Breaking News....

I'll be on a brief hiatus for the next 10 days. After that, I will begin making regular postings once again. I appreciate your continued support, encouragement, and patronage!

Do you own a boat?

If you do, and it's the kind that you can put on a trailer and tow it from place to place, then you'll probably want to check out the "Boat Launch Locator" site. You'll find information on more than 25,000 boat launch locations and the database is growing quickly.

Hit the road and hit the water!

The Clovis Chronicles Project

I'm working on my first fiction novel and I've started posting portions to the Internet. Click here to learn more. You're invited to make comments and suggestions.

Do you own a digital camera?

Ownership of those devices is getting more and more common. If you do own a digital camera, then you should check out the "PhotonHead" Web site. There is more free information there about digital cameras and photography than you can shake a stick at. You owe it to yourself to make sure that you get the very best images out of your camera.

More on "Hot Keys"

Another one of my favorite keyboard combinations is:

CTRL+N

This key combo immediately opens up a new browser window. A lot of folks don't realize that they can open multiple browser windows and use them simultaneously. I hardly ever surf the Web without at least three windows. Some pages/sites take longer to load than others and so while one or two pages are loading, I'm reading the content on another page.

Do you oftentimes find yourself straining to read the small text on a Web page? I know I do. Now, this little tip isn't really a "hot key", but it's close. After a page loads, hold down the CTRL key on your keyboard and at the same time scroll the little wheel that is located on your mouse. When you scroll one direction, the text should get larger. Scroll the other direction, the text gets smaller. Simply use this technique to adjust the font size to whatever is the most comfortable for you.

Hot Keys....

As you may well know, most of the programs that run under the Windows operating system can be navigated with "hot keys". "Hot Keys" are a combination of key strokes that perform the same operation as a mouse click.

Why is that important?

Sometimes, it's actually more convenient to just tap a few keys than it is to take your hands off of the keyboard, place your hand on the mouse, move the cursor over the desired spot, and then to click on it.

I frequently utilize "hot keys" while navigating the Internet with Internet Explorer.

Here are my favorite:

ALT+D = This key combo takes you directly to the Address bar where you can quickly type in Web address.

CTRL+ENTER = I love this one. Let's say I want to go to the homepage for Yahoo. I jump up to the Address bar (using the first combo above), then I simply type in "yahoo" (no quote marks please), as soon as I finish typing "yahoo", I press the and keys at the same time. Magically, the "www." and the ".com" are added to the "yahoo", and I'm taken directly to the http://www.yahoo.com/ Web site.

I think you ought to go play with these two key combinations for awhile. I'll post some more tomorrow!

Virtual Views

Here's something a little different. It's a listing of the top 18 most beautiful city skylines in the world. Of course, there are pictures offered up also. Click here to check out the list.

The Dangers of E-Cards....

Who would have thought that digital greeting cards would become dangerous? But, leave it up to some twisted individuals to give it a try. Just today, sitting in my e-mail inbox was a message, and the subject line read:

"You've received a greeting postcard from a neighbour!"

I immediately became suspicious because normally, when someone sends me an e-card, their name is listed in the email and I recognize it. The second red flag for me was the fact that the link provided for me to click on to view the card, was not the AmericanGreetings.com Web site address. No, instead of that domain name, there were a series of numbers (an I.P. address). I often see the same type of Internet addresses as links in bogus messages pretending to be from e-Bay.

After a quick search at Google, I found a lot of information on fake e-cards and of the potential damage that they can do to our computers. I suggest that you do your own search and learn as much as you can about the subject. Not just for yourself mind you, but for those you come into contact with often. You can click here to read a short article on the subject at the Trend Micro Web site.

Be careful and be diligent!

Take a Little Trip...

On a cruise ship that is and use the "Cruisemates" Web site to explore all of your options and to get the best deal. And by the way, I'm not being paid to mention the site.

A Different Type of Search Engine...

It's called "Pixsy" and the claim is that it searches through millions of Web sites, blogs, and RSS feeds for photos and videos. Time magazine listed the service in its "Top 50 Coolest Web Sites" of 2006.

A Different Kind of Search Engine....

Try "Accoona", if for anything but a nice break from Google. Take a look at what other new search engines are doing once in awhile. It can give you a different perspective at times.

With Accoona, you get some nice search targeting features right up front at the beginning of your search.

It's worth a peak at I'm tellin' you.

Everything Coast Guard....

The first site that you should check out is "PostCoastie.com" - it's a sister site to this one and I'm the editor of it as well.

The second site is "The Coast Guard Channel" which provides access to short videos, documentaries, and written stories - all related to the U.S. Coast Guard.

Why do I care? I'm a veteran of that service. Why should you care? 'Cause it's the best darn branch of the military services that's why. Not that I'm prejudice about the subject or anything like that.

If you have any friends or family members who are associated with the Coast Guard, would you please let them know about the two sites listed above? I'd sure appreciate it!

Nuthin' Like Free Software...

It's called "Freeware" and there's lots of it available on the Internet. Click here for a site that lists the some of the best free software available. The site also provides a link to each particular program.

Mapping out Terrorism....

Check out the "Global Incident Map", I did and I was very impressed with the magnitude of information that it provides. The site is updated every fifteen minutes or so and one can keep abreast of possible outbreaks of terrorism worldwide.

Out of this World Images....

All free and all beautiful. Thanks to the folks at NASA.

The "Astronomy Picture of the Day" Web site is really great. Click on the link once a day and be presented with a new Space related image. But there is also a lot more to the site than that. In fact, by using either the "Archive" or "Search" links, one can view hundreds upon hundreds of images.

Have fun Space explorers!

Easy E-mail Access

For most folks, checking their email when they are away from home is pretty easy these days. Almost all of the big Internet access providers provide a Web based log in page. Well, for a lot of folks though, who still use local ISP's, checking e-mail remotely an be a problem.

Not really.

Not if they know about the "Mail2Web" site.

As long as one has Internet access, be it anywhere in the world, all they have to do is jump over to that site and then type in their email address and password. Once that's done, quick and easy access to their e-mail is right before them.

Pretty nifty I say.

Volcano Watch....

Here's an interesting fact. The state of Alaska has a volcano monitoring program whereby scientists utilize Web cams to keep an eye out for possible volcanic activity.

If you ever get really, really bored and feel like standing "volcano watch" sometime, click here and you can participate also!

Become a Google Master in 20 easy steps....

Yes my friend, you heard me right. Now step on up to the front here and listen to closely. Did you realize that although Google is probably the best darn search engine on the Web, there is a lot that you can do to greatly reduce the number of results that you are presented with? Wouldn't it be nice to only be presented with the results that contain exactly the data that you are looking for?

No more wading through hundreds of links just to find what you are looking for would be nice wouldn't it?

Well ladies and gentlemen, your days of needless wading are almost over. Click here to access a list of search tips that will make your time at the Google Web site much more productive.

Test your "Net I.Q."...

If you are still pretty new to the Web, click here and take the "Net I.Q." test. The test results will indicate to you the areas in which you need to progress. Now I know, some folks look at the Internet only as an entertainment venue, but could you imagine if a person actually knew how to use it for other purposes?

Take a little trip....

Back to the 1980's that is and check out some great images of people using computers of that era.

Click here and have fun!

Ever wanted to be a mad scientist?

Then the "Mad Sci Network" is for you!

It's actually a science Web site for kids but I found some pretty darn interesting things on the site - things that just might interest other adults also.

If you like to learn new things, you ought to check out the site with your kid(s) or just for yourself!

Cute is still okay....

Believe it or not, cute is still in.

Although much of what we tend to come across on the Internet anymore is harsh, crash, rude, and offensive - there are still Web sites out there that still maintain a modicum of decency.

The Cute Project site is one of them.

Most of the "cute" images are of animals, very young animals.

Check it out, and get your infusion of "cute" for the week!

Remembering the Sugar Shack....

Anyone reading this old enough to remember the 60's super hit song "Sugar Shack"?

I sure remember it and everytime I hear it playing on an oldies channel I get goose bumps. Why the goose bumps you may be wondering? Because I once lived in the same town where that song was produced and I have met the lead singer and founding member of the Fireballs, George Tomsco, a couple of times now.

The Fireballs formed in Raton, New Mexico in the late 1950's. In the 60's, they recorded "Sugar Shack" and several other hits at Norman Petty Studios in Clovis, New Mexico. Can you believe that George and some of the other original members of the band are still performing nationally as the Fireballs?

If you'd like to pick up a copy of a really great compilition CD entitled "The Fireballs - Clovis Classics" hop on ove and order it from Amazon.com - you'll be glad that you did!

By the way, the late great Buddy Holly also recorded his top hit "Peggy Sue" and several other great songs in the same studio in Clovis.

A major gift from the folks at Ancestry.com...

Available now and right up until June 6, 2007 - which is the anniversary of "D-Day", is absolutely free access to over 90 million U.S. war records.

Pretty incredible right?

If you are into researching your family tree then this is a very unique opportunity to glean additional information at no cost.

If you don't have an account with Ancestry.com, then you'll need to set one up - it is painless and free. The first time you attempt to view an online document at the site, you will be prompted to download a small viewer program - you will need to do just that.

In just a few minutes time I discovered quite a bit of previously unknown information about some of my ancestors - I'm going back to the site now to finish what I started.

See you there!

Free art....

If you are in need of some graphic art images to use for personal or educational use, please check out the "StockVault". The site provides a large number of free images for download and they also offer various subscription services.

All in all the site is a very useful resource!

Stalking AOL?

I've just stumbled upon a very strange and unique Web site.

The "AOL Stalker" site allows folks to view the types of Internet searches being performed by AOL subscribers. It's sorta' tacky but very interesting. No one is personally identified while they are conducting a search.

Another unique aspect is that in some cases, the search results that were presented to the searcher and then clicked on by that individual - are also presented for public viewing.

You just never know what's gonna' pop up on the Internet these days.

Are you booming baby?

If you are a "baby boomer" like me, then you are quickly approaching your fifties and there just ain't no stoppin' the train!

Time sure has flown hasn't it?

Anyway, I've found a great Web site for folks our age - it's chock full of great information that will help us transition into the "third age". In fact, that is the name of the site - "ThirdAge".

I reckon you just oughta' check it out for yourself.

Baffled by Balderdash?

That's one of the questions asked on the homepage of the "The Word Detective" Web site.

Have you ever wondered how a word or an expression got its start? I know I have. Well, our wondering is over, for all of the answers can be found on that site. The information provided is based on a series of newspaper columns which are all archived for easy access.

If you don't want to read all of the columns, you can click here and immediately access an index of words and expressions that have been previously written about.

All in all, "The Word Detective" Web site is very informative and educational.

Was your fad bad?

Find out by visiting the "Bad Fad Museum" Web site.

Be warned though, nothing is sacred and nothing is safe from ridicule. I mean, how could anyone find something wrong with leisure suits?

Come on, give me a break!

In the mood to do some wallpapering?

Windows wallpaper that is....

I've just visited the "Social Wallpapering" Web site and downloaded some really awesome images of space to use as my desktop wallpaper. The images on the site aren't limited to outer space though, but you'll have to go check the site out for yourself to find out what's there.