The Computer Society of West Florida

ARTICLES

ARTICLES - OCTOBER 2008

How-To Videos Online

(NAPSI)-If you have ever wondered how to make sweet and sour chicken or perform CPR or had the desire to learn a new sport, there’s a Web site that specializes in showing you how.

This site, called VideoJug, videojug.com, allows you to view online videos with do-it-yourself tips--everything from cooking and beauty tips to sports and musical instruction--in a smorgasbord that offers the serious alongside the satirical, the funny and the esoteric. Viewers can learn how to swaddle a baby, grow plants hydroponically or teach their cat to use the toilet.

VideoJug makes it easy to find animated, often humorous instructions on topics that range from the lighthearted, such as “How to Stop Being Lazy,”  to the practical, such as “How to Find a Job After College”.

The site has established itself as a visual learner’s reference guide and is referred to as “the YouTube of how-to video clips.” Visitors can also create their own personal profile and join discussions on how to buy an Arabian horse or how to quit smoking or how to give a good first kiss.

The videos are produced in-house by a team of producers, directors and fact-checkers, so you know the information you’re getting is accurate and reliable. For authoritative advice, users can also turn to “Ask the Expert” videos, which are presented by leading experts in their field.

To learn more, visit videojug.com.

Spreading The Word
In A "Word" Format

(NAPSI)-When it comes to finding illumination and inspiration, many people find there is no better source than the Bible.

As it says in Psalm 119:105, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."

"The value of the Bible, in whatever medium, was expressed by someone in a faraway land to his missionary friend: 'Make the book talk to us so that we can hear God's voice. Make it speak to us as it speaks to you,'" said Eric Sigward, who has M.Div. and Th.M. degrees from Westminster Theological Seminary. "In the great hurly-burly of discordant voices, the Bible is a plow. It drags up cultures and civilizations from the bottom, bringing air and light to the dark and confusing experiences of the human soul."

For over 16 years, Logos Research Systems of Bellingham, Wash., has provided Bibles and Bible resources.

Its founding programmers from Microsoft Corporation decided that they would start a company of their own that would publish Bible-study resources with the look and feel of the word processing program MS Word. Now they produce more than 9,000 titles.

The entry-level collection, "The Christian Home Library," which contains 68 titles, can be purchased at AcornBible.com.

The collection is easy to use. For example, if you type "Goliath" on your computer screen and press "enter," you will open every relevant resource--English, Greek and Hebrew Bibles, word studies, dictionaries, histories, maps, name trees and commentaries.

The resource can help a student proceed further in Bible study than you imagined possible. The basic collection is devoted to family issues--Christian marriage, faith parenting and home schooling. Sigward's theology degrees qualify him to explain the collections and help customers make the right decisions based on their interest and needs.

Logos has partnered with over 100 publishers who have chosen them to make their content available. Products are available in both English and Spanish and range in price from $41.95 to $472.95.

For more information, visit acornbible.com.

Point And Click
To The Perfect Holiday Gift

(NAPSI)-As concerns over the economy and gas prices rise, many consumers are holding on to their wallets and turning their sights toward online shopping. With online sites providing some of the best deals around--plus the benefit of letting you shop without driving to the store--this holiday season is the perfect time to embrace online shopping.

So you won't get overwhelmed by the number of sites offering gifts for everyone on your list, here are some tips to help you make smart purchasing decisions:

Pick The Right Web Site

• The more product information, the better--The options within any given category, such as "digital cameras," can be overwhelming, and sites offering specs and images are standard, so look for more. What about customer reviews? Tools that let you compare products simultaneously? One innovative online retailer, Buy.com, also offers tens of thousands of streaming video reviews, and even direct links to competitive sites selling the same product, possibly at a lower price.

• Get familiar with security practices--The last thing you want to deal with during the holidays is online fraud. Wherever you buy, look for the lock logo at the bottom of the screen when placing an order. Reputable online retailers have taken additional steps by teaming with trusted third parties such as PayPal, Google Checkout and eBillme to ensure the security and protection of your order and financial information.

• Don't spend all your money on shipping--Saving gas money by shopping online may end up being a letdown if shipping costs just as much as the product. Look for special "free shipping" symbols throughout online retailers' sites (just keep in mind that this option may not be available with all delivery time frames).

Pick The Perfect Gift

• Know what's hot--This season's popular gifts will include video games, notebook computers, toys, watches and jewelry. If you're gifting anything within these categories, place your order as early as possible--and check out sites such as Buy.com, which offers a robust marketplace of other retailers selling the same product in case they run out of stock.

• Ask and you shall receive--If some people on your list are particularly hard to shop for, ask them to set up a wish list registry.

From the holidays to Mother's Day and more, the Internet offers deals that are great for saving money year-round. To learn more, visit buy.com.

Focusing on digital cameras? Look for customer reviews and tools that let you compare products simultaneously.