Is Your Password Strong Enough? How To Find Out Right Now Online

With all the media attention the subject receives, you're probably well aware of the importance of strong passwords when it comes to Internet security. However, even if you know all the tips for creating stronger passwords how can you be sure that yours are strong enough? When the site that asks you to create a password also offers their own password strength checking tool, it's easy, but what about for those other times?

Fact is, you can test the strength of your passwords anytime, even right now, by simply visiting the online Password Checker from Microsoft.com. Just type in the password you want to test and you'll automatically receive a strength rating on screen-either weak, medium, strong or best. Obviously you want to shoot for a reading of strong or best!

Not sure if that password you've been using is up to speed? Microsoft's Password Checker will let you know!

Take The Grandkids On A Virtual Trip To The Zoo

Here's a great idea for the next time you've got the grandkids over and you're looking for a fun and educational activity to do together on the computer: Take them on a trip to the zoo by way of the World Wide Web! How? By visiting the Smithsonian's National Zoo online!

Here are a few of the highlights that will delight both you and the grandkids:

• View the Animal Photo Galleries where you'll see pictures and learn interesting facts about the different zoo animals.
• Want to know what life's like in the zoo? Take a peek with the help of various Animal Web Cams and find out.
• Stop by the National Zoo Web Pages Just for Kids where you'll find crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles and other fun animal-themed activities.

Thanks to the Smithsonian Institution, a trip to the zoo is now just a mouse click away!

Make Donations To Your Favorite Charities From One Convenient Web Site

If you're starting to warm up to the idea of charitable giving online because of the convenience, you'll love a Web site called Network for Good. They're making it even simpler to donate online by providing you the tools to search for charities, donate to them, store your donation records and more, all from one convenient Web site!

From the site:

Network for Good is the Internet's leading charitable resource, bringing together donors, volunteers and charities online to accomplish good. At www.networkforgood.org, users can donate to more than one million charities and
search from among more than 36,000 volunteer opportunities.

Especially if you want to donate to several charities online and are worried about how to keep track of all your records, you'll want to check out Network for Good. Donating online to your favorite charities has never been easier!

How To Use The Web To File A Complaint About A Company

The Problem: A company has wronged you somehow and you want to register a complaint.

The Solution: Register a complaint with The Better Business Bureau-but save your postage stamp and do it more quickly online at their Web site, instead!

Here's how:

• Go to the Web site of The Better Business Bureau.
• Under File A Complaint (at top of page) click on the appropriate category depending on the nature of your complaint-either Business, Lemon Law/Auto Warranty or ID Theft.
• On the resulting page, after reading about complaint acceptance guidelines and related information, click Next at the bottom of the page and fill out the online complaint forms presented to you.

In addition to filing complaints at The Better Business Bureau site, you can also use it to stay on top of the latest BBB news, check out company reliability reports, locate a Better Business Bureau in your area, and more!

Got A Reference Question? Ask A Librarian Online

Remember the last time you were at your local library and you needed help with a reference question? You probably went straight to a librarian, right? But, did you know that you can get a librarian's help online too?

Many libraries-everything from your local library to the esteemed Library of Congress, offer an "ask a librarian" feature on their Web sites where you can submit your questions.

Here's how you'd ask a librarian a question at the Library of Congress online, for example:

1. Go to the Homepage of The Library of Congress.
2. Click on Ask A Librarian (top of page).
3. On the resulting page click the subject category your question corresponds to.
4. Fill in the online form with your question, a valid e-mail address and related contact information and wait to receive a response by e-mail.

It's that simple! According to the site, you should expect to receive a response in about 5 business days. So, what are you waiting for? Go ask your questions!

Take A Panaromic Tour Of The White House Online

Did you know that you could take a tour of The White House without ever leaving your house? All you have to do is point your browser to the 360 Degree White House Tour online!

Part of the official Web site of The White House, this virtual online tour includes:

• The Blue Room
• The Cabinet Room
• The Oval Office
• The Roosevelt Room

And more! Simply click on an image and you'll experience a panoramic, 360 degree view of the individual room-you'll feel like you're there in person!

Information On Aging That's Easy To Understand

One of the best places on the Web to find information on Aging that you don't need a PhD in Biology to understand is Infoaging.org, a website created by the American Federation for Aging Research.

Here are a few things to do at the site if you're interested in learning more about aging:

• Read the latest news articles regarding aging
• Download free publications on a wide variety of aging related issues
• Sign up for a free newsletter from the American Federation for Aging Research

Authoritative and yet written in a style that won't intimidate the average person, Infoaging.com delivers the aging related information you're looking for!

Browse A Collection Of Early Baseball Cards Online

Want to know what the digital equivalent of a dusty shoebox full of vintage baseball cards is? The online exhibit of Baseball Cards from 1887-1914, courtesy of the Library of Congress American Memory Collection. With just a few clicks of your mouse you'll be able to view the fronts and backs of 2,100 classic baseball cards-all without getting dust on your fingers!

The iconic players represented in this terrific online collection include:

• Ty Cobb
• Tris Speaker
• Cy Young
• Connie Mack

And other baseball immortals. For the nostalgia lover in general and the baseball nostalgia lover in particular, this site's a home run!

How To Use The Web To Help Students In Need

Imagine a Web site that makes it easy for you to find and fund projects that help needy students. That's exactly the idea behind a not-for-profit site called DonorsChoose.org.

It works like this: teachers post projects that they need funding for-projects intended to enrich the learning experience of their students. Then, you come along and visit the site to search for projects you'd like to sponsor-you can search by subject, region, or other criteria.

Find a project you like? You'll have the opportunity to fund all or part of it through a variety of payment options. What's more, after you've sponsored a project you'll even receive thank-you notes from the students who've benefited from your generosity!

Check out DonorsChoose.org to learn more about how you can make a difference by helping teachers help their students!

If A Tree Falls In The Forest...? Go Ask A Philosopher

Next time you have one of those deep, burning questions about the mysteries of life like, what's my purpose here on Earth?, or how do I determine right from wrong? or why are there so many reality TV shows? -okay, maybe not the last one-turn to the Web and ask a real live bona fide philosopher-and that doesn't mean e-mailing your cousin Bernie!

To find a real philosopher on the Web who's willing to answer those Big questions, all you have to do is point your browser to AskPhilosophers.org. At AskPhilosophers.org you'll find a willing panel of professional philosophers who are ready to tackle your most vexing questions regarding existence, beauty, truth, knowledge and everything else philosophical.

Next time you want to ask an important philosophical question don't worry about what happens if there's no one around to hear it-just head on over and post it to AskPhilosphers.org!