This bulletin board gave complete and easily understandable instructions on how to locate and access something called the Internet, or the Information Super Highway. I had never heard of the Internet but I had heard a brief blurb on television about the Information Super Highway. During my lunch hour I followed the instructions. All of a sudden I was somewhere else, but I didn't know where my computer had taken me. Someone else was typing on my computer, and it wasn't me. I was mortified! What had I done?

 A gentleman on the other end typed answers to all my questions. I asked him, "Can I get in trouble for being here?" He said, "No, not from our end." What about from my end? He told me he didn't know. I was not to happy to hear that answer. He went on to explain the Internet, suggested reading materials to learn more, and offered an open invitation to join his system again. I felt a lot better, and was even more curious. This was the first time I had heard of news groups, telnet, ftp, gopher, archie, veronica and some things that I have forgotten. I continued to explore this new location on my computer. I was in an area called FedWorld.gov and had been conversing with the sysop, or system operator.

 I was amazed. The information age was here for me, and I almost passed it up because of my fear of computers. I'm glad my curiosity was greater than my fear. I thought about the possibilities for my children. This would be a great opportunity for them to learn about computers, the Internet, research, other cultures and things happening all over the world. It could complement their education, and heaven knows what else. I realized I had to buy myself a computer. It's no longer a luxury, it's a necessity. I also felt an urgency to find out more about Internet. So I continued to explore the Internet, FedWorld.gov and any other place that was accessible by FedWorld. There were still many things I did not understand.

I had been exploring Internet for about a year. It was no secret. I asked co-workers if they knew anything about Internet. They all said no and, most looked at me as if I had lost all my marbles. Finally, I showed three people what could be done. I think they thought I had broken into another computer illegally. I had not been using my computer illegally, I was on the Information Super Highway. The following day, one of my supervisors came to tell me my computer was being monitored and I was to stop doing what I was doing. I said, "Yes sir."

 About this time I had been communicating with Andy Campbell and Captain Dennis Egan, with the National Performance Review. The National Performance Review, headed by Vice President Al Gore, is an initiative to improve the way our government does business. They want everyone -- the general public, contractors and federal employees -- to communicate with them and tell them what works or doesn't work in their personal experiences with different government agencies. So I did.

 When I was told to stop using the internet at work, I telephoned Mr. Campbell's office to let them know I could not send them some information they had requested by computer, but that I would be happy to mail it to them using the Postal Service. They said they were conducting a test, would prefer to have the story sent via e-mail, and not to worry about anything. They would take care of all the details. I'm not exactly sure what happened, but two days later my supervisor's boss came to me and told me that I had official permission to explore the Internet during lunch and before and after work as long as my work was complete. I attribute my continuing exploration of the Internet to Mr. Campbell's articulate explanation and to understanding, progressive and decisive supervisors.

 Since then I have purchased a home computer, obtained a personal Internet account through a freenet in Canada, learned about a great organization called Alamo PC, purchased many books on the Internet, and have even written to people from Los Angeles, Switzerland and Canada. I still consider myself a novice, but I know where to look for help. I have found many ways to use the Internet at work. For example, when I was appointed as leader for a Total Quality Management team, I found a TQM consultant on the Internet. He spent a long time answering all of my questions. I realized that he was a professional and usually charged for his advice, so I asked him how much his fee would have been if I had been a paying client. He admitted that he had just given me about $1,200 of free consulting services! People at work are beginning to see the value of the Internet and are even sending people to me for training. And to think that only a few years ago I was afraid of computers!

 I am still learning. I see a future where I will be volunteering or working with children, schools and people like me, who did not recognize the impact a computer could have in their work, education, hobbies, or just keeping in touch with the world. Who knows: I could even achieve a lifelong dream of owning and operating my own business!

 I've found an oyster with two pearls: the Internet and Alamo PC. Learning about the Internet on your own can be lots of fun, but very slow. I feel as if I've been on a slow access road but with Alamo PC's help I can finally get on the highway.