Internet Mom (www.familypc.com) Robin Raskin, whom I've talked about relentlessly throughout this book, is Internet Mom. She's also the editor-in-chief of Family PC magazine. Her online columns on the trials and tribulations of raising kids in this computer age are one of the best things about the FamilyPC.com site. She manages to cut to the heart of the issue, with humor and insight few can match. Respected as a leader in the emerging field of children and technology, Robin was also a key spokesperson before the FTC on the recent hearings on privacy and child protection. While many people are jumping on the children and the Internet bandwagon, this isn't a new fad for her. Robin has been writing about kids and computers for over 15 years. As a freelance writer trying to break into publishing while juggle raising kids at the same time, she submitted an article titled "How I Learned About Computers to Save Our Marriage" -- the story of learning UNIX to keep pace with her husband, which started her on this unswayable course. Before coming to FamilyPC, Robin was Editor of PC Magazine. She has written two books on kids and computers, and recently served as Series Editor for three new family computing books from Hyperion. She has three children ages 17, 15 and 11 and they live a highly "connected life" in both New York City and the beautiful Hudson Valley.

SGT Mom's Kidz (www.sgtmoms.com) Kathleen Motteler is Sgt Mom. Kathleen is an army wife and mother currently stationed at NAB Little Creek VA. She first dreamed up the idea for SGT MOM'S when she felt a need for a more casual form of support that couldn't be found in official channels. Being an army wife meant losing friends every time they moved. When she moved one more time she found that although she treasured her children dearly, she craved friends and adult conversation. In her own words, I'll let Kathleen tell you how she wandered around cyberspace, clueless about where she was going or how to get there. It'll also show you how nervous she was getting online. And just look! A few years later and she's one of the leading "moms" online. It'll inspire even the most fearful among you. [After we got our computer] my husband tried and tried, dragging me kicking and screaming to the keyboard, but I was not at all interested. I was also sure if I touched the computer I would somehow explode it or melt it into a puddle of techno color goo. Finally bordom took over, and while the girls napped one day, I phoned my husband and got the passwords to get on line. Once I got on though, I had no idea what to do! I just wildly moved the mouse around and clicked constantly. The screen began flipping and changing and suddenly I saw something that said "parents chat." I had accidentally clicked my way into ParentsPlace! I saw "chat with other parents" and stopped to read what it said! Then I noticed that certain words were underlined and colored and when I moved the mouse cursor over them a hand popped up! So I clicked! Don't ask me how, but I made it through the registration process and started chatting that day! I loved it! And the other chatters took pity on newbies like me! I didn't say much, I was too shy, but I listened and took notes...I literally had a notebook and inkpen writing down stuff they said! The other chatters had homepages, and after visiting a few of them I decided this is what I was looking for! Now I knew what I had been mulling over in my head would work! I just had to figure out how to create a home page! No easy trick....but I was determined and committed! I wanted to create a place for military spouses. Some place where we could meet others in the same boats. My idea was that if they signed up for keypals, someone coming to their area might read it and they could make a friend before they got to their new dutystation! They could also get good information on the housing, the schools, and the neighborhoods. Something welcome packets never tell you! They would also not be so lonely during all the deployments and Temporary duties. I felt there were many other military spouses out there like me that for whatever reasons were slipping through the cracks, and I knew this was the way to reach them! As I continued to chat I started meeting them. After being on line two weeks and chatting every afternoon during naptime, I had followed a link on someone's homepage to a place that offered e-z and free homepages made on line. I leaped at the chance and even though I had no clue HOW to make the homepage, I knew WHAT I wanted on the page! I learned HTML rather quickly and soon at the urging of another chatter who created the SGT MOM logo, my husband downloaded an editor for me. I began playing with it, taught myself how to use it (without reading the directions....I don't understand techno babble at all) and started redesigning SGT MOM'S. In 6 weeks time, I had created something I was proud of and we loaded it to the server. It was an instant hit. I began getting letters from military spouses all over the world! Soon after I started getting letters from active duty, vets, extended family, and brats. All wanting me to include them in my site too. It has been since January 1996 and I have learned much along the way. My site has evolved many times over too. Today I work full time on SGT MOM'S, often times putting in 40-60 hours a week or more. Recently, following my latest move, it was time to accept the offers of volunteer help from my two closest cyber pals and military spouses. I still do the vast majority of all work on SGT MOM'S, Carrie a Navy spouse is answering the general mail, and Ker an Airforce spouse is helping behind the scenes.