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• Downloading/Virus Protection/Security

Downloading in class is prohibited. You are not allowed to download any programs or browser plug-ins on the hard drive of your classroom computer. If you decide to download on your own computer at home, be sure to have an up-to-date anti-virus program running. Caution: Every time you download a program, you take a chance of causing problems with your computer or having private information on your hard drive copied. So any downloading you do, you do so at your own risk. And if you computer gets fouled up, don't blame me (Richard Gordon). Here's a standard disclaimer that applies especially to links listed here, but also to all the links throughout my Suggested Website List:

The information provided in this section and throughout this Suggested Website List comes without any warranty whatsoever. Use it at your own risk. Just because a Website and/or "downloadable" program or service is listed does not mean that I endorse or approve of it. Always remember that adding new programs to your computer, especially free downloaded versions, can lead to computer problems.

1. Advanced SystemCare Free. PC World, May 2009 issue, page 65, says that this program "can speed up your system by fixing your Registry, removing spyware and junk files, killing unnecessary programs that open at startup..." 4/16/09
2. Adaware Helps detect and remove spyware that can slow down your computer. Personal edition is free for non-commercial use.
   Another program with a similar purpose Spybot -- Search and Destroy. I have both these programs on my computer and find no problem running each separately, just about every week. Usually one program picks up some unwanted spyware programs that are missed by the other program. When I spoke to a McAfee technician to get advice on solving a computer problem, she told me to uninstall Adaware because it conflicted with McAfee. So beware that sometimes when you download a program, it may conflict with another program you already have on your computer.
   
   Guess it's similar to taking different medicines at once. You may have no problem with taking one medicine or even two, but start adding more medicines and there is a good chance that you'll run into problems with the combination. Might be a good idea to do first a Google search putting in words something like these: conflict adaware mcafee before installing a new program that you might think could possible conflict with another. Also check out conflict adaware spybot. 4/14/07
3. AOL alerts you to the the "Top 5 Scams" that attempt to steal your credit card information, passwords, and other private information identity thieves would like to know. You don't have to be an AOL subscriber to access this site. 8/3/05
4. Avast! antivirus 4.8 Free Home Edition. PC Magazine, July 2008 issue, recommends this program on page 48 where the writer "NJR" writes "I'm really pleased to find a free antivirus and antispyware product that I can recommend." 6/12/08
5. AVG. Anti-virus program. On my own computer, I use the free version of this antivirus program. Can be set to automatically download updates. Read reviews of this program. Not all the reviews linked here are positive. See number 3, for example. (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6) 12/21/06
6. Avoiding viruses, spam emails, worms and phishing. From Yahoo! News Also from Ezine Articles. 1/6/2005.
7. BackUp programs. Don't take a chance on losing your valuable files if your hard drive crashes. Get in the habit of backing up your work weekly or more often to a tape drive, external hard drive, thumbdrive, CD by using one of several free backup programs recommended by PC Magazine. I have tried the free version SyncBack and so far like it very much. If you download SyncbackSE, you'll have to pay $25 to use it. Only SyncBack (with the SE) is free although it lacks many of the features available in the cost version. As always, I recommend creating a restore point (Windows Accessories/system tools) before adding any new program to your computer. This Accessory program in available in Windows XP. 12/14/06
8. BitDefender. Free online virus scanning program. This free program will not remove a virus on you computer but it may identify it. You can get the standard version of this program for about $25. See what others think of the free anti-virus version: SnapFiles, TechSpot.4/20/06
   Other free anti-virus scanning programs.7/15/05
9. Browser -- Firefox. Unhappy with Internet Explorer, you may want to try another free browser called Firefox. 1/8/2004
10. Cookies. Protections from spyware added to your computer as you surf the Internet. Adaware and Spybot: Search and Destroy. Both programs available free.
11. Dangers of downloading from Iowa State University. Designed like a slide show presentation. 8/4/04
12. DeepBurner. Recommended by PC World Magazine. A free program that allows you to copy files from your hard drive to a CD. Read reviews from C|Net before deciding to download.
13. Defraggler. PC World, May 2009, page 65, recommends this program for defragging your harddrive instead of sticking to the defragment program that comes with Windows XP. 4/16/09
14. Diskeeper Lite. Free program that defragments your hard drive. 1/13/07
15. Download.com. Download software for speeding up your computer, eliminating spyware, games and much more. 11/11/04
16. Earthlink gives advice on protecting yourself from Internet viruses and invasions of your privacy. 2/15/05
17. Free Country. Provides hundreds of free programs to download. Great variety of programs for Web site designers.More reviews from File Forum. 5/16/05
18. Fresh UI. With this free program, you can change, customize scores of settings in XP. Recommended by PC World Magazine, May 2007, page 78. 4/4/07
19. Furl. Enables you to access your Internet Explorer Favorites on any Internet-connected computer in the world. But not only provides links; also saves the articles on your own personal Website. A review of Furl from Productivity Portfolio Can also download Furl at C|New Download.Com. Better idea, I think, is to make a Website of all your Favorites as I have done with the Website you are viewing right now -- My Suggested Website list. RG 3/17/05
20. Handbook on security. All the way from International Promotion Agency in Japan. 8/4/04
21. Hidden dangers in downloading a free program, all the way from Australia. 8/4/04
22. Identity Theft. How to protect yourself. Advice from the Federal Trade Commission.8/3/05
23. Image Brander. Allows you to put a special marking (watermark) on your photos to show they are copyright protected. 11/11/04
24. Instant Messaging Program from AOL. You don’t need to have AOL as your on-line service provider to download and use this free program. Allows you to exchange instant messages with anyone on the Internet even if they too are not an AOL subscriber as long as they also have downloaded the Instant Messaging Program. 11/11/04
25. Internet Explorer. Download the most popular browser. Also use this Microsoft download site for the latest updates and patches for Internet Explorer. Be sure to know the version of Internet Explorer that you have on your computer. To find out your version, open Internet Explorer, and then click on Help/About Internet Explorer. Check back here frequently for new updates that will help to keep your computer safe from hackers and viruses. 8/4/04
26. Lazar, Bart. Attorney Lazar is a high-tech security legal expert in Chicago. Interviewed in a Chicago Sun-Times article on May 22, 2006, Lazar gives examples of how companies and individuals have their confidential computer records stolen and misused with evil intent. Reporter Michael Krauss writes, "It's the stories Lazar tells about tech security breaches that get the hair on the back of my neck up like the shower scene from Psycho." More about Attorney Lazar. 5/22/06
27. Logos from Cool Text. Create free logos for your website. 1/13/07
28. Major Geeks. Hundreds of programs to download, many free. 1/14/07
29. McAfee provides for free the opportunity to scan your computer to detect if you have any viruses. 4/8/05
30. Microsoft automatic update. If you're running Windows XP, you can download here a program that will make it possible for you to get automatic updates to your Microsoft software. In the process of downloading this automatic download feature, Microsoft will first validate that you are using a legal version of Windows XP. 9/17/05
31. Microsoft Office free downloads. Direct from Microsoft. Update, add special features to Word, Excel, Access. 11/11/04
32. Microsoft offers downloads to those who first allow to have their computers check out to verify they are running a legitimate copies of Windows. 4/26/06
33. NetGuide Web Addresses the dangers of frequently installing and uninstalling downloaded programs 8/4/04
34. Netscape browser. Several years ago Netscape Navigator was the number one browser, but then it lost the lead to Microsoft Internet Explorer. Still it is good to have both Netscape and Explorer on your computer. 11/11/04
35. Norton Internet Security. If you already have any Norton (Symantec) product on your computer, you can get big price reductions on purchasing new versions. Includes antivirus and privacy programs. Available both as downloads and by regular mail. 2/11/2005
36. Norton virus removers. If you know you have a virus on your computer and can identify the virus's name, you can use one of these virus removal tools. 3/3/05
37. PC Magazine gives links to free downloads. Also remember that adding new programs to your computer, especially free downloads, can be risky business, possibly leading to more computer problems than the free programs are worth. 10/10/05
38. PC Magazine offers tips on how to keep your computer safe from viruses, privacy invasion, and other security threats. PC Magazine gives their recommendations for the best free software. 4/14/07
39. PC World magazine offers offers free downloads. PC World Staff Editor Laura Blackwell recommends programs to download. 6/28/05
40. Phishing. Fraudulent email messages can trick you into giving away confidential information at sites that appear to be the real thing. Scoundrels send out thousands of phony emails fishing (phishing) for gullible readers to bite. Alan Zisman writes an article that help you learn to protect yourself email tricksters. 5/9/06
41. Pocket.com free downloads. Pocket claims to check out downloads with anti-virus program but still warns visitor to take own precautions. If the program is small enough, first download it to a diskette and then scan it for viruses. Includes program reviews. Don't download a program in the Beta version because it is still in the development stages and is more likely to have problems. 8/4/04
42. Protect your computer from viruses, hackers, invasions of privacy . Norton Internet Security
    McAfee Internet SecuritySuite. 2/8/05
43. Quick Access InBar utility program. Sometimes your computer may seem be working much slower than when it was new. The reason may be that many programs are running in the background, some of which you may not even be aware of. You can see a list of running programs by holding down the Ctrl+Alt+Del key, an action that brings up the Task Manager window. Here you will see a list of running programs, but after downloading the Quick Access InBar utility program, you will only have to click on an icon next to each running program to find out what each running program is and whether it is safe to end it. This download was recommended in PC World Magazine, June 2006 issue, page 95. 5/16/06
44. Roboform. Automatically saves your passwords on your own hard drive and inserts them in websites' sign-on screen. Be sure to look over reviews from .edu sources before deciding whether to use. Frankly, I don't like the thought of having all my passwords registered with one company. 2/2/06
45. PowerToys for Windows XP from Microsoft. 12/27/06
46. Salem (MA) independent theater. Cinema Salem. Just opened in June 2006. First movie I saw there was a controversial documentary The Hand of God that sold out both evening showings. Great start for a new theater that took over one that just couldn't stay in business in Salem's downtown. But Cinema Salem promises to be different -- including after movie discussions in the theater's own coffee bar and often offering artistic movies not playing in the big chain theaters. 6/11/06
47. Snapfiles. Reviews and evaluates shareware programs before recommending them. 11/11/04
48. Spyware Guide. When you use the Internet, websites often install -- without your knowledge -- programs called spyware that gather information about where you go and what you do on the Internet. Spyware programs often, too, using this personal information, make pop ads appear on your computer screen. University of Miami offers information on spyware including links to popular anti-spyware programs. Often the Anti-Spyware you use identifies spyware and gives you the option of removing it.
49. Generally it is a good idea to identify the nature of the spyware before you delete it because by deleting some spyware, you may delete software that will prevent some of your programs (such as games) from functioning properly. Spyware Guide is one place where you can get information on the spyware identified by your anti-spyware program. By giving you this information, Spyware Guide will help you decide whether to delete it. Just today, May 22, 2006, I checked on BonziBuddy to see if I should delete it from my computer -- and delete it, I did. anti-spyware programs. 5/26/06
50. Stop-Sign. Gives free virus scan of your computer and notifies you if you have a virus. Be aware that whenever you allow an on-line program to scan your computer, it is possible that information from your computer can be captured and cookies can be put on your computer. Not recommended by University of Dan Diego, California.2/10/05
51. Trend antivirus. Scan your computer free by using this online virus checker. 1/5/2004
52. Tucows. One of the most popular sites for downloading all kinds of software. Tucows has a good reputation. Only download programs from companies that are well known for their reliability. 8/4/04
53. Yahoo provides a program that puts a Yahoo search toolbar under Internet Explorer's address slot. From this Yahoo toolbar, you can perform searches that are protected from spyware and pop-up advertisements. 5/23/05
54. Windows Desktop Search. Find your documents and email messages with the help of this Microsoft free program Well suited for searching Microsoft's Outlook and Outlook Express messages.4/4/07
55. Zone Alarm. Fire-Wall available for free for personal, non-business use.
56. Virus checker. PC World Magazine, issue May 2009, page 38, writes that you can verify your computer is virus-clear by visiting antivirus company sites such as those that follow. "If you can't pull up those sites, your computer is likely infected." 4/15/09
    • f-secure.com
    • kaspersky.com
    • symantec.com
      

• Education

1. Computer instructor? If you teach basic classes in Computer Literacy (including Internet research), the Internet, Creating Webpages, and Word, you may find these sites which I created for my own classes helpful to your students.3/13/05
2. Explorers -- Explorers Lifelong Learning Center, Salem, Mass. For the months I spend in Salem each year, I love taking classes at the Center for adult learning. Most of the attendees are senior citizens, but their age has only increased their love of learning. The instructors are all volunteers, many retired college professors. Courses are offered in art, music, political science, philosophy, and much more. 5/1/06
3. General Education Online. Links to hundreds of colleges and universities around the world. 11/18/2004
4. Global Computing American University. Find out information about colleges around the nation. Also links to U.S. government agencies, newspapers and more. 11/18/2004
5. Inside Higher Education. If you teach or are administrator in college, this is the place where you find news about the college and university community. Beware that this site ends in the domain name com and not edu. So it does not have a university standing behind it. Although now in its BETA version, as a com site, you might it well expect it to advertise or sell products or services in the future. Be sure to see What we are and Who we are. 2/25/05
6. Internet Dangers. In July 2006, I will be leading a discussion for retirees on dangers on the Internet. Here are the resources, including my notes, that I will be using for this discussion.5/30/06
7. Perkins Museum. Perkins was the first school established in the United States for the blind. Helen Keller and her beloved teacher Annie Sullivan both attended this school. The Perkins Museum traces the development of special education for blind and deaf children, spotlighting the famous students and teachers who attended this special school that rescued so many children from a life of total dependency. The Museum is in Watertown, Massachusetts. Whenever you are nearby, you may indeed, find a visit a fascinating experience. 4/28/06
8. Plagiarized.com. A site that helps instructors determine if a student paper has been plagiarized from the Internet. Also helps students avoid plagiarizing. 11/18/2004
9. Retired New York State teachers now living in Florida. A retired teachers' club in Tampa Bay meets monthly at local restaurants to discuss common interests and to hear a guest speaker. 2/11/05
10. Sites for teachers. Includes free lesson plans and worksheets ready to duplicate and distribute to your students.11/18/2004
11. Verizon. For $99 per year, take up to 30 online courses, including courses in the Internet, Basic Computer, Web Page Design, Dreamweaver. 2/16/05

• E-mail

1. Bcc. Using bcc when sending out group email message. I have included in my own website information, too, on using bcc (blind carbon copies) to hide the email addresses of multiple recipients. 12/19/2004
2. Bcc. More on bcc. Explains how to avoid sending out email messages to several people at once without listing and revealing all the email addresses in the To or Cc slots of your email program. 12/6/2004
3. Hoax emails pretending to be from Ebay. On May 15, 2005, I received eight email messages, all having the subject line "Update Account" and all apparently coming from the email address ebay@update.com. After doing searches on Google, I've concluded the messages were frauds, trying to get me to reveal private information such as my Ebay ID and password, credit card number, etc. (By the way, I don't have an Ebay account.) Check out these links to see what made me conclude these messages were hoaxes and how you can avoid being fooled by them: 5/10/06
   

   First Google search Second Google search Article by Ina Steiner Millers Smiles Corporation in England. Tutorial on "phishing" Ebay tutorial on fraudulent emails. On avoiding identity theft, again from Ebay

4. Hoaxes. Unfortunately, you will probably receive many email messages that are hoaxes, frauds, lies. These sites will help you detect such deception. Generally, a message is probably a fraud if it asks you to forward it to all your friends: 10/6/05
   • AOL. Gives help in detecting messages that are called "phishings." The criminally intent try to fool you into purchasing or investing in a product that appears to be from a reputable source, but is only designed to steal your money and personal identification information. Probably called phishing because it's like fishing in a way -- the fisherman throws out a bunch of lines, waiting for some poor sucker fisher to take nibble, and then pulls him in. Don't fall for the bait. 10/24/05
   • About.com. David Emery writes about current hoaxes. Also includes categories of hoaxes. Link from this site contains much information on identifying phony emails warning you of viruses. 3/20/06
   • Big Hoaxes 4/4/06
   • Break the Chain. Aims to stop the spread of fraudulent email chain letters and other Internet spam. Other sites that warn you not to forward messages to all your friends: (1) (2) (3) 3/7/07
   • Hoaxbusters 4/4/06
   • Hoax-Slayer 4/4/06
   • Leapfrog 4/4/06
   • Snopes, Here you will go directly to Snopes' search site where you can just insert a key word from the suspected email you received to check out the possibility that it is a hoax or scam. Your search results -- if any -- will include a summary of the suspected email, plus a link to more detailed information. Be sure to click on the red-text link at the top of each summary to get the whole story. 4/4/06
   • Symantec 4/4/06
   • Truth or Fiction 7/4/06
   • Urban Legends Zeitgeist 4/4/06
   • Zyra 4/4/06
5. House of Help. If you're having email problems, you might find your answer here. 12/6/2004
6. Hoaxes, myths, lies in your email messages. Don't be fooled. You can bet that if you get an email message asking you to forward it to all your friends, you can bet that the message is a fraud. One site to help you spot such deception is found at Snopes. 2/15/05
7. Learn the Net. Focuses on the email etiquette. 11/18/2004
8. Netiquette from Kass Johns. What are the rules of etiquette for sending email?. Also see University of Indiana. and All Business. 12/19/2004
9. Spam. How to avoid spam or junk email. Cautions you to avoid listing your email address on a website and not to reply to spam messages -- and lots more good advice from the author Dale Robbins.4/18/07
10. Topica. Get on mailing lists so that you will receive emails on topics you are interested in. 11/18/2004
11. Yahoo. Free email that you can access on any computer in the world connected to the Internet.

• Entertainment

I spend half the year in Tampa Bay, FL, the other half in north shore of Massachusetts. So many of my entertainment recommended sites focus on these areas. RG

1. Actors. My favorite actors and actresses: Funny how one good thing leads to another. I read a biography of Charlie Chaplin, and I became interested in his wife Oona who was the daughter of Eugene O'Neill, one of America's greatest playwrights. Then I had to see the movie version of O'Neill's play Long Day's Journey into Night. What a magnificent performance by Katherine Hepburn. I never saw a better acting job, and she became one of my favorites. 5/38/07
2. Ask the Critics. Look up movie reviews. 11/18/2004
3. Boston and vicinity entertainment guide from AOL. 9/14/05.
4. Boston. BosTix. Get discount tickets for music, dance and art shows and events. 5/23/07
5. Boston Harbor mystery cruise. Tickets $59 including dinner. I haven't tried this yet, but it looks interesting. Let me know if you try it, what you think. richard@gordonrichard.com 5/23/07
6. Boston Museum of Science. From Salem, this science museum is easy to get to by train. . For the train schedule.6/5/06
7. Bright House cable programming schedule for North Pinellas and Largo. If you want to see the programming schedule for other areas, just insert your cable provider and your zip code here. 12/16/200
8. Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin. It wasn't until I was sixty-eight years old and audited a class in Introduction to Film that I found so much pleasure in Keaton and Chaplin. As I saw Keaton's film The Three Ages, I found an essay so well written about him that I encourage you to check out this site if Keaton becomes one of your favorite old time stars. The essay is concluded with a long list of all of Keaton's films as well as links to more information about him.
   
   Regarding Chaplin, my favorite movie so far is Modern Times (1939). What a masterpiece, written, directed and starred in by Chaplin. Foretells and pokes fun at how automation in big business dehumanizes workers.Time Magazine did a great job telling the story of Charlie Chaplin whom many critics call "Chaplin was voted the greatest actor in movie history." And to think, too, that he would direct, write the script and even the musical scores of many of his movies. 1/29/07
9. Chess. Just about the time I hit my 70th birthday, I rediscovered a game that I enjoyed playing in my youth -- chess. I was never much good, just a beginner really, but now that I have the leisure time and interest, I'm been re-trying the game and have come to love it's challenge and intellectual stimulation. I want to share with you a growing number of websites that I think anyone with a serious interest in the game would find helpful in reaching beyond the beginner's stage.
   • Yahoo offers the chance to play online with thousands of other players. You can select various levels of skills -- beginner, intermediate, advanced. 4/15/08
10. Clearwater (FL) Arts Foundation. Cultural events in Florida's Tampa Bay area. Links to organizations sponsoring events. News and local calendar of events. 1/28/07
11. Eckerd College in Largo, Florida offers lectures, theater productions, concerts to the general public, often free or for five dollars or less. 9/31/08
12. Exercise video. Exercising was never so much fun even though it is sure to make you dog-tired. 2/05
13. Films101. Great database on hundreds of movies. Organized in categories such as Blockbusters, Black and White, Years, Language. Sight has search box making it easy to find information on a film you have in mind: I searched for information on one of the first talking movies Applause. I got four hits within the Films101 website. Eventually the first hit led me to a review of the movie found on another site MRQE that looks like a great site whenever you're looking for movie reviews. Since I order DVDs each month, I found especially helpful Films101 list of recently released DVDs. 1/5/07
14. Google makes available past TV shows -- so if you missed one, use this Google video search to see if you can view it. You can see a quick, free preview, but expect to pay for the real thing. I wanted to see a Charlie Rose show I missed on the invasion and occupation of Iraq. The show first appeared on TV on March 13, 2006.
15. Hollywood.com. Movie times, biographical information on actors. After I saw one of my all time favorite movies -- Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont -- I looked up biographical information on its star Joan Plowright. 10/1/06.
16. IMBD. Just about anything you would like to know about the movies and actors. I especially like checking out the biographies of actors. 5/5/08
17. Libraries. Public libraries in my area -- Palm Harbor, FL -- often offer special programs free, e.g., book discussions, lectures, computer clubs, socrates cafe: Clearwater Public Library (has various branches -- be sure to note the branch having the event you are interested in), Dunedin Public Libraries, New Port Richey Public Library, Oldsmar Public Library, Palm Harbor Library, Pinellas Public Library Cooperative, Safety Harbor Public Library, Tarpon Springs Library. This the place to go to get a calendar of events for all the public libraries in Pinellas. 12/26/06
18. Local movie times. Just insert your zip code to find the times of local movies. 11/18/2004
19. Magic show. If you are ever around Beverly, Massachusetts, be sure to see this fantastic magic show that my family and I enjoyed so much on May 20, 2007: Marco the Magi's Production of Le Grand David and His own Spectacular Magic Company.5/21/07
20. Marlon Brando, considered by many critics to be America's greatest actor. This site is jammed packed with every detail about Brando's life you can imagine. If you want to become a Brando specialist, this is the site for you. 4/18/09
21. Moviephone and Movie Tickets.Com. Find out what’s playing in the local area. Includes links to movie reviews. Easy access to Movico in Palm Harbor and AMC in Oldsmar. 11/18/2004
22. Movies -- reviews, summaries of the greatest movies from various sources. 5/5/08
23. Music -- Pandora. Great place to listen to your favorite music. You create your own simulated music station. The performer I picked to listen to was Barbara Streisand. I then got the opportunity to hear Barbara sing as well as many other performers who, according to Pandora, has a similar style. Pandora offers both a free service and a paid subscription service, but the free service filled my needs. 5/13/08
24. Nature: Parks and Sanctuaries within a three hour drive from Tampa Bay, Florida.
• Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in Southwest Florida. A haven for birds, butterflies, alligators, snakes and turtles. "It might be the very best place in Florida to experience spring," writes Jeff Klinkenberg in the St. Petersburg Times, page 26 W, March 10, 2005. 3/12/05
25. New York Times movie reviews. 2/8/08
26. Not So Young Couples Club. An example of how a website can be used to promote the activities of a senior citizen social club. See also another social club's website.3/14/05
27. Operas. I didn't introduce myself to opera until late in life when I began viewing famous operas on DVD. These links lead to summaries of famous operas I enjoyed: Mozart's Don Giovanni / Puccini's Il Trittoco / Puccini's La Boheme 4/8/07
28. Opray Winfrey Show. If you have a suggestion for a show that you think would interest Oprah Winfrey, you can go to this site and fill out a special email form. I have a friend who I thought would make a great guest, and I used this form to tell the show's staff about him. 5/21/06
29. Palladium Theater in St. Petersburg, FL. A beautiful theater built in 1925, featuring live theater. 3/12/05
30. Pinellas County -- Discovery events 1/29/08
31. Pinellas County Arts Council. Promotes cultural events in Pinellas County, including art shows, concerts. 11/18/2004
32. Radio station KCRW. Music and talk from a small radio station in Santa Monica College in Santa Monica, California. You can hear live shows and past shows in the archives. 1/5/07
33. Radio -- Deezer. Listen to free music. Of course, if you like what you hear, you can buy it for your own personal collection. But you can enjoy hearing much of your favorite music without paying a cent. 5/8/08
34. Radio station locator. Find out what AM and FM radio stations you should be able to hear from your community. Includes information on the type of entertainment provider: Classical music, contemporary music, talk, news, religious, public radio. For Salem, Massachusetts. For Palm Harbor, Florida. Talk shows from around the Nation. 9/20/05
35. Roger Ebert reviews the movies. 11/12/2004
36. Rotten Tomatoes. Movie reviews. Check out movie schedules in theaters by Palm Harbor, FL. 12/25/06
37. Ruth Eckert Hall in Clearwater, FL. Live shows, symphony orchestra. The acoustics are great. I attended a combination steel band/symphony orchestra performance on March 13, 2005. Sat way in the back, in one of the least expensive seats, and could hear perfectly.3/13/05
38. Salem, MA. Cinema Salem. I spend several months a year in Salem, and my favorite movie theater is Cinema Salem. The owner sends out monthly email newsletters commenting on current showings. Friendly, informal style of the newsletter reflects the personal relationship this Cinema is building with the community. Owner each month gives a $1,000 of his profits to a local charitable organization. 4/2/07
39. Salem State College (MA) Center for the Arts.If you're a Salem resident or live in a town nearby, Salem State provides inexpensive entertainment -- plays, concerts, art shows. For a calendar of events. Other sources of entertainment in Salem. 12/12/06
40. Susan Boyle. What a voice! This modest maiden from Scotland surprised and thrilled an audience auditioning for "Britain's Got Talent" show. If ever an angel could sing, that angel is Susan Boyle. 4/16/09
41. Sunken Gardens in St. Petersburg, FL. Called a botanical paradise. Includes a butterfly garden. Check out the entrance fee and you'll be presently surprised to see how inexpensive it is. Reviews, cost, address-map, and hours. An even more detailed map to help you drive there.On March 16, 2006, my wife and I visited and were so pleasantly surprised -- what a beautiful botanical paradise. I had a great time using my digital camera taking photos of the beautiful flowers and butterflies. Be sure to get a guided tour. Our guide was David, a retired St. Petersburg native, did a great jo b. Directly across the street, is a Panera Bread where we spent a happy half hour having coffee, waiting for Dave's tour. 3/16/06
42. Talk radio stations
• KRLA 870 Conservative talk. Hosts include Laura Ingraham, Dennis Prager, Michael Medved, Hugh Hewitt, Dennis Miller, Kevin James, and Bill Bennett. 1/30/08
• KABC 790 from Los Angeles 1/30/08
43. Tampa Bay Entertainment. 2/21/06
44. Tampa Bay, FL entertainment from AOL. Restaurants, events, entertainment, concerts, tickets. Take part in chats or view newsgroups (message boards) about the St. Petersburg, Tampa and the neighboring towns. 9/14/05
45. Tampa Theater. If you live in the Tampa Bay, Florida area, this beautifully restored historic theater, often playing films not shown in regular theaters, is a place to enjoy the decor as well as what's on the screen. You can even take a backstage and balcony tour and hear the Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ. 3/24/06
46. Tarpon Springs, FL. Cultural Arts Center. 1/5/2005
47. TV Guide Program listing. To get access to all the resources on this site, you will have to register, giving your email address that ends up being your password. For a TV program guide for those having BrightHouse and living in Pinellas county.2/18/05
48. University of South Florida offers many cultural and artistic events sponsored by the College of Visual and Performing Arts. 2/25/06
49. Yahoo Games. 2/1/07
50. YouTube. Thousands of amateur film makers display their work here.Time Magazine selected YouTube as the best invention in 2006. 12/21/06
51. Weekend Entertainment Guide from the St. Pete (FL) Times 11/18/2004
52. Weekly Planet. Weekly newspaper that has a detailed listing of so much happening to entertain you in the Tampa Bay area. Tampa Bay Happenings site is linked from the Weekly Planet. Also see fun and free things happening this week in Tampa Bay, again from the Weekly Planet 3/26/06

• Family & Parenting

1. Family.com. All round guide to general family issues such as parenting, travel, education. 12/11/97
2. Parent Soup. Discusses concerns of parents about such issues as protecting their kids from drugs. Feature articles and live chat. 12/11/97
3. Parenting newsletters from the University of Wisconsin. How to be a better parent,

• Famous People

1. Audie Murphy: The most decorated U.S. soldier in WWII who became a leading Hollywood actor. 7/7/98
2. Biography. Get the facts on famous people. 12/11/97
3. Charlie Chaplin. Not until I audited a film history class when I was in my late sixties did I really get exposed to this genius of the cinema. His movie The Gold Rush was the funniest movie I ever saw. I'll never forgot a starving Charlie cooking up his own shoe for dinner and using his forks to make two dinner rolls dance. 1/26/07
4. Clark Gable. One of my favorite actors. Detailed biographical information as well as information on all the movies he was in. 3/25/06
5. Deceased or living? Find out if famous people are still with us or if they have passed away. Also provides date of birth. date of death, and age at death. Another site to find if celebrities are living or have passed away. 5/28/06
6. Golda Meir. Israeli leader who illustrated so well that women can be great national leaders. 53/27/06
7. Louise Brooks. Famous silent film actress. 11/22/98
8. Judy Halliday. A great actress in the 1940s and 50s. I loved her in the movie Adams Rib. The website does a marvelous job tracing her career that ended so tragically at her death at age 43. Meet this great actress with a genius IQ who so often played blond simpletons. 12/27/09
9. Montgomery Clift. Biography of a fascinating and great actor who died at age 45. 3/25/06
10. Saddam Hussein. A personal history, from the Emergency Response and Research Institute.
11. Spectrum Children's Book club presents biographies. Just click on the photo of a famous person to read his or her biography. 3/20/05.
12. Sylvia Plath. A great American poet who had such a short but brilliant life! This website inspired me to read her poetry, her novel The Bell Jar, and all I could find out about her life that was so sad, so tragic, and yet filled with brilliance. A fascinating person, indeed. 8/6/06.

• Genealogy

1. Cyndi's list of genealogical sites on the Internet. 3/14/05
2. Mormon Church (The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints) offers what many people consider the most extensive genealogy website. 3/20/05
3. National Genealogical Society. 11/30/98
4. Roots-L Join a mailing list in which people share how to find information about their ancestors.11/30/98

• Government & Politics

1. All Politics. Want the latest political information? Links too to the New York Times and the Congressional Quarterly. 3/3/01
2. ADL. Anti-Defamation League. An organization devoted to combating anti-semitism and racial, religious bigotry of all types. 8/10/05
3. Blogs -- Florida political sites where individuals give their opinions. For a definition of blogs, see Wikipedia. All the following blog-links were taken from Tampa-Weekly Planet, December 15 to December 21, page 10. Quoted comments are taken directly from this issue of the Weekly Planet.
   • Discourse.net. "A more intellectual approach to political blogging, written by University of Miami Law Professor Michael Froomkin." 5/6/06
   • Mark Lane's Flablog. Written by Daytona Beach News-Journal columnist Mark Lane. "Interesting and nonpartisan." 5/6/06
   • Sayfire Review. Written by a Republican lobbyist "without any political spin." 12/16/2004
   • South of the Suwannee. "..healthy dose of political perspective and sociology." 12/16/2004
4. Congress.Org. Gives information on pending and recently passed legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives and in the Senate. By inserting your address, you can find out how your representatives voted on legislation, and you can email them your own thoughts on their voting records or other issues.You can even sign up to receive email messages reporting to you how your representatives have voted. I tried to do some research to determine if Congress.Org was non-partisan.
   
   I did come up with information that Congress.Org is a company managed by Knology to provide a tool for lobbyists to keep an eye on what issues Congress are dealing with and how they are voting (1) (2). But even as just an average citizens, the information here seems very helpful to make it easy for us to participate in our government. Apparently, a staff member at the University of Washington thinks Congress.Org is valuable enough to serve as the focus of a lesson challenging students to learn more about their government. 5/23/06
   
5. Copyright Office of the Library of Congress. If you have a manuscript that you plan to turn into a Web site, you may first want to get a copyright on the manuscript by filing with the U.S., Copyright Office. 3/17/01
6. E-mail to U.S. Senators. 2/24/01
7. Federal Bureau of Investigation. Information on terrorists' alerts and most wanted criminals. Gives public chance to send in tips. 2/12/02
8. Florida Government Services Online 3/17/01
9. Florida Government portal site. Links to Florida government agencies. 2/16/05
10. Florida Governor Charlie Crist's website. To contact the Governor. 8/3/07
11. Florida State Government including links to e-mail addresses of governor and representatives
12. Library of Congress On-Line. Read the Congressional Record and discover what's in every bill introduced or voted on in Congress. Or read historical documents like the Declaration of Independence, Lincoln's second Inaugural Address, and the US Constitution. How about this -- fascinating list with explanations of all the collections of the Library of Congress, such as over 9,000 images of advertisements from 1850 to 1920. 3/14/05
13. Political leaders. Email your views to your political leaders using the League for Women website. If you live in Palm Harbor, FL, zip code 34684-2924, this page is just for you. 1/24/09
14. President Obama.-- the President's Web site. Includes list and biographical information on all our past U.S. Presidents.
    2/15/09
15. Retired Teachers Club gives links to both Federal and State representatives and agencies. 2/15/05
16. Recovery.gov. Let's you, the taxpayer, see how the money is being spent as a result of the Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Stimulus Package). 2/25/09
17. Saddam Hussein. The trial of Saddam Hussein from the Case School of Law. 3/24/06
18. U.S. Congressional Representatives from Florida. U.S. Rep. Michael Bilirakis, R-Palm Harbor. 4/5/99
19. US House of Representatives. Another source, too, for writing your U.S. Congressman. 2/15/05

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Web sites selected by Richard Gordon. © Copyright 2001. All rights reserved. richard@gordonrichard.com
I selected these sites solely for web surfing practice with my Internet students. I cannot vouch for their truthfulness, nor do I endorse them, nor the products or services they contain. RG January 5, 2010 sc 4/20/09