SOME VERY SPECIAL PEOPLE (Page 11)
This is not a normal "credits" page, folks. Not by a long shot.
A "normal" credits page nicely lists all the helpful people who provided anything from thoughtful criticism to other assistance for something put together. The list ends with words something like, "...without who's help this work would not have been accomplished" and may include those who have just checked facts, typists who typed it up, publisher's editors who edited it, friends, family, and so on.... The creation of this "poor man's" website took three things: Me -- and I might very well not be alive today at all -- and the necessary equipment and a small amount of absolutely vital knowledge, both of which were physically out of my reach.
They say that into each life some rain must fall. Some get more than others; but, how much is not the concern here. The fact is, I might very well not be "here" at all if it weren't for some people who themselves may no longer be around. They weren't family, age old friends, proper sources or any such thing. Near a dozen people justly should be noted (with a few completely unnamed); they fall into two groupings. No complete names for identification are used here for several reasons; but, enough is posted so that those who know of the people will know who I mean to credit.
In 1982 (at age 46) I came down with a massive infection that hung on for a number of years. It was not a new type of thing -- it had happened to me several times before -- but, previously, there was family at hand to take care of basic needs and medical professionals who operated on some system other then "three visits and you're out." As of 1982 I was living alone and trying to maintain a house, no easy task without the normal use of hands and feet.
There is little doubt that if three people had not been around in the long haul, I probably would be dead and buried. Number one on that list has to be a lady born Loretta L. Young. She was originally from Adams County, Ohio, with no particular connection to the Dayton area. She wound up in the area because her first husband worked at McCall's printing plant. Some would claim that we had a "trade-off of favors" arrangement. To an extent, that might be true; however, it is also true that without a person willing to "trade-off" favors, there can be no such deal.
Two more people were around for that "long haul." One of the two was a lady named (and seldom called) Marceile, who's numerous sensible suggestions were invaluable. The other was Louis, now certainly passed on to another life, who was generally present for any substantial emergency. Although all three had their vague connections to the "West Side," Louis had the firmest. Both Marceile and Louis were from the "earlier generation"; Loretta was not yet 40.
There was also a vital short haul. There are four names -- people met just briefly, but still vitally -- in this group. There was Desi and her tiny church out on Salem Avenue, Janice (nee) Montgomery, Sharon (nee) Rogers, and "April" (she said her real name was Clara) and her extra "British Petroleum" coffee cup which I still use.... And, again, strangely enough, these apparently were not of the "inbetween" generation.
I wonder, where was the inbetween generation? 
Access to equipment is essential. And, if one knows nothing about the equipment, what to get can be more than a mystery, it can be a costly mystery. This entire website has been established due to the availability of internet access at the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County and the people (like patrons) around who provided a hint here or there that got me at least started on the internet. While everything from education of long ago (tuition paid) to where my present apartment building is has played an essential part, without the library and the helpful, never-to-be-seen-again strangers, I would have no knowledge at all of the internet itself.
Apart from the public service, there was also a gift. Compliments of a gentleman named Belton, a person committed to secrecy about the former owner (no doubt, so that the latter could not be bothered), one day before my door there sat the various parts to a computer. This freebie with it's Windows to study provided some of the knowledge necessary.
There are group-type unofficial learning "programs" around which amount to investing time and getting next to nothing, if that. On the other hand, "inexpensive" official-type formal education locally (these days) can run in the vicinity of $300 a credit hour. It's the "people around" (and trial and error) that provided the knowledge to just be able to navigate around the internet.
Insofar as finding information to include goes, it should be understood that that also is essential; and, being pointed in a "right direction" by the likes of knowledgeable library staff is certainly an important help. And, subsequent to the totally exasperated beginning described below, there was a critical comment offered now and then. All of the above, however, would not be enough without two last things. Those two last things are a minimal knowledge of the necessary "code" to put something on the screen and a collection of opinions from a cross section of people in regard to what is there.
~~~~~NOW, THIS IS TRUTH NOT TO BE IGNORED.~~~~~
The material basis for this site is a point of American history. As with other things, the effects of that point of history have spread around and changed the world; but, since it is American history, insofar as there is validity in it, it's an American responsibility. Therefore, providing opinions, not to mention clues about the likes of html code, should be something found amongst Americans. Well, I tried for an extended period of time to make my way amonst some Americans some of whom might have helped if it hadn't been for the presence of a few of the most vicious (and obviously ignorant and irresponsible) individuals one could possibly meet anywhere.
In a few words, the site exists because the world includes the British.
At a loss as to what to do and ready to throw in the towel, I posted an inquiry in a British forum. Fifteen people posted comments. Some said very little, but they said SOMEthing. Not all are British. Not all are/were my "best buddies." Not all are still around. And, beyond the fifteen, there was one more that posted a sort of "worthwhile footnote." These, then, are the computer ID names (monikers) of the _FOREIGNERS_ that made the site possible (and how they listed their locations).
From Alicante, Spain: "CD." From Switzerland: "Swiss." From Epinal, France: "Jackson." From New Zealand: "Ciderman_nz." From Queensland, Australia: "DorothyB." From England: "Deep Blue," "Rita" (who only voted), "Doris Bonkers" (aka "Roz"), and "Dans_Nan." From "location unknown" (possibly London, England): "badcompany." And, more specifically: From Lincoln, England: "Uncle Fred" (aka "Kevin"). From East Yorkshire (England): "Silvertop1." From West Mersea (England): "dabthoms." From Woodley, Reading ( England): "Topdog." From S.Holland.Lincs.UK: "KenTel." And, lastly, the footnote of sorts was from a lady evidently in New Zealand. They all participated in a site titled: THE SENIORITY INTERNET COMMUNITY, WEB ADDRESS: WWW.SENIORITY.CO.UK.
I say, old chap. How are things going?