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. Your Windows95 Tip and Fix How about submitting your own Windows95 Tips, Tricks and Fixes? We will publish them and make sure you get public credit for your creativity and inventiveness. Also looking for the very best in Windows95 URLs. Our homepage visitors will note that the most recent list was contributed to us by our own Paul Williamson. ww