Tech Tips For Techies - and Non-Techies!

 Hi All,

You might have heard Kim Komando's radio spots on CBS radio.  She talks about computer, technology and other similar issues on the radio.

But did you know that she has a website?  Billing herself as 'America's Digital Goddess' she  discusses the digital lifestyle in our digital age.   Click here for a bit more about Kim Komando. 

For today's article - at least on her website - click on this link.  In addition to the radio spots on CBS radio she hosts the Kim Komando Show on over 450 stations each week.  Click here to find a station.

On her website are all sorts of tools for techies and non-techies to become proficient in (if you are non-techie type) or more proficient in (if you are already a techie type) computers and tech.  Topics include Buying Guides,  Apps, Cool Sites, Columns, Downloads, Forums. 

But wait, there's more.  You can watch a passel-load of her videos here, watch 'Live From the Studio', Tech News in the Morning, Flash Tips, Komando Reports and much, much more on the website.

Enjoy the site, the videos and the interesting way she imparts her wealth of knowledge to listeners, viewers and readers to her show!

Regards,
Stu

Watch Your Language!

Hi all,

Would you like to learn something new every day? I have a simple, painless and free way to do just that!  Word-of-the-day.  On the internet. Via email.  Let me explain.

Word-of-the-day (WOTD hereafter) is something that lots of websites send out -well every day.  Signing up in many cases is free and very, very easy to do.

Oxford English Dictionary lets users sign up for WOTD by clicking on this link.

Dictionary.com lets users sign up for WOTD by clicking on this link. 

Merriam-Webster lets users sign up for WOTD by clicking on this link. 

Oxford English Dictionaries  has another site for WOTD - click here for that one.

As if the above links aren't enough - or if they aren't to your liking - click on this link from MakeUseOf.com. The title of this link is 10 Websites to Learn a Word a Day and Enrich Your Vocabulary and you can find the article by clicking on this link.   

Enjoy the links and your newly found vocabulary!

Regards,
Stu

IRS Tax Information

Hi All,

April 15th is far, far from now - but at some point in your life you might need to get a copy of a tax return that you filled out for a prior year. 

The IRS is here to help - isn't that great?  But seriously, the way to get a transcript of your tax return is quick and easy.

Click on this link from the IRS to get a transcript.  Note that you can get a transcript online AND you can get a transcript mailed to you directly.

Click this link for an FAQ from the IRS regarding transcripts of your tax return. In addition, taxpayers can view there tax account within the last 18 months by clicking on this link!

Some other helpful tax links from the IRS include:
View your balance and payment history
Notify the IRS of an address change
Order transcript of your tax return(s)

Finally, click on this link in order to subscribe to the IRS Tax tips newsletter. Who knows - it might save you money!

Hope these links help!

Regards,
Stu

The Political Spectrum

Hi All,

Politics is everywhere these days. It's in the news, on the internet and television.  The radio has news about politics and it changes on a daily basis!  How can you keep up with all those changes every day?   And occasionally you'll hear a pundit or an announcer or a 'talking-head' discuss the left-wing or the right-wing or a centreist....

Just what exactly do these terms mean you might ask?  Great question - and I've got a bunch of answers for you!

What we are really talking about here is the political spectrum which classifies different political positions...Wikipedia has an extensive article discussing what the various terms mean.

Click here for some information on the Left-Wing,  Click here for some information on the Right-Wing.  Click here for some information on the Center-Wing. 

Another website - called I Agree to See - has even more information on the meanings of the phrase 'political spectrum'.  

For some perspective as to what various members of the political spectrum believe in on certain issues, click on this link from People-Press.org.  The article is titled 'Beyond Red vs Blue: The Political Typology'

Finally, if you're not sure where you fall in this 'political spectrum', you can take this quiz from People-Press.org to find out where you political persuasion lies.

Enjoy the links and the lively political debates!

Regards,
Stu

MommyPoppins - Get More Out of Life With Kids

Hi All,

Today's blog entry talks about MommyPoppins.  It bills itself as 'Getting More Out of Life With Kids'.


Users can use the site as a way to find things to do with kids based on Age, Area, Things to Do and Family Fun.  The Activity Guide link on the site has links for a wide variety of things to do - including, but not limited to - Birthday Parties, Classes/Enrichment, Crafts/Recipes, Free Activities, Museums, Parent Talk, Shows, STEM, Summer Activities, Theme/Water Parks and more.

Just who is MommyPoppins though? Indeed, click on this link to find a bit more about them...spoiler alert though - there isn't that much info on the page...

There are also links to Camps & Classes, Parties links to Trips. At the top of the page is a link to search the site.  There are also links to Connect with MommyPoppins, a Directory, and a Calendar.


Before you starting clicking on any link that you think is important you'll need to click on your region at the top left side of the homepage.  Once you do that you are free to roam!

I found the Calendar link especially useful. Pick a day and the vents that are available appear on the screen.  Links are available to that particular event!  Links by Age are interesting to visit as well. 

On 7/24/17 when I wrote this blog entry there were article on 'Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlors Long Island Kids Will Love, Summer Day Tirp for Long Island Families  and and article on Long Island Aquarium Exhibits.

Users can signup for the MommyPoppins newsleter by clicking on this link.

Finally, just as another example of the utility of the site, the link for Family Fun had the following information on 7/24/17: Guide to Indoor Play Spaces for Kids, Museum/Art Guide to Kids.

Articles are dated and an author is listed - and the authors name is linked.   One of the better parts of the site are the tabs at the top of each article.  Basically these tabs are like subject headings for the topics that the article deals with.  One such article that I clicked on was titled 12 Places Where LI Kids Can Learn and Have Fun in the Hamptons and North Fork.

Other useful links on the site include This Week in Long Island, July Go List and Neighborhood Guides (can choose between Nassau Suffolk and the East End.

Listed tabs at the top of the page for the article included Classes/Enrichment, Family Travel, Farm/U Pick Up, Museums, Shows, Visitors Guide and more.  Talk about comprehensive lists and topics!

Enjoy the site and the links!

Regards,
Stu