The People Behind The Technology

When you think about the Internet or the World Wide Web do you ever wonder what's behind it all? Not just the ones and zeroes, or bits and bytes of the technology, but the people, too. Who are all these visionaries and innovators responsible for everything we see and do on the Internet and World Wide Web?

We've wondered too, so we thought it would be interesting to create a new category here at The Senior Surfer called "The People Behind The Technology." In this new category we'll scour the Web for videos that provide insight into the personalities behind the digital age we now live in.

First up: Dr. Vinton Cerf

He's been called "the father of the Internet" and in this YouTube video of an interview conducted by OBSNews.com, he discusses the Internet and its impact on people and society:

Using The Web To Search For Images Just Got Easier

If you've ever used a search engine to conduct an image search, you know it's not always easy to find exactly what you're looking for. That's why you'll welcome a new innovation from Google in this department. As this Google-produced video below shows, now it's easier than ever to refine a search when looking for images on the Web!

The CDC's Web Site Has The Latest Info On Swine Flu

By now, unless you've been away on a deserted island, you've probably heard all about Swine Flu--it's practically all over the TV news. But what if you want reliable information about this type of flu on the Web? You might be interested to learn that the CDC has set up a special Web site that offers all the latest information about Swine Flu.

The site offers recent news, links to press briefings, travel advisories, and much more--all in an effort to keep you informed. Definitely worth checking out!

And for additional info here's a video from CDCStreamingHealth, the CDC's channel on YouTube:

Who Needs A Maid?

They say cats are very clean creatures. But can they keep your house clean too? This YouTube video offers some pretty compelling evidence that they can. Now if they could only be taught how to change the litter!

Test Your 'Net IQ - Quiz #31

As a smart surfing netizen, you should be familiar with every term or phrase that appears in bold in the true/false quiz below. Are you? Let's see!

Test Your 'Net IQ - Quiz #31

1. Consider encryption if you want your e-mails to be private.


True

False





2. QuickTime is an example of a web browser plug-in.


True

False





3. If you're interested in Internet telephony, you might run across the following acronym: VoIP.


True

False





4. New to the Internet and not sure of your way around? You might be called a "newbie."


True

False





5. You just sent a photo from your computer to a Web site. In other words you downloaded a file.


True

False

Good luck!

Microsoft How-To Videos: "Windows 7 + Windows Live: SkyDrive"

Question: Where can you get 25 GB of online storage (quite a bit) to back up your important documents and files? Oh, and where can you get it for free?

Answer: From Microsoft. Yep--it's called Windows Live SkyDrive and it won't cost you a dime! Microsoft has even created a short video that shows you how to take advantage of this useful service:


Windows 7 + Windows Live: SkyDrive

Revisit Classic TV On YouTube

Remember those great TV shows of yesteryear? You know the ones: The Lone Ranger, I Dream Of Jeannie, The Adams Family, The Outer Limits--bringing back any memories yet?

Now, courtesy of YouTube, you can enjoy full-length episodes of classic TV shows any time you want, right on your computer screen!

Your favorites at your fingertips. Who knew classic TV was just a click away?

Need Help Learning Windows? Try These Free Downloadable Guides

Want to learn how to do more with Microsoft Windows but don't want to spend a lot? If you're a regular reader of The Senior Surfer you already know Microsoft provides some useful how-to videos you can watch (we've pointed out several). But what if you're the type that likes to learn from books or manuals?

You're in luck! Microsoft also provides free downloadable guides to help you learn Windows! Here's the link:

Windows Guides: Learn to use Windows

Remember, since they're downloadable, you can print them out, place them right next to your computer, and reach for them whenever you need to.

The Web Gives Wings To An Angel's Voice

If you're not familiar with the name Susan Boyle by now, well...where have you been? Since her initial appearance over a week ago on Britain's Got Talent, she's been the subject of much press coverage in newspapers, television and especially on the Web. Why all the media attention?

Because they didn't think she could sing--and boy were they wrong! Check it out for yourself, if you haven't already. Here's a link to the video of her performance (via YouTube):

Susan Boyle - Singer - Britain's Got Talent 2009 (With Lyrics)

And here's a recent interview she gave about the performance to the West Lothian Courier, that's been posted on YouTube:



A talent discovered at last! Truly inspirational! What dreams do you still dream?

Test Your 'Net IQ - Quiz #30

Spring is as good a time as any for the digital photography enthusiast--the warmer weather makes it easier to go outside and snap a ton of pictures. But if you're new to the hobby, you might want to first get acquainted with some popular digital photography terms. Here goes:

Test Your 'Net IQ - Quiz #30

1. The type of popular digital camera that's typically less expensive than a digital SLR is known as?


A click-and-shoot camera

A point-and-shoot camera

A digital snap camera

A snap-and-flash camera




2. The "SLR" in digital SLR stands for what?


Single-Lens Reflex

Single-Lens Refraction

Single-Lumens Reflection

Sine-Law Reflection




3. 10 megapixels is equal to how many pixels?


A thousand

A million

10 million

100 million




4. Depending on the lighting conditions, you might have to adjust your camera's _______ setting.


DPI

ISO

EXIF

RAW




5. What does DPI stand for?


Digital Pixel Inversion

Dots Per Inch

Data Pixel Index

Digital Parity Index

Good luck!

Tour The New Yankee Stadium Right From Your Desktop

Today is opening day at the New Yankee Stadium but for all of you who can't attend this magnificent new ballpark, you can still get a sense of what it's like to be there, thanks to the Web.

You'll find a virtual tour complete with 360 degree panoramic views of the New Yankee Stadium on the Web site of nytimes.com. This terrific interactive feature provides an excellent view of the new park from three different vantage points: behind home plate, the stands high above the playing field, and Center field!

Grab yourself some peanuts and CrackerJack and enjoy!

The Filing Feline

According to this video hosted on YouTube, it's apparently a taxing time of year for kitties too. But at least this filing feline is owed quite a hefty refund!

Plenty Of Tax Info Is Available On The Web

Yes, it's that time again--tax time, and with the deadline fast approaching, you might be wondering where on the Web you can turn to for helpful info. Here's a short list you'll want to check out:

• IRS.gov - The official Web site of the Internal Revenue Service has tax forms, publications, tax law changes and more.

• Tax Info at AARP - Here you'll find online tax assistance and info about the AARP tax-aide program.

• The Wall Street Journal has this Last-Minute Tax Tips Video:

Good luck with your returns!

A Grand Slam For The Heart

Spring is a time for baseball and softball, but if you think it's just about the games, think again. As this video on YouTube demonstrates, sometimes the games are what we use to renew our faith in the human heart:

Celebrating Easter With A Little Help From The Web

Looking for some great online resources to help you celebrate Easter? We pointed out many of these last year at this time and they're just as good today:

• The Beliefnet Guide To Easter - From Beliefnet.com, the popular spirituality site, comes this comprehensive guide that covers everything from Easter-themed candy to the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

• The History of Easter - History.com presents an online exhibit that explores the origins of Easter and discusses the various symbols associated with the holiday, among other topics.

• Best Easter Recipes - What will you serve your friends and family this year for Easter? Maybe this list of top 20 Easter recipes from AllRecipes.com can give you some ideas.

• Easter at TheHolidaySpot - The history of Easter, greeting cards, recipes--if it's about Easter chances are you'll find info on it here at TheHolidaySpot.com.
  

Have a happy and healthy Easter!

Test Your 'Net IQ - Quiz #29

No one likes jargon, but in the digital world it's often unavoidable. So the goal of today's quiz is to test your awareness of some of the more commonly used tech terms associated with computer hardware and software. Here goes:

Test Your 'Net IQ - Quiz #29

1. Each of the following is an example of a "peripheral" device except?


A keyboard

A mouse

A printer

A microprocessor




2. The software that allows communication between a peripheral device and a computer is called?


A driver

An optical drive

A browser

A patch




3. This is the part of your computer that stores the most data.


The monitor

The hard drive

The microprocessor

The video card




4. From time to time a hard drive needs to be ____________.


Cached

Refreshed

Defragmented

Hyperlinked




5. Windows Vista and Windows XP are examples of which of the following?


DSL Modems

Operating Systems

Cookies

Spreadsheet programs

Good luck!

Celebrating Passover With A Little Help From The Web

Looking for some great sites on the Web to help you celebrate Passover? Here are a few worth a look:

• Passover 2009 - Pesach - Jewish Holidays - On the Web site of Chabad.org you'll find this terrific mini-site devoted to Passover. It includes how-to info, stories, recipes and more.
  
  
• Passover - History.com - This mini-site from History.com offers videos, and even an Ask A Rabbi feature, among other highlights.
  
  
• The beliefnet Guide to: Passover - At beliefnet.com you'll discover unique Passover traditions, find recipes and even watch a video where you'll see how Matzah is made.
  
  

• Top 20 Passover Recipes - At Allrecipes.com you'll find recipes like Garlic Prime Rib, Passover Chocolate Mandelbrot, and many other holiday favorites.

Have a happy and healthy Passover!

How Much Do You Know About Internet Explorer 8?

By now you've probably heard about Microsoft's latest version of their Web browsing software, otherwise known as Internet Explorer 8 or IE 8. But how much do you really know about its new features, or why you should consider upgrading? If you're at all curious about what's new in IE 8, here's a short, informative video from CNET.com, you'll want to take a look at:

A Kitten With No Interest In Thinking Outside The Box

If this YouTube video doesn't bring a smile to your face, it must be because you're one of the kittens who couldn't get inside the box!

Test Your 'Net IQ - Quiz #28

Since there's been plenty of talk in the media this week about Conficker--the much publicized computer worm--we thought it would be a good idea to have a short True/False quiz about it and Internet security in general. Here goes:

Test Your 'Net IQ - Quiz #28

1. Now that we're past April 1, the Conficker worm no longer poses a threat.


True

False




2. If your computer can't access the Web sites of anti-virus vendors, Conficker might be to blame.


True

False




3. Conficker belongs to a class of malicious software nicknamed "malware."


True

False




4. Conficker and similar threats can only infect your computer through suspicious e-mail attachments.


True

False




5. Computer worms like Conficker can spread automatically without any action on the part of the user.


True

False

Good luck!

The Inspirational Web

Where do you draw inspiration from? How about a little inspiration from the Web? Starting today, we're introducing a new category here at The Senior Surfer, one we're calling "The Inspirational Web." We'll be posting links to videos, sites, articles--whatever feeds the soul with its positive and uplifting message!

For the first entry in this category we want to draw your attention to a video found on YouTube that has enjoyed millions of views to date. It's an inspirational tale of an unusual friendship:

Everything You Always Wanted To Know About The History Of April Fool's Day--No Foolin'

"April Fools!" You'll likely hear that more than you want to, today. You might even mutter it yourself a couple of times before the day is through. But have you ever wondered about the history behind this pseudo holiday?

Here are a couple of places on the Web that'll teach you everything you ever wanted to know about the origins of April Fool's Day:

• April Fool's Day: Origin and History -- From Infoplease.com


• April Fool's Day - Origin -- From MuseumofHoaxes.com


• April Fool's Day - History of April Fool's Day and Joke Inventions -- From About.com

If someone plays a joke on you today, ask them if they know the history behind April Fools Day. Who's the fool now?!