Play Simon Says Online

Here's a great way to challenge your short term memory:

Play Simon Says!

This online version, at PrimaryGames.com will challenge your memory by displaying a sequence of blinking colors. Your task is to memorize the sequence and repeat it in the exact order it's presented to you.

There are three levels of difficulty-easy, medium and hard. Good luck!

Watch Classic TV Clips Online

Did you know that, thanks to the Web, you can now watch clips of your favorite classic TV shows right on your computer screen? At TVland.com for example, you can watch classic clips from shows like:

• I Love Lucy


• M*A*S*H


• Star Trek


• Good Times

And more! You'll also find episode summaries, character bios and lots of extras. If you're a fan of classic TV head on over there right now-this is one site you won't want to miss!

How To Save Just The Best Parts Of The Web Sites You Visit

When you're surfing the Web don't you sometimes wish you could reach into the screen with a pair of digital scissors and "clip" only those parts of web pages you find the most interesting? Wouldn't it be nice to save a particular image say or a few notable lines of text without having to save or bookmark the whole enchilada? Well thanks to Clipmarks.com, you have that pair of digital scissors, so to speak!

Clipmarks.com has created a free software program that you can add to your browser that lets you "clip" and save just the sections of web pages you want to-no need to save or bookmark the whole page anymore!

To find out more about how you can get started using this helpful software, check out their How to Clip section of their web site. You'll even be able to watch a demo that explains how the whole thing works!

A Digital Photography Guide For Beginners

If you've always wanted to take up digital photography but were afraid it was too technical for you, or you simply didn't know where to begin, you should know that the Web has some great sites that will teach you everything you need to know. Digicamhelp.com, for example, is a case in point-a treasure trove of digital photography information that covers the basics and then some-it's a great place to start.

The site offers in depth articles covering the following digital photography topics:

• Tips for choosing the digital camera that's right for you
  
• How to take better digital photographs


• What all those camera features are and how they work


• Everything you want to know about camera accessories

And more! They even feature an active question & answer forum. Especially if you're a beginner and would like to learn more about Digital Photography, you owe it to yourself to visit Digicamhelp.com!

An Educational Travel Organization You Can't Afford To Miss

Have you ever dreamed about taking exciting but affordable trips that are as intellectually stimulating as they are fun? Well stop dreaming and check out what Elderhostel.org can offer you. According to the site they are, "the world's largest educational travel organization for adults 55 and over."

More from their site:

From Paris to New Orleans, Delhi to Council Bluffs, Elderhostel offers unique educational experiences, infused with the spirit of camaraderie and adventure, that enrich and enhance the lives of its participants. Our expert instructors share stimulating information through in-depth lectures, field trips and cultural excursions. Lively discussions with faculty and fellow participants illuminate issues and broaden horizons.

Sound like your cup of tea? If you're a senior who'd like to find out more about educational travel opportunities, then head on over to Elderhostel.org where you can sign up for a free monthly newsletter, learn all about their programs, request free catalogs and more!

Challenge Your Brain With These Fun Psychology Games

Want to try some free games online that are just as much fun as they are mentally challenging? Try your hand at these psychology games on the web site of AllPsych Online.

Test such things as your organizational skills, short term memory and hand-eye coordination when you play games like:

• Arrange
• Concentration
• Break Out
• Hit The Dot

And several others! Up for a mental workout? Give these games a try!

How To Speak To A Person Next Time You Call Customer Service

How many times have you called a customer service number only to find yourself stuck in the maze of an automated phone system? Aggravating, isn't it? If you've ever asked, How can I speak to a person instead of an answering system? you'll be happy to know there's a web site called, Gethuman.com that might offer you some relief!

Started by entrepreneur and consumer advocate Paul English, Gethuman.com offers tips and instructions on how to bypass the automated customer service systems of hundreds of companies so you can speak directly to a person instead of a machine when you need to.

Next time you have to call a customer service number check out Gethuman.com first!

These Vintage Magazine Covers Recall An Era Long Since Past

Vintage magazine covers can offer a unique glimpse of the past, but how can you get your hands on them unless you have your own private collection or live near a library with a large archive of old magazines? Turn to the web of course!

If you'd like to see some great examples of magazine cover art simply point your web browser to MagazineArt.org, an impressive online archive of vintage magazine covers from 1850 to 1950.

Some of the magazines represented are:

• Cosmopolitan
• Collier's
• Harper's Bazar
• Popular Science
• Better Homes & Gardens

And countless others, including many you might never even have heard of! Stop by and take a look-you'll feel like you're at a virtual magazine stand from another era!

Where To Find The Latest Info On Age-Related Diseases

As a senior you're no doubt concerned about age-related diseases like Alzheimer's, Glaucoma and Macular Degeneration. But where on the Web can you find reliable information and the latest news on these medical conditions?

One of the best places to turn to is AHAF.org, the web site of the American Health Assistance Foundation. The Foundation works to defeat these diseases through educational programs that increase public awareness and by awarding medical research grants.

The web site offers detailed information on all three conditions through the following resources:

• Medical news summaries
• A Question and answer database
• Fact Sheets
• Free Publications

And more! Keep abreast of the latest news and info regarding these age-related diseases by visiting AHAF.org today!

Try A Search Engine With PERSONalilty

Wouldn't it be great if after using a search engine and still not getting the answers you want from it, it would offer help from a real live person? That's the promise of ChaCha.com, a search engine that provides access to human guides in real time when you need further assistance on a search query.

Here's how it works:

1. Go to ChaCha.com, type in what you're looking for in the search entry box and click ChaCha Search.


2. You'll be given a list of results that match your search terms. If you're not satisfied with these results or you need help refining them, simply click on Chat Live with a Guide (Located at the top of the page).


3. On the resulting page you'll be able to chat with a human guide in real time! Just type in your request in the chat box in the left-hand column where it says, Enter message here..., then click Send Message. Your ChaCha guide will personally try to find the most relevant web sources to answer your question!

The time it takes to get a response will vary depending on the guide's competence and the complexity of the question, among other factors, but for those of you who rail against the impersonal nature of technology, this might be just the thing you're looking for!

The Google Games People Play

Have you heard about all the interesting and creative ways people are using Google these days? A growing phenomenon involves creating games that rely on the search engine's unique features. These so called "Google Games" are typically not produced by Google, nor affiliated with them in any way, but instead are created by loyal users.


To see an example of a "Google Game" in action, try The Image Quiz, created by Philip Lenssen. This game relies on Google's image search technology and asks you to guess the keyword represented by the images shown. One word of warning-it's loads of fun and terribly addictive-so make sure you have time to spare!

Help Fight Breast Cancer With Your Old Cell Phone And Some Help From The Web

Did you know that you could make a difference in the fight against breast cancer by donating your old cell phone? There's a web site called Recycle For Breast Cancer that makes the whole process as easy and painless as possible-and best of all it won't cost you a dime!

Recycle For Breast Cancer will take your old cell phone, recycle it and donate the proceeds to fighting breast cancer! And don't worry about shipping labels-they provide them prepaid-never any shipping costs whatsoever for you!

By the way, they even take pagers, inkjet cartridges and more! Check them out today to learn more about how you can use this terrific program to help make a difference!

When The Silver Fox Whispers, You Can't Help But Listen...

What is it exactly that makes a particular blog a compelling read? Is it the author's inimitable style? Maybe it's the power to make the personal details of his or her life resonate universally somehow? Whatever it is, you'll find it in Silver Fox Whispers, an exceptionally well-written blog started by a retired school teacher from California.

Whether detailing one of her recent travel adventures, regaling us with childhood stories of growing up in Minneapolis, or sharing a funny joke someone sent her by e-mail, the Silver Fox will have you hooked with her lively, richly descriptive prose-proof that she's not just a blogger, but a blogger with the soul of a writer! And that makes Silver Fox Whispers a compelling read indeed!

Take A Business Course Online At SCORE.org

Are you a senior who's thinking about starting your own business? You'll find few resources on the Web more beneficial to you than SCORE.org. In addition to the numerous business counseling services that SCORE offers, their web site features a Virtual Learning Center where you can take one of 26 free online courses on a variety of small business topics.

Here are just a few of the courses offered:

• Developing a Business Plan
• Conducting a Marketing Analysis
• Analyze your Competition
• Determining Your Business Legal Structure
• Running a Profitable Company

To begin one of these courses, simply go to SCORE.org and click on Learn Online (located in the upper left-hand column). On the resulting page, under Virtual Learning Center, click on register and follow the instructions. After registering you'll be able to take any course you like. They're self-paced and you can access them 24/7!

How To Tell If That E-mail Story You Just Read Is A Hoax

How many times has someone forwarded you an e-mail about some wild rumor, a heartfelt appeal for money, or a warning about a malicious new virus rapidly spreading around the Web? Don't you wish there was an easy way to tell if these stories are true or not? There is! Next time you find one of those dubious sounding stories in your e-mail inbox, visit TruthOrFiction.com, a web site dedicated to exposing e-mail hoaxes. From the site:

TruthOrFiction.com is a web site where Internet users can quickly and easily get information about eRumors, warnings, offers, requests for help, myths, hoaxes, virus warnings, and humorous or inspirational stories that are circulated by email.

Started in 1998 by broadcaster and best-selling author Rich Buhler, the site has become one of the most popular of its kind on the Web. Remember, don't just blindly forward that outrageous e-mail to everyone in your address book-run it by TruthOrFiction.com first!

A Great Place On The Web For Trivia Lovers

Think you're good at trivia quizzes? Why not test your knowledge over at FunTrivia.com. Billed as, "the world's largest trivia and quiz site," FunTrivia offers thousands of quizzes-some easy and others truly challenging-in a variety of different categories.

You'll find tons of quizzes on the following topics:

• Animals
• Celebrities
• Music
• Movies
• Sports

And much more! They even make it easy for you to create trivia quiz tournaments that you can play against your family and friends. Check them out to learn more and see if you have what it takes to handle their most challenging quizzes!

How To Find Volunteering Opportunities In Your Area With The Click Of A Mouse

If you're a senior who's thinking about volunteering for a worthy cause but not sure what opportunities are available in your area, you'll be happy to know there's a terrific web site that can help you find out. It's called VolunteerMatch and it's an excellent example of how the power of the Web can be used to do good-in this case, locating volunteering opportunities right in your own backyard!

To get the most out of VolunteerMatch just follow these simple steps:

1. Go to VolunteerMatch and under Search Opportunities (upper left-hand corner) type in your zip code, specify distance and area of interest, then click Search.
2. On the resulting page you'll see a list of volunteering opportunities that match your chosen criteria. When you see something that interests you simply click on it to learn more. If, after reading more about it you decide to become a volunteer, click I want to help!
3. At this point, you'll be asked to register. Registration is free and pretty straightforward-just follow the instructions provided. Once you've registered, VolunteerMatch will send an e-mail to the organization you want to volunteer for, letting them know you're willing to help.

You're done! You're on your way to making a difference as a volunteer! For the civic-minded among you, this is a site you'll be back to often!

Discover D-Day Online

Sixty three years ago today, during World War II, the Allies landed on the beaches of Normandy in what would forever be remembered as D-Day. Interested in learning more about this critical military campaign but not sure where to start? Turn your attention to the World Wide Web!

Here are some authoritative web sites that will teach you everything you always wanted to know about D-Day:

• The Normandy Invasion-Overview and Special Image Selection - The Naval Historical Center has put together a nice succinct overview of the D-Day invasion complete with archival photographs.


• Experiencing War (D-Day 60th Anniversary, June 6, 1944-2004) - This site, part of the Veterans History Project of The Library of Congress, offers interviews and personal accounts from some of the soldiers that took part in the D-Day operation.


• The U.S. Army Site About D-Day - At this U.S. Army web site that commemorates the D-Day invasion, you'll find photographs, maps of the Normandy beachheads-even a transcript of the message General Eisenhower delivered prior to the invasion.
  
• American Experience: D-Day - At this PBS.org site you'll learn about D-Day, a documentary film produced by Charles Guggenheim, you'll get to read letters about the D-Day invasion that soldiers sent home to their families, and much more.

Gain insights and learn the facts about this important historical event by visiting these terrific web sites!

5 Places Online Where You Can Get A Free E-mail Account

You know the old maxim, "you can't get anything for free." It doesn't apply to the world of e-mail. Fact is, there are several sites that offer free e-mail accounts. Even if you already have an e-mail address, there are many reasons to consider signing up for an additional one.

Remember, an extra e-mail account can come in handy in a variety of situations, like when you have to register for something online that requires an e-mail address but you want to keep your primary e-mail address private.

Here are 5 sites you can go to right now and get a free e-mail account:

1. Gmail - Google's free e-mail account makes it easy to search for old messages and provides you with tons of storage.
2. Windows Live Hotmail - Microsoft's free e-mail service gives you 2 GB of storage (likely more than you will ever need) and lets you choose colors and layout.
3. AOL E-mail - The e-mail service formerly available only to AOL members has now been made available to everyone free of charge.
4. Lycos Mail - 3 GB of storage is just one of the perks of this e-mail service from Lycos.
5. Yahoo! Mail - Yes, Yahoo does e-mail too and since they offer unlimited storage, it's hard not to sign up for this one.

Don't forget, when looking for free e-mail accounts on the Web it's a good bet to stick with brand names like the ones above!

How To Learn A Foreign Language With A Little Help From The Web

Have you ever wanted to learn a new language but didn't have the time or the money to take a course? Now, thanks to the power of the Web you have another choice-you can take a free course online when it's convenient for you. That's right, there are several sites that offer free web-based courses and other online tools to help you learn a foreign language.


Here are a few of the free sites worth noting:

• Language courses at UniLang.org - Beginner's courses in Italian, French, Spanish, Russian and more are among the offerings here-and they're all free.


• BBC - Languages - learn Spanish, French, even Mandarin Chinese at This BBC-run site that features audio and video tools as instructional aids.


• Internet Polyglot - Use online language games to help you learn foreign languages at this site, and be sure to check out the audio pronunciation features they offer as well.

These online tools are not intended to replace real world language instruction that's taught by a teacher, but as supplements or starting points to learning foreign languages, they can be valuable resources.

Introducing A New Feature: The Quote Of The Day

Starting immediately you can find "the quote of the day" right here on The Senior Surfer. Courtesy of BrainyQuote.com, you'll be able to read a new quote each and every day in the right hand sidebar!

BrainyQuote.com is chock full of famous quotes by the way, and you can search for them by topic, author, or type. You'll probably want to bookmark this one!