Computers & Fun #7 7/5 Wednesday Afternoon - Computer Lab

[cheerfulgoth.livejournal.com]

The lab coats were not hanging by the door of the lab. They were folded in front of Abby at the front desk and she sat quietly as everyone came in and took their seats.

"Today is our last day of class, although feel free to sign up for my class next term. We'll be covering different territory." Abby clicked a button on her own laptop and the projection screen behind her lit up with a flash. "Today we're going to talk about the human side of internet safety. We've already gotten our computers safe from viruses, trojans and other baddies with our firewalls, but now we need to work on something harder. Putting a firewall up against people."

Abby walked around and sat on the edge of the desk, her hands moving quickly as she spoke. "I'm not trying to scare you or anything, but I totally am going to. There are very scary people out there and they will try and trick you to letting them find out everything they can about your personal life. Sometimes they want the information to wheedle you out of money or property, other times they want the info because they want to get close to you. Really, really gross kind of close. The kind of close where you share bodily fluids." There was a quick shudder and then Abby was back on task. "Stalkers are bad. The only way to learn how to combat them is by CONSTANT VIGILANCE learning what they're like and what tricks they use. That's why this afternoon we're going to stalk each other."

"Everyone sign onto a chatroom and start talking each other up, getting to know each other. Half of you will be creepy stalkers and the other half will be victims. Try not to let any personal information slip out!" Abby grinned. "And when you're finished, I've got a present for you."

Comments

At the end of class

[cheerfulgoth.livejournal.com]

"Before you leave.." Abby gathered the labcoats and waited for the class to line up in front of her. "You guys were a great class and I wanted to thank you for being the first students I ever had. So I'm officially knighting you. Or geeking you. as the case may be." She handed them each a labcoat with the title geek stitched over the pocket. "Go forth and spread the geek love!"

Re: At the end of class

[apocalypsesoon.livejournal.com]

John puts his on. THis? Is badass.

Re: At the end of class

[connernotconnor.livejournal.com]

Conner actually put his labcoat on with a big grin. All he needed was smart glasses and he could be just like his mentor Dr. Oliver!

"Hey, um, Professor Sciuto?"

Re: At the end of class

[cheerfulgoth.livejournal.com]

"Call me Abby, Conner." Abby smiled. "What's up?"

Re: At the end of class

[connernotconnor.livejournal.com]

"Sorry, Abby," he apologized, putting his laptop on the table and looking rather wistful. He might even have been petting it. "I just wanted to turn this back in and get totally handwaved if necessary your suggestions on what kind of laptop to get for myself. I have one back home, but it's a 2004 model."

Re: At the end of class

[cheerfulgoth.livejournal.com]

"I can give you specs for what sort of laptop I have, but you've done well enough in this class to know what you're looking for. What features do you want your laptop to have? What do you plan to do with it?"

Re: At the end of class

[connernotconnor.livejournal.com]

"Movies and music, mostly," he said, trying hard not to sound like a guy who'd just had a bit too much fun as "BigRedTStaff." "And email and web browsing, of course. So I guess I'd need a good video card and lots of memory, right?"

Wow. He might actually be earning that "geek" stitched on the labcoat.

Re: At the end of class

[cheerfulgoth.livejournal.com]

"It doesn't sound like you need my advice at all. You seem to know exactly what you need." Abby grabbed a piece of paper and jotted down a couple of websites. "You can either shop at these or try the store in town. I don't know how well the shop owner knows computers, but he does seem to have pretty much everything stocked. He may even be able to give you a student discount or something."

Abby apparently hasn't spent nearly enough time down at All and Sundries.

Re: At the end of class

[connernotconnor.livejournal.com]

Conner hasn't spent enough time at All and Sundries either.

"Thanks, Abby!" he said, taking the piece of paper. "I'll try there first. You've been a great teacher. Really, really awesome. I mean it."

Re: At the end of class

[willbedone.livejournal.com]

"Thanks, Abby," Willow said as she took her coat.

Re: At the end of class

[cheerfulgoth.livejournal.com]

"You're welcome, Willow." Abby smiled. "It's been great to have you in my workshop. You've got real talent."

Re: At the end of class

[willbedone.livejournal.com]

"Thanks," Willow said, holding her jacket to her chest. "I signed up for your next workshop too. Hopefully I'll get in."

Re: At the end of class

[cheerfulgoth.livejournal.com]

"You did? Yay!" Abby pumped her fist in the air. "I was afraid I'd have to start all over with new students and then I'd always be comparing them to my first students and I know you're not supposed to have favorites but I like you guys and..." It was bizarre how that voice in her head that told her she was babbling always sounded like Gibbs.

"That's great, Willow. It'll be cool to see you again. If you get in or not, you can always come see me to say hi or ask a question. Us geeks have to stick together."

Re: At the end of class

[willbedone.livejournal.com]

Willow gave a small smile. "Thanks, Abby. Don't suppose you've got any suggestions for good geeky distractions while you're trying not to notice how long somebody's been gone?"

Re: At the end of class

[cheerfulgoth.livejournal.com]

"Shooting games always seem to cheer me up and pass the time." Abby leaned forward a bit. "Who's gone?"

Re: At the end of class

[willbedone.livejournal.com]

"Peter," Willow said. "He had to go and didn't know when he'd come back and he's not back yet."

Re: At the end of class

[likethegun]

Sam grinned at the labcoat. "Thank you," he said. "I suppose I have to give the laptop back now, huh?"

Re: At the end of class

[cheerfulgoth.livejournal.com]

"Yup. I really do recommend you buying your own, although I know that's not always economically possible. You might want to go with Conner to All & Sundries in town. I told him to check on whether they have student discounts."

Re: At the end of class

[likethegun]

"I'll have to do that, thank you," Sam said, nodding. He didn't know if any discount would make it economically possible for him, but he wanted a laptop badly enough to check anyway.

Re: At the end of class

[cheerfulgoth.livejournal.com]

Abby studied him for a moment. "Let me know if that doesn't work out. I know lots of government agencies that sell off their older equipment whenever they update."

Re: At the end of class

[likethegun]

"That would be awesome," Sam replied happily. "Thanks!"

Re: At the end of class

[bridge-carson.livejournal.com]

"Hey, Abby?" Bridge says, as he takes his coat. "I've got good news. I tested out the thing with the Caf-Pow? And it's totally do-able."

Re: At the end of class

[cheerfulgoth.livejournal.com]

"Awesome! Thanks, Bridge!"

[I've come to the conclusion that it's not my fault that I keep missing your pings. Abby has apparently contracted a severe allergy to Bridge. It's terrible really.]

Re: At the end of class

[ranma-sao.livejournal.com]

Ranma-chan takes it. She's even more clueless than the real Ranma but she grin at the teacher, "Thank you very much!"

Re: At the end of class

[peter--parker.livejournal.com]

"Thank you, Abby," Peter beamed. Oh, he really needed to work this into his costume somehow.