Chapter 1
Clueless? . . . You'll Feel Right at Home!

• There's Nothing to Be Afraid of

There's Nothing to Be Afraid of

Don't let a fear of technology or computers stop you—it's really easier than you think.

First, remember that you are not alone. Most of us are scared to death. Computers can be intimidating. And the people who understand them speak in Net and tech jargon none of us can decipher (or want to). Our computers rarely do what we ask them to, and the tried and true remedy for most finicky home appliances (a good swift kick!) generally doesn't work. (Although, trust me, I've tried!)

Parenting is tough enough, without having to worry about protecting and guiding our children in cyberspace. How can we warn them about the dangers if we don't know what they are? How can we help them or answer their questions when we don't even know how to turn on the computer?

Technology is king (and queen). It's the new media and cure for everything, including the common cold. And we're all expected to be computer geniuses when we can't even program our VCRs. When your eight-year-old knows more than you do about computers, it's hard to keep an upper hand. (And don't think they don't know it!)

But with some simple coaching, you can learn all you need to know to get online and keep your kids out of trouble. Most of it is a bluff. You just need to know a few acronyms (those three-letter words that computer geeks like to throw around to confuse you) and some basics. (This really isn't any different from trying to help your kids with their algebra homework when you are clearly math-challenged. Remember that.)

Too many of us are scared off, thinking that we have to understand computer technology to get online. We don't. All of us can use VCRs, although few of us understand how they work. If we can plop in a video tape and push the power key and play button, even we can watch the best and the worst movies.

Using computers is no different. If you can click on the power button, double-click your mouse and type in your name and password, you're surfing. Everything you need to know is in this book.

In this first part of the book, I explain how the Internet operates. Once you understand the different parts of the Internet, you'll learn the basics of how to buy computer equipment and what other options are available to you if you can't buy a computer. Finally, I'll give you some pointers on "getting connected," and what you need to know when you get there.

If you're already online, you can skip this whole section. (What a relief! You've barely started reading, and you're already a third of the way through the book!)

For those of you who want even more information than I have given you in this section, go to FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions section) at the back of the book. For everyone else: read what you like. There's no pop quiz at the end.

And remember what Representative Zoe Luftgen, a lawyer, mother, and Internet-savvy Congresswoman from California told me: "The best thing about the Internet is that no matter what you do wrong you can't break it."