DEAR SUN SPOTS: On April 21 on Page A6, there was an Associated Press story headlined “Hundreds of thousands may lose Internet in July.” The story listed a website, dcwg.org, and encouraged people to go there and check to see if their computer was safe.

I just went to the site, and it was awful to try to navigate. It looked like a phony site itself. Can you find out what this is about and how to navigate the site once on it? Thank you. — Gail via email

ANSWER: As far as Mr. Sun Spots, who writes software, can determine, dcwg.org is entirely safe. He said, yes, you should by all means visit the site to see if you are infected with the “DNS Changer.”

This malware doesn’t exactly prevent you from accessing the Internet, but it does make your computer incapable of finding anything once it gets there.

If you have had any problems with the site please try again. Surf directly to http://www.dns-ok.us/ and you will receive a simple red/green notification regarding your status relative to this infection. Sun Spots has her fingers crossed that you will come up green.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: What do the stockings that the Kora Temple Shriners wear look like? Do they have an emblem on them and are they a certain color? Maybe someone could send me a picture. Thank for any help. — Grandtinker111@hotmail.com

ANSWER: This is certainly one of the most unusual questions Sun Spots has ever had! Unfortunately, she’s not sure exactly what you mean. When they dress up as Klowns, they wear all kinds of stockings. The photos at korashriners.org show some of them as striped.

According to Wikipedia, the most notable part of their costume is their red fezzes. It does not say anything about stockings.

Readers?

DEAR SUN SPOTS: How do I contact the “American Pickers” show? I tried online via library computer to no avail. I couldn’t get through on the limited library Internet usages. Can you get an actual address or alternative method to call them? I have a local business that many tell me belongs on the show. — George Stanley, Greene

ANSWERS: You can contact “American Pickers” via email at americanpickers@cineflix.com. Sun Spots could not find a mailing address for the show, but she did find one for the History Channel, on which it appears: A&E Television Network, History Channel, 235 E 45th St., 2nd Floor, New York, NY? 10017.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am the drama director at a private school in Maine, and we are looking for sewing machines or sergers for students to use to make costumes for plays. If you have any old ones that you would like to give to a good home, please let us know by email. Thank you so much! — Rachel, rdamon@me.com

ANSWER: Sun Spots encourages letter writers to provide a phone number as well as email when requesting items. Many older readers, who are likely to have items to spare, do not have email. The same applies to readers seeking items, which is what happened to the next letter writer.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I read this morning, April 18, that someone is seeking a lighted magnifier, but did not leave a name or phone number. We have one we would be glad to give away free. — Wanda Foss, Sabattus, 375-5131, magicfoss@roadrunner.com

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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