Monday, April 30, 2001		Kids chat

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Hello kids and welcome to our weekly chat.

Windy: Hey guys, what’s up?

Fluppy: It’s so bad, you see. Teachers are already piling us with loads and loads of homework for the holidays. I think I won’t have a single day for myself.

Cliparti: It would really have been so nice if we had some Genie to help us with the work.

Windy: We have it guys, we have the "Netjinn"

Cliparti: Who is this "Netjinn" now?

Windy: Your very own Internet. Who else?

Cliparti: You are right. There are many portals that give homework help.

Fluppy: But finding anything on the Net is like finding a needle in the haystack.

Cliparti: It’s not that difficult, Fluppy. Only thing is you should know how to find the information you need.

Fluppy: I think that’s what I don’t know.

Windy: As if, if we told you the procedure, you would be able to search a few good sites.

Fluppy: Yes, why not?

Windy: Along with the procedure, you need something at the top of your head too.

Fluppy: My top is full.

Windy: Okay, then how about this challenge?

Fluppy: What kind of challenge?

Windy: I’ll tell you how to search the needle in the haystack and we’ll give you a week’s time to search out a few good needles for us.

Fluppy: What does that mean?

Cliparti: Fluppy, he means that after he tells you the procedure to find information you need, you have to find some good sites in a week’s time.

Fluppy: Done. But tell me at least the topic on which you need these "good sites".

Windy: Hmm! Let me think.

Cliparti: Hey, homework help is not a bad idea.

Windy: Not a bad idea!

Fluppy: Okay, I accept the challenge.

Windy: Fine. Have you heard of Berit’s best sites for children?

Fluppy: What are they?

Windy: There are over a 1,000 Web’s best sites for kids to explore. You can even opt for the top 25 popular ones. Be it for fun, holidays, creatures, pen pals and chatting or safe surfing, all is here. You can even find some serious stuff on arts, environment, health or more.

Fluppy: So what does it have to do with my needles?

Windy: Needles?? Intelligent! Anyways, can’t you have some patience?

Fluppy: Okay. Go on.

Windy: So I was telling you of this Berit’s best. Actually Berit will also teach you to find the information you need on the Net. This is a special feature in this month’s column. And its address is as simple as www.beritbest.com. Now, are you ready for the challenge?

Fluppy: The grow-up challenge?

Cliparti: Ha, Ha!! The thumbs up challenge??

Windy: It’s not easy to be a grown-up, honey. You only accept this "needle in a haystack challenge".

Fluppy: Of course, I accept this challenge. But I don’t think its difficult to be a grown up. I think it’s easier than being a child. At least they don’t have to go to school and study.

Cliparti: Who says they don’t have to study? They have to go to college.

Windy: And do you know how difficult it is to get admission into colleges. Your marks have to be good enough to get you into the college you want.

Fluppy: What do you mean by ‘college you want’? Everybody would want to get admission in the college nearest to your home.

Windy: Stupid. You choose your college according to the subjects you want to study. All colleges do not offer to teach all subjects.

Fluppy: By Jove! Then how do you know which college has your subjects?

Cliparti: You have to really be update and keep inquiring about it. Further you also need to know which college is best for you.

Fluppy: It must be real tough!

Windy: Sure. Of course, nowadays you have sites like e-campus indya.com/new which help you here.

Fluppy: How do they help?

Windy: This will not only provide you with a comprehensive listing of some of India’s finest professional institutes but also various colleges and post-graduate courses. You can also take up an online test to check your technical power on Oracle 8I, WAP, Win Me, XML, dHTML and scripting. Then it offers you to learn online with pre-tests, post-tests and links to help in your efforts. First access would provide you instant information on the latest technological advancements.

Cliparti: Wow! This must be a boon for all students who are finishing school and hoping to get admission in the right colleges.

Fluppy: But how do they come to know what subjects they should take.

Windy: This depends upon the career line they wish to pursue.

Fluppy: And how do they know what career line should they pursue?

Cliparti: A lot depends upon the marks you get.

Fluppy: If someone gets good marks then he can take up any subject at any college. Right?

Cliparti: Right.

Fluppy: Then how does he know what subject should be taken up and in what college?

Cliparti: Then he should be aware of all options and his line of interest.

Windy: Nowadays sky is the limit as far as career opportunities are concerned.

Fluppy: That’s precisely the point. With limited options, it is easy to decide. With a wide horizon of avenues to choose from, it has really becomes difficult to be aware of all.

Windy: That sure is a tedious task. But don’t worry, I have a site for that too. Log on to www.dhundocollege.com which is your college-finder. It will give you all possible available avenues. You can decide one for yourself and thus find the college that fits your requirements.

Fluppy: Thank God, you have a site for that. I was so afraid as to what I would do after school!

Windy: Boy, boy, you hope to finish your schooling someday! Good optimism!

Fluppy: Of course I would.

Windy: But you need to pass your examinations for that.

Fluppy: What do you mean?

Cliparti: Hey guys, stop this. Fluppy you still have a long time in school. Let’s cross the bridge when we come to it. No use fighting, right?

Fluppy: Right.

— Ira Verma