The Internet can be a very useful place for our kids on many levels, especially when doing research, but it can also be very a dangerous place that is treated by many parents as a necessary evil.

The interaction of children with Internet is often seen too narrowly. We, as parents have the tendency of focusing on safe browsing of the Web. This way of thinking is completely understandable, especially that the Web can sometimes seem like one big Red Light District.

The web surfing is not the only source of objectionable materials online. Email messaging systems are a great part of the Internet and can be just as dangerous not only for u s, but for our kids.

We can say that there must be some other way to let our children exchange messages with family members and friends while protecting them from the predators on the internet, phishing email, and tempting looking graphics with celebrities or well known cartoon characters. There is no question, we need to protect our kids, so what can we do?

Set Up a “MAIL NANNY” of Sort?

Do we need to set up a MAIL NANNY to keep the onslaught of online waste from forcing their way into our homes? Here are the three popular options of setting up an email for our young ones while trying to maintain parental control: AOL, Windows Live Mail, and a service called Bsecure CloudCare Version.

Lets take a closer look at them. Each lets you set up individual access log-ins for each kid and tries to help restrict the usage, such as who they can e-mail and who can e-mail them. Here’s what you need to know about all three.

Popular Email Solutions Are Not So Effective

Kids + AOL = KOL
What do you have to watch for with Cross AOL’s child-oriented Web portal e-mail service? AOL Parental Controls are not nearly as sophisticated as some of the standalone software available, even though the parents are able to create custom settings such as an time limit online and a report of the activity. The problem is also with Instant Messenger content that can blocked but not filtered and even friendly editors at CNET named the system “buggy.”

Microsoft has a solution, but each child has to have Windows Live ID. The contact control is only limited to Microsoft services and there isn’t any notification system set up for parents in case of violations occur. On top of it all a non-signed application can evade any program blocking with ease.

Bsecure CloudCare in not capable of handling secure anonymizing proxies. The program settings controls can easily be broken. IM monitoring will not get the full conversation and can be broken by a smart kid, who in addition could really get by almost all parental controls.

Bottom Line: America Online, as well as Microsoft are asking you to pass significant amount of tedious steps to set up an email account for your child. There are other solutions that offer more protection with less investment of time and energy. The best and the most effective way to deal with email virus is to maintain them away from your computer system or network. To accomplish this effectively, you will need a good software tool. Only after all suspicious emails are dealt with, should you allow to download them on to your computer.

BIO
Andrew Thomas advocates against spam distribution. The mission is to educate the public about spammers tactics and dishonest promotion efforts. Also, how to keep clean our resources from digital garbage. His personal story and recommendations are at www.webbaster.com

Social media is around now too. You only get 140 words on Twitter to actually say what you have to say. So that means cutting your sentences short or using “text speak”.

It’s also hard when blogging, talking on Facebook, forums or the likes to type exactly how a conversation went or what you think. So it has become easier to use “text speak” when responding etc.

There is the problem.

TEXT SPEAK.

It is the death of the English language as we know it. No longer are capital letters, punctuation marks and correct spelling a thought. When you want to get your point across you often see people typing in all capitals with no punctuation at all. Kids think it’s cool to leave messages such as, “c u l8r bff”. Or my favorite is when they omit letters, turning don’t into dnt. Really. That O was so hard to type in that sentence?

Now don’t get me wrong, I type LOL into my blog posts all the time. Or I use HaHa. It’s not proper English and I am butchering it too. It’s just much harder to emphasize the humor in my story that is coming from my mind. And all to often I laugh at things most wouldn’t find funny, so I try to emphasize my own humor.

But I try.

I try to at least take the, approximately one second, to type the letter O in the word don’t.

I get it. I get that twitter gives you 140 characters. I get that you only get a certain amount of characters in a text message. I understand that. But if you are say, leaving a comment on a blog – can you at least take the time to form a full sentence with all the vowels? It seems a bit lazy otherwise. If you are that lazy to type out the letter O, why don’t you attempt talking like that for a day. When you talk to someone you are not allowed to say the letter O at all. See how stupid you look then. OK?

Alas as we go farther and farther into the future with the ever advancing technology, I have this fear; dread. The English language will just die out. And we will soon all be talking like neanderthals.

Sigh.

Guess wll just have 2 c hw it trns out?

I’m sure if we had music out there also, my kids could pretend to be synchronized swimmers. They do have great imaginations…or maybe that’s me who would be doing that!

Merkury Innovations – Fashionation, has graciously offered to let you guys get your music portable and to be able to listen and swim. Pretend to be synchronized swimmers too!

These black and white Eco-Speakers are PERFECT for you!

Pyramid-shaped eco-speakers in a contemporary black and white floral design. Universally compatible, foldable, and made from post-consumer recycled material and shipped flat to reduce pollution and waste. Ideal for travel or dorm-room use.

Giveaway Information:

All giveaways will end 7/26/2010 @ 11:59 PM PST.

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Mandatory Entry MUST be completed before extra entries will be counted.

If you have grabbed the button or blogged about the event, please do mandatory entry and then leave a comment & link for extra entries!

Mandatory Entry:

Visit the Merkury Innovations and tell me one item you would love to have!

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GOOD LUCK Y’ALL!

image courtesy of education-portal.com

Anyways it’s actually pretty easy to do a screen shot on a netbook. Here’s how:

1. Hit PrtSc  (Print Screen) and nothing else.

2. Open up your choice editor. (word, paint etc)

3. Hit paste.

And there you go. In paint you can save it any format (gif, jpg, tiff, bmp)

Simple as pie.

image courtesy of education-portal.com

If you are a downloader  and lover of music, well you should be doing it legally and if you aren’t, Lime Wire is getting close to being in big, huge, gigantic trouble.

While the oil spill it’s self isn’t generally tech related nor is it humorous, a fake twitter account with an anonymous “BP Worker” tweeting from it is. Apparently the mystery of, the who is that, has been solved.

Facebook is ALWAYS in the news. I’m talking every, stinkin’ day. So where do I start? First let’s talk about all annoyances: Emails, Ads and friend spam. Well now’s the time to read up on how to get rid of the Facebook irritations. Want more privacy with what you are doing on the net? Well this post/podcast, here tells us all about Facebook’s new privacy changes.  While you are browsing Facebook, why don’t you go ahead and submit an application to become a beta tester for a new app they are developing.

And while we are on the talk of privacy and your concerns, read Jessica’s post about taking back your privacy on the internet. It’s worth a read (and I’ve already done steps 4 & 5 ).

Last but not least, Twitter is one my least favorite social networking sites, but I have found a way to utilize it and make money with it. Rolling out in the news is the fact that you just may not be making money with Twitter any longer.

And that is the news.

(I totally need a Dan Rather or anchor type of saying now)

Now I have my BlackBerry Storm and I get app happy with it. I have learned with my online life there are a few apps that I need/wanted to give me all beneficial needs of the phone. Now of course I do have my just for fun apps that personalize my phone to me.

Here are the best free apps to personalize and use your phone. They help you learn the ropes too of the phone, which is an added bonus.

1. Facebook App

2. Uber Twitter – The best twitter app yet that I have tried for your BlackBerry.

3. Flickr

4. E-Reader from Barnes & Noble

5. foursquare

6. BeBuzz (personalization app and full version with more option available here.)

7. Urbanspoon

8. Check to see if your bank allows mobile banking. I have my bank on my phone and able to login and check things, transfer money etc.

9. BlackBerry App World – You can peruse all the apps available for free and those you have to pay for.

10. Last but not least. BlackBerry Messenger.

Each of these you can always find some awesome, apps, games and more – the funnest part about interactive technology. So I wanted to take the time to introduce you to Chimes – The Game for the above mentioned goodies.

About Chimes – The Game.

Chimes is a musical experience, built around the intersection of sight, touch, and sound. Through a series of levels, it invites the player to solve increasingly complex puzzles, rewarding the effort with a cascade of pleasing sounds. Those sounds form the essence of the game’s identity: at its core, Chimes is about producing beautiful melodies. No matter how the game is played, the result is always perfect harmony.

Chimes includes 10 puzzles and a non-stop Forever Mode, totally free of charge. But that’s just the beginning! The game expands dramatically with the in-app purchase, Chimes Premium.

Chimes Premium takes Chimes to an entirely new level. It starts by adding 15 new, incredibly challenging puzzles. Then it takes Forever Mode and unlocks its full potential, adding faster, stronger obstacles to the mix.

Finally, Chimes Premium adds a brand-new gameplay mode: Stage Mode. This mode takes waves of 50 obstacles from Forever Mode and makes them a discreet “stage,” with one caveat: you can’t miss any of them. Personally, I can’t make it past stage 4. Can you?

For more information about Chimes – The Game, price and how to obtain the premium version.

nook.com

Here are the contest rules, regulations, instructions and more. Please read thoroughly and follow directions!

Contest Ends 3/22/2010 @ 11:59 PM PST Valid Email Address Must Be Provided

Mandatory Entry (must be done or all other entries will be disqualified.)

Visit Nook.com and tell me one feature that interests you about the Nook or one feature you would like to see the Nook have.

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Barnes & Noble gave me the opportunity to read with the Nook. What is the Nook you ask?

The Nook is an eBook Reader. That is all you ask? Yes that simple but very elaborate and offering so many things besides just reading ebooks with a thin, lightweight device. So let’s get you the information so you can learn about the Nook and I’ll tell you my experience with the nook.

Design:

About the size and weight of a paperback book, nook is thin, small and portable. Its best-in-class E Ink® Vizplex™ display is easy on the eyes with text as clear and crisp as a printed page. And with no glare or backlight, adjustable text size, and several font styles to choose from, you can read comfortably for hours. Our minimalist design puts the focus on the content, not the technology, welcoming the reader to dive right in.

The first-ever color touch screen for navigation on an eBook reader offers an immersive experience, inviting you to virtually browse through brilliant cover art, flip through an expansive library, or search using a virtual keyboard. The combination of color and touch on the beautiful lower screen make navigating nook intuitive and simple, even for the tech novice. nook presents the controls, navigation and keyboard you need, only when you need them.

My Design Thoughts:

I love the lightweight and thin design of it. It’s not heavy nor bulky and if Brent decides to use it, it will literally take up no space so he won’t have to worry about extra weight etc when traveling through the airports. That is a HUGE PLUS. I enjoy that it’s very similar to reading a book (no the reading pane is not colored) and it’s strictly focuses on the content of the book and nothing else. I simply want to read. The adjustable font and the no glare is super important as I don’t want to have to get up and move around if trying to read a certain page because I can’t see it. Though the downfall is reading at night by the bed I don’t have the Lyra Light (an accessory for reading in darker places and something great to invest in with your nook) so I have to keep the light above my bed on.

The touch screen is always fun. Simply put. It makes it for easy customization, understanding and the chance to play with it and understand it more right when you get your Nook. I loved that. You don’t have to slam or press your finger hard just to get it to go to the next screen etc. It’s well lit, bright and interactive – another HUGE PLUS!

FEATURES:

(read in full length all the features the Nook offers)

Compact Size

Fast & Free 3G Wireless

Personalized Screen Saver

Expandable Storage

Audio

Connectors (audio, usb)

Powerful Battery

Colorful Touchscreen

Various Supported File Types

My Thoughts On Features:

Holy information overload right? First let’s start with expandable memory. While the Nook can already hold up to 1500 titles, I enjoy the idea that Brent can fill up his own microSD Card and keep his books in his own place. Let’s face it, we don’t like to read the same things and while he will think he can steal this from me, it’s going to be a tough fight. I like it to be MINE, which touches me on the idea of  personalized screen savers. Right now they are offering Alice In Wonderland screen savers and I jumped on it. They are FREE even. I like the option of customizing and personalizing to be ME. The Nook supports a variety of files ranging from the obvious EPUB (for ebooks) to audio mp3 files. FUN! Which means at night I can read my book and listen to music while the kids sleep away. Ahhh…sounds so relaxing. Is it night yet? That also means that if you have audio books on your computer it is a little move from computer to Nook and you are on your way of listening to audio books now too.

More:

So far to say I was impressed with the Nook would be a total understatement. Besides the normal things that I have attached to my hip (i.e. my kids and BlackBerry) this Nook is going with me everywhere. EVERYWHERE. I’ve already taken it with me while I wait in the car pick up line to pick up the kids from school. The options right now seem endless in my reading journey and they even have free ebooks that I can browse and start reading. And still even then the ebooks are at a great price and bought a new read for just under six dollars. Uh. SCORE! If I could use only one word to describe my Nook right now it would engaging. Engaging you as the user/reader and the engaging of the options.

It came shipped in sturdy casing, packaged safely and with two different options for me to charge it. Through USB and connecting USB to a standard in wall charger. The instructions and set up was quick and easy to understand.

So go to Nook.com and learn more about the Nook and all it has to offer. Buy a Barnes & Noble Nook today and get free shipping! And if you are in search of some recommended reads for your Nook these are the titles I would say to start reading now:

A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

And stay tuned…I have a giveaway coming up for your own Nook!

*Barnes & Noble provided me with a Nook and information to facilitate this review*

I got the ultimate honor of reviewing the Lenovo Ideapad S10-2 Series. In pink nonetheless!

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION & INFORMATION:

Laptops for your lifestyle
For home, home office, school and everywhere in between. Quality-built and nicely equipped with the latest technology and cool features. Find laptops for basic computing, homework, photos, gaming, videos and more.

Sleek, ultraportable and stylish
Notebooks, netbooks/mini and desktop replacement laptops
Easy anytime, anywhere wireless connectivity
Hi-def features and options
Basic to powerhouse computing
Antivirus and data recovery tools

Need help to find out what is right for you? Go here to view which each, Laptop, Notebook, Netbook and Mobile Computers have to offer.

PRODUCT SPECS:

Great little PC
Pre-built with recommended components and features for everything you need for email, Web, music, video messaging and basic computing.

• Computer Features: Standard Keyboard
• Processor Type: Intel Atom N270
• Processor Speed: Up to 667.0 Mhz
• Hard Drive Capacity: 160GB Hard Drive Capacity
• Hard Drive Speed: 5400 RPM
• System Bus Speed: 533 Mhz
• System RAM: 1 GB
• Memory RAM Type: DDR2
• RAM Maximum Expandable To: 1 GB
• Cache Memory Installed Capacity: 512KB L2 Cache
• Operating System: Windows XP Home
• Electronic Display Features: WSVGA
• Maximum Resolution: 1024 x 576
• Input Type: RJ-45
• DVI-D Inputs: 0
• DVI-D with HDCP Inputs: 0
• IEEE 1394 (Firewire) Ports: 0
• USB 2.0 Ports: 3
• VGA Inputs: 0
• Built-In Webcam Features: Built-In Webcam
• Wired Standard: 10/100 Ethernet LAN
• Audio Features: Built-In Speakers
• Includes: AC Power Adapter
• Software Included: Adobe Acrobat Reader
• Warranty Description: 1 Year Limited Manufacturer Warranty

WHAT I THOUGHT:

My Lenovo Ideapad came installed with Windows XP. I am a fan of Windows XP so I had no problem with that – just relearning how to use it again as I am adjusted to Vista. The more I tinker around with the Ideapad the more I have come to love it. You cannot put DVD’s or CD’s in it, but I was not interested in it for this reason. I wanted all the basic computing options and that is what I got. I am able to download, upload, store, create etc on this Ideapad no differently than what I am able to do with my desktop. One of the first things Brent asked me when I was telling him about it was, “is it fast?”. You know that sometimes laptops of all varieties can get laggy. You try to pull up the start menu and you could do a load of laundry waiting for it. I’ve downloaded, updated and a few things to it and still – just as quick as a brand new one. I plugged in my BlackBerry to the usb port to charge it and it was automatically found with no problems. I plugged in my headphones and microphone – no problem there either. I talked to Brent on the Windows Live Messenger, turned on webcam and it’s 100 times better than the webcam I have on my desktop. I inserted my memory card and it automatically found that to and up popped the screen to give me the option to import etc. I am truly, extremely impressed with the capability of this thing. It’s small, lightweight and user friendly. The one thing I did not like was the mouse mad area is quite touchy (as normal) and you can’t turn off the mouse buttons when you plug in an actual mouse. So you have to be careful with that. Honestly, including the battery life – the only issues that has arisen is the mouse pad area. This ideapad comes with so many things I think it would take more than one post just to tell you all about them. Brent thought he had his mind made up when getting his netbook but since I’ve talked up this one – that is what he is wanting now! This Lenovo Ideapad should be on the top of everyone’s Christmas List this year!

BUY IT:

Lenovo – Starting at $349.00

Available Electronics Category – Target – $349.00

I was provided the product mentioned above in junction with this post.