Internet sites to help out, educate or have fun with.
With a little bit of money, you, too, can be like James Bond. OK, with a whole lot of money.MOST DANGEROUS CITIES
It's not safe out there, and this site only serves to bring that point home. Find out what the most dangerous cities in the country are. It's a disturbing list, but also informative. Is Birmingham on the list? Yep, but so is Gary, Ind. How weird is that? What's the most dangerous? Let's just say being ravaged by a hurricane hasn't helped its status any.
ENERGY SAVING TIPS
Common sense is such a rare thing these days. But if you invoke a little bit of it, you could actually save some money. And these days, no doubt you can use all you can get. With just a few adjustments to your house, you could keep money in your bank account instead of forking it over to energy bills. Some of them are as easy as changing a light bulb -- insert your own joke here.
EAT THIS NOT THAT
Being a parent isn't easy. And making sure your kids eat the right things is even harder when you're a mom or dad who works just to make sure food is on the table -- or TV tray. This site will want you to buy a book, but you can also gleam quite a few facts about what not to feed your children at no charge.
ABS DIET POWER
Speaking of eating right, it's not just for kids, you know. If you'd like to get back into shape, then click on over to this site to find out what sorts of foods you should be eating to help get yourself healthier. I realize that the holidays are filled with more sugar than a game of Candyland, but it won't hurt to take a look. The choices are actually quite ordinary. Throw in a few in between chocolate binges.
Have a favorite Web site? Send the address to
Technology Editor Kenneth Carter
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MSRP: $40
Where: Gizmine
Marcus gets some help giving a Locust some destructive criticism with his Lancer's chain saw. Images courtesy of Microsoft.KEEP READING THE REVIEW!
We love our cookies, especially this time of the year.
There are wiser ways to spend your time, but if you just enjoy the thrill of the hunt, go ahead and shop.SKIPPING BLACK FRIDAY
If you're one of the majority who don't think of Black Friday as a blood sport event, then pay heed to this site for some tips on why you might want to wait a few days before heading out to the malls. Of course, if you enjoy trampling old ladies at 4 in the morning for a $10 DVD player, then never mind.
THE HUNGER SITE
This time of year is supposed to make you feel more charitable, but it certainly gets tougher when the tough economy has you living paycheck to paycheck. This site will help you out a little. Just head over here and click on the big yellow button to give free food to those who need it. It's that easy. Although, the advertisers who are actually giving the money would love it if you browsed their sites for a while, too.
HARRY POTTER ASTRONOMY
If you know a kid who's a big fan of Harry Potter, then this site is a really cool way to introduce your little Hogwarts student to astronomy. Click here and find out about constellations and other astronomical objects that have a connection to the Boy Who Lived. And if it's YOU who is a big Potter fan, then don't worry, I won't tell.
CONSTITUTION ONLINE
If the only thing you know about the Constitution is being able to sing the preamble from "Schoolhouse Rock," then you definitely need to check out this site. It's divided up into easily clickable links to every section of one of the country's founding documents. Definitely a handy guide for anyone studying government.
PLAY SPORTS TV
This is a must site for any parent who has a kid delving into the world of sports -- no matter what that sport might be. Play Sports TV has video tips, detailed articles and instructional guides for parents, coaches and kids. Soccer? sure. Baseball? Of course. Skateboarding? Sure thing, dude. It even has tips for being a good parenting sport. I hope that doesn't include calling the 10-year-old on the other team a loser. Because he is.
Have a favorite Web site? Send the address to
Technology Editor Kenneth Carter
The crust is strong with this one.MSRP: $55
Where: shop.starwars.com
Images courtesy of Disney InteractiveSuch is the case with Pure, a thrilling game that takes you through the roads less traveled in your souped-up four-wheeler. You kick up dirt, you kick the opponent off a cliff, you kick up your legs and pull a double somersault over a huge jump. Kids, don't try this outside -- but by all means, try it on the Xbox 360.
KEEP READING THE REVIEW!
If you ever watched "Star Trek: Deep Space NIne," then the Sydney Opera House may look vaguely familiar to you.Do you love it loud? Do you want to hear it loud? Right between the eyes? Loud? Want to hear it loud ? Don't want no compromise?
Now you can play Guitar Hero and Rock Band as the God of Thunder and Rock 'n Roll, Gene Simmons of KISS, intended : With an axe. More accurately, an axe-shaped guitar game controller for PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3.
It's three-fourths of the size of the real thing that Gene plays in concert with KISS, which is unlike other guitar controllers that are half the size of regular guitars.
The Axe for Wii and XBox 360 are in the works. In the meantime, you'll have to make do with the regular tiny-sized controllers that mere mortals use. It's a shame, really.
Warning: Players must provide own blood and / or fire.
If you aren't sure which bat-winged guitarist is the namesake for your controller, the face of the KISS Demon is right there on the neck.
I've already built my new avatar, which was fun. I look forward to seeing the avatars that my friends come up with, becasue it's interesting to see how people choose to depict themselves.
The gamer pictures on xbox.com seem to be all mixed up, with missing art files icons. I hope they get that sorted out soon, so Gamercards will display properly on blogs.
As you explore the new features, let us know your opinions and if you encounter any delights or difficulties with the revamp. E-mail me at bcrowson@bhamnews.com.
Internet sites to help out, educate or have fun with.
HOLIDAY CREDIT CARD PERKS
Everyone's saying you should try to use cash instead of charging yourself a merry Christmas this year, but if you charge in moderation, you might actually be saving a little more. Credit companies are rolling out the red and green carpet to entice shoppers to plop down the plastic this year, and that could mean big deals and savings for you. Check this site out for five perks that may help you out this yuletide.
FACEBOOK 101
So your friends finally chained you to your computer mouse and made you join Facebook. Hey, it wasn't that bad, was it? And already you have been reacquainted with that little girl from third grade that you've always had at the back of your mind. OK, you haven't given her a second thought. If Facebook is new territory to you, or if you've got 11,208 friends and counting, this site offers a little etiquette on how to maneuver. For starters, stop poking everybody. No one likes to be poked - virtually or otherwise.
A few helpful hints may help you trim some savings from your turkey and all the trimmings.HEART HEALTHY FOOD QUIZ
So, you think you're a healthy eater, huh? This site will be the judge of that. Take this quick food quiz and see how much you know about eating right. By the way, chocolate is not a food group. Who knew?
GET BODY SMART
Need a quick tutorial on the human body? This site will definitely help you out. It uses flash animation to help with anatomical facts about the skeletal system, muscular system and a lot more. It even offers quizzes to see how much you've learned. It's a nice overview with a lot of information. I'm not saying you'll be able to field dress a soldier on a battlefield, but you might be able to pass a biology test.
Have a favorite Web site? Send the address to
Technology Editor Kenneth Carter
Outfit yourself with clothing, armor, helmets and weapons as you see fit in Fallout 3. Images courtesy of Bethesda.
Walt Disney built an empire with this odd little mouse with a fondness for red shorts and ugly yellow shoes.
Fable II gives you a dog to man's -- or woman's -- best friend. Images courtesy of Microsoft.KEEP READING THE REVIEW!
Internet sites to help out, educate or have fun with.
BRAIN TRAINING GAMES
If you're a fan of this column, then you know that I love brain games, and the Internet is loaded with them. Yes, it's a little ironic considering the thousands of sites out there that pander to the libido and seventh-grade humor. At this site, stimulate your mind with flash-based games. After playing a few, you might not find that streaming video of a monkey on a Segway so amusing.
STEREOGUM
I know what you're thinking, music lovers: Where on the Web can I read music news and download free music? I have your answer: Stereogum. This blog is dedicated to the latest news of the music world and offers music tracks that are downloadable at no cost. And along with the news, the site also tells it like it is about new releases.
VIDEOGUM
Not much of a music person, huh? You like to watch. Don't worry, there's plenty in cyberspace for you, too. For example, there's Videogum, the sister site of the aforementioned Stereogum. This site offers plenty of commentary and reviews of just about everything. Movies, TV, streaming Web videos -- if it's on a screen, this site covers it. A highlight of the site is "The Worst Movie of All Time." As of this date, "Elizabethtown" seems to be the winner. Can't argue with that.
KIDS HEALTH
Kids are a high maintenance machine, whether they're toddlers, tweens or, gulp, teenagers. Kids can contract all kinds of maladies, be they physical, mental or emotional. At this site, get some quick and easy advice on what to do when Junior gets sick - or if you just get sick of Junior. This site will help with nutrition, first aid, positive parenting and much more.
Have a favorite Web site? Send the address to
Technology Editor Kenneth Carter
