Helping Others In The New Year...With A Little Help From The Web

Want to make a difference in the lives of others in the new year but not sure where to start? A new Web site called I Am The Solution aims to make it easier for you to make that important difference. From a recent press release:

The I Am The Solution initiative is challenging people to make at least one selfless resolution-to volunteer, give money, refer people to needed services, or acknowledge a personal need for help. And, because resolutions are easy to make but often difficult to keep, the initiative hinges on an interactive, online community --http://www.iam-thesolution.org/ -- where people can stay accountable by creating profiles, setting deadlines, tracking their progress and engaging with others who are making similar resolutions.

Using the power of the Web to help you help others, this one looks like a promising idea! Check out their Web site for more details.

Happy New Year!

Note: The Senior Surfer will resume on Monday, January 5, 2009.

5 Sites To Help You Plan Your New Year's Eve Party

Need some ideas for that New Year's Eve party you're throwing? Here are 5 Web sites that might help:

• New Year's Eve Cocktails, Recipes & Entertaining Tips from FoodNetwork.com.

• Rachel Ray's Lucky New Year's Eve Party Ideas from RachelRay.com.

• New Year's Party Ideas, New Year's Decorations, New Year's Food, New Year's Eve Traditions from MarthaStewart.com.

• New Year's Eve Ideas - Decorations and Party Ideas for New Year's Eve from Delish.com.

• Festive Recipes, Menus, and Drinks New Year's Eve from Epicurious.com.

Have a great party!

What Will Your Virtual New Year's Resolution Be?

Got a special resolution for 2009? Here's something unique you can do with it: Submit your resolution to the 2009 Virtual New Year's Eve Wishing Wall on the official Web site of Times Square. According to the site, it will be included in the confetti that rains down on the famous New Year's Eve celebration!

Check out the Times Square Alliance for more information. So, what are your New Year's resolutions?

Watch Scrooge Online

Here's a classic you'll find on Archive.org that's perfect for the holidays: Scrooge (1935). Enjoy the movie and have a very Merry Christmas!

Scrooge

Note: The Senior Surfer will resume on Monday, December 29th.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas...On YouTube

If you're still not in the Christmas spirit, you will be after you watch this YouTube video of Christmas lights synchronized to music.

Celebrating Hanukkah With A Little Help From The Web

Last year around this time, we pointed out several notable Hanukkah Resources online worth checking out. Those resources are just as worthwhile this year. And here are a couple more that might interest you:

Chanukah on the Net from Holidays.net.

"How Hanukkah Works" from Howstuffworks.com.

Have a Happy and healthy Hanukkah!

Take Our Tech Whiz Quiz

Computers, the Internet, video games-you name it-technology is everywhere. And with all the tech gifts popular this time of year, it's hard to stay on top of all the lingo. Here's a short multiple choice quiz on the kinds of technology terms you're likely to encounter amidst the popular gadgets and gizmos of the holiday season. Are you a tech whiz? Let's see!

Test Your 'Net IQ - Quiz #15

1. The iPod is considered an MP3 Player. MP3 Players can store which of the following?


Music

Pictures

Movies

Depending on the device, all of the above




2. The Wii is a popular what?


High Definition Camcorder

Digital point and shoot camera

Video game system

Laptop computer




3. Which of the following is not a type of computer?


A netbook

A laptop

A desktop

A gigabyte




4. A digital SLR is an example of what type of electronic device?


An MP3 player

A camera

A phone

A GPS system




5. When would you most likely encounter the term megapixels?


When shopping for digital cameras

When shopping for computers

When shopping for MP3 players

When shopping for video game systems

Good luck!

Featured Google How-To Video: "Discover Ancient Rome in Google Earth"

Still haven't made the move to download the free Google Earth program? Here's one more reason you might want to-especially if you're a history buff. The Google produced video below introduces you to a new feature in Google Earth: The ability to explore Ancient Rome in 3D!

Online Holiday Gift Guides Can Help You Pick The Right Gadget

If you have someone on your gift list that likes tech gifts, and you're not up on the latest gadgets-that can be a problem. But thankfully, the Web can help!

Several sites have put together holiday gift guides to help you make the gadget lovers on your list happy this Christmas season. A good example is CNET'S 2008 Holiday Gift Guide. They've rounded up a list of the latest gadgets that are sure to please everyone on your list!

These types of Web based holiday gift guides, especially from authoritative sites like CNET, can be a big help if you're in the market for tech gifts and not sure where to start!

Microsoft How-To Videos: "Demo: Security Basics"

Running a Windows operating system on your home computer and want to check your computer's security status? Here's a how-to video from Microsoft that shows you how to do that by accessing the Windows Security Center.


Demo: Security Basics

The Sixth Online Safety Video From AARP And Google

Here is the final online safety video from the collaboration of AARP and Google. This one offers tips on how to avoid the growing Internet threat known as "phishing."

Quiz Yourself On Instant Messaging

Instant messaging is one of the most popular applications on the Internet, so it makes sense to become more familiar with it. Here's a short T/F quiz to test your IM smarts:

Test Your 'Net IQ #14

1. The term for the people you choose to exchange messages with is known as your "buddy list."


True

False




2. If your contacts want to learn more about you they might find that information in your "profile."


True

False




3. You can't get computer viruses through instant messaging software.


True

False




4. LOL, MYOB, KWIM are examples of shorthand abbreviations used in instant messaging.


True

False




5. When you instant message, It's not a good idea to use your real name for your "screename."


True

False

Microsoft How-To Videos: "Using Windows Mail"

Here's a nice demo video from Microsoft on how to start using Windows Mail, the e-mail program that comes with Microsoft Windows software. The video covers all the basics of the program including, how to send e-mails to multiple recipients, how to attach files, sort e-mails, etc.



Demo: Using Windows Mail

A Unique Gift Idea For The Holidays

A while ago I wrote about Blurb.com, a Web based service that lets you turn your digital photographs into coffee table books. Well, recently I used their service myself to create a photo book called I'm Dreaming Of A Bronx Christmas. Generally, I found the software easy to use, and making the book was more fun than I expected. You can see a preview by clicking on the link in the left hand sidebar, if you're interested.

If you want to make your own book and give it as a unique gift for the holidays, you'd better hurry! According to the shipping deadlines posted on Blurb's Web site, you still have time to get it for Christmas if you choose an express shipping option and order no later than December 12th(if you choose 2nd Day Air) or December 15th(if you choose Next Day Air)!

The Fifth Online Safety Video From AARP AND Google

Here's the fifth online safety video from the collaboration of AARP and Google. This one offers some important online shopping tips.

Pearl Harbor Resources Online

Yesterday was the anniversary of Pearl Harbor. In honor of that here's a link to the post we ran last year at this time:

Newsreel Footage Of The Attack On Pearl Harbor

May we never forget the sacrifices that have been made for freedom.

Quiz Yourself On Web Site Terminology

How well versed are you on Web site terminology? Take our short True/False quiz and find out!

Test Your 'Net IQ #13

1. A Web site's "domain name" is never included in its Web Address or URL.


True

False




2. A webmaster is someone who maintains a Web site.


True

False




3. Search Engine Optimization or SEO refers to improving a site's ranking in search engine results.


True

False




4. You'll never see the phrase "shopping cart" when you order something at a Web site.


True

False




5. The first page of a Web site is often referred to as its homepage.


True

False

An Easy Way To Start Video Chatting

Want an easy way to get started with video chatting? Did you know that Google offers voice and video chat capabilities through their Gmail service? All you need to get started is a Gmail account and of course a Web cam and microphone. Watch the Google produced video below to learn just how easy it can be!

Microsoft How-To Videos: "Diagnosing problems and getting help"

Do you ever get frustrated when you have a computer problem or when you'd like more information about Microsoft Windows but are not sure where to look? Perhaps Microsoft Windows and Support can help. The video tutorial below from Microsoft, shows you how to get the most of this helpful feature of your Windows software.


Demo: Diagnosing problems and getting help

The Fourth Online Safety Video From AARP AND Google

Here's the fourth video from the six-part series about online safety that Google and AARP collaborated on. This video demonstrates how to find out what kind of information is available about you online and recommends the steps to remove it, if you find it objectionable.

Think You're A Savvy Online Shopper?

Today is "Cyber Monday," the day the online holiday shopping season "unofficially" takes off, so it's appropriate to point out a game designed to test your skills at spotting risky online offers. The game is featured at OnGuardOnline.gov, a government Web site that educates the public about online security.
Here's the link:

Online Lineup Game

See how savvy you are!

Take Our Online Shopping Quiz

Since Thanksgiving is tomorrow we thought we'd point out a couple of posts we ran last year at this time to get you in the mood for the holiday:

1. Everything You Always Wanted To Know About The History Of Thanksgiving
2. Talking Turkey Online

And, now that the holiday shopping season is upon us once again, here's a short quiz about online shopping to get you in the spirit:

Test Your 'Net IQ - Quiz #12

1. The Fair Credit Billing Act limits consumer liability in the event of credit card fraud.


True

False




2. A secure site's transaction page displays "https" and not just "http" in its address field.


True

False




3. If you become a victim of online shopping fraud you can file a complaint with the FTC online.


True

False




4. PriceGrabber is an example of a comparison shopping Web site.


True

False




5. An FTC rule requires sellers to ship merchandise no later than 20 days after receiving orders.


True

False

Good luck!

Happy Thanksgiving!

*Note: The Senior Surfer will resume on Monday Dec. 1.

This Cat Already Had His Thanksgiving Dinner

Here's a humorous video from the lighter side of the Web, that proves we're not the only ones who like to be couch potatoes now and then!

The Third Online Safety Video From AARP And Google

Here's the third installment from the six-part online safety series created by AARP and Google. This one covers privacy and online content sharing.

Quiz Yourself On Popular Blogging Terms

It seems like everyone has a blog these days-maybe you even have one-but, how well versed are you on the lingo associated with blogging?


Take our quiz and find out!

Test Your 'Net IQ - Quiz #11

1. A blogroll can be defined as which of the following?


All the blogs on the Web

The list of blogs that someone links to from his/her own blog

A list of blogs that are no longer active

A service on the Web that alerts you when a blog has been updated




2. What is a permalink?


The term for the URL or Web address for a particular blog post

An Web site that lists blogs that have been recently updated

A Web site or service that recommends blogs to read

Another term for blog directory




3. Collectively, all the blogs on the Web are commonly referred to as?


The Blogorama

The Blogosphere

The Blogverse

The Blogroll




4. RSS is an acronym that stands for what?


Really Simple Syntax

Readily Scalable Syntax

Right Side Sidebar

Really Simple Syndication




5. A video Web log is more commonly referred to as which of the following?


A TV blog

A Camblog

A Vlog

A Cineblog

Good luck!

Check Out The Google Maps Gadget

Do you use Google Maps to get directions? Well, you'll be happy to know that we've placed a Google Maps gadget right here on The Senior Surfer! What this means for you is, that starting today, when you're reading The Senior Surfer and need directions, you can conveniently access Google Maps by scrolling down the page and using their gadget.

You'll find the Google Maps gadget right after "Check The Weather" on the left-hand sidebar.

Where To Find Digital Photography Tips You Can Actually Understand

For those of you who still scratch your head when it comes to using your digital camera or just want to pick up some pointers on how to take better pictures, you'll appreciate a site called Shortcourses.com. Billed as "The On-line Library of Digital Photography" you'll find that it's an impressive resource filled with tips and tutorials to help you get serious about your hobby.

Especially if you're a budding digital photographer who's looking for information presented in plain English, this site is a must-see!

Microsoft How-To Videos: "Smart Ways To Turn Off Your Computer"

Here's an interesting video from Microsoft that explains the different options for turning off your computer-and you thought there was only one way!


Demo: Smart ways to turn off your computer

The Second Online Safety Video From AARP And Google

Last week we pointed out the first video from the online safety series created by AARP and Google. This week we're highlighting the second video from the series. This one offers tips on creating safe passwords!

Quiz Yourself On Popular Internet Services

You've probably heard the names of the Internet services in today's quiz countless times, but-if asked-could you define what they do? Today's true/false quiz tests your knowledge about these popular sites.

Test Your 'Net IQ Quiz #10

1. Twitter is an online auction site. True or False?


True

False




2. Blogger is a popular blogging platform. True or False?


True

False




3. PayPal is service that makes it easy to accept or make payments over the Internet. True or False?


True

False




4. If you want to place a classified ad online, you might go to Craigslist.org. True or False?


True

False




5. Facebook is a free online encyclopedia that anyone can edit. True or False?


True

False

Good luck!

How To Exclude Objectionable Material From Your Search Results

Here's the problem: You're using Google to research something on the Web, but you don't want to see search results that have objectionable content-so, what do you do? How do you tell Google that you don't want to see offensive imagery or words? Simple-just use the SafeSearch feature built into their search engine!

How to enable it:

1. Go to Google and click on Search Preferences (located to the right of the search entry box).
2. Scroll down the page till you see SafeSearch Filtering and select the level of filtering you want: no filtering, moderate filtering, or strict. You're done!

In Yahoo! Search you'll find a similar filter by clicking on Options, then Preferences. For Windows Live Search, click on Advanced, then Options.

Next time you use a search engine, give this feature a try!

AARP & Google Offer Online Safety Tips

Concerned about online safety? AARP and Google are too, apparently. They've recently collaborated on a six part video series about Internet safety tips that you can watch on YouTube! Here is the first video in the series:

Veterans Day On The Web

A year ago we highlighted some great Veterans Day resources available on the Web. A year later, those resources are still worth your while!

Once again, in honor of this national holiday here are those notable Veterans Day sites:

• The United States Department Of Veterans Affairs has an impressive collection of Veterans Day information on its Web site including a photo gallery, FAQs page, historical information and more.
• Military.com commemorates Veterans Day with military slideshows and informative articles, among other highlights.
• The U.S. Army Center Of Military History presents The History Of Veterans Day in a handy one-page timeline.
  

Our brave veterans are a national treasure-may we never forget the sacrifices they've made!

Challenge Yourself With GameKnot's Daily Chess Puzzle

Do you like trying to solve the types of chess puzzles you find in your daily newspaper? Then you'll love the chess puzzle provided by GameKnot.com that you'll find here every day on The Senior Surfer!

The puzzle is located on the left-hand sidebar, right after The Memory Game. See if you can solve today's challenge!

Popular Internet Terms You Should Know...Take Our Quiz

Here are some more popular Internet terms you should know the definitions of. Do you? Find out by taking our quiz!

Test Your 'Net IQ - Quiz #9

1. Software that's available for free on the Internet is known as?


Cheapware

Freeware

Botnets

Codeware




2. What is a URL?


Another term for Web address

An Internet Chat Room

Another term for an Internet Service Provider

An antivirus program




3. What are cookies?


Firewalls

Another term for Web browsers

What online auction sites are known as

Data files Web sites send to your Web browser




4. Of the following, which is a file format used for storing music on a computer?


JPEG

GIFF

TIFF

MP3




5. The rate at which data can be transferred from the Internet to your computer is known as?


SSL

Bandwidth

Quicktime

RSS

Good luck!

Featured Google How-To Video: "Introducing the Google Help Forums"

If you've ever had questions or issues regarding Google, you'll be happy to know that they've made some new improvements to their Google Help Forums that you'll no doubt welcome. The video below has more details!

Watch Obama's Victory Speech On YouTube

Congratulations to Barack Obama on being elected the next President of the United States! In case you missed his victory speech, here it is on YouTube:

Keep Track Of The Election Results Online

Want an easy way to keep track of the election results this evening? Just check the Decision '08 Presidential Results widget from MSNBC, that we've placed over on the left hand sidebar!

You can easily add this feature to your own Web site or blog-if you have one-by clicking on "get & share" at the bottom of the widget. Just follow the instructions that appear!

Visit The Official Web Sites Of The Presidential Candidates

The election is tomorrow! If you still haven't visited the official Web sites of the Presidential Candidates, what are you waiting for? We'll make it easy for you...

• For Barack Obama's official Web site go to BarackObama.com.
  
  
• For John McCain's official Web site go to JohnMcCain.com.

Don't forget to vote!

A Scary Online Treat For Halloween

Here's a scary classic for you to enjoy on this Halloween:

The Phantom of the Opera (1925)




Happy Halloween!

Do You Know Your Emoticons? Take Our Quiz

When you run across emoticons-those "smiley" faces that convey emotion in online communication like e-mail or instant messaging-do you always "get" their meaning? How good are you at deciphering these sometimes cryptic symbols? Here's a short quiz to help you find out!

Test Your 'Net IQ #8

1. Which of the following emoticons expresses annoyance?


: - )

> : - (

( : - )

o : - )




2. Which emoticon lets the other party know you're winking at them?


: - (

: - )

> : - )

; - )




3. Pick the emoticon that expresses sadness:


: - (

: - }

; - )

: >




4. Which emoticon lets the other party know you're yelling at them?


: - }

: - ( 0 )

: - (

; - )




5. Which emoticon expresses sarcasm?


: / )

: - [

: - >

: - )

Good luck! :-)

Are You A Fan Of Ansel Adams?

If you're a fan of the photography of Ansel Adams and you check in to read The Senior Surfer every day, you're in luck. Starting immediately, we'll be placing a Google gadget on this site that displays a different Ansel Adams nature photograph every day for your viewing pleasure.

The Ansel Adams Nature Photo of the Day is located in the left hand sidebar. Enjoy!

There's A Funny Side To The Candidates Too

Campaigning to be the next president is serious business, to be sure-however, that doesn't mean there isn't room for a laugh or two. In these videos that aired on CBS's Late Show with David Letterman, and are currently featured on YouTube, the candidates get a chance to show off their funny sides.

Featured Microsoft How-To Video: "Demo: Burn a CD or DVD"

Have you always wanted to learn how to copy photographs or music stored on your computer to a CD or DVD but weren't sure where to begin? Relax. As this how-to video from the folks over at Microsoft proves, "burning a disk," as the process is commonly referred to, is easier than you think!



Demo: Burn a CD or DVD

Test Your Web Search Smarts

Think you're a savvy Web searcher? See how well you do on our short multiple choice quiz about Web search!

Test Your 'Net IQ - Quiz #7

1. _______ are computer programs used by search engines to help them catalogue Web content.


List servers

Spiders

Frames

Telnet




2. How do you tell Google to search for an exact phrase?


Put quotation marks around the phrase

Put question marks around the phrase

Put exclamation marks around the phrase

Put commas around the phrase




3. Which of the following terms tells Google to restrict searches to University Web sites only?


site:university

search educational resources only

site:edu

site:org




4. In Google, what symbol do you type in front of a word to exclude it from the search results?


&

+

=

-




5. What do you call a program that allows you to simultaneously use multiple search engines?


A bot engine

A meta-search engine

Usenet

A botnet

Good luck!

More Vintage World Series Footage On YouTube

For those of you who loved the old newsreel footage of the 1954 World Series hosted on YouTube, that we told you about last week, here's another video you'll love. This one's also on YouTube and it's a silent "home movie" that includes footage of the 1929 World Series between the then Philadelphia A's and the Chicago Cubs.

Talk about a nostalgic trip!

Watch John F. Kennedy's Speech About The Cuban Missile Crisis

46 years ago today President John F. Kennedy took to the airwaves and addressed the nation about the Cuban Missile Crisis. Now, thanks to the power of the Web and YouTube, you can relive that tense moment in history right on your computer screen.

Take a step back in time...

Is Web Surfing Good For Your Noggin?

You know all those friends who keep asking you why you spend so much time surfing the Web? The ones who rarely-if ever-go online themselves, because they just don't think there's much value to it? Well, you might want to show them this interesting article from CBSnews.com called Surfing The Web Stimulates Older Brains.

Who knows? It just might change their minds-literally!

Political Parodies Abound On The 'Net

Need a break from all the serious political stuff you've been inundated with recently? For comic relief you can turn to the many political parodies currently airing on the Web.

For example, here's one about the Final Presidential Debate that aired recently on Saturday Night Live:

The Vice Presidential Debate Has A Home On The Web Too

If you missed the only Vice Presidential Debate of 2008, but still want a chance to see it before the election, you're in luck. Like the three Presidential Debates, C-Span.org has also made the Vice Presidential Debate available to the public and posted it on YouTube.

Here's the full video:

Watch The Third Presidential Debate Online

The final Presidential Debate of 2008 was held last night in Long Island, New York and today, thanks to the power of the Web, you can view it in its entirety online through YouTube!

In case you didn't get around to seeing it, or you simply want to watch it again, here's the full video:

Quiz Yourself On Digital Photography

No one likes jargon, but, if you've taken up digital photography, you're likely to bump into some. Here's a short multiple choice quiz to test your knowledge of some digital photography terms you should be familiar with:

Test Your 'Net IQ - Quiz #6

1. Which of the following is used to connect your digital camera to your computer?


A motherboard

A USB cable

A dual-core processor

An image sensor




2. What's the best choice below to complete the following: A digital photograph is made up of _____.


USB ports

PCI

An expansion card

Pixels




3. From the choices below, complete the following sentence: I need a new ____ for my digital camera.


Boolean operator

Memory card

SEO

DNS




4. Which of the following is NOT a digital image file type?


TIFF

JPEG

SSL

RAW




5. Which of the following is NOT an online photo sharing site?


Flickr

Webshots

Tucows

Picasa Web Albums

Good luck!

Catch Some Of That Old-Time Baseball Fever

Now that we're well into the Major League Baseball Playoffs and the Fall Classic is just around the corner, do your thoughts ever drift back to the baseball days of yesteryear? You might be interested to know that you can find newsreel footage of baseball long past, as well as other nostalgic baseball videos, on YouTube.

Here's an example that will take you way back:

Discover Columbus Day Online

By now, you're probably well aware that Monday is Columbus Day, but how much do you really know about the holiday or, for that matter, Christopher Columbus, who inspired the holiday in the first place?

Here are a couple of sites worth visiting where you'll learn more:

• The History of Columbus Day - At this Web site from the History Channel you can watch videos, take a quiz and even learn more about the controversy surrounding Columbus.

• Today in History: Oct 12 - This Library of Congress Web site offers a concise history of the holiday and links to the online exhibit 1492: An Ongoing Voyage.

Have a happy Columbus Day!

Note: In observance of the holiday, The Senior Surfer will resume on Tuesday, October 14th.

Quiz Yourself On E-mail Pitfalls

E-mail is perhaps the most popular Internet application. Unfortunately, it's also rife with pitfalls. Here's a short True/False quiz to test your knowledge on the subject:

Test Your 'Net IQ - Quiz #5

1. The "Nigerian" E-mail Scam is sometimes referred to as the "419" Scam.


True

False




2. If you get an e-mail that's spam, complain by sending an e-mail back to the spammer.


True

False




3. Phishing scams never occur through e-mail.


True

False




4. E-mail attachments can harbor computer viruses.


True

False




5. Ideally, a "spam filter" reduces the amount of unwanted e-mails you receive.


True

False

Good luck!

Watch The Second Presidential Debate On YouTube

Yesterday, on The Senior Surfer, we embedded the video of the First Presidential Debate. Well, the Second Presidential Debate-the one that aired last night-has already been posted on YouTube, so today, we'll embed that one here as well-in case you missed it last night!

Who do you think won the debate?

Didn't Catch The First Presidential Debate? Watch it On YouTube

The Second Presidential Debate between candidates Barack Obama and John McCain will be televised tonight. But what if you missed the first debate? Don't worry, you can watch it in its entirety on YouTube.

For your convenience, we've also embedded it right here on The Senior Surfer.

Featured Google How-To Video: "Deadlines looming: Register to vote on Google!"

With election day drawing nearer, Google has endeavored to make your life a little easier by introducing tools to help you quickly find important voter information like voting locations and registration deadlines. This Google produced video shows you how, step by step!

Using The Web For Health Research? Check Out This Article From The New York Times

For anyone using the Web to research matters of health and well-being, there's a terrific article online at the Web site of The New York Times you might be interested in. It's called Logging On for a Second (or Third) Opinion.

In addition to chronicling how one woman used the Web to research her particular medical condition, the article identifies several useful health related Web sites-including many you might not have heard of.

If you're currently using the Web to look up health info or planning to do so in the future, this article is a must-read.

How Well Do You Know Your Computer?

How do you get onto the Internet? You probably use a computer, right? Then, in addition to becoming more savvy about the Internet, it makes sense to be familiar with computer and computer-related terminology as well-and that's exactly the subject of today's quiz!

Test Your 'Net IQ - Quiz #4

1. The term CPU is an acronym for which of the following?


Central Processing Unit

Core Processing Unit

Central Programming Unit

Core Processing Unix




2. Where would you most likely find a scroll wheel?


On your keyboard

On your computer monitor

On your mouse

On your bicycle




3. Which of the following terms is commonly used in relation to a computer's processing speed?


HTML

Javascript

Wi-Fi

Gigahertz




4. Which of the following is sometimes referred to as the "brains" of a computer?


The Monitor

The CPU

The USB port

The Modem




5. BIOS is an acronym that stands for which of the following?


Binary Internet/Online System

Basic Input/Output System

Basic Internet/Online System

Binary Input/Operating System

Good luck!

You'll Be A Big Fan Of These Sports Bloopers

YouTube isn't just a repository for news bloopers or game show bloopers as we've pointed out previously. It's also got its share of sports bloopers-and sports bloopers can be very funny indeed, as this popular video demonstrates!

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!"