Surfnetkids.com
Surfing the Net with Kids FREE Newsletter
#1. May 4, 2011
Dear Reader,
Are you a Mac user? I use both a Mac and a PC, and sometimes learning the Mac is just not as intuitive as all those Apple fan boys say. Can you relate?
So, I was thrilled when my friend Steve Loyola showed me his free Mac training videos at MacHelpForMom.com. The idea for the site grew from helping his own mother navigate her way around her Mac computer. You are going to love this site if you are:
* the go-to computer person for your parents (or grandparents) learning their way around a Mac
* a Mac user wanting to learn more!
Steve’s easy-to-follow, bite-sized videos will help your mom (grandma, aunt, neighbor) learn how to better use a Mac computer. Just in time for Mother’s Day, this means more quality time with Mom, instead of sitting at her computer teaching her (again) how to add icons to her dock.
Be sure to sign up for Steve’s free weekly email newsletter so both you (and Mom) will know about his latest videos, reviews of helpful resources and other interesting stuff.
Happy Mother’s Day to all!
See ya on the Net,
Barbara J. Feldman
"Surfing the Net with Kids"
https://www.surfnetkids.com
P.S. Here are some Mother’s Day Resources from the Surfnetkids network of sites, and an entire site devoted to Mom: Mother’s Day Fun.
#2. Free Blogging Sites
by Barbara J. Feldman
https://www.surfnetkids.com/free_blogging_sites.htm
Free Blogging Sites Printable (** for premium members only)
https://www.surfnetkids.com/printables/files/printables-club/free_blogging_sites.pdf
If you’ve ever thought about dipping your toe into the blogosphere, there are dozens of free blogging platforms to choose from. I’ve rounded up my five favorites for your consideration. Blogging can be a tool of self-reflection, or a way to express your talents. There are almost as many reasons to blog as there are blogs. So pick a platform, and explore, but proceed carefully with children, as many blogs are not G-rated.
Blogger
The free Blogger/BlogSpot platform is owned by Google. It is very easy to use, has great analytics, and excellent photo gallery integration with Picasa. Another feature they offer is the ability to use your own domain name such as “example.com” instead of “example.blogspot.com.” Although Blogger doesn’t charge for this, it will cost you an annual fee (around $12 depending on where you purchase it) to own your domain.
LiveJournal.com
“LiveJournal is a community publishing platform, willfully blurring the lines between blogging and social networking.” And the social aspect of LiveJournal is its strongest feature, because it is very easy to keep up with recent posts from your LiveJournal friends. But some consider it a gated community that doesn’t interact much with the outside world. With a directory of schools listed by country and state, classrooms can reach out to each other via this blogging tool. But my usual note of caution is still applicable, as many blogs that are listed by school are still not child-friendly.
Squidoo
Although Squidoo doesn’t offer traditional blogs with time-stamped posts appearing in reverse chronological order, they do offer a free platform for self-expression in the form of one-page micro blogs. First step at Squidoo is getting acquainted with the lingo. Each Squidoo article is called a lens, authors are lensmasters, and each lens must contain a minimum of three modules. When setting up your lensmaster account, be sure to leave Safe Browsing set to G (which is the default.)
… Click to continue Free Blogging Sites .
#3. Printables Club Members Also Get …
Surfnetkids Printables Club Members also get the following printables to use in the classroom, the computer lab, the school library, or to send home with students:
Free Blogging Sites Printable
Blogging Tools Printable
Journal Writing Printable
*** Are you curious? Get your own ten-day trial membership:
https://www.surfnetkids.com/printables-club.htm
#4. Surfing the Calendar
First Freedom Ride
May 4, 1961
Elizabeth Jane Cochran’s, Known
as Nellie Bly, Birthday
May 5, 1864
Cinco de Mayo
May 5, 2011
Cartoonist Day
May 5, 2011
Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower
May 5-6, 2011
Space Day
May 6, 2011
Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony Premiere
May 7, 1824
International Migratory Bird Day
May 8, 2011
Mother’s Day Poems
May 8, 2011
Mother’s Day
May 8, 2011
Central and Union Pacific Railroads Meet
May 10, 1869
Richard Feynman’s Birthday
May 11, 1918
#5. Quote of the Week
“Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen.” ~~ John Steinbeck ~~ (February 27, 1902 December 20, 1968), American novelist. Click here for more John Steinbeck quotations.
#6. Subscription Management
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https://www.surfnetkids.com/newsletter/
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