Tech Tip of the Week:
Problem # 1 Tired of getting email solicitations?
protect your address
The most effective way to avoid Spam is to keep your email address to yourself. Spammers can't get your address if you don't make it public. Only give your address to friends, family and co-workers, and ask them not to circulate it. Don't add your name to Internet directories, and ask directories to remove your name if you are already listed. Leave the email field of online forms blank, or if an email addressed is required use a decoy.
If you post to newsgroups, bulletin boards, or mailing lists, there are several different options that will help keep the spam away.
1. Use a second email address. If your ISP doesn't provide a second address for free, you can get one from a free email provider. This way, all the spam will go to the secondary address, leaving your primary address free for legitimate email.
2. Scramble your address. This practice, known as munging or spoofing, means adding extra characters into your outgoing email address, so that John_Doe@isp.net <mailto:John_Doe@isp.net> become John_Doe_spamblock@deletethis.isp.net
<mailto:John_Doe_spamblock@deletethis.isp.net>. Mailbots, the software that automatically collects addresses for spammers, won't know that the address won't work, but you can add a note to your signature telling how to decode
the address, for those legitimate responses to your post.
If you shop online, you will want to use a valid email address at any sites where you place an order. Be aware, however, that many online stores make their customer lists available to marketing companies, which means you could become a target for spammers. Be sure to read the Terms of Service on any site where you want to shop, and make your decision accordingly.

Filters
Chances are that, despite your best efforts to keep your email address out of the hands of spammers, you will get on at least a few mailing lists. Fortunately, your email program comes equipped with means to keep spam from becoming too much of a nuisance. Filters can be set up to screen out mail based on either the sender's domain or the subject line (if, for example, it has a lot of dollar signs or is written in all caps). To set up filters in your email program:
In Outlook and Outlook Express
1. Click "Tools."
2. Choose "Message Rules."
3. Set conditions and actions as desired.
In Outlook 98
1. Click "Tools."
2. Select "Organize."
3. Choose "Junk E-Mail" and make selections as desired.
In Netscape Mail
1. Click "Edit."
2. Choose "Message Filters"
3. Click "New."
In Eudora
1. Click "Tools."
2. Choose "Filters."
If you find your email program's filters are not tough enough there are more robust applications available for purchase or free download available on the Internet. Or, contact your ISP to learn about its spam filtering efforts.

Reporting spam
No matter how tempting it may be, never respond directly to spam you receive. In most cases, your reply will never be read by a real person, and will most likely only confirm that your address is good - leading to an onslaught of even more junk email. In fact, even opening a spam message can
initiate a program called a web bug, which reports back to the sender. It is best to delete any obvious spam messages without opening them. Look for messages from people you don't recognize with subject headers written in all caps, containing lots of dollar signs or exclamation points, or words like "make money fast", "adv", "X-priority", or "re: your email." However, if you wish to take a more aggressive stance against spam, you can trace the sender of the spam and report them to their ISP. The first thing you will need to do is set your email so that you can see the full header of
the message. To do this:
In Outlook and Outlook Express
4. Click "File."
5. Choose "Properties."
6. Select the "Details" tab.
In Outlook 98
4. Click "View."
5. Select "Options."
6. Extended headers will be under "Internet Headers."
In Netscape Mail
4. Click "View."
5. Choose "Headers."
6. Select "All."
In Eudora
3. Click "Tools."
4. Choose "Options."
5. Select "Fonts & Display.'
6. Make sure the "Show All Headers' box is checked.
The "Received" field of the full header will show the path the email has traveled in order to reach you. In practice, the final address listed in parentheses will be the originating ISP. You can then go to the ISP's website and look up their policies for reporting spam. Alternatively, you can forward the full message and header to SpamCom.net, a service that will
automatically compose a complaint for you. If the ISP is legitimate, it most likely will take steps to prevent that user from sending further junk email. Have a technology question or tip for us to share? Email TeamTech@uwsepa.org
<mail:Teamtech@uwsepa.org>

Conferences/ Trainings

TOPIC: IBM Kidsmart Training, Monday June 4, 2001 at the United Way Building

Two Sessions 10-12 or 1:30-3:30
RSVP to Amy Oommachan at amyo@uwsepa.org or 215-665-2514
This training is open to all United Way member agencies that have an IBM Kidsmart Computer. This is a basic training workshop on how to use the IBM Kidsmart Computer.
Topics include: Introduction to the IBM Kidsmart Computers, Software and Hardware usage.
Sponsored by Philadelphia Teaming for Technology

TOPIC: Word, Access and Excel Training presented by: PANO and Eastern College
All Classes are scheduled 9:00 a.m.-4:00p.m.
Word Training, St. Davids June 7th and Harrisburg June 14th
Excel I Training, St. Davids June 21st
Access I Training St. Davids July 19th
Excel II Training St. Davids August 2nd

Workshops are designed and taught for Non Profit Organizations. At each class you will learn on a computer and receive a workbook/manual.

For Details visit HTTP://WWW.PANO.ORG
Call (717) 236-8584

Harrisburg Classes are held at Dixon University Center
2986 North Second Street
Duncan Hall

St. Davids Classes are held at Eastern College
1300 Eagle Road
105 McInnis Hall

Each Class is limited to the first 20 paid registrants

$115 PANO Members
$175 Nonmembers

Please make Checks Payable to PANO
132 State Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101

TOPIC: Quarterly PHENND Meeting with a Special Focus on Technology and Bridging the Digital Divide
June 5, 2001, Drexel University, 9 AM- 12 P.M. McAllister, Room 2020
This is one of the four times that the entire PHEND region can get together to discuss any pertinent issues. The meeting is open to everyone-students, community organizations, teachers staff, faculty, etc.

Resources/Funding Opportunities for Your Organization:
TOPIC: "Funders Supportive of Communications Technology"
A collection of funding resources and information on how to get your organization the technology resources it needs.
http://www.benton.org/PracticeToolkit/techmoney.html

Amy Oommachan
Teaming for Technology VISTA
United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania
7 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, Pa 19103-1294
Phone: (215) 665-2514
Fax: (215) 665-2531