I've never been afraid of technology, really.

A few of my coworkers were. I remember this one old guy at my first newspaper job. He was still using an old Underwood manual typewriter.

Everybody else in the newsroom had a video display terminal. I thought that was kind of dumb. After he typed up his stuff, he'd copy edit it longhand and then give it to a typist.

The typist would type it into the computer system.

The guy finally came around and started using a VDT. But it was a struggle. After awhile, he really liked it. He couldn't imagine using his old Underwood again.

Then there was this photographer.

When autofocus came along, he resisted. He figured it would hinder his creative control. But after awhile he found it quite handy. Now he wouldn't go back.

I was never like that when it came to new technology. I was always eager to give it a try.

Then came the Internet.

I avoided it. I had no interest in learning about it. I didn't want to have anything to do with it.

I thought it was a counterproductive waste of time. I thought those who used it were geeks or something. It scared me.

Then our systems manager, Craig, put the Times-Union on the Internet. I still avoided it. He put the local news, sports and classifieds on our "homepage" every day. It's located, temporarily, at news@kconline.com.

I watched him do this for a few months. Then suddenly and without warning, Craig showed me this "hit." That's what you call it when somebody looks at your "website." Your website is where your homepage lives. I'm a "newbie," (newcomer to the net) you understand, so I have lots of "FAQs" (frequently asked questions.)

We've had several hits, Craig explained, but this one was from a "reader" in Kuala Lumpur, Malasia. This reader was a woman named Susan Kendall. She told us - via e-mail on the net, of course - that she was thrilled to find a Times-Union website.

She was especially interested in the classifieds because she was looking to rent a place on Chapman Lake.

Now think about that for a moment. We here in little ol' dumb Hoosierland on the worldwide web getting hits from Malasia seeking rental property on Chapman Lake.

Mind-boggling, isn't it.

So I had Craig e-mail her back and ask about her ties to the area and if she wouldn't mind me writing about it.

She happily replied, noting that she is a Hoosier by birth and upbringing and spent her first 18 years in Kokomo. She went to Indiana University for four years, then back to Kokomo for a year of teaching.

She then taught for five years in Cincinnati and studied for a master's degree at Ohio University.

Through all those years, she and her family spent time at the lakes in Kosciusko County. Mostly at Tippecanoe, but also at Webster Lake.

Her brother owns a cottage at Chapman Lake.

In 1978, she moved to Malaysia and married her Malaysian husband, whom she met at Ohio University.

They have been living in Kuala Lumpur ever since and she teaches at the International School there.

Then, she adds, "My eldest son is ready for university in the states and we hope he will end up in the midwest near my relatives. So we feel the need to rent and eventually buy a place, and what better place than a lake in Kosciusko County?"

Amazing.

She'll probably read this column on the net. And all because the little Times-Union has a website.

Wow, we're really in the big time now!

I suppose it's time for me to shed my skepticism and embrace the Internet.

But it does add one more duty to my job description. Now I have to make sure the staff doesn't spend all day surfing the 'net instead of working.

I probably ought to empower the staff to drag me away from the screen once and awhile, too. [[In-content Ad]]