Love Lines

Love Lines is a blog for business and technology discussion.
  Many of the entries are columns written by Bruce or Kären Love. 
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June 12, 2004

Optimism, Philly-Style

By Bruce A. Love

Some have called us the worst sports fans ANYWHERE! You see, I was born in Philadelphia, grew up in the Philly “burbs,” and attended college in the city. These factors qualify me as a Philly fan. The fact that I have lived on the western side of Pennsylvania for four years means little when it comes to team allegiances. My brother, who hasn’t lived in Pennsylvania in 25 years, is also a certifiable Philly fan! When you are born in Philly, you are a Philly Phan Phorever!

Philadelphia fans are often misunderstood by those who have grown up in other parts of the country. Contrary to popular perceptions, Philadelphians may be the most optimistic, persistent, and persevering people anywhere. We have to be. Our teams have not brought home a championship in 21 years. Don’t get me wrong. We love our teams, and we vocalize our support for them when they are doing what we want them to do. The challenge arises when our teams do not comply with our high expectations. We vocalize at those times too.

Recently, our teams have found new ways to dramatically end their seasons. Consider the Eagles impressive come-from-behind “fourth and forever” play this past January in which the Eagle’s quarterback completed a 26-yard desperation pass with mere seconds left in the game. That ultimately enabled the team to advance to the final round of the NFC championship. With home field advantage, Philadelphia fans knew they were Super Bowl bound! But, it was not to be. The Panthers shattered those dreams and denied the Eagles a NFC championship title for the third year in a row.

In Hockey, the Flyers also found a way to avoid the Stanley Cup Finals this year by losing the last game of a Conference Championship series. This was the year when all the planets seemed to be aligned for the Flyers to have a shot at Philadelphia’s first Cup in 29 years! This, too, was not to be.

In May, the city found a new athlete in which to place its hopes. For the first time, a Philly favorite actually had the support of sports fans nationwide. But like the disappointments experienced by other teams from this city, Smarty Jones came up short in the final stretch at the Belmont, and we lost our hope of seeing a “blue-collar” local win the first Triple Crown in 26 years.

I have come to the conclusion that it is no mere coincidence that the city’s most famous silver screen athlete is a South Philly boxer who raises the hopes and expectations of every moviegoer in the theater, only to lose his championship bout in dramatic fashion at the end of the movie. But Philadelphians persevere through the tough times. They know that, at the start of each game, series, or season, they are cheering for the team that is going to go all the way.

Philadelphia has a long rich history of persistent, persevering, optimism. After they experienced defeat at the Battle of Germantown, and a long harsh winter at Valley Forge, American troops emerged from their experiences stronger, and with more resolve to face their opposition with determination. These attitudes are qualities of every American citizen who has faced recessions, unemployment, and rising gas prices, and has never given up hope for a better future. We know that the challenges we face are momentary setbacks, and that we will learn from our mistakes and prepare for future successes.

This year, as Eagles fans prepare for Super Bowl victory, they draw upon their inherent optimistic spirit. This year it is time for their team to “win one for the Gipper!”

Posted on June 12, 2004 2:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (12)

June 19, 2004

Liberty, Justice, and Responsibility For all!

By Bruce A. Love

The Declaration of Independence asserts that we are endowed by our “Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Throughout American history, these rights have sometimes been at odds with one another, and in many instances, we have had to decide which has precedence over the other. Our individual desires to pursue happiness do not come before the liberties and lives of other Americans. Most of us accept that our right to free speech does not include the right to yell “fire!” in a crowded theater when no fire exists.

For the most part, Americans also accept speed limits on our roadways -- recognizing that to exceed these limits potentially risks the lives and liberties of other Americans pursuing happiness. More recently, we have come to accept the inconvenience of increased airport security as a means of protecting our liberties from those who want to deny us those rights. Still, individual liberties are the hallmark of a free society. When these liberties are threatened in the name of public safety, defenders of liberty are quick to vigorously challenge and debate laws that effectively limit our freedoms. This is because the American legal system is based upon the rulings of previous cases, and current rulings could be used to erode freedoms in future court cases.

As Americans have become more dependent on technology, our liberties and privacy have increasingly become the target of attacks from a variety of sources. We are well aware of the viruses, Trojan horses, worms, and other malware that pervade the Internet and attempt to disrupt business and personal use of computers. These are clearly illegal activities, and should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. But governments and employers, in efforts to enforce existing rules and laws, are also actively pressing the boundaries of privacy that most of us believe are guaranteed to us by the Bill of Rights.
For the record, your computer activities in the workplace are not protected by any Constitutional rights. The computers where you work do not belong to you, nor do the networks over which you must conduct computer-related activities. Some employers use software to monitor the Email, chat, instant messaging, and other computer-related activities of their employees. This means that your employer could be monitoring your solitaire games.

I know that there are very good reasons to monitor the computer activities of some people (just not mine!) There are predators that use the Internet to facilitate the most horrific crimes. I WANT to see these perpetrators brought to justice using any means available! There also are lots of opinions declarations, images, forums, and information on the Internet that I find objectionable. I would not miss these messages a bit if they completely vanished from cyberspace. However, someone with differing standards and opinions may determine that my beliefs are unnecessary, and therefore should be censored from the Internet. These are the issues with which our lawmakers must wrestle. Yes, it is our First Amendment Right that Congress makes no law abridging the freedom of speech, but is it wise to permit the recipes for explosive devices and illegal drugs to be posted on web sites?

In most situations, the failure of personal responsibility has been the impetus for court cases that have resulted in revised definitions for American liberties. These lapses in responsibility by the few have eroded the liberties of the many. Personal responsibility at home, and in the workplace, along with eternal vigilance defending our freedoms, are our best protection we have against losing rights declared “unalienable” 228 years ago!

Posted on June 19, 2004 12:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (11)

September 18, 2004

Cybercrime is phishy business!

by Bruce A. Love

I recently received some great questions from Mrs. Vergona’s business class at Central High School. As a former college professor, it seems fitting that my first Q & A column features a question from a student!

Our student writes, “How can the average computer user protect himself/herself from cybercrime?”

The term cybercrime has different definitions depending upon which qualified expert you ask. In the broadest sense, cybercrime relates to the use of computers and the Internet to conduct any illegal activity. This includes activities such as credit card fraud, unauthorized access of computer systems (hacking), downloading or posting child pornography, software piracy, and cyberstalking, to name just a few.

I mostly associate cybercrime with identity theft. According to information published by the Federal Trade Commission, cybercrime affected nearly 10 million Americans in 2003, costing individuals and businesses approximately $53 billion. There are several things you can do to reduce your risk of attacks against your identity.

1) DO NOT give out passwords, PINs, or any other personal information in response to e-mails you receive. Scam artists, posing as utility companies, banks, or credit card companies, send e-mails attempting to get recipients to give away information thieves can use. Never respond to e-mail requesting confidential information. Use a browser or phone to contact the legitimate company directly.

2) Check your credit report on a regular basis (at least once a year). This will not protect you from identity theft, but it will alert you to purchases made (and payments missed) in your name without your authorization. Credit reports are easily obtained from the big three credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

3) Use a shredder or your fireplace to destroy old documents containing sensitive information. While trash picking or “dumpster diving” does not seem to fit the definition of cybercrimes, it is one way in which thieves steal identities.

4) Protect your social security number with your life. No other number is so closely tied to your identity. It amazes me that some colleges still use Social Security numbers for student IDs. What is wrong with this? When I teach, I have access to names and social security numbers for each of my students. Administrators, and even student interns, often are privy to this same information. When I distribute exam booklets, students provide me with signatures and student IDs to authenticate their Identity. If I sell this information for $10 per name, I can make about $20,000. Get my point? Colleges! Wake up and protect your students, or be prepared to show up in court to defend your negligent practices!

5) Defend your mother's name. Many credit card companies use mother's maiden name as an authenticating password. This information is not too difficult to obtain. Being married to a genealogy enthusiast, I know that some (other) amateur genealogists are so willing to share information on the Internet regarding family trees, that they post details about living relatives. This is a major breech of confidentiality. Advise your offending, though well-intentioned, relative not to post such information on public websites! Also, arrange with your credit card company to use a different password.

6) Use up-to-date antivirus software and spyware blockers.

7) Do not use a public computer (such as libraries and cyber cafes) to transmit sensitive
information.

8) Review your bank statement monthly for suspicious activity.

9) Verify that your boss destroys confidential, information about employees, rather than tossing it in the dumpster.

10) Never send confidential information via unencrypted e-mail – even to trusted recipients.

These Q & A columns will be featured periodically to address questions from area students, residents, and business owners. I look forward to hearing from you!

Posted on September 18, 2004 6:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

October 3, 2004

It’s decision time for the “undecideds”

By Bruce A. Love

With just days to go until the general election, things have really gotten interesting. Living in one of the big three “swing states” has made us very popular with candidates, news media, and pollsters alike. My 11th grade daughter has even been assaulted with political propagandizing from one overzealous high school teacher (whose identity will remain undisclosed as long as Alysia receives appropriate grades). Ironically, I just received my first election-related phone call as I was sitting down to write this column.

I recently discovered that I actually know one of the extremely rare “undecided voters.” I was beginning to think they were just a myth. After all, how could anyone possibly be undecided about two completely different candidates? Part of me suspects that my undecided acquaintance is using her unusual status for some ulterior motive. Maybe she is looking for a career as a “fair and balanced” News Anchor! She has already been showcased on a CNN program trying to understand this quirky, but influential, political minority. After examining what I knew about this woman, however, it made sense that she is undecided.

Statistics show that in recent elections more women vote for Democratic candidates because of the platform’s position on women’s issues. For that reason, “Ms. Undecided” should be leaning left. But she has young children and is concerned about the threat of more acts of terrorism on American soil. A new voting segment of the population, known as “Security Moms,” has emerged that believes Bush attacks terrorism more effectively than would Kerry. But “Ms. Undecided” is also an attorney. Many lawyers see George Bush’s desire to place caps on medical malpractice awards as being anti-lawyer. On the other hand, the Kerry-Edwards lawyer partnership should appeal to this attorney. But Ms. Undecided is a Caucasian, descended from old money, and married into even more money, and we all know that white millionaires (other than those in entertainment) favor Bush. Since the “Christian Right” also leans toward Bush, this churchgoer might be influenced to vote Republican, but since her husband will not go near a church, she may decide to totally separate church and state, and avoid any religious influences on her voting decision in order to maintain harmony at home. I am not sure what her views on gun control are, but I do know that her husband’s first response to news that a possum had broken into his parents’ bathroom earlier this year was to grab his riffle and blow it away. So, I suppose that her decision to allow firearms in the house indicates that she is in favor of Second Amendment rights (in which case, she would lean toward Bush). Yes, I can understand this voter’s indecision!

At the risk of sounding like a politician, I feel the pain that these people must be experiencing. Fortunately, I have a remedy for their pain!

I discovered a very good (seemingly unbiased) website for “undecideds.” It’s also a good website for anyone who just wants to verify that their chosen candidates are indeed the ones that most accurately represent their concerns and philosophical positions. The website asks 20 questions on a variety of issues. Based upon your response, and how strongly you feel about the topic, your answers will be matched against answers and records of the candidates running for President. The results of the quiz are displayed with pictures of the candidates with whom the responses match most closely. About a dozen politicians are displayed in the order in which they rank according to your stated views. If you are truly undecided, you might want to use this tool to help with this important decision.

To take the quiz, and potentially make a decision that will decide the 2004 Presidential election, visit:
www.ontheissues.org/quizeng/XPresMatch2004

Posted on October 3, 2004 12:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

November 6, 2004

Political Intelligence questioned!

By Bruce A. Love

When I was in grad school, a professor explained, “there are three types of liars: liars, damned liars, and statisticians.” It was a variation of a quote often attributed to Mark Twain. The odd thing was, the professor was not teaching a course on ethics, philosophy, or literature; she was teaching a statistics class. I quickly realized that Dr. Szabat was poking a little fun at her profession. One thing I learned in that course was that although numbers never lie, interpretation of the numbers, and the way in which they are collected, can be deceiving. That point was made clear this week as exit polls were erroneously interpreted to suggest that Senator Kerry would become the next President of the United States.

Businesses, politicians, and military strategists all use “intelligence” to help them determine the best course of action to achieve desired outcomes. Military commanders use information collected from a variety of sources to assess emerging situations. This enables them to effectively engage or avoid the enemy while minimizing risk to their own human and material assets. Politicians use telephone surveys, and focus groups to help them understand the concerns of citizens, and to assess the impact of points made during speeches and debates. By studying survey data and analyzing responses of focus groups, politicians can make adjustments to their campaigns and improve their chances for election.

Businesses also use surveys and focus groups. They also use questionnaires, mall-intercept interviews, and numerous other research methods, to understand the wants and needs of potential customers. All of these activities are considered functions of marketing. Marketing research is conducted to maximize profits and minimize the financial risk that would be greater if assumptions were made about markets. Companies do not want to introduce new products unless they are relatively sure they will receive consumer acceptance.

This week, we have heard a lot about the voter exit polls, and how they were flawed or used inappropriately. There is a lot of finger-pointing and accusations regarding who is at fault for the flawed projections that were based upon the exit polls. The major media outlets, which all use the same source for the information, blame the polling companies and bloggers (people who post information and opinions on Internet web logs) for the confusion. The research firms that conducted the exit polls claim that some members of the mainstream media jumped on early reports when they were specifically warned against drawing conclusions from such data. They have also suggested that some political operatives posing as pollsters leaked the early data to bloggers who were used as conduits for political purposes.

Having watched some of the blogs on Election Day, I can honestly say that there were some very interesting exit polls being posted. This turned into an ecstatic party atmosphere on liberal blog sites, and as word propagated to conservative sites, it triggered panic and depression. It was truly remarkable to witness the hysteria that results from not understanding the nature and limitations of polling and statistics. Given the rocky ride on the stock market that day, I suspect traders were listening to bloggers reacting to exit polls.

There are several other plausible explanations for the flawed exit polls. Some have suggested that the morning sampling of voters resulted in a disproportionate number of polled women – a group that presumably leaned toward Democratic candidates. My theory is that a statistically significant number of conservatives (Republicans) prefer to keep their opinions private and are therefore not represented accurately in surveys and polls.

The desire to satisfy the insatiable appetite of Americans for fast and accurate information has driven pollsters and news services to reach beyond the limits of statistical modeling in extremely close elections. With such a tight elections, it is understandable that pollsters were not 100% correct. To get a more accurate picture would require a much bigger sample of voters. In the end, when the votes were counted, that is exactly what we got. The only numbers that mattered were not statistics, but the voice of individual voters.

Posted on November 6, 2004 2:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

February 12, 2005

The impact of Flight 93 is felt in various ways

By Bruce A. Love

The events of September 11, 2001 changed many lives in many ways. For surviving family members of that tragedy, it meant that loved ones would never return home. For many Americans, the realization that our nation's defenses are not impenetrable suddenly became frighteningly clear. For the quiet town of Shanksville, the crash of Flight 93 meant that the town would be thrust into the national spotlight, and its future would be forever changed by the heroic actions of the forty passengers and crew onboard the airliner. For unscrupulous opportunists, Flight 93 represents a potential for financial gain.

Shortly after the tragedies of 9/11, I was shocked to see a privately owned Flight 93 touring van parked outside of a local marketplace. I am always amazed, and usually impressed, with the ingenuity and entrepreneurial initiative of American business owners, but this was a perfectly crass example of how low some people will stoop to make a buck. However, in the aftermath of the crash of Flight 93, it has become obvious that many careers and businesses have been, or will be, launched by the events of 9/11.

In an outpouring of sympathy, love, respect and gratitude, families, friends and strangers visited the crash site in the days, weeks, and months following the tragedy. They left pictures, cards, stuffed animals and other expressions of their feelings, which quickly accumulated in an informal heartfelt tribute to the special people who perished onboard Flight 93. Some visitors recognized the need to do something more and found ways to raise funds to assist surviving family members. Others in government decided a National Park was in order, and established a "Design Competition" to determine the ultimate formal expression of gratitude from the citizens of the United States.

I felt compelled to submit a design, which I developed over several months and which reflected personal feelings inspired by those onboard Flight 93. My design did not look like the Great Wall of China, an oversized keyboard, or a pillbox propped up on a sloping hillside. Given all of the inspirational designs submitted, I do not fully understand the concepts chosen for future consideration, but each of us was moved in unique ways by the events of that day. Those who participated in the design process, and those who view these designs, have an opportunity to further explore and share personal feelings about that day. If you have a chance, visit Somerset and view the more than 1,000 designs submitted. If you are unable to visit the display before it is removed at the end of the month, view these ideas online at: www.flight93memorialproject.org.

From the beginning, I felt uncomfortable with the terms, "contest" and "competition." These terms are usually reserved for sporting events and games of chance, and did not seem appropriate for describing the formal process of selecting a permanent design for the memorial expression. The contest-like atmosphere was further promoted with the announcement that five $25,000 monetary awards would be given to each of the finalists whose designs were selected for consideration.

I would like to believe that each "competitor," including myself, was motivated by the honor of participating in the process, but wonder whether the cash awards may have helped inspire some of us. I believe, in retrospect, that the $25,000 honorarium was an unnecessary complication in the process -- thinking instead that the privilege of participating in this worthy cause is its own reward. The monetary aspect caused me to think of those who use the tragedy of others for their own personal gain, such as those that sell Flight 93 shuttle tours, high-rise parachutes, and Anthrax survival kits.

There are many positive outcomes and stories that have emerged since the tragedy of September 11, 2001. Locally, Somerset County stands to gain economically as tourism receives a boost. But before these things take place, visit the future site of the new National Park, and experience the informal memorial and surroundings before they are changed forever by whatever design is ultimately selected to express our Nation's gratitude. It is an emotionally moving and thought provoking experience.

Posted on February 12, 2005 4:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

June 18, 2005

Dads must meet the tough challenges of manhood

By Bruce A. Love

According to a quote attributed to Ernest Hemingway, a man must do four things to “be a man.” Hemingway probably announced his criteria after accomplishing these tasks himself. Regrettably, I do not yet qualify for manhood under the rigorous standards established by this renowned American author. However, I still have time, and so do you!

With Father’s Day just one day away, I am happy to report that many of us “dads” are able to cross one item off the list. Hemingway’s first criterion is “father a son.” I believe being a father of either gender is a noteworthy achievement, and qualifies any dad as “a man.” Fathering a child, and being a father, are not the same thing. The former is easy if biological systems function. The later is probably the most difficult task on the face of the earth. So, let’s up the ante on old Hemingway, and change his first condition to “being a father.” Whether you are a biological father actively raising your child, a foster parent, an adoptive parent, or just very involved in shaping the minds and character of our young people, I believe you meet our new stringent criterion for “being a man.”

Hemingway’s second requirement for being a man is “plant a tree.” I crossed this one off my list ages ago. Once again, Hemingway seemed to be thinking about short-term accomplishments as opposed to long-term responsibilities. I think that a tree should have to survive ten or more years, and start serving some useful purpose, such as provide appreciable shade or bear fruit. Here’s an idea: if you plant the tree with your son, you will accomplish three things. You will satisfy the manhood tree-planting requirement for you and your son, and you will build on our “being a father” criterion by sharing valuable life skills with your child. I believe the term “plant a tree” also can be a metaphor for starting something that will grow to help others in some way. If you start a club, association, or business, or you teach a class or coach a team, I think you can cross “plant a tree” off your list, as long as your efforts bear fruit of some kind.

Hemingway’s third requirement for being a man is, “write a novel.” This is one goal I have yet to accomplish in the literal sense. But I think this criterion has another interpretation. When you think bout it, living a life is like writing a novel. Each day we live is another page in the novel. Every good novel has interesting characters, settings, and plot. If we live our lives just right, we have a great read. All that’s left to do is put it down on paper for future generations, and we have ourselves a novel. Hemingway never said anything about getting published professionally. This is a break for modern day amateur writers. Using a personal computer and a word processor, we can easily “publish” our own “novel.” If you publish your memoirs to a web site, the entire world can read the novel of your life! What are you waiting for?

Hemingway’s final condition for being a man is, “fight a bull.” Ok, this one I have not done, and I am running out of time to do this. If anyone has a gentle bull that will go a few rounds with me, I’d be interested in hearing from you. I even looked online for virtual bullfighting, but came up empty. However, if we think outside the box on this one, I believe we can find our own “bull” to fight. The bull represents a powerful force that can easily destroy us. We really don’t have to fight the bull; it is something we choose to do to feel the exhilaration that comes with the act of putting everything on the line for the chance to accomplish some great goal. Your goal can be working toward a degree or diploma, accepting a difficult assignment in service of our country, beating an addiction, or accepting some other monumental challenge.

My dad and mom raised two sons and a daughter. Dad planted many trees. In addition to maples, fruit trees and pine trees, Dad coached little league, taught Sunday School, and was well-liked and respected. Dad never did any bullfighting, but he served in the U.S. Army in WWII, and saw action in the South Pacific. While my dad never wrote a novel, he told us many stories and gave us enough material to shape our lives, and record his words on paper for a great read. He was a real man!

As we celebrate Father’s Day tomorrow, let’s honor the men who have shown us what being a “real man” is all about, and challenge ourselves to be all we can be. Happy Father’s Day!

Posted on June 18, 2005 6:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)

July 2, 2005

Active civic involvement is essential for a successful democracy

By Bruce A. Love

In 1831, Alexis de Tocqueville traveled to the United States to study our young democracy. The young Frenchman met with a diverse sampling of American citizens including bankers, merchants, farmers, politicians, and others. He even met with President Andrew Jackson, and Charles Carroll of Carrollton -- the last surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence. What de Tocqueville discovered about our successful democracy is published in his book, “Democracy in America.”

One finding that impressed the Frenchman was Americans' penchant for civic associations. He felt that this civic involvement was key to our success. If you have ever witnessed any of our fine civic organizations in action, you would have to agree that these clubs are a special source of strength for this nation! The men and women who join them are the modern-day equivalents of minutemen. They are always ready when disaster strikes, or when needs arise in the community.

Two years ago, we had a desperate need for a hospital bed. As is often the case, when tragedy strikes, caring neighbors respond. One friend told me that a local branch of the Lions Club had a small inventory of wheel chairs, walkers, crutches, and hospital beds. I told her that I didn’t belong to the club, so I probably couldn’t qualify for any of these benefits. She assured me that membership was not a requirement. I am very grateful to the Lions club for assisting us in our time of need!

Some American civic organizations have been providing assistance to our communities, locally and globally, for many years. The Lions (est. 1917) has nearly 1.4 million members in 193 countries. According to their website, the Lions “tackle tough problems like blindness, drug abuse prevention and diabetes awareness.” One of their most effective programs has been the collection and recycling of eyeglasses for distribution in developing countries. They also are involved in building parks, supporting hospitals, and many other worthwhile activities. To find a Lions chapter near you, visit www.lionsclubs.org/EN/index.shtml and click on “Club Locator.”

The Rotary Club (est. 1905) is another great civic association. In a recent conversation with my Rotarian friend, Mike Galbraith, I discovered a lot about that organization. For some reason, I had a persistent notion that Rotary was some sort of automobile club. Maybe their gear-like logo prompted that misconception. As a past President of the Roaring Spring Rotary club, Mike was able to quickly dispel my misinformed ideas. Rotarians have no secret handshakes or unusual hats (not that there is anything wrong with those practices if your group adheres to those traditions).

Mike also told me about the mission of Rotary. As stated on their website www.rotary.org “Rotary is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders that provides humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations, and helps build goodwill and peace in the world. Approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 31,000 Rotary clubs located in 167 countries.” Mike told me Rotary likes diversity in their clubs. References to specific religious beliefs and politics are avoided in this group, though many Rotarians are (not surprisingly) also active members in their places of worship.

As a Blair County resident, I would be remiss not to mention the wonderful work done by the Shriners – a special branch of the ancient association known as the Freemasons. Shriners are recognizable by their colorful Fez’s. We see them in parades, and hosting circuses. Our landmark Jaffa Mosque was built by the Shriners. Shriners have also built many hospitals that provide free specialized medical care to children. There is some mystique surrounding this group, which has roots in medieval Europe, and boasts of past members that have included Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, and many other U.S. Presidents.

There are many other highly respected civic organizations locally. No doubt I will get calls and emails from members of these clubs expressing disappointment that I did not mention their particular group. I hope I do! Let’s hear from the Elks, the Moose, the Jaycees, the Kiwanis and all the others. I want to learn more about these clubs. I am ready to do my patriotic duty and join the American tradition of civic association membership, and do my part in strengthening our precious democracy!

Posted on July 2, 2005 4:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

November 16, 2007

It’s not all about the turkey

By Bruce and Kären Love

Thursday is Thanksgiving Day, and I thought this would be the perfect time to share some information that may help readers celebrate the holiday. Unfortunately, my culinary skills are very limited, and it’s highly unlikely that any reader would be giving thanks for any turkey tips that I might be able to offer. Fortunately, my wife has extraordinary abilities in the kitchen (as well as on the Internet) and she has agreed to help me out with this week’s column. As she is quick to point out, she has been bringing out the best in turkeys for nearly 25 years. Coincidently (I think) this is the same amount of time she has known me! So, here’s Kären (pronounced “car in”) to share some tips that could make your Thanksgiving Day a success!

*****
As a preschool teacher, I spend a good bit of time researching online for new crafts that will catch the interest of my four- and five-year-old students. This month we have been discussing with the children what Thanksgiving is all about. When the question was posed, “Who can tell me about Thanksgiving?,” the majority of the class responded with “It’s the Turkey Day!” One boy explained that it was a day for a lot of television at home. Another child said that they were going to go eat at Nana’s and Pap’s.

None of the children said anything about pilgrims or Native Americans, or about giving thanks to God for all that we have in our lives. I was surprised and a bit disappointed, so I decided to go on a hunt for projects that would help teach the true essence of Thanksgiving. Inevitably, my search turned up a lot of turkeys along the way, but I finally found a Web site that offered many terrific tidbits of trivia. The site is feast for history buffs and featured many food facts and other fun projects - free for the taking. The information was well organized and many of the links were well worth the additional time to visit (see http://www.theholidayspot.com/thanksgiving).

After visiting “TheHolidaySpot" I decided to run a search on Plymouth Rock and made a pilgrimage to http://pilgrims.net/plymouth where I, as a history and genealogy maven, found myself wanting to linger a while and check out many of the links to see if I could find a few of my ancestors who have been on this great continent for centuries. I will make a return visit very soon.

Alright, I confess that Thanksgiving is a feasting celebration, so food is important. I do not enjoy eating dry turkey and I have a fear of food poisoning so I recommend making a stop at www.Perdue.com. This site is easy to navigate and is full of helpful information on preparation, scheduling, recipes for the feast and the leftovers, and safe food handling tips. I also recommend:
www.rd.com/content/openContent.do?contentId=13894.

Many people refer to Thanksgiving as Turkey Day. Certainly, the feast is a part of it, but Thanksgiving is not all about the turkey. It’s about family, about heritage, and about giving thanks to our Creator for everything that we have.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted on November 16, 2007 11:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 18, 2008

Find Voting Answers Online

By Bruce A. Love

A woman, a Mormon, an African American and a veteran of the Vietnam War were all running for president. Thirty years ago, such a statement could only have been the opening line of some offensive joke. But in 2008, this diverse lineup of candidates – each of whom stand a good chance of becoming the next president of the United States - says a lot for just how far America has come. To use a motto from a bygone era, “you’ve come a long way baby.”

It is not always easy to choose which political candidate to support for president. This is especially true when we have a total of 13 candidates from the 2 major parties (as is currently the case). This week I’ve decided to share a resource that may help you discover which candidate would best represent your views.

The way things are going this election season, the Pennsylvania primary may actually make a difference in 2008! Our primary isn’t until April 22, but it is never too early to start examining the candidates to find out which ones most closely match our criteria for the ideal Commander-in-Chief. In 2004, I discovered a website that helped me decide on a candidate. This year, I returned to that website to take the Vote Match Quiz (www.speakout.com/VoteMatch) with the expectation that it would reaffirm my choice for president, and educate me about the issues and views of the other candidates. I was pleased to learn that the candidate I was leaning toward was the one that Vote Match picked for me based on my 20 responses.

The test evaluates responses using a 5-point Likert scale (answers range from “strongly support” to “strongly oppose”). I advise clicking on the links connected to each question to see detailed explanations about what each answer really means. Not every answer indicates how strongly we feel about a particular issue. Even if you read explanations of every question, the whole quiz can be completed in 10-15 minutes. When you are done, simple hit the “Score the Quiz” button to see which candidates are most closely aligned with your views.

The quiz results display pictures of the best to worst candidates (based on your answers) and a numerical score that shows just how well you match up on social and economic issues. The results also include links to each candidate’s answers (demonstrated by word and deed), their biographical sketches, and the candidate’s stances on a variety of related issues. Finally, the quiz determines your overall political philosophy, and plots your views on a 2-axis graph. Your philosophy may be regarded as conservative, liberal, populist, or libertarian (or some combination of these terms).

I’ve encouraged a wide array of friends and colleagues representing the entire political spectrum to take the test. Based on their results and comments, I’ve concluded that the test is completely unbiased and very precise. I know you will find it useful too.

If you use the vote match quiz, please share your experiences and outcomes (anonymously) on my blog at blog.loveconsulting.com. Just click the “comments” link at the end of the posted column. May the best candidate win!

Posted on January 18, 2008 11:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

July 25, 2008

Economical Recreational Vacations

By Bruce A. Love

With limited budgets and soaring fuel prices, vacation plans for many people have had to be scaled back considerably this summer. That’s OK, because central Pennsylvania has lots of fun and interesting things nearby to see and do. If it’s been a while since you visited our local treasures, this may be a great opportunity for you to treat yourself to a “staycation.”

Staycations are vacations spent close to home. In the past, you or your kids may have been pitied or put down for not taking a “real vacation,” but with limited disposable incomes and outrageous fuel prices, you will probably notice more of your neighbors opting to take similar vacations this year. Staycations are economical, and will probably become a fashionable environmental statement as “global warming” advocates jet all over the world condemning others for consuming large quantities of fossil fuels,

We’re fortunate to live in a region that has so much to offer. Pennsylvania is the fifth most visited state in the United States. It’s easy to understand why. The Commonwealth is rich in history, and has more than 54,000 miles of rivers and streams, nearly 120 state parks, and 20 state forests. I have always enjoyed hiking, fishing, and camping. Most people in this region already have favorite spots to visit for outdoor recreation, but if you are looking for some new ideas, visit www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks, and checkout all the uniquely beautiful and fun state parks in Pennsylvania.

I have had the pleasure of living in Blair County for more than 7 years now, and have visited some of this region’s treasures. I’ve enjoyed visits to Horseshoe Curve, Lake Gallitzin, Raystown Lake, and the sites in my new home town of Roaring Spring. Canoe Creek State Park is another local get-away with a wide range of activities that include boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, a wonderful nature center, and limekiln ruins. Shaver's Creek Environmental Center (a Penn State affiliated center in Petersburg, PA) sits on 7,000 acres and provides a mix of educational and recreational opportunities including classes, bird and animal shows, and tebambuilding programs. If caving is your thing, or you are looking for creative ways to avoid hot summer days, tour some of the local caves for a refreshing afternoon. Visit www.goodearthgraphics.com/showcave/pa.html for descriptions, costs, and directions.

I have heard that the tours at the Hershey Chocolate factory in central PA are nothing like they were when I was a kid, but don’t worry: Gardner’s Candy factory offers delicious tours locally in Tyron. I am putting that on my must-do list, along with trips to Old Bedford Village, Falling Water, and the Railroaders Memorial Museum in Altoona. If you have other staycation suggestions share them with us at blog.loveconsulting.com.

Visit the “Visit PA” Web site for more ideas for local places of interest. This Web site is huge and is organized in categories such as Heritage and History, Arts and Entertainment; Nature and Outdoors; Regional Roadtrips; and other useful topics..

Staycations enable you to enjoy and support our local treasures, create a much smaller carbon footprint, and save money in the process!

Posted on July 25, 2008 3:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (81)

August 22, 2008

Back to School Savings

By Bruce A. Love

If you or a child are about to start a semester of college, you know all about sticker price anxiety. Tuition is one thing, but books can also be a significant expense. This semester, my daughter estimated that her books would cost about $800 at the school bookstore. Ouch! After paying for tuition, room and board, and school activity fees, families are finding that it can be tough to scrape together enough to purchase books. Fortunately, campus bookstores are not the only place to buy books. Cost-conscious students quickly discover online sources for their scholarly needs.

My sister-in-law, Sue, has been buying textbooks online for several years. She finds that AbeBooks.com is a cheap and reliable place to buy school texts online. Of course, Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble are reliable booksellers too, but you may find that you can do better with some of the sites that specialize in school books.

My daughter is a Junior in college and is also familiar with buying books online. Alysia’s preferred Web site for buying textbooks is CheapBooks.com. This site actually searches quite a few online stores to find the best book deals for students. Just enter the textbook’s title, author, or ISBN number, and CheapBooks will return all the best deals from Amazon, Borders, eBay, Half.com and others. Chances are you can find all the required books for less than half the price your school’s bookstore charges. CheapBooks also gives you links to stores, such as Chegg and BookRenter.com, that “rent” books to students by the semester. This drops the price of using the book even more, and is a great option for those “must take” subjects that students have no interest in after they get their grades!

When buying or renting textbooks online, there are several caveats. First, be aware that it takes longer to get your books when buying online than it does if you buy them from the school’s bookstore. Plan ahead or be prepared to be without a book for a week to 10 days unless you expedite the order. Also, visit the school bookstore and copy the all the particulars (including the price), and use that information for making decisions about online purchases. Next, make sure that the book is written in English, and that the title, author(s), edition, and ISBN numbers are identical to what is required for the course. If you end up buying the right book but wrong edition, you will probably find that you are answering all the wrong homework problems. Also make sure that if the book is supposed to come with any software, or is packaged by the school’s bookstore with other books or materials, that the seller (or reseller, if it is a used book) provides everything.

If you choose to buy textbooks from an online auction, be aware that auctions can be a lengthy process and there is no guaranty that you will have the winning bid when it’s all over. Regardless of what online bookstore you buy from, check the shipping costs. My daughter found one book very reasonably priced on eBay, but the seller in Singapore wanted to add $30 for shipping! As with any online auction, I always recommend that buyers check the rating of the seller and avoid overseas purchases.

Good luck with classes this year. Have fun shopping online and avoid the long lines and overpriced books in the school store!

Posted on August 22, 2008 11:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (35)

October 24, 2008

Blogging new horizons

By Bruce A. Love

Over the past 5 years I have enjoyed writing about business and technology issues and sharing information with the readers of the Altoona Mirror. I have appreciated the questions, comments, and kind words expressed by many readers, and I’ve especially enjoyed hearing from those who were able to make good use of information presented in my columns. And so, it is with mixed feelings that I bring this column to a close.

Throughout my career, I have changed directions many times – sometimes intentionally, sometimes unintentionally. The truth is, I enjoy changing gears and trying new things and going in completely different directions from time to time. I want to experience it all and staying in one place too long takes time away from trying something new. After five years and approximately 200 columns, it’s time for me to leave newsprint and seriously explore the blogosphere!

Blogs are the heart and soul of what many call the “new media.” Some blogs are merely personal spaces on the Web where individuals express opinions or exchange information about a favorite hobby; others are tools that technologists use to help each other understand and develop solutions to complex problems. Still other blogs are forums for expressing views about the economy, the environment, or other important and controversial topics.

Political changes are on the horizon and there is so much to write about. Unfortunately, a lot of what I want to say would not be appropriate for this column on business and technology. I want to write about politicians calling their constituents “rednecks” and “racists.” I want to write about Hollywood and media elitists who attack the average “Joe” for expressing his opinions. I want to dig for the truth in news stories and help to expose the lies and deceptions we often hear about from “trusted” news sources. With my own blog, I alone am responsible for the content and tone, and I won’t have to worry about putting anyone else in the awkward position of defending my views. Bring it on!

My blog is called “Love Lines,” and is located at blog.loveconsulting.com. Currently, it only displays columns that have appeared in the newspaper (plus one that didn’t). Collectively, these columns serve as a nice resource for anyone wanting to start a business, those already in businesses, and anyone who wants to know more about personal computers and online resources. The columns are searchable by subject or by date. I will continue to post similar columns online, but my primary focus will be to voice opinions about edgier topics, like politics. I welcome any Altoona Mirror reader to visit me on Love Lines and express their views on any posted topic, including this column!

I am grateful to have had the opportunity to write for the Altoona Mirror. The experience has allowed me to sharpen my writing skills and meet some really interesting people. I particularly want to thank Ray Eckenrode, Executive Editor for the Altoona Mirror, who gave me my start at the Mirror, and the editors who helped me adapt to the AP style of writing. Most of all, I thank you, the readers! I look forward to continuing our exchange of ideas in the blogosphere.

Posted on October 24, 2008 10:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (70)

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