes available, as well, and Lynch teaches a special class for those interested in computer genealogy research.
In addition to having full access to the Internet at the library, Lynch is excited about resources available to home computers through the Library of Michigan’s “E-Library.” Home users can log on to www.mel.org with a driver’s license or state ID number.
“This is great for all kinds of things,” she said, including history, newspapers, and general reference. “It’s amazing what’s at your fingertips.”
Patrons can print Web pages for 10 cents a page (25 cents “if there’s a lot of color”), Lynch said.
Computer users now have more options for connections, and Bondy can explain the advantages and disadvantages of each. In addition to the “dial-up” connection through a standard telephone line, telephone companies offer a “digital subscriber line” for those within a certain distance of a DSL hub.
“It’s a decent service,” Bondy said. “It’s still non-business class, so that’s something people have to be aware of.”
A number of consumers are now taking advantage of cable modems through Comcast. This service provides direct — and full-time — Internet connection through the same cable that brings television programs into the home.
Bondy said cable modems have a lot of advantages, but may have some variations depending on how many people are using it.
“That’s a shared bandwidth environment,” he said. “As the neighborhood starts getting it, your speed’s going to go down. Some days it will go really fast and some days it will be dead.”
Although satellite Internet connection is available, Bondy believes it has too many security problems at this point. He believes the future is in wireless technology, although he admits some security problems there, as well.
“I think the solutions are there, but right now it’s just not cost-effective,” he said.
Security is a key for anyone involved in using the Internet, but software is available to provide the needed protection. The key is to have a properly configured system and take advantage of the security resources.
“People have to be aware and understand what they do,” Bondy said, noting problems caused when people turn off the security functions because of slower surfing.
To protect against “spam” and other security problems, Bondy also recommends every computer user to have a second e-mail address for interactive Web pages, saving the primary e-mail address for regular correspondence.
The other key is “preventive maintenance.” Like regular oil changes for a car, regular tasks such as backing up data (not to the Internet, Bondy said), cleaning files and defragmenting the hard drive, will help keep the computer running smooth.
And super upgrades are not always necessary. If a person is doing basic e-mail and Internet work, minor upgrades may be all that’s necessary.
“A little bit of

in there, and if the hard drive’s too small, maybe a system reconfiguration, but most of those machines will work for a long time,” he said.
Bondy looks forward to the day when homes will be totally integrated with the Internet. It will not be long before most folks will have telephone, television and Internet service through the same connection, and “it will be a bargain.”
In the meantime, folks should not be afraid of present and future technology. To take advantage of the “information superhighway,” Bondy offers the same advice given to many motorists: ask directions.
“Ask questions,” he said. “Plan out what you want to do and talk to somebody and get some advice. Advice is free.”