Enjoy Free Online Learning Resources At Fathom.com

Looking for free online courses from a respected institution of higher learning? Look no further than the free seminars at Fathom.com, a project of Columbia University. The learning resources you'll find there represent a wide range of topics-everything from Arts and Humanities to Technology.


Here are just a few of the seminars you might find interesting at Fathom:

• The Basics of Screenwriting
• The First Fifty Years of Cinema
• Music from the Renaissance and Baroque
• Biodiversity: Threats and Protective Measures
• Beyond The Internet: Predicting the Future of Computing Technology
  

As you can see from the variety of the seminar titles above, Fathom.com is quite an eclectic resource for the curious mind-you'll likely find plenty to satisfy your hunger for knowledge.

Play Picture Sudoku

Numerophobes take note: If you've been staying away from the challenging game of Sudoku because of your fear of numbers you can no longer use that as an excuse. You'll be happy to know that there are sites on the Web where you can play Sudoku with pictures instead of numbers!

Give picture Sudoku a try at one of these sites:

• Play sudoku with pictures of lemons, grapes, strawberries and other fruit at PictureSudoku.com.
• On this Picture Sudoku page from SodokuScore.com you can play with pictures of U.S. presidents, Hollywood actors and actresses and more.

Once you try playing picture Sudoku don't be surprised if you prefer it over the number version.

Free Online Backups For Your Important Files

You've probably heard by now how important it is to make backups of the data stored on your computer-your precious pictures, important e-mails, documents and other vital information that could be potentially lost if your computer ever suffered a major malfunction.

But, if you thought that the only way to make these backups was by using CDs or some other external device, think again-you can also accomplish this task online at one of several sites that will store copies of your data on the Web.

Here are a few online backup sites to check out:

• Mozy.com
• Idrive.com
• Xdrive.com

All of these online backup services offer a limited amount of free storage-enough to allow you to make backups for at least some of your pictures and important documents-for unlimited online storage you'll have to pay of course!

A Virtual Reference Desk At Your Fingertips

Where on the web can you access a dictionary, thesaurus, encyclopedia and dozens of other top notch reference tools for free? One of the best sites for this purpose is Bartleby.com. It not only scores points for its comprehensive list of reference texts-the fact that it's easy to navigate and boasts a clutter free design adds to its usefulness too.

At Bartleby.com you'll have access to all the essential reference tools that years ago you would've probably had to visit a library to find. Some of the highlights include:

• The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language - This dictionary features more than 90,000 entries.
• Columbia Encyclopedia -This sixth edition contains almost 51,000 articles.
• The Elements of Style - An essential reference for anyone who works with words, this classic is included here in its entirety.

And these are only a few of the important reference texts you'll find at Bartleby.com-consider it your virtual reference desk online!

Do You Care2 Make A Difference?

Which of these causes are dear to your heart? The environment, civil rights, cancer awareness, animal welfare? Whatever cause you're passionate about, chances are you'll find many like-minded individuals to connect with when you join Care2.com an online community especially for people who are dedicated to making a difference in the world they live in.

Here are just some of the things you can do at Care2.com:

• Join a group or start your own
• Create free online petitions
• Learn to become more environmentally conscious
• Discover some unique ways to generate donations online

And more! Not happy with the status quo? Join Care2.com like more than 7 million people already have and start making a difference right now!

Photo Tips From The Pros & A Whole Lot More

Just like all cameras are not created equal, all photography web sites aren't either-some, like TakeGreatPictures.com are just a cut above the rest. A production of The Photoimaging Information Council, TakeGreatPictures.com offers advice from professional photographers among its many features that make it a standout.

Whether your interest lies in digital photography or just photography in general you'll find a lot to like here. Pay particular attention to the terrific selection of columns including:

• Master Photographers Tell You How
• Digital Photography
• Digital Camera information
• Scrapbooking
• Photo Tips & Techniques

In addition to all the informative articles they offer, TakeGreatPictures.com also provides helpful tools like a camera comparison guide, a qualified digital processing lab finder, and more. You'll want to check out this site, before you take your next snapshot!

Play The Reader's Digest Word Power Game Online

Can't get enough of the popular Word Power game found in Reader's Digest magazine? You'll be happy to know that you can play it online at the Reader's Digest web site too!

To start playing just follow these easy steps:

1. Go to RD.com and scroll down the page till you see Word Power (under Play Free Games) and click on it.
2. You'll be prompted to sign up for a free registration. (Note: as part of the registration process you'll be offered free e-mail newsletters by default. You'll have to deselect any you don't want.)
3. Click on Join Now and The Word Power Game will begin shortly.

Now you can brush up on your vocabulary with The Word Power Game anytime you visit Reader's Digest on the web!

Bring Back Memories Of The Fabulous Fifties

Do you remember the Fabulous Fifties? How could you forget them? If you're a senior who longs for the days of Hula Hoops, 3-D movies, black & white TV sets and Elvis you'll welcome a visit to FiftiesWeb.com, a site primarily devoted to 1950's nostalgia.

At this terrific site you'll journey back to the 1950's through articles on:

• Classic TV
• Fashion
• Fads
• Pop History

And plenty of other items of interest to nostalgia lovers. On the Web since 1996, the site has also expanded to include info on the 60's, 70's and beyond as an added bonus!

How To Use Google To Quickly Find The Store Nearest You

Did you know that there's an easy way to use Google to find the nearest store location of your favorite retailer? For example, let's say you want to find out if there's a Home Depot close to your home. Just follow these easy steps:

1. Go to Google and in the search entry box, type your zip code followed by the store name-in this case it would be Home Depot. (note: in some cases you might need to add the phrase "department store" as well, to differentiate it from businesses in the area with the same name.)

1. Click on Google Search.

That's all there is to it. The resulting page will display a map showing the store locations closest to you. Give it a try!

Your Gateway To State Tourism Web Sites

Haven't decided yet on where to go for your next vacation getaway? Why not check out one of the many state tourism web sites for some terrific hints. And there's no need to bounce around the Web to locate each one of them, by the way. All you have to do is stop by the Travel and Tourism Sites for the 50 States and U.S. Territories page on the Web Site of USA.gov!

You'll find this alphabetized directory of state tourism sites a welcome convenience and a handy reference when it's time to make travel plans. It will save you time because it includes all the links you need to important state tourism sites.

If you're thinking about vacationing somewhere in the U.S., don't forget to bookmark it!