Why I'm Writing This Book

We are in a unique point in time that will never be repeated. We are transitioning from an analog world of rotary dial telephones, 33 RPM vinyl records and Kodachrome film to a digital world that has no "elder wisdom". For generations, parents would ask THEIR parents what they did about "WHATEVER" (dating, changing jobs, cooking). Today, parents ask their children how to make their smartphones work.

Put differently, those with the gray hair and ulcers that qualify them to “drive the bus" (a/k/a educators and parents), didn't grow up with the stuff that they're being asked to make decisions about – and technology is no longer only “the school's job / problem". It is always on and has “come home".

61,320 hours per year (24 - 7 - 365), technology runs. Children don't leave technology at school; and when at home, schools don't manage technology. This change in social structure requires a partnership between parents and schools. Neither side can "go it alone" anymore. We are a global community.

"The Software Substitute For Parenting", is a paperback pocketbook that contains tips, tricks and strategies for managing electronics within a family. Hardware and software are explained in "plain English". There are resource websites listed as well as suggestions on how to manage electronics and kids.The information has been gathered from parents, educators, government officials and seminars.

Having just discovered Publishizer, my hope is to find both readers and a publisher. Parenting in a technology-driven world is now a global issue and I believe there are opportunities in multiple languages. Additionally, since many parents have little time for personal education and find the topic of technology to be confusing and overwhelming, the tips, tricks and strategies described are short, anecdotal and easy to follow.

My "qualifications" for writing the book include providing small business tech support for over 12 years to both Windows and Macintosh users as well as having a child in college and my second child entering high school. I have lectured on this topic at schools and also lecture for SCORE (a branch of the U.S. Small Business Administration) on technology topics.

How I'm Planning To Publish

I am interested in using Publishizer for two reasons. The first is to find parents globally who recognize that parenting in an electronic world is uncharted water. The second is to find a publisher who recognizes this as a global opportunity and not just something unique to a single country or culture. There are schools, parents and smartphones all over the world – making the publishing possibilities enormous.

While I could create an eBook or PDF, I do not feel my design skills nor my publishing skills would create as good a product as could be created with a “market savvy" publisher.

I have completed a first draft of the book, and it is under 100 pages. The writing goal has been to provide short and simple technology explanations on a wide variety of topics such as. . .

• How a home router can shut down the internet for your kids, but keep it open for you.
• How to make your child's smartphone a “paper weight".
• Web sites to avoid
• Web sites for more advice. . . and free software.

In terms of fund raising, I am looking to partner with a publisher. They will have work to do and costs to incur. As the content provider on a specialized but highly recognized topic, my work will be revisions and promoting the book as needed.

What Will Be In The Book

Currently, the book has 50 chapters. They address a wide variety of computing and technology topics; such as being online (Who Can See Your Online Stuff), basic computer use (Passwording), and parenting issues (If "The Unthinkable" Happens).

• Welcome Parents
• The Great Differentiators
• Background
• McAfee 2012 Survey
• Puff The Magic Dragon
• Watch Words
• Elder Wisdom
• The Natives
• The Skewed Golden Rule
• Computer Access – Users and Administrators
• Windows Log On
• Apple Log On
• Passwording (See Sample)
• Security
• Apple. . . The Gifts That Keep On Taking
• Gift Cards
• Date Your Computer
• Backup
• Virus Abatement
• Get Comfortable
• Routers
• Smart Phones
• Arcs And Bars
• To SmartPhone or NOT to SmartPhone
• Sleepover Smartphone Management
• Television
• email
• (un)Social Media
• What Are You Posting?
• Ask.FM
• Schools And Social Media
• Big Data
• Opting Out And Good Big Data
• Kids Online
• Online Reputation
• What Stuff Do You Have Online?
• Who Can See Your Online Stuff?
• Software Monitoring
• Home Computer Forensics
• Screen Sharing
• NSA Mentality
• Cyberbullying
• 24 / 7 / 365
• What Can You Do?
• Sexting & Online Pornography
• If "The Unthinkable" Happens
• And Yet. . .
• Parenting Strategy Suggestions
• Windows Alternatives
• Website Resources

Who This Book Is Written For

This book is written for parents who have children with electronic devices. Since we have no "elder wisdom" to draw on (our parents had "different" problems with us) we are making up the rules as we encounter them. As new apps and devices come along, new rules need to be created to manage how and when our children use them. Neither we as parents, nor the schools to which we send our children can "go it alone". Our kids don't put their electronics down when they leave school, and at the same time, it is doubtful that any parent wants their child's school in their house regulating computer usage. So we need a partnership - a way for parents to reinforce the messages learned in the classroom, and a way for schools to rely on parents to continue the socialization and integration of electronics they teach into daily life.

About The Author

For the past 12 years, I have been providing tech support to families and small businesses. I have taught technology to children of all ages - from kindergarten to retired seniors. I've lectured on technology for SCORE (Service Corps Of Retired Executives) - a branch of the United States Small Business Administration, as well as to school PTO's and businesses.

I also have bragging rights to two teenage children. One is on Dean's List in college. The other has High Honors in High School.

While I have social media accounts, I devote time to my ongoing tech support business, community service and my family.

Below are links to online videos. . .

• File Sorting – 2 min 8 sec
• Firefox – 2 min 35 sec
  GPS Safety – 1 min 27 sec
  Mobile Multi-Tasking – 55 sec
  Ubuntu – 2 min 56 sec
  Tech expert gives gadget tips in time for holidays – 2 min 6 sec