Hi Everyone!
Mari O'Connor here - and I created this blog for the PAHS Class of '73 - I am inviting any alumni to join in - the more the merrier (or as I say, the Mari-er) This is the beginning of an overdue summary of the class reunion we organized in Phoenixville in September 2008.
This might be the first attempt at blogging for many of you - so those of you who are familiar, have patience and don't be offended by the following:
A WORD ABOUT PROTOCOL & THE DEFINITION OF A BLOG -A BLOG (contraction for WEB LOG) is by definition an ongoing web-based conversation that is open to a group of people that are interested in participating - it is much like a website, but everyone can add to it (you don't need permission), you can ask and answer questions and download photos and information about what is going on in your lives. You can log on at any time and it will still be here - it does not have a lifespan. You may be logged on at the same time another person is logged on - it doesn't affect your participation.
A blog is displayed in reverse chronological order - meaning that I sent this out to some 90 people, they may log on and compose their message and each transmission will be posted in the order it was received - you can scroll down to see the genesis of the conversation. Permission has been arranged for the blog to be viewed by anyone who wants to go into the URL - it is not a restricted blog. Most important is that you can send it to anyone we don't have in our database so that we can capture more information to find our classmates.
This blog is made for our classmates to keep in touch and to help us make arrangements for the next time we want to organize an event or just to keep in touch. It's lots of laughs, and at times it can provide a place for us to go for serious support from our friends in times of need. As we all get on in years we can keep track of how everyone is doing. Please be respectful and keep it clean. That is, do not refrain from discussing issues like politics and religion, or "sex and drugs and rock n roll" - but be respectful.
WHY NOT JUST E-MAIL EVERYONE - WHY BLOG?
Don't blog AND send corresponding e-mails to everyone - E-mails with attachments can not only slow down the recipients computer, but the multiple replies can really be distracting if you use your e-mail address for business. The whole purpose of this blog is to reserve the e-mail option for individual correspondence. Internet courtesy is imperative and everyone will appreciate the efforts to stifle yourself.
GETTING STARTED:
Don't be shy - you pretty much can't screw up with this concept and it will not cause your computer to crash or attract unwanted spam & junk mail. It is not unlike composing an e-mail in that the icons in the toolbar look and work the same way. The advantage to blogging is that the url (link) that I sent you is the same all of the time - and everyone can drift in and out of the conversation as they find time and are compelled to participate. So save that url somewhere on your desktop or write it down on a post-it and immediately loose it on your actual desk top. (HA) You can access this url from any computer, any e-mail address - SO feel free to let us know when you are stuck at some boring convention in Osh Kosh, Wisconsin - or send us photos of you in front of the World's Largest Ball of String.
HOW TO:
Click on the COMMENTS at the bottom of this blog page - to the right a box will pop up so that you can type in your info. The first time you go to post the blog you have to create an identity and password - THIS IS TO PROTECT YOU so that nobody can post a comment using your name. The secret code will show up differently each time to allow you to post your entry after you put in your identity & password. Simple...
SOME HINTS:
I have found that sometimes I like to switch to a new font or change the color of the font if I am changing the subject from someone elses last entry - that way it is less confusing...but not necessary.
Do us all a favor - Use the spell check (on the toolbar) if you can find the time before you hit the orange PUBLISH icon (below to the left) unless you purposely like to sound like Bawbwa Watas.
Next to SPELL CHECK on the toolbar is an icon that looks like a PHOTO - use this to attach an image - if you double click on that icon it will lead you to a step by step explanation - you can go to your desktop of your computer and download images - or you can download an image from the web and add it to your blog - I attached the photo above (of the Colonial Theater) from my desk top - it was sent to me by Doug Bartlett.
Now Doug can just post his photos on to this blog (HINT HINT) - he doesn't have to send individual e-mails with attachments. Often the attached files are too large for e-mail and can have complicated ramifications. And it's a whole lot less work finding all of the right e-mail addresses and dealing with those that bounce back etc etc.
SHARE
Please Please Please send this url to anyone you want to - we love participation. The next post will be a summary of the reunion from my perspective - but I was super busy - so I am looking forward to hearing from all of you - dish, baby, dish, I want to hear all of the juicy news!
In closing, I just want to share this: I am the world's least techno savvy - so I love these types of detailed explanations - I was sent a similar directive when I replied to my first blog, I hope you understand I just want to share the experience, I am not talking down.
We had such a blast at the reunion - I really hope to hear from many of you!
Have fun and keep in touch - XOXOXOX - M
