Do you wonder why issue #17 stayed up for two years without being replaced until now with a new issue?
   I, Jan Girand, initially began this Roswell Web Magazine in early 2002. Knowing nothing about websites, I found an able webmaster, Tony, who helped design and build the site to my specs, and patiently taught me how to operate it, to become my own webmaster.

   Originally the domain was hosted by a fairly local corporation. An employee of that company, who had nothing to do with this website and unknown to me, registered it in his name (naming himself as registrant), making him the legal controlling owner.
   I later tried unsuccessfully for months to move the website to a different host/server. After I notified that aforementioned corporation's officers of my dilemma, they assured that their employee release it so I could move it. 
   The web-consultant who helped me move it to the new domain server, unknown to me once again, registered it in his name!
   (Fooled once, shame on him; fooled twice, shame on me.)

   That new web-consultant did almost nothing except help me move it to his host/server. Some time later, he apparently also changed my password since I was unable to access my webmag to make corrections or add new issues. Then began another long struggle to regain ownership and control of my webmag. 
   In early December I hired a local person to move contents of my original webmag onto a new domain, make some changes, make it again accessible to me and help with minor problems. She took far too long (three months) and did not complete what I paid her to do. However, that time I made sure she registered me (and not herself) as the named registrant and named administrator.

   I lost confidence in that nonworking relationship and also her host/server's erratic service. I searched for and locally found a new--more affordable, more experienced and more professional--web-consultant who redesigned the webmag into a more user-friendly (for viewer) format. I asked her to move it to a new host/server.

   My next ongoing problem was with my domain's registrar. To make any information changes with the registrar, including just changing the named technical support person (changing my named web consultant), was a long, frustrating process. The registrar required a tremendous amount of personal identification by fax and email, causing me concern about identity theft. The registrar insisted on knowing who I am and all kinds of proof of identity, but I did not know them, those who received my identifications.

   This entire frustrating process--that has gone on almost since I began the webmag--has fueled my determination to be fully in control of it. But I still have much to learn. Ignorance is NOT bliss.

   All of this has been a costly experience--in money, in time and especially in high levels of stress. 
   This tale has a moral. Anyone wanting a website should first learn its important technical aspects, and above all, choose a proven web designer or webmaster with a reputation of integrity. It is also important from the onset to assure that your website is registered in your name. Depending upon your registrar, you will find just trying to change your email address or physical address will be a challenge.
   It was my friend, Bernice D'Abadie, who told me, about a month before she died, that my webmag is an intellectual property like a book manuscript. But I've found that it is easier to steal a copyrighted website than a copyrighted manuscript. I hope that will be remedied in the future.
   Many individuals and entities, including communities and corporations, have had their websites stolen by a few keyboard clicks by unscrupulous webmasters registering their clients' websites in their own names.

   Website owners and producers, beware!
 

Following is from an incoming e-mail: 

ORIGIN OF TAPS

   If you have ever been to a military funeral in which taps were played, this will bring it new meaning. 
   Here is something every American should know. Until I read this, I didn't know. I checked it out and it's true:

   We in the United States have all heard the haunting song, "Taps." It's the song that gives us  lumps in our throats and tears in our eyes.
   But, do you know the story behind the song? If not, you may be interested to learn its humble beginnings.
   Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison's Landing in Virginia. The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land.
   During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or
Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention.
   Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment.
   When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead.
   The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army.
   The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial, despite his enemy status.
   His request was only partially granted.
   The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral.
   The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate.
   But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him one musician.
   The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth's uniform. This wish was granted.
   The haunting melody, we now know as "Taps" used at military funerals was born.

The words are: 

"Day is done ... Gone the sun .. From the lakes .. From the hills ... From the sky .. All is well ... Safely rest ... God is nigh.
Fading light .. Dims the sight And a star ... Gems the sky ... Gleaming bright ... From afar ... Drawing nigh ... Falls the night.
Thanks and praise ... For our days .. Neath the sun ... Neath the stars... Neath the sky ... As we go ... This we know ... God is nigh."

   I, too, have felt the chills while listening to "Taps" but I had never seen all the words to the song until now. I didn't even know there was more than one verse. I also never knew the story behind the song. I thought I'd pass it along.

I now have an even deeper respect for the song than I did before.

Remember Those Lost and Harmed While Serving Their Country. And also those presently serving in the Armed Forces.