The Online Mom provides internet technology advice and information to help parents protect their kids, encourage responsible behavior and safely harness the power of technology in the new digital world. Social networking, photo sharing, video games, IM & texting, internet security, cyberbullying, educational resources, the latest on tech hardware, gadgets and software for kids 3-8, tweens and teens, and more.
Google introduces smarter search with the Knowledge Graph
As part of its continuing quest to improve search results – and stay ahead of rivals like Microsoft’s Bing – Google yesterday unveiled a feature which is designed to deliver more relevant and in-depth responses without the need for additional click-throughs. Dubbed the Knowledge Graph, the new feature takes into consideration all the possible meanings for a search term that you might use and presents them as alternatives on the first page of the search returns.
In a blog post, Google SVP Amit Singhal uses the example of ‘Taj Mahal.’ By entering that term in the Google search box, you could be inquiring about the acclaimed mausoleum in India, the musician of the same name, or the casino in Atlantic City, NJ. While the first few results may concentrate on the Taj Mahal in India, it includes a window of alternatives if you want to switch to one of the other meanings.
The Fi Productions team combined a classic coming of age tale with outstanding graphics, whimsical humor, an impressive level of interactivity, and a dash of magic to create Gone Wishing, one of the best book apps currently available.
The story begins by explaining the process of wish granting against the nighttime backdrop of a wishing fountain on a quiet street. When people make wishes by throwing coins in fountains, blowing out candles, or breaking wishbones, it is the job of Best Wishes, a wish fulfillment company located under the fountain, to collect all the wishes and make them come true.
One of the best things about the Internet is our ability to read other people’s opinions on a product or a service that we are interested in buying. And I’m not just talking about professional critics. Sure, there are web sites like Consumer Reports and CNET that employ reviewers and testing labs to provide expert opinion on everything from automobiles to smartphones, but I am more interested in what my peers – my fellow users – have to say about something.
And in an age in which we are asked to Like, Tweet, +1, or e-mail everything we come across on the Internet, there is certainly no shortage of opinions. Look for virtually any popular consumer product on Amazon.com and you fill find lengthy reviews offering all the pros and cons of ownership. Want to know more about a particular restaurant or bar? Then head to Yelp, StumbleUpon or Patch. The latest movie? Rotten Tomatoes will tell you all your need to know.
You have spent hours on your Facebook page, built up a healthy collection of friends, and have started to post regular updates, family photos, and even the occasional video.
But something has been bugging you: the more time you spend on Facebook, the less happy you are about some of your so-called friends. In the rush to get to that 50+ popularity threshold, perhaps you weren’t quite as discerning as you should have been.
Maybe it’s that girl from college who you never really liked and whose political posts you find so annoying. Or maybe it’s that creepy-looking guy from your old workplace who you friended late one night in a moment of weakness.
Whatever the reason, it’s time to trim the fat and turn your friend list into what it should be – a group of people who you can happily share thoughts and photos with without worrying about where they might end up.
When was the last time you were able to sit down with loved ones to look over an album of old family pictures? Families are increasingly on the go and those nearest and dearest to us are often flung far around the globe. Fortunately, we can turn our PC's into family memory centers, creating our very own virtual photo albums and movie theaters.
Let's take a look at 5 great free programs that will make creating family memories easier:
