8/2/07 
Celiacs, like anyone else who seeks information on the internet, suffer from information overload when they try to use the internet. When I was in school, I remember going to the library to "do research" and being very happy when I found a single book or article on my subject. Now I find most of my information on-line and am confounded by more than two million references to the term “gluten free” and a whopping three million links to the term “celiac”. These numbers are approximations; the finest computer system in the internet world is unable to count the number of entries exactly.
My task, and my passion, is to organize this “stuff” a useful package. Have I read all the articles? Heavens NO. But after eight years on the gluten free diet and too-darn-hours on the internet, I feel slightly-qualified and highly-motivated to attempt this task.
My goal is to add (or update) six articles each week to this site. That’s a lot of information!!!! If I have not done so already, I will sink into “information overload” and carry my readers along with me. The “widgets” in the two right hand columns are designed to avoid that catastrophe. Here’s how they work.
Here are your strategies for success at this site:
Use the SEARCH THIS SITE BOX at the top of the middle column. Type in one or two key words and click the GO button beside it. The five most recent articles that include that word(s) will appear in the left column. Scroll down to read the articles that fit your needs. When you have finished, click HOME to return to this screen. The HOME button is the first item in the black bar at the top of the screen just below the logo. My programmer assures me that this bar will be working correctly in a few days and that everyone will be able to read all the words all the time. For now, run your curser over the black bar and notice when the titles light up.
Use the SEARCH BY CATEGORY buttons. They are in the right column. You’ll see a list of the five most recent articles in that category. Click on a title to read the post. When you have finished, click HOME. (Reread the last item if you have forgotten how to get there.)
Unfortunately, there are too many categories. Some people need those buttons. For the rest of us, I have started a box called VERY IMPORTANT PAGES (VIP). This includes articles about the most sought-after information that is posted on this site. There is a short summary of each item. The articles include many links to specific data. (If you can’t find the box, come back tomorrow. I just finished publishing this article, and I am going to work on the VIP Box now. Congratulations on being one of the first to read this article.)
SHOP AT A GLUTEN FREE MEGASTORE. There are two gluten free supermarkets available on-line. Both The Gluten Free Mall and The Gluten Free Pantry sell an enormous of products and have search engines designed to help you find them. When shopping at one of these great cyber-stores, you will almost find what you are looking for. You will also save on shipping charges by making a relatively large order; shipping costs drop dramatically when you place a large order. Click on one or both of the banners to begin your shopping spree.
SEND ME AN E-MAIL. My e-mail address is gfceliac@gmail.com . I’ll try to address your questions. Many of my best articles started as answers to questions from my clients.
SEARCH USING GOOGLE. You’ll be given the choice of searching this website or searching the vast Google network. You’ll probably want to start by typing in the words +"gluten free" and then type one or two more words to avoid getting a mind-boggling list of choices. For example, if you type +"gluten free" +”Reno restaurants” will get you information about the gluten free food available in Reno restaurants. Be sure to use the quotation marks so that the computer will search for phrases not individual words. You aren’t interested in everything that is free in Reno. You are concerned about products that are gluten free. The google search box is at the end of the article.
If you use this strategy, you will be leaving this site, so be sure to make a mental note about how to return here. We’ll miss you!
