Who's Afraid Of The Stock Market?

If the ups and downs-and it's been mostly downs lately-of the stock market has you worried, maybe you'd like to invest in a stock market that doesn't put any of your money at risk. Of course that's a fantasy in the real world, but, on the Web you can do just that with what are known as virtual stock exchange games.

A virtual stock exchange game lets you buy and sell stocks without risk, because-unlike the real thing-it's just a game, so you're not using any real money. Of course, you won't be making any money either! It's just for fun and might teach you something about how the stock market works.

To get a better idea of how these types of games work take a look at a couple of examples like HowTheMarketWorks.com or Virtual Stock Exchange from MarketWatch.

At least when you play the virtual stock market, you won't have to worry about losing your shirt!

Got An Online Brokerage Account? Heed Uncle Sam's Safety Tips

Are you sure you're doing everything you can to keep the information about your online brokerage account from getting into the wrong hands? Find out what advice Uncle Sam recommends by reading Online Brokerage Accounts: What You Can Do to Safeguard Your Money and Your Personal Information.

This helpful resource prepared by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is loaded with tips to help you safeguard your online brokerage account. And what happens if, despite your best efforts, you still fall prey to a scam? They've got a few suggestions on that, too.

If you have an online brokerage account, this document from the S.E.C. is a must-see. Be sure to read it in its entirety.

Explore The Woodworker's Web

Are you passionate about woodworking? Then you'll want to take advantage of the numerous woodworking resources available on the Web.

For starters, try these Web sites:

• Woodworking on About.com - You'll find free woodworking plans, tons of helpful tips, how-to articles and more at this site from About.com.

• Woodworking.com - Loads of articles and a woodworking discussion forum are among the highlights of this woodworking portal.

• Woodworkingonline.com - How about woodworking podcasts? You'll find plenty of them here!

Do you have a favorite woodworking site that's not listed here? Share it with our readers by leaving a comment!

Featured Microsoft How-To Video: "Windows Vista + Windows Live: Photo e-mail"

If you want an easy way to get creative when sending photos in your e-mail, you might be interested to know that you can do that with Windows Live Mail and Windows Live Photo Gallery.

The Microsoft video below shows you just how simple it can be!


Windows Vista + Windows Live: Photo e-mail

Test Your Knowledge Of Internet Security

Think you know a thing or two about Internet security? Here's a quick quiz to test yourself:

Test Your 'Net IQ - Quiz #3

1. The term "Phishing" is best described by which of the following:


A synonym for high speed Internet service

An easy way to retrieve and organize e-mails

An e-mail scam intended to steal private information

A term for troubleshooting computer hardware issues




2. An unwanted Ad you encounter on the Internet is known as which of the following:


A worm

Trojan horse

Computer Virus

Spam




3. Of the 4 sample passwords below, which is the strongest:


Password

SunnyDay

68jkl##89klp09

HappyBirthday




4. What is the purpose of a piece of software called a firewall?


To increase the speed of your computer's processor

To keep hackers from accessing your computer through the Internet

To keep your information intact in case your computer overheats

To defragment your hard drive




5. Which of the following is NOT referred to as an Internet threat?


A byte

A Trojan Horse

Phishing

Botnets

Good luck!

The Funniest Game Show Bloopers Are On YouTube

Game shows are supposed to be entertaining-but riotously funny too? Well, when something unintended happens that's often the case. Now, thanks to YouTube, you can see some of the funniest game show bloopers ever with just a click of your mouse.

For example, here's one of the best game show bloopers video on YouTube:

What Were The Greatest Moments In Yankee Stadium History?

Barring a miracle comeback, last night the New York Yankees played the final game ever held at "the House that Ruth built." If you're in the mood to wax nostalgic and want to relive some of the great moments of that historic ballpark, turn to the Web!

"The Big Ballpark in the Bronx" is home to so many memories. Here are a few sites that attempt to list the greatest:

• 2o Greatest Moments In Yankee Stadium History - New York Post

• FOX Sports on MSN -MLB Greatest Moments - 'House' Rules Yankee Stadium's greatest moments

• Yankee Stadium's Greatest Moments - New York Daily News

• Top 10 Yankee Stadium Moments - About.com

Farewell to Yankee Stadium!

Tributes To Yankee Stadium On YouTube

In honor of the final regular season game at Yankee Stadium on Sunday, September 22nd, we thought you might be interested in the video below we found on YouTube.

It's just one of many tributes to the venerable "House That Ruth Built" you can watch on YouTube right now!

TV News Bloopers You've Got To See To Believe

Ordinarily when you turn on the evening news, you don't expect to laugh-it's serious business after all. The exception, of course, is when something unintentionally funny happens while the newscasters are delivering the news.

We're talking about TV news bloopers. And now, thanks to YouTube, you can see this type of thing whenever you need a good laugh! Enjoy!

Test Yourself On Internet History

Think you know something about Internet History? Here's a short true/false quiz to test your smarts!

Test Your 'Net IQ - Quiz #2

1. Al Gore invented the Internet.


True

False




2. Al Gore invented the World Wide Web.


True

False




3. Tim Berners Lee invented the World Wide Web.


True

False




4. Bill Gates created Google.


True

False




5. Before there was the Internet as we know it today, there was something called the ARPAnet.


True

False

Good luck!

Featured Google How-To Video: "Google Reader in Plain English"

Keeping up with the latest developments from your favorite Web sites and blogs isn't always that easy. But did you know that Google has a program to help simplify the process?

It's called Google Reader and in the Google produced video below you'll get a better idea of how it works and how it can make your Web surfing life just a little bit easier!

Learn How To Evaluate Health Information On The Web

How confident are you in separating the good from the bad when it comes to health information on the Web? Want to boost your confidence? The prestigious National Library of Medicine has created a tutorial on the subject and you can take it right now online!

Just point your browser to Evaluating Internet Health Information: A Tutorial from the National Library of Medicine. This 16 minute tutorial covers many of the important questions you should ask when determining whether a particular health site on the Web should be trusted or not.

Featured Microsoft How-To Video: "Windows Vista + Windows Live: Managing Multiple E-mail Accounts

Managing multiple e-mail accounts can be a pain, if you know what I mean. But did you know that Windows Live Mail makes the process a whole lot simpler?

Want to see how easy it is? Just View The Microsoft video below!



Windows Vista + Windows Live: Managing Multiple E-mail Accounts

Remembering September 11th Online

Today marks the 7th anniversary of one of the darkest days in U.S. History: The terrorist attacks on the Pentagon and The World Trade Center of September 11, 2001.

Here are some noteworthy 9/11 resources on the Web you might be interested in:

• The 9-11 Commission Final Report - The official government report on the terrorist attacks of 9/11-all 585 pages-is available online for your perusal.

• Commemorating September 11 at Beliefnet.com - You'll find readings and prayers appropriate for September 11th, here at this spiritual hub on the Web.

• National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center - This is the online presence of the planned 9/11 museum.

We will never forget.

Test Your 'Net IQ

Starting today we're going to be introducing a fun new way to learn more about the Internet right here at The Senior Surfer: A brand new category called "Test Your 'Net IQ" wherein we'll periodically offer quizzes about the Internet and World Wide Web. Each quiz will consist of 5 questions and the format will be either multiple choice or True/False.

Our first Test Your 'Net IQ quiz is multiple choice:

Test Your 'Net IQ - Quiz #1

1. The "E" in E-mail stands for what?


Eclectic

Electric

Eccentric

Endemic




2. Which of the following is not a computer programming language?


XML

HTML

AOL

Python




3. ISP is an acronym for which of the following?


Internet Specialty Protocol

Internet Service Provider

Internet Systems Proffesional

Internet Symbiotic Procedure




4. Which of the following best describes ebay?


An onlince e-mail provider

An Web site design firm

An online auction site

An anti-virus software program




5. Which of the following best defines the popular site MySpace?


An online social networking site

An online auction site

An online health site

An online realtor

Good luck!

Enjoy A Virtual Visit To Graceland

Are you a fan of Elvis Presley but never got to visit Graceland, his famous residence? Now you can visit it online-virtually! Just point your browser over to Virtual Tour:Graceland Mansion at Elvis.com and you'll enjoy 360 degree panoramic views of this world famous mansion.

Some of the highlights of the Graceland virtual tour include:

• The Jungle Room
• The Meditation Garden
• Graceland at Christmas

And more! Who knew you could step inside Graceland with just a click of your mouse?

Featured Google How-To Video: "Introducing Picasa 3.0 (beta)"

Google has just introduced the latest version of their Picasa digital photography software-it's called Picasa 3.0 and in the Google-produced video below you'll get a look at some of the great things you can do with it.

If you're looking for a powerful, yet easy to use digital photography software, this one's hard to beat! And best of all, it's free!

Visit The Official Web Site Of National Grandparents Day

Did you know that Sunday marks the 30th anniversary of National Grandparents Day? If you're on the Web and you want to learn more about the holiday, head on over to the official Web site of National Grandparents Day.

The site, brought to you by The National Grandparents Day Council, offers information on the history of the holiday, fun Grandparents Day activities and more!

Happy Grandparents Day!

The Center For Medicare Advocacy Is Online Too

If you're a senior with questions or issues regarding Medicare, there's a place on the Web you might be interested in called the Center For Medicare Advocacy.

From the site:

"The Center for Medicare Advocacy, Inc. is a national non‑profit, non-partisan organization that provides education, advocacy, and legal assistance to help elders and people with disabilities obtain Medicare and necessary health care."

This helpful site covers the latest medicare news, offers in depth coverage on practically every medicare topic you can think of, and if you need more help, even features information on how to contact the center directly!

This is a terrific resource you'll want to reference again and again!

Dogs Like To Talk It Up Too

Think cats are the only ones who like to talk? Think again. As the video below from YouTube clearly proves, Dogs can talk up a storm too!

And they've got a lot more to say than just "Arf! Arf!"

Visit The Official Web Site Of The Republican National Convention

Last week the Democrats held their national convention, and if you were reading The Senior Surfer, you might remember that we pointed you to their official Web Site. This week it's the Republicans' turn to hold a national convention, and of course they've got an official presence on the Web too!

Just point your browser to The official Web site of the 2008 Republican National Convention where you'll find plenty of videos, audio features, a blog, and much more-everything to help stay on top of convention happenings.

If you're going to follow the Republican convention online, this is the site you simply must see!