LATEST NEWS FLASHES!--No.247
DO 4/96
--By WS Staff
1. The Passing of Postfach 241
Dear Family,
God bless you! This notice is to inform you that Postfach (PF) 241, the Family's international mailbox in Zurich, has now been changed to a new number by the post office system. Any mail addressed to PF 241 in the years to come will be forwarded to our new box, and the postmaster has assured us it will be handled with typical Swiss efficiency. (Other firms in Zurich which have changed their mailing address have had their mail forwarded faithfully for up to 30 years!)
But from this time forward, please use the following address in place of PF 241:
The Family
Postfach 3624
8021 Zurich
Switzerland
There's no need to change the PF 241 address on any literature or tools that already bear it. But if you're going to print new material, or reprint or publish material with this former address on it, then it would be best to change it to the new address above. Thanks! We appreciate your help and cooperation in this. God bless and keep you!
Much love,
Your WS Family
2. Beware of Computer Viruses!
Since the Family is using computers now more than ever--and some Homes have Internet access--we wanted to pass on a word of caution regarding the danger of contracting computer viruses. A computer virus is a destructive or pesky program written by an unscrupulous programmer that either degrades the performance of your computer, destroys data files and programs on your computer, or both. Computer viruses often have the ability to reproduce themselves and spread--similar to medical viruses.
Viruses are becoming more and more insidious and widespread in this day and age, especially since access to the world of cyberspace is only a modem and mouse click away. Information and free programs on the Internet can be useful for many purposes, but what you must watch out for is the possibility of inadvertently downloading program files contaminated with viruses. Text or data files are usually safe--or have been until recently, when a new macro-type virus has been detected in some Word for Windows files!
Viruses can also be passed on by means of infected floppy-disks. We would therefore suggest that you always assume that a floppy someone has given you may be infected. Be prayerful and make sure you take the proper steps to ensure that these disks are virus-free before using them or the files that they contain. Viruses are rampant in pirated software--that is, illegal copies of commercial software programs. We have even experienced a computer being returned from a repair shop, infected with a virus as the result of a technician inadvertently using an infected diagnostic program.
Viruses can be counteracted with a simple virus-checking program. A good anti-virus program will both scan your computer for viruses and then clean or get rid of them. We recommend the use of McAfee's VirusScan. Versions of VirusScan are available for DOS, Windows 3.1, and Windows 95. They each come with instructions on how to install and use them. The programs are easy to use and will keep your computer free of viruses, if used properly. However, new viruses are joining the ranks every day, and in order to ensure that your computer is always clean, your virus-checking program must be updated regularly. McAfee's VirusScan provides updates on a regular basis. Therefore, in order to ensure that your computer does not contract any newly designed viruses, we recommend that you upgrade your virus checking program regularly. McAfee's VirusScan (version 2) will check your Word for Windows files and install macros to purge out any Word macro viruses (which are rare, thank the Lord).
The purpose of this LNF is to increase your awareness of computer viruses, but we by no means want to alarm you or make anyone fearful. On the other hand, we do want to make clear that viruses can be very damaging to valuable data stored on your computer! They can spread like wildfire, destroy your data and cause all kinds of other problems. Furthermore, much time can be wasted trying to figure out what is wrong with a computer that's been infected. We have encountered many viruses on floppy disks that come our way, and have heard of the same thing happening to many offices and Homes. This does not have to be! If you cannot afford to buy or get ahold of one of the above-mentioned virus-checking programs, there are many free programs available that will alert you as soon as a virus is detected on a floppy disk or program, allowing you to repair the problem right away.--And since these programs are free, you shouldn't have much trouble finding one that will suit your needs. There's therefore no reason for us to spread viruses from Home to Home, office to office, etc. If you are unable to find a suitable anti-virus program, because of your location or otherwise, then please write your Reporting Office and ask them to assist you.
A virus-checking program can save you major headaches and time, as well as make it easier for those you interact with.
As a word of encouragement, if preventative measures are taken to counteract viruses, we know that the Lord will do His part in keeping our computers free of the machinations of the Enemy. Again, if you aren't using an up-to-date anti-virus program now, then please get one as soon as possible! Make sure that you scan every program file that you download and every floppy disk that you receive from someone else.
We love you very much and continue to keep you in our prayers.
Much love,
Your Creations Family
3. Family Web Site Update!
Thank you for the wonderful response we have received from many of you to LNF 237, "'The World Wide Web with a Heart!'--Announcing The Family's Internet Web Site!" and LNF 244, "Our Family Internet Web Site: Advertising It or Not Is Up to You!" We continue to be very inspired by the response we have received to this new ministry and are very thankful for this new means of getting out the Message to a whole new audience!
We have just completed a major overhaul of our Web site, and as explained in LNF 244 we want to keep you informed about its contents so you can make an informed choice as to which of your friends and contacts you decide to give its address to. To help you continue to "know your meat," we have provided below a current listing of its contents as of April 1996. Many new pages have been added, more than quadrupling our presence on the Web. Some of these additions include: A 44-page Tribute to Dad (examining the man, his mission and his message--coming soon in printed form as well), an Overview of the Charter, more GP Tapes, many GP Videos (Kiddie Viddie, Treasure Attic, Fantastic Friends), Our Symbol Poster, the GP Daily Might, many of last year's FARs, including our 1995 Year-end Report, and much more!
In addition to the new material that has been added, virtually all of the old material has been significantly revamped and now has a much smoother, more up-to-date presentation designed to catch and hold the interest of members of the public who log in to our site. We hope you'll agree, if you get the opportunity to see it, that it is now much more appealing as well as offering additional feeding material for the hungry, information for the interested, and a broader appeal to a wider range of the public. We pray that it will be a help and blessing to you in your outreach and ministering to your friends!
Thank you for your continued prayers for those working with and maintaining the Family Web site and handling the response. Thanks too for the many good suggestions and ideas we have received. We love you very much and keep you in our prayers.
Much love,
Your WS Family
* * *
Contents of the Family Web site as of April 1996:
Bible (KJV)
Charter, An Overview of Our Governing
Color Posters (including text):
Birthday Party, The
Christmas Love
City in the Sky, The
Come
Crowns of Life
Final Signs of the End, The
Great Escape, The
Happy End of the World, The
Heavenly Life of Love, The
Helper From Heaven, A
Her Healing Touch
Here's the Future
Incredible Journey, The
Invasion of Planet Earth, The
Judges of Tomorrow, The
King's Return, The
Knowing the King
Life in Paradise
Life in the 32nd Century
Lion, Dragon and the Beast
Love Came Down at Christmas
Loving Other Worlds
Magic Garden of Love, The
Magic of Music, The
Man of Love, The
New Heaven and Earth, The
Princess' Wedding, The
Prophet, The
Relief for the Third World
Rescue, The
Rewards in Heaven
Rulers of Tomorrow
Ruling in Kingdom Come
Signs of the Times
Sweet Dreams Tonight
Teachers of Tomorrow
Touch of Love
Watch Out for 666
When Heaven's on Earth
When the Towers Fall
World of Tomorrow, The
Family Vindicated, The
A Review of Official Inquiries into The Family
FARs (most with photos):
Far 1
Far 2
Far 12
Far 13
Far 14
Far 15
Far 17
Far 19
1995 Year-end Report
GP Daily Might
International Color Brochure
(Photo tour of the Family)
Living Waters: 1-6
Mountain Streams:
Beauty for Ashes
But If Not...!
Change the World!
Diamonds of Dust
Did God Make a Mistake?
Holy War!, The
Mountain Men
Operator, The
Stop! ... Look! ... Listen!
Story of Tommy, The
Our Family Symbol Poster
(with explanation)
Our Founder: 44-page Tribute to David Brandt Berg
(Dad's life story told for the GP!)
Overview of The Family
Policy Statements:
Christ-Centered Bible-Based Education
Our Statement of Faith
The Heritage and Home Life of Our Children
Our Family Origins
Socialization
Our Support
Our Stance Against Physical Violence
Referral Guide to Scholarly Information on The Family
Sex, Slander, and Salvation: Ad for book written about the Family
Tape ads, with song titles and sound samples:
For Children:
Best Friends
Coloring the World
Great Adventures 1 and 2
Little Things
Magic of Love
Sweet Dreams Tonight
Time to Be Happy
Songs of Life Collection:
Break Out
Daybreak
Fear Not
Lion, Dragon, and the Beast, The
New Life
Power Tower
Rescue
Tracts:
In Search of Truth
Somebody Loves You!
Who Is Jesus?
Video Ads, with color photos, audio samples, and video samples:
Kiddie Viddies:
Christmas Joy
Growing Together
Happy All the Time
Let's Be Friends
Magic Painter, The
Wear a Great Big Smile
Treasure Attic:
Christmas Friends
Fun on the Farm
Let's Have Fun
Little Creatures
Smiling Face, A
We Can Get Along
Fantastic Friends:
Be a Friend
Never Out of Style
Copyright (c) 1998 by The Family