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?!