He's the pillar of Chebucto's Userhelp mailing list, a fountain of knowledge on almost any computer related subject, Chebucto's spam fighter extraordinaire, a dedicated beta-tester of new programs and/or configurations, and a columnist with this very newsletter. Norman De Forest wears many hats here at CCN and it is worth joining the help-answers mailing list just to see his incredibly detailed and well researched answers to user questions. His information-packed website reflects his many interests and his devotion to the cause of internet access to all.

          In the developing world of the internet many different battles are being fought, invisible to most people. The relentless tide of spam - unsolicited electronic advertising - is one that almost everyone with an email account or access to newsgroups is familiar with. There are also attacks of viruses - destructive programs - and even more low-key but all the more ominous for it, battles for accessibility on the net. Many sites and programs do not take into account users with text-based internet programs including users of text-to-speech readers and there has been a disturbing trend of late for sites to shut these people out. Norman De Forest has been a tireless crusader against these foes, a knight on horseback battling these electronic dragons and claiming his share of victories, shutting down a spammer here and making a site accessible there. He has posted more than a thousand messages to some of the forums where these battles are carried out and has filled libraries of floppy disks with his archived email correspondence, helping to make the internet a better place for us all.

          The Chebucto Community Net Volunteer of the Month page is accepting nominees. Do you know of someone who has gone the extra mile on behalf of CCN? Is there someone on your committee who keeps giving their all without any notice or fanfare? Show them their efforts are appreciated: send an email telling us what it is they have done or are doing.

You may send your nominations or suggestions about this page to:

Andrew D. Wright,  au141@chebucto.ns.ca

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