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!