Mike Jordan and Sue Matthews from Hillsboro, Oregon RV Cross Country Trip to Washington, DC

From the Cherokee Indian Nation ~Mike Jordan and I outside his Mobile Home during his visit here to Washington, DC

Mike, as some of You know, is the SysOp (Systems Operator) of COM-DAT, an online service in Oregon. We originally met Mike on FidoNet's Indian Affairs Echo Message Conference, and later on the Native Net computer network. Mike went on to become the Computer Hub (Computer Central) as well as being one of the Founders of the TMT Network (The Moccasin Telegraph) Computer Network.

Mike Jordan, happens to have a Family of Computer Savvy notables. Sue Matthews, Mike's wife, was elected as the Moderator on the Worldwide Asian Link Echo Conference Message Forum. It was here that I met Sue, when ICUG was Reaching Out to connect with Computer Users in Asia. Little did I know then, that Mike and Sue were husband and wife, although I was participating with both daily, in separate and unrelated Message Conference Forums. We all got a laugh out of the "cosmic coincidence", when Sue finally told me that I was working with her husband and father-in-law, Vern Jordan, over on the Native American Indian Message Conferences.

Here, pictured in a photograph that appeared in a local newspaper, telling of how Mike and Sue met one another online, through computer telecommunications, on an Electronic Bulletin Board Service or BBS, and then decided to meet in person, later becoming engaged and married.

"Love At First Byte: Mike Jordan of Charlotte, North Carolina met Sue Matthews of Hillsboro, Oregon, five years ago through a computer bulletin board. Since then they've met in person and are engaged."

The Story doesn't stop there, as Mike's Dad is none other than our own Vern Jordan, who's accomplishments, adventures and experiences could themselves, fill page upon page. We met Vern, years ago on the Indian Affairs, then on Native Net and joined him as Founders of the TMT Network. Vern affectionately came to be called "Our Elder Statesman", for his extensive knowledge Native American Indian History and Culture, his diplomacy in moderating discussions between members on the networks and wondrous way that he captivated one's attention, when he was "spinning a tale" (telling a story). Vern, a colleague who helped actively support many ICUG Projects. Vern contributed his financial support to help pay for the postage, making it possible for ICUG to send FREE full color posters from the Native American Indian Heritage Series, to so many all around the world.

Vern also donated money, computer parts and software programs to sick children convalescing in Hospitals, to help them be able to get Online, helped to send Computer Systems and Modems to Native American Indians in remote locations and on Reservations. Vern was always willing to lend a hand and give guidance to someone in need, or a novice just getting started with using computers. Vern contributed an Archive of photos and historical text to the ICUG NAIH Poster Series, as well as working with us, to proofread and check for accuracy in the final versions. Vern Jordan part Cherokee, part Scottish, Master Genealogist, Computer Guru, Ham Radio hobbyist, and Philanthropist, had also done his share of Bulldogging and ridden in Rodeos as a Cowboy, down in Texas and Arizona in his earlier days. The Photo above is Vern whiled serving in the US Airforce and stationed in the Middle East, he donned Arab clothing for the photo. This gave rise to us joking and calling him ~ "Not Lawrence of Arabia, but Vern!" Vern resides with his lovely wife Vera (who is also of Cherokee Indian heritage), in Walla Walla, Washington (the Other Washington) on the Northwest coast of the USA. "Vern and Vera, Hello, out there in Walla Walla !" * the place they liked so much that they named it twice! (Walla, Walla)

What makes the ICUG Story so fascinating is the Circle that things seem to Travel in. One day I happened to mention to Mike that we were using a software package called Front Door that Jessica had found at an online site called PerMaNet. What made this so remarkable was that we had heard so much about FidoNet and a little about InterNet, but nobody could tell us where to find it, or how to get connected. Jessica, had excitedly come running over to me, one day when we were in the Office and she was checking out Online BBS systems, and said, "I think I've found just what We've been looking for!". ~ Jessica's find would take ICUG's Online Quest, across the Country and all Around the World!

"Enter ~ Mark Prado"

Jessica's find, was the PerMaNet version of the FrontDoor software package that allowed connection to the worldwide FidoNet email Message Network The SysOp of that BBS was none other then Mark Prado. As we were novices to all of this, we had little idea of just how to install it, connect using it and navigate the worldwide networks. Well, we found that the software was a work of programming genius, because it virtually, unpacked itself and automatically installed and set itself up

During Setup FrontDoor paused only to prompt for such things as our names and contact information. It was truly a Day to Remember! And to this day, we joke about it often, thinking how much we would have missed without it. Below, is the colorful Front Door Network Mailer Screen.

As ICUG became the Network Hub for all of Washington, DC, Maryland and also Virginia, we acted much like the General Post Office for Email Message Pickup and Delivery for Systems here on the East Coast of the USA.

The Front Door software program included a Network Mode, to Send and Receive Mail, a Message Editor , and a Conference Manager for Msg Forums

Echo Mail Messages traveled around the world in 12-24 hours, with No Cost. Front Door also allowed Point to Point for Direct connections

One of the most impressive things about the version of FrontDoor that Mark had helped put together with other Scientists and Programmers around the world, was the wealth of information it had built into it, Hyper-text and other programs that were way ahead of their time. The other surprise that was to make an indelible impression, was the day I followed the onscreen offer of Help, and picked up the telephone and called Mark's number. I was surprised to get a real person answering the phone, because so many only had recordings, and I was next impressed with how much time Mark was willing to spend, talking to me, and providing all of the basic help and assistance that a newbie just getting started would find invaluable. Over the years, Mark not only Hosted us on his System, but helped us to navigate ICUG around the world. Mark also extended the Invitation for ICUG to join the International Development Group, which he had formed with members on all Continents.

The day I mentioned Mark Prado's name to Mike Jordan, Mike shared the following story ~ Although living on the other side of the USA, Mike had previously lived and worked in Arlington, Virginia, right next door to Washington, DC. When Mike had acquired his very first computer, he had run into the same problems that any newbie to personal computers does…and needed Help. Well, the person that he found that was offering help, lived right down the road, and so Mike started off to see him. As it turned out, it was Mark Prado, who provided that initial help and assistance, that saw Mike continue on to a successful career and become a Computer Guru in his own right, continuing the Circle, now from the Northwest Coast of the USA, but still providing that same valuable Help, and Assistance to New Users as well as those doing Humanistic and Progressive undertakings.

We All feel a Sincere debt of Gratitude and Appreciation to Mark, so here we'll stop and send a Salute and Best Wishes to Mark and His lovely Family currently living in Bangkok, Thailand. Below, we'll let Mark's own words introduce himself and family and a little bit about his past achievements

Before coming to Thailand, I performed communications and Internet consulting since the mid-1980's. It started with my co-authoring scientific papers with colleagues, while I worked for the Pentagon on "Star Wars" (SDI) and other advanced planning in the U.S. space program. However, I branched out into electronically networking some of the best scientists

and researchers scattered around the USA and the world for developing common interests in a more interactive and timely way. As word got around, demand for my communications consulting exploded. My clientele over time has included the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), the U.S. Department of State's Agency for International Development (USAID), the United Nations, and countless private companies, NGO's and individuals. I set up one of the first 100% private, public access Internet service providers in the Washington, D.C., area, permanet.org (as opposed to permanent.com), well before Internet became trendy. PermaNet also served as the first Internet link to many less developed countries. (This was 100% out of my own pocket, though it later attracted USAID consulting, an accident of sorts. My initiative in networking interesting researchers also preceded any consulting-related contacts with ARPA/DARPA.) ~ You can find Mark at http://www.permanent.com.

~ Maga WiseCarver and his lovely Wife, Leticia De Mello from Brazil ~

Meeting on the Native American Indian BBS Message Forums years ago, Maga and I became fast friends, sharing many ideas and views in common. Later finding that we also share the same birthday only strengthened the bond of Brotherhood. Maga was a computer programmer working at Ford Motors in Michigan. A full blooded Cherokee Indian, born and raised in North Carolina's Cherokee Nation, who learned the Traditional Craftsmanship from his youth.

Maga was impressed with the ICUG Program, and became an ICUG Member, lending his energies and talents to ICUG Projects such as the NAIH Poster Series. It was at Maga's request and suggestion that we created The Chief Dan George and The Bill Pickett Posters, two of his favorite persons. Maga was the SysOp of one of the largest online BBS services in Michigan, with an extensive archive of Native Text files and Graphics, available to all who logged on, absolutely free. Maga used his Programming skill to create and develop an advanced multimedia Visual Basic package called "The Great Americans". It was a program that displayed Photos, Graphics and Drawings alongside of Historical Text, Bios and speeches of persons of Native American Indian background, in full color and with sound. These were the early days of Personal Computers when most people still had 286s and 386s, and having a Color Monitor was a real treat. Maga made his Great American Program available to all, totally free, and it spread all across the USA as well as to the Native American Tribes and Nations of Canada. As Maga was active in the Native American Indian Community in Michigan, he carried the ICUG Program with him, and together, we gave away 100s of free Full Color NAIH Posters to people of the Native Community, spreading pride of History, Culture and Computer Skills. Some of those that Maga introduced ICUG to were an Elementary School Teacher name Laura Lou Bashlor and Nancy Thomas and Bob Connors a couple running another BBS service there in Lansing, Michigan. These new faces were to pick up with ICUG when Maga left Michigan to Travel the Country. You'll see more of them in the coming segments.

Maga was to leave his high paying job as a Programmer with Ford Motors, and take off to Travel all around the USA and Canada, to visit with Native American Indian Communities, Tribes and Nations. He felt that His Native Roots were calling him, and so he gave away all of his furniture and computers and set off in his Travels, with only that which he needed to travel and a few of his personal possessions. As we had become Bloodbrothers, Maga kept in communication throughout his Journey. He sent all of his Program media for "The Great Americans" to me for safe keeping, as well as packages full of Cherokee and Native American artifacts and Crafts. Maga made a Traditional Warriors Bone Breastplate for me as a Birthday Gift, which proudly hangs on my wall next to the original Chief Sitting Bull Poster. As Maga, who translated my name into traditional Cherokee to be "Magali", never stopped referring people that he met in his Journeys to ICUG. In turn, we were attempting to create an Online Craft Shop for him, so that he could make Traditional Native American Crafts and sell them through the Internet and online BBS catalogs. Maga traveled to Native American Indian Reservations in Canada such as Stony Point, on through the desert Southwest, where he set up his Camp in the Desert and Mountains, sending us photos all along the way, which I would scan and send out to members on our Online Computer Networks, so that they could stay abreast of his Travels. During his travels through the deserts of Arizona and on to Texas, he met a lady who had just had her Poetry published and received national recognition for it ~ she was Beverly Brown. See Bev's Poetry "Fading Colors" in the ICUG Poetry & Literature section

Maga requested ICUG do a Poster featuring her Poetry. They were both delighted with the Poster that we at ICUG created, and starting our ICUG Literature and Poetry Poster Series. While in Texas, Maga was to meet a young lady who would play a lasting role in years to come. Her name was Leticia De Mello, who had just arrived in Texas from her home in Brazil, with her Parents. There in Brazil, the De Mello Family owned and ran a College. Leticia and Maga found a union in friendship and made it official soon thereafter by becoming man and wife. They moved from Texas to Tennessee, but later moved and settle in a beautiful rustic style Home in North Carolina's Cherokee Forest. Leticia introduced many of her Friends in Brazil to ICUG and so the ICUG Circle expanded further to South America. With Maga providing the information, ICUG also did a Tribute Poster to a famous Brasilian Race Car Driver, thus extending our multicultural series.~ "For my Bloodbrother Maga and my Sister Leticia, May the Future hold the Very Best!"

~Beverly Brown~

Teacher Laura Lou Bashlor drives from Michigan to Washington, DC to visit Us here at ICUG

One of the many people that Maga introduced to ICUG and Email and Message Forums. Laura was so impressed with the ICUG Poster Series that she used them in her Public School Classroom teaching her students American History. She also joined Our Computer Network and joined our nightly Brainstorming sessions to create new Projects using Computer Desktop Publishing.

Here in my Office Laura Lou and I take a look at the Front Door Software Program on the PC.

Laura became so excited about ICUG using Scanners, Graphics Design software, Color Printing and Telecommunications, that she decided to take a week off and drive to Washington, DC from Michigan, to spend time with us in the Office and learn the Computer Techniques used to produce the Poster Series. Laura's friends and family were quite amazed that she was so motivated as to drive alone, to visit people that she had never met in person, and spend a week with them. Few people can understand the close friendships that can and do form through people meeting and coming to share and know one another online. So very often we hear about the negative experiences that some people have in the Online Community, but here you'll find the most positive stories. Just ask Mike and Sue! As in life, one should use good judgment in forming any new friendships or associations

On our Native American Computer Network, during the course of sharing, one landmark that came up was The WigWam Bakery located in Waldorf, Maryland. The unusual thing was that this was the brought up by Phil Van Riper of New York and Frosty Deere, living in Canada. It was but one of the landmarks that they suggested, Laura not miss on her visit to D.C. The WigWam features a 10cents Cup of Coffee as well as some of the most tantalizing Bakery products on the Eastcoast! Well, that was enough for this ICUG Bunch, and after working in the Office

On the Front Door Network and Graphics programs, until the wee hours of the night, our little group of Laura, Jessica and I hopped in the Van, and joked about driving the 60 miles to the Wigwam. It was about 2:30 am in the morning, and whether it was the late hour, or just the joy of playing Host to long distance traveler, our little group was soon on it’s way South to the Wigwam Bakery! We tried talking Susie into joining us, be she opted to head home instead. We joked all the way, about buying Cups of Coffee with the WigWam logo on them, and the printed price of "still 10 cents", and sending the Cups, all over the USA and Canada, to the members of our Computer Network. Our expectations grew as we traveled the many miles down the dark and pretty deserted highway. We could almost taste the many Bakery Delights that awaited at the WigWam. Since the WigWam was a 24 hour Coffee and Bakery Shop, we were pretty sure that we would miss the crowds. Finally, we could see the tall Wigwam and sign in the distance, and soon we were pulling into the parking lot. It was empty. AS we got out of the van, we could see the smoke coming from the chimney, and smell the delicious scents of fresh Bakery treats coming out of the oven … out mouths were watering as we approached the door to enter… and to our amazement…it was locked with a "Closed Sign" in the window. Our worst fears were realized, as the employee working inside, and surely the one doing the baking, came to the door to inform us that the WigWam was no longer open 24 hours a day, but instead had limited hours.

Although he seemed to feel for us, as we communicated through the locked glass door, he said that he could open before normal hours, for fear of losing his job. He wished, as did we, that he could have at least given us some samples of the fresh Bakery treats, or allowed us to purchase them at double or triple the price, which we surely offered to do. Well, more then a little disappointed, our little group left, and headed to the nearest 24hour roadside store down the highway, to purchase the next best thing….. 7-11 Doughnuts and Coffee. Although we didn't get in the WigWam Bakery, we all seemed to enjoy the fun of the silly idea of taking the early morning adventure, and even more, sharing one another's company on our little jaunt!