This week, Apple revealed a new way of educating children with software that replaces the use of the many textbooks they now have to carry. They are iBooks 2, a new version of its electronic bookstore where students can now download textbooks; iBooks Author, a Macintosh program for creating textbooks and other books; and iTunes U, an app for instructors to create digital curriculum and share course materials with students. These programs, while not exclusive to, are designed to work on the iPad. Makes a good compliment to schools who are looking to cut costs while providing a better education for their students. http://www.apple.com/education/ibooks-textbooks/

Also this week, Jerry Yang, one of the two guys who founded Yahoo, has decided to leave the company he started some 17 years ago to pursue other interests. Typically that means someone of his background will be coming out with a new startup, or will join a major internet player. At this moment, we don’t know. One thing’s sure, Jerry was one for taking an idea and running with it – long term. Imagine thinking about providing a source for fellow college students to find study material and developing it into a working business model that shaped how we accessed the World Wide Web. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Yang_%28entrepreneur%29

And this week, Congress heard from millions of internet users that SOPA, or Stop Online Piracy Act, wasn’t one they supported. Consequently, it was killed. While it had a good purpose in mind … to stop content from being stolen, the bill opened up more doors than just piracy, making internet providers responsible for what people do on their Web space. Now it’s back to the drawing board for congressional members. http://mashable.com/2012/01/20/rip-sopa/

Finally, statistics released this week show that young people share their passwords with their best friends and love interests. Of course, those of us who know better understand that as soon as there is a falling out, those passwords become known to the rest of the world. And that is why it is important for parents to alert their kids to the fact that passwords are meant for privacy, not as a sign of trust with a friend. It is also important that the parent knows what those passwords are, in case a need arises. Just assure your teen that it’s for their protection that you know their password and that you’re not spying on them. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/18/us/teenagers-sharing-passwords-as-show-of-affection.html?ref=technology

==HuMoR==
One of my customers at the Department of Motor Vehicles wanted a personalized license plate with his wedding anniversary on it. As we completed the paperwork he explained, “This way I can’t forget the date.”
A few hours later, I recognized the same young man waiting in my line. When his turn came, he said somewhat sheepishly, “I need to change the numbers on that plate application.”
(thanks, Matt)
+++++++++++++++++++++++
During my physical yesterday, my doctor asked me about my daily activity level, and so I described a typical day this way:
“Well, yesterday morning, I waded along the edge of a lake, escaped from wild dogs in the heavy brush, marched up and down several rocky hills, stood in a patch of poison ivy, crawled out of quicksand, and jumped away from an aggressive rattlesnake.”
Inspired by my story, the doctor said, “You must be some outdoors man!”
“No,” I replied, “I’m just a lousy golfer.”
(thanks, John)
=======================
So, there you go, friends … that was some of the things I saw on the Web this week. It’s the weekend … have a great one and may God bless you and keep you safe.

c-ya!
Jim
Jim’s WebLetter
Discover the best of the Web

This week, the annual Computer Electronic Show has been going on in Las Vegas with leading corporations showing off their latest products for reporters to try and, well, report. CNET was there and held their awards ceremony. The short of it is an LG 55 inch TV won the grand prize. But there were a lot of other products that got recognition by the editors including a 3D printer. Check out the video and catch up on what’s going to be coming to an electronics store near you … http://www.cnet.com/best-of-ces/?tag=TOCcarouselMain.0

One thing’s sure, if you haven’t done anything about protecting yourself and your computing machine, whether it’s your smartphone, tablet or laptop, you should read the article from Wired Magazine about viruses. As many incidences of computers being hacked in 2011, there is sure to be more this year as coding breakthroughs have led to more sophisticated methods of breaking into secure firewalls. Apple users are no longer immune to attacks. Fortunately adding virus protection won’t break the bank. In addition, there are practicle tips Wired provides for us in this wiki … http://howto.wired.com/wiki/Keep_Your_Computer_Bug-Free

Here’s a time saver for social media users. The folks at Summify know that you don’t want to spend long periods of time during your day just reading through all the posts your friends make on facebook, Twitter and Google +, so they have created an aggregate that takes the newsworthy posts, blends them together and sends them to you by email or texts on your phone. http://summify.com/

According to CafeMom, the “Cafe” in its name stands for conversation, advice, friendship and entertainment. It’s also a good summary of the site’s appeal. Most of what goes on here focuses on the conversation, advice and friendship part: moms helping moms using features such as a Q&A service and thousands of discussion groups. http://www.cafemom.com/

===HuMoR===
An amateur photographer was invited to dinner with friends and took along a few pictures to show the hostess. She looked at the photos and commented “These are very good! You must have a good camera.”
He didn’t make any comment, but, as he was leaving to go home he said “That was a really delicious meal! You must have some very good pots.”
(thanks, Dorothy)
++++++++++++++++++++++
My father’s hearing aid occasionally emits a brief high-pitched squeal that can be heard by anyone near him.
One day my little niece was sitting on his lap when the device started to beep. Surprised, my niece looked up at him.
“Grandpa,” she said, “you’ve got mail.”
(thanks, Arthur)
=======================
There you go, friends … have a great weekend and may God bless you and keep you safe.

c-ya!
Jim
Jim’s WebLetter
Discover the best of the Web

Avast has been around for some time as an antivirus and anti-Theft software for personal computers. I use it for mine. But now they have expanded to Android devices including tablets and smartphones. Just head to the Android Market and download and install it for free. Here’s more about the program and screenshots to show how it works … https://market.android.com/details?id=com.avast.android.mobilesecurity

If you’re searching for software for your computer and you need a reputable site to find it, let me suggest Gizmo’s freeware. This place is loaded with the best freeware that is reviewed and rated to ensure what you’re looking for is what will do the job for you. At Gizmo’s you can also find out how to protect your online privacy, how to back up Windows 7 drivers, how to create custom Hotkeys for computer applications, and a lot more. Everything is categorized into easy to use pages on the site. They also list the best apps for iPad, iPhone and Android machines. http://www.techsupportalert.com/

If you’ve ever sold anything using Ebay, you know of the hassles involved and now they charge more for you to do business. Tinypay.me is also a site used for selling items. With Tinypay.me users can enter a brief description and their item will be listed in about sixty seconds. Unlike other selling sites such as eBay, tinypay.me is streamlined and easy to use. It is completely free and also has a charity program that can be supported by users. Users simply enter a title, price, and quantity of items they wish to sell. Up to 3 images may be uploaded with captions and a brief description may be entered. Keyword tags may be added as well as a location via Google Maps. Users have the option of requiring a shipment address or file attachment to the listing. A name or company title and PayPal email address is required for payment. The listing may be linked to social networking sites and integrate the product into webpages with an embed link … http://tinypay.me/

Remember the game show Name that Tune? “I can name that tune in 4 notes”. It was always a challenge to figure out the song from just a new notes. LyricRat is like that, but instead with lyrics. You type in some you’ve heard, click “find the song,” and the rat tells you the title and artist. If the song is for sale on Amazon, you can play a sample. You can also send a message via twitter to @LyricRat and it’ll message you back with the same information … http://lyricrat.com/

===HuMoR===
My poor wife was sick in bed with the flu. Being a dutiful husband, I offered to fix her some of her favorite herbal tea. I couldn’t find the tea though and went back upstairs to ask where it was.
She said, “I don’t know how it could be any easier to see. It’s in the pantry, third shelf down, in a cocoa tin marked “matches.”
(thanks, Bill)
=======================
That’s this week’s WebLetter friends, have a great weekend and may God bless you and keep you safe.

c-ya!
Jim
Jim’s WebLetter
Discover the best of the Web

Here’s the final writeup for the WebLetter before we head into the new year … and here’s a few things I discovered while enjoying a week off and spending time in the movies and online. Ready?

I just heard that the M.I.T. will be offering free courses of study online. Yep, free. The deal is that you get the complete study but instead of a degree you get a certificate of completion. The thing is, this is a totally free college education regardless of your academic performance or background. http://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesmarshallcrotty/2011/12/21/m-i-t-game-changer-free-online-education-for-all/

And once again the power of the internet has effected an industry … Just a day after it confirmed that it would be adding a $2 ‘convenience fee’ for paying bills online or over the phone, Verizon Wireless cancelled the charge, citing negative customer feedback as the reason for the shift. This after after Bank of America went back on its proposed $5 monthly debit card fee. In the case of Verizon, however, the postings on the internet on the proposed fee also caught the attention of federal regulators and, as Reuters reported, an FCC spokesperson said today that “on behalf of American consumers, we’re concerned about Verizon’s actions and are looking into the matter.” It’s not the first time the FCC has looked into Verizon’s billing practices — Bloomberg reported last year that Verizon agreed to pay a settlement of $25 million to the US and at least $52.8 million to customers as part of an FCC investigation into “mystery fees.” Both the Bank of America and Verizon Wireless cases show that social media on the internet can get the message to enough readers to cause hugh conglomerates to rethink their decisions.

Rumors are swirling around the new iPad 3 coming out the first quarter of 2012. As an Android system fan (I am Google “everything” and have a Droid phone), I have to say that using my wife’s iPad 2 with such applications as Garage Band and Facetime is nothing short of incredible. Imagine the ability to create music within the application itself as Garage Band allows you to do not only with the instruments inside the program, but the ability to record your voice and other instruments outside the app. And it doesn’t require a lot of learning, just time and some measure of creativity. And this Christmas, we used Facetime with family to open presents enabling everyone to see the reactions of the kids when they tore into their presents. While Android systems show promise, the bottom line is Apple grabbed the lead and they’re off to the races with thousands of app developers building all sorts of programs that make the iPad simply the best small machine on the market. Now with iPad3 on the way, one can conclude it will only be better. So, we will wait and watch.

Finally, Evernote made it to the big time with an article in Inc Magazine. I just finished reading the story and it’s quite impressive. Here’s a few guys who get together with an idea and now, after some wheeling and dealing have a wildly successful program that allows you to save information through web clippings, photos and scans for future recall. And all this for free, at least to start. They report that many people pay for the upgrade. Here’s Inc’s story … http://www.inc.com/magazine/20111201/how-evernote-company-of-the-year-works.html

===HuMoR===
My cat sleeps about 20 hours a day. She has her food prepared for her. She can eat whenever she wants, 24x7x365. Her meals are provided at no cost to her. She visits the doctor once a year for a check-up, and during the year whenever any medical needs arise. For all this she pays nothing, and nothing is required of her. She lives in a nice neighborhood in a house that is much larger than she needs, but she is not required to do any upkeep. If she makes a mess, someone else cleans it up. She has her choice of luxurious places to sleep. She is living like a queen, and has absolutely no expenses or responsibilities whatsoever. All of her costs are picked up by others who go out and earn a living every day.
I was just thinking about all this, and suddenly it hit me: My cat is a Congressman!!
(thanks, Dave)
=======================
By the way, of the movies we watched this week, I liked Mission Impossible 4 for the action and quirkiness of some of the spy devices, Sherlock Holmes was really good – an extension of the first movie (I call it ‘episode’) staying true to the period and showing us Sherlock’s use of deduction to reach a conclusion against the villan Moriarity, and the surprise “feel good” story was We Bought a Zoo with Matt Damon. But the epic movie that is a must-see is War Horse. It deserves to win all the academy awards as the story is strong, the actors are believable, the period – set around World War I is historic, and the horse, “Joey” really is the star. Loved the movie. Happy New Year and may God bless you and keep you safe.

c-ya!
Jim
Jim’s WebLetter
Discover the best of the Web

Can you believe it’s next weekend … Christmas, that is. Have you gotten everything on your shopping list? Time to get things wrapped and shipped and then set back to enjoy Christmas and the New Year.

If you have the idea of shooting a lot of photos during your holiday, then you might find a need to reduce the photos to a smaller, more manageable size. I have used Shrink-omatic from Softonic. This is so easy to download and use. Once it’s set up, you just preset the size of the photos and where you want them stored (folder or onto a storage drive), then drag and drop them in and watch them convert. http://shrink-omatic.en.softonic.com/mac

Moodstream is a hypnotic website brought to you by the folks at Getty Images which offers a brainstorming tool made to help get your creative juices flowing. By just tweaking the mood sliders you can adjust a stream of images, footage, & audio that can help inspire your creative direction. Just follow the instructions … turn your speakers up. By the way, if you have an iPad, this is a flash site so you will likely not be able to access it with your Apple. http://moodstream.gettyimages.com/

Over the years of driving in Jacksonville traffic and up on Amelia Island, I have seen some pretty unusual occurances where drivers attempt to drive while using their cellphones for calls and texting. Imagine following behind a mother who is driving her child to school while holding a coffee cup in one hand, while talking on the phone with the other and … what is she using to steer the SUV with? Yea, I don’t know either. Now it seems that with the large number of accidents nationwide, the National Transportation Safety Board has recommended that lawmakers and other regulators ban the use of hands-free and handheld cell phones while driving. While it sounds like a good idea, there’s just one problem. Getting the millions of cell-driving citizens to obey the law. My thought is “good luck”. http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-57342444-266/ntsb-calls-for-stricter-bans-on-cell-phone-use-while-driving/?ttag=fbw

Finally, as we close out the year and look ahead to 2012, rumors are already flying around about an updated iPad that is smaller (7.85 compared to the current 10) and more computers with quad-core processors that not only prove to be faster for tablets and laptops, but battery saving as well. I believe that the next generation of tablets, as well as smartphones, will show better quality computing and the Application developers will have opportunities to create more sophisticated programs that move us and help us live our lives to the fullest. By all indications, computing will only get better and the fields of technology will continue to grow providing jobs and revenue for those who jump in. I think the new year is going to be exciting!

===HuMoR===
I recently got out the boxes of Christmas decorations and I told the children (ages 10, 8 and 5) that they could start setting them out. They were very excited and each got to pick out favorite ornaments or figurines. Maria, the youngest, wanted to set up the Nativity scene and happily set to her task. As she concentrated on carefully unwrapping Mary, Joseph and the Baby Jesus, I overhead Maria singing this:

“Angels We Have Heard Online”…..
(thanks, Nancy)
+++++++++++++++++++++++
A young man was walking through a supermarket to pick up a few things when he noticed an old lady following him around. Thinking nothing of it, he ignored her and continued on. Finally he went to the checkout line, but she got in front of him.
“Pardon me,” she said, “I’m sorry if my staring at you has made you feel uncomfortable. It’s just that you look just like my son, who just died recently.”
“I’m very sorry,” replied the young man, “is there anything I can do for you?”
“Yes,” she said, “As I’m leaving, can you say ‘Good bye, Mother’? It would make me feel so much better.”
“Sure,” answered the young man.
As the old woman was leaving, he called out, “Goodbye, Mother!”
As he stepped up to the checkout counter, he saw that his total was $127.50.
“How can that be?” He asked, “I only purchased a few things!”
“Your mother said that you would pay for her,” said the clerk.
(thanks, Ron)
+++++++++++++++++++++++
Felix was playing golf with our town’s fire chief when he hit a ball into the rough. As Felix headed for the brush to find his ball, the chief warned him, “Be careful, the rattlesnakes are out.”
The chief explained that calls had been coming in all week requesting assistance with removing the snakes.
“You’ve got to be kidding,” Felix replied in astonishment. “People actually call the fire department to help them with rattlesnakes? What do you say to them?”
“Well,” said the chief, “the first thing I ask is, ‘Is it on fire?’”
(thanks, Max)
=======================
And that’s the WebLetter for another year. Friends, I sincerely hope you have a great Christmas and a happy new year. And as always I pray, “may God bless you and keep you safe”.

c-ya!
Jim
Jim’s WebLetter
Discover the best of the Web

Speaking of the movies, you know that part of the presentation where a disclaimer is shown about silencing your phone before the movie? Now, it seems a growing number of theaters and performing groups across the country are setting aside “tweet seats,” in-house seats for patrons to live-tweet during performances. Often using the back rows of seating in order to It’s becoming more commonplace as they realize the usefulness of promotion during a movie or performance. http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2011-12-01/theater-tweet-seats/51552010/1

On December 7th, we will be commemorating 70 years since the attack by Japan on Pearl Harbor. It launched us into World War II. The National Archives are “full of little nuggets of treasures.” That treasure trove, which includes 60 million World War II records of individual members of the U.S. armed forces, will be available for free from now through Dec. 7, says Josh Hanna, executive vice president of Ancestry.com. Of particular interest for those searching veterans’ records are the World War II Navy Muster Rolls, which include 33 million quarterly reports filed from 1939-49, detailing the location, rank and other information about nearly all enlisted personnel who served aboard ships during those years. To access the page, click here … http://www.ancestry.com/pearlharbor

==HuMoR==
Returning from a trip to visit my grandmother in California, I was stopped by a state trooper in Kansas for exceeding the speed limit. Grateful to have received a warning instead of a ticket, I gave him a small bag of my grandmother’s delicious chocolate-chip cookies and proceeded on my way.
Later, I was stopped by another trooper. “What have I done?” I asked.
“Nothing,” the trooper said, smiling. “I heard you were passing out great chocolate-chip cookies.”
(thanks, Maxine)
+++++++++++++++++++++++
The nursery school teacher had spent half an hour dressing her charges for outdoor playtime, pulling on boots, zipping and unbuttoning coats, matching mittens and gloves. As she finished struggling with Jennifer’s boots, she let out a sigh of relief. Then Jennifer tugged on her arm. “These boots aren’t mine, teacher.”
With a groan the teacher knelt down and pulled off the boots. “Do you know whose boots these are, Jennifer?”
“Sure. They’re my sister’s. Mom makes me wear them anyway.”
(thanks, Kathy)
+++++++++++++++++++++++
After years of using the same perfumes, I decided to try something different and settled on a light, citrusy fragrance. The next day I was surprised when it was my little boy, not my husband, who first noticed the change. As he put his arms around me, he declared, “Wow, Mom, you smell just like Froot Loops!”
(thanks, Jennie)
=======================
And that’s this week’s WebLetter, folks. Thank you for your time. I hope the sites I shared and the jokes I passed along help to make your day. There will not be a WebLetter next week as I am appearing in the play “A Time For Christmas” for four nights through the weekend. Hope you can come. Get details at www.FBFirst.com. As always, may God bless you and keep you safe.

c-ya!
Jim
Jim’s WebLetter
Discover the best of the Web

First, may I say thank you to those who contacted me wondering what’s up … I have been so busy this quarter that I haven’t had time to write this WebLetter. Now with Thanksgiving and a couple of days off, I want to tell you that I appreciate many of your comments and concerns.

Let me spend the next few phrases showing you some of the things I have come across since the last posting.

First, if you don’t have an online music account with somebody, you need to get one. While Amazon and Apple both have theirs, I use Google Music and have for some time now mainly because I can store up to 20,000 songs online that are easily accessible by computer and phone app. They now have a simple method of purchasing songs to add to the account that you can also share with your friends. I just like the ease of listening to songs I like to hear when and where I want to hear them. http://music.google.com

There was a story released this week on the use of passwords in securely created web pages. Whether it’s a log in for a bank account or email, it is always the best policy to use a password that has a reasonable chance of not being found out either by chance or software. In other words, don’t use “password” as your password. Having said that, the story found in Infoworld listed the top passwords being used on the internet today. Take note of the passwords listed. If you are using one of them, to ensure your security, go to your account and change it. http://www.infoworld.com/t/password-security/stop-using-these-25-passwords-today-179885

For those of you who made it through Black Friday, remember, there’s always Cyber Monday. This is when the “best deals” for computers and related stuff is available. And one of the best aggregate websites for what’s hot at what store is CyberMondayDeals.net. Keep in mind that the closer it gets to Christmas, chances are the better the deals are. http://mycybermondaydeals.net/

Finally, one of the news stories that you may have missed this week is one that stuck out to me based on the time I was stationed in Thailand during the Vietnam War. At that time, working on the base’s radio station, I was told not to play songs that may in some way insult the King of Thailand. Songs like, James Brown’s “King Heroin” in which the lyrics proclaim “and I’m legal in Siam”, weren’t played. We also couldn’t talk about the Thai guards who spent their nights sleeping rather than helping to guard the perimeter. But just this past Wednesday, a retired truck driver in Bangkok was sentenced to 20 years in prison for sending cellphone text messages that a court deemed insulting to Thailand’s monarchy. Seems nothing has changed since I was there all those years ago. The final piece of this story … the defendant, who claimed he didn’t even know how to send text messages, wasn’t able to appear in court because the prison in which he was being held was surrounded by flood waters. He watched the proceedings by an internet video link. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/24/world/asia/20-year-term-for-text-messages-against-thai-king-bhumibol.html?ref=technology

==HuMoR==
The banana loaf I was making was in the oven when my 16-year-old came into the kitchen where the family had gathered.
“That bread smells about done don’t you think, Mom?” he asked.
I told him I had set the timer and it was fine.
A little later he repeated his suggestion. “Mom, I really think that loaf is done. Maybe you should check it.”
Always quick to come to my defence, my 13-year-old son said, “Eddie, Mom’s been burning that banana bread for years now. I think she knows when to take it out.”
(thanks, Kathy)
+++++++++++++++++++++++
The Building Committee has been informed that opened sugar packets are being found in the nursery area.
We have had some serious problems with ants in the past and would like to avoid any recurrences if possible.
Coffee drinkers, please dispose of these packets properly.
If you are a coffee drinker but can’t read yet, please have your parents explain this to you.
(thanks, John)
+++++++++++++++++++++++
The little boy was late for Sunday school and the superintendent, seeing him slip in, detained him and asked him the reason. The boy shuffled his feet uncertainly for a moment, then blurted out, “I started out to go fishing instead, but my dad wouldn’t let me.”
The superintendent beamed broadly. “A wise father,” he said. “He was quite right not to let you go fishing on a Sunday. Did he explain why?”
The little boy nodded. “Oh, yes sir. He said there wasn’t enough bait for the two of us.”
(thanks, Chris)
=======================
So, there’s the latest of some of the things that came across my computer screen. Have a great weekend, and as always, may God bless you and keep you safe.

c-ya!
Jim
Jim’s WebLetter
Discover the best of the Web

The tech world lost a front runner this week as Steve Jobs lost his battle with cancer. After the shock has worn off, everyone will be watching to see what becomes of Apple now. One source has said there are about two years of Jobs’ ideas in the pipeline. Personally, I am waiting on the iPad 3 because I believe that everything in that machine will be what I am looking for in a tablet – more power, upgraded screen and better connectibility with other machines, both Apple and PC. As time goes on, more and more will be told about Steve Jobs, but one thing that everyone agrees on is he left for us a prime example of someone who had a dream and made it become reality. He will be missed.

Also this week, the release of the new iPhone 4S. I watched a video explaining one of the new apps called Siri, and I am more than impressed. This new speech technology takes it all to the next level. Here’s the video explaining it … http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLwNm79H-wE

You know who has become the number one source for news? Nope, it’s not CNN … they’re a distant 2nd. It happens to be Yahoo. It also has more in sports than ESPN and more in finance than Dow Jones, owner of The Wall Street Journal. Add to this, the company announced on Monday that it had partnered with Walt Disney’s ABC unit to showcase articles and videos from ABC News, and to create a co-branded Web site for “Good Morning America.” Top all this with the fact that this month, Yahoo will exclusively video-stream a charity concert that includes performances by Lady Gaga, Usher and Bono. In short, Yahoo is making itself the go-to place for news, sports and entertainment. Now if they can just convert that into revenue … http://www.yahoo.com/

AnyMeeting, a free web conferencing service, launched a redesign of its user interface, that brings the service an upgraded version that makes it even easier to meet with your friends and colleagues without actually having to see them in person. The company has also added a simultaneous video chat and broadcasting feature, much like Google+ Hangouts, that allows up to six participants to talk to each other and collaborate in realtime. The site also allows you to create custom greetings, sell tickets to video events and provides data of those who watched the broadcast. Did you notice the aforementioned word, “free”? http://www.anymeeting.com/

===HuMoR===
The boss ordered one of his men to dig a hole eight feet deep. After the job was completed the boss returned and explained an error had been made and the hole wouldn’t be needed. “Fill ‘er up,” he ordered.
The worker did as he’d been told. But he ran into a problem. He couldn’t get all the dirt packed back into the hole without leaving a mound on top. He went to the office and explained his problem.
The boss snorted, “Honestly! The kind of help you get these days! There’s obviously only one thing to do. You’ll have to dig that hole deeper!”
(thanks, Douglas)
+++++++++++++++++++++++
I hate people who forward too many warnings as much as anyone, but this one is important!
Send this warning to everyone you know, friends and enemies!
If someone comes to your front door saying they are conducting a survey on deer ticks and asks you to take your clothes off and dance around, do not do it!
IT IS A SCAM; they only want to see you naked!
I wish I’d gotten this yesterday. I feel so stupid now.
(thanks, Lou)
+++++++++++++++++++++++
A month after Donald MacDonald started at Harvard, his mother called from Scotland. “And how are the American students, Donald?” she asked.
“They’re so noisy,” he complained. “One neighbor endlessly bangs his head against the wall, while another screams all night.”
“How do you put up with it?”
“I just ignore them and play my bagpipes.”
(thanks, Marilyn)
=======================
Have a great weekend and, til next, may God bless you and keep you safe.

c-ya!
Jim
Jim’s WebLetter
Discover the best of the Web

I want to write about jobs being created on the internet, mainly because of a conversation I had with a man yesterday while waiting on my car to be serviced. He mentioned that people in this country need to get back to work but said that many jobs are being replaced by robots in factories. I told him that robots actually create jobs – new jobs – because machinery, like the robot, breaks down and needs someone to service it. New jobs are literally being created by the thousands each and every day. Many more opportunities to start a business using the Web are springing up as well. In an article written in June of 2009, Computer World magazine wrote that 1.2 million jobs had been created from Internet Economy. In the story, “The study’s job estimate is based on people who work directly in building or maintaining the Internet’s infrastructure, conduct advertising and commerce over it, and other direct uses”. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9134231/Study_Internet_economy_has_created_1.2M_jobs

So as a result of the internet, we have better opportunities in finding a job, a new and important position in the workforce. Here are a few ideas being created today …

Taskrabbit is an example of a site where people find odd jobs everyday. Some make as much as $5000 a month, according to the news report on ABC News Thursday night. Although this site is serving locations like New York and the Bay Area of San Francisco right now, it is expanding to other cities across America. The company makes money, the people who take the jobs posted on the site make money … it’s a win-win. http://www.taskrabbit.com/

Of course sites like Career Builder (www.careerbuilder.com) and Indeed (indeed.com) list jobs from businesses. Sign up and create an account, then search their database and apply for a job. Background and education play a big roll in landing a job. Look online for information. As I like to say, “Google it”.

There are even websites for people over 50 looking for work … JobsOver50 calls itself the “source for hiring baby boomers & retirees”. http://jobsover50.com/ And Workforce50 which has added a career and education section to assist boomers and seniors who are considering a career or job transition. http://www.workforce50.com/

===HuMoR===
LAWS OF PARENTING
1. The later you stay up, the earlier your child will wake up the next morning.
2. For a child to become clean, something else must become dirty.
3. Toys multiply to fill any space available.
4. The longer it takes you to make a meal, the less your child will like it.
5. Yours is always the only child who doesn’t behave.
6. If the shoe fits…it’s expensive.
7. The surest way to get something done is to tell a child not to do it.
8. The gooier the food, the more likely it is to end up on the carpet.
9. Backing the car out of the driveway causes your child to have to go to the bathroom.
(thanks, Russell)
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LETTER TO THE BANK
Dear Sirs,
In view of current developments in the banking market, if one of my checks is returned marked “insufficient funds,” does that refer to me or to you?
Sincerely
(thanks, Robert)
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Judi walks into the library, looks around, then gets in line for the counter.
Once she gets to the head of the line, she loudly says, “I’d like a Big Mac, large fries, and a large Coke.”
The librarian looks at her for a moment. Then whispers to Judi, “Ma’am, this is the library.”
Judi nods.
Then she *whispers*, “I’d like a Big Mac, large fries, and a large Coke….”
(thanks, Geri)
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And that’s this week’s WebLetter, folks. Thank you for your time. I hope the sites I shared and the jokes I passed along help to make your day. And as always, may God bless you and keep you safe.

c-ya!
Jim
Jim’s WebLetter
Discover the best of the Web

The word is out and now, so is the preview … Microsoft has debuted Windows 8. From everything I’ve seen and read, it’s nothing like the present Windows 7 and everything like the new operating systems that you see on tablets and smartphones. That’s where we’re heading, friends … what you do on a smartphone or tablet is what you will do on laptops and desktops using Windows 8. Of course there will be a few bugs in the software until they work them all out, but this is definitely the future for operating systems. http://money.cnn.com/2011/09/13/technology/microsoft_build_windows_8/index.htm

HTML 5 is being added to such places as YouTube and while programmers and developers are perfecting the system, here comes a way to use it right now. It’s called Carbyn. With Carbyn, there is nothing to install. This online operating system brings the same type of experience you would have running a smartphone or tablet, but doing it in the browser. This means it’s accessible to everyone on all devices … phones, tablets, and desktops new and old. Now everyone can get the apps they love and launch them. This works with iPad, iPhone and Android system applications. Here’s an explanation from a Carbyn rep … http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNAuB5JWfoE and here’s where you go to get an invite to this new systen … http://carbyn.com/?ref=86kog6og

Whether you use Google Plus or any other video chat online, you typically find there is no way to capture the video for review. So you need to visit Pixetell. Download this little device and it sits at the middle top of your screen as a small black icon. When you’re ready to record, just mouseover the icon and select “record screen.” It will automatically select the most forward window you have open. While in record screen mode, Pixetell adds a round menu bar to your display, which lets you pause, stop, etc. Once recording, it shrinks down to a tiny, unobtrusive timer. When you stop the recording, the Pixetell player window opens. You can review your clip as well as explore the share and export options including direct uploading to YouTube. It’s free … http://download.cnet.com/Pixetell/3000-2075_4-10974369.html

For your chance to win a iPad 2 or Dell laptop, Kim Komando has a daily form to fill out on her website. No obligation and she doesn’t sell your information (at least the fine print says so). http://win.komando.com/

==HuMoR==

Reminds me of a drill sergeant …
“Well,” snarled the tough old sergeant to the bewildered private. “I suppose after you get discharged from the Army, you’ll just be waiting for me to die so you can come and spit on my grave.”
“Not me, Sarge!” the private replied. “Once I get out of the Army, I’m never going to stand in line again!”
(thanks, John)
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The trendy dresser fancied himself quite a ladies’ man, and was delighted to find a note pinned inside a new shirt. It contained a girl’s name and address, and asked the recipient to send a photograph. How romantic, he thought to himself, very taken with the idea of this mystery woman so eager to meet him, and promptly mailed off a note and a photo.
Heart aflutter, he opened her response.
It read, “Thanks for writing. I was just curious to see what kind of guy would buy such a goofy shirt.”
(Thanks, Joanne)
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On many U.S. Navy ships the movie screen is suspended amid-ship so that it can be viewed from both sides. This procedure makes it available to larger crowds at popular movies, but usually the junior officers get a reverse image from “the wrong side of the screen.”
One evening at dinnertime an enterprising young ensign passed the following word over the officer’s IMC circuit: “The movie to be shown in the wardroom tonight for the senior officers is on the right side of the screen – The Left-Handed Gun, starring Paul Newman.”
“For the junior officers on the wrong side of the screen – The Right-Handed Gun, starring Namwen Luap.”
(thanks, Steve)
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One Sunday morning, when my son was about 5, we were attending a church in our community. It was common for the preacher to invite the children to the front of the church and have a small lesson before beginning the sermon. He would bring in an item they could find around the house and relate it to a teaching from the Bible.
This particular morning, the visual aid for his lesson was a smoke detector. He asked the children if anyone knew what it meant when an alarm sounded from the smoke detector.
My child immediately raised his hand and said, “It means Daddy’s cooking dinner.”
(thanks, Kate)
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That’s this week’s collection of sites and jokes, friends. Next weekend I will be taking a few days with the family down state, so I will not be publishing the webletter … until the following week, may God bless you and keep you safe.

c-ya!
Jim
Jim’s WebLetter
Discover the best of the Web