Mama Knows Best » Computers & Technology http://www.gishers.org Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:16:31 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Military Wife http://www.gishers.org/2012/01/military-wife/ http://www.gishers.org/2012/01/military-wife/#comments Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:58:34 +0000 Jessica http://www.gishers.org/?p=3761 Thanks for the guest post by Donn Schroeder

Moving to a really remote location with my husband due to his service in the military was tough. Being a “military wife” is hard enough as it is, and having to leave all of our family and friends behind to move with him was even tougher. [...]]]> Thanks for the guest post by Donn Schroeder

Moving to a really remote location with my husband due to his service in the military was tough. Being a “military wife” is hard enough as it is, and having to leave all of our family and friends behind to move with him was even tougher. He was deployed almost as soon as we relocated, unfortunately, so we’ve been forced to remain in touchwith not only our friends and family but each other through email. Lots and lots of email, to be specific. I send him an email every morning to say hello and one again every night to recap my day with the kids. We’re so lucky that he’s able to respond to email fairly frequently; I’d go crazy without being able to communicate that way. We did hit a bit of a snag trying to get internet service hooked up, since none of the major internet service providers actually provide service in our location. Fortunately, one of the other “military wives” was familiar with a company that provided internet even in our little tiny town. We checked out Satellite Internet, got set up, and are now able to email to our heart’s contents. It’s not the same as having him here, but it’s the next best thing.

]]> http://www.gishers.org/2012/01/military-wife/feed/ 0 time for an upgrade http://www.gishers.org/2011/10/time-for-an-upgrade/ http://www.gishers.org/2011/10/time-for-an-upgrade/#comments Sat, 15 Oct 2011 22:18:56 +0000 Jessica http://www.gishers.org/?p=3582 When I purchased my cellphone last October, I was in desperate need of a phone.  I swore I wanted nothing fancy, just something simple to make calls and text message with.  And I still feel that way to a point.

But as time goes on and I get busier with my online business, I [...]]]> When I purchased my cellphone last October, I was in desperate need of a phone.  I swore I wanted nothing fancy, just something simple to make calls and text message with.  And I still feel that way to a point.

But as time goes on and I get busier with my online business, I am sort of realizing the mistake I made with that decision.  With an iPhone, I could easily stay on top of emails and blogging.  Isn’t it funny how turning away an ingenious suggestion could come back to bite you in the bottom at a later date?

While perusing through the internet, I stumbled upon a website on about the iphone 5 Canada.  Which is what triggered this post and has got me thinking about upgrading this fall when given the opportunity.  Does anyone has suggestions?  I am really digging the iPhone after reading about ‘em and playing with my mamas for an entire afternoon.  I know it has all the apps I would need to get my work done and in a timely manner.  Also, what apps would I want to download on my phone?  There are so many options and quite honestly,they are making my head spin with ideas.

]]> http://www.gishers.org/2011/10/time-for-an-upgrade/feed/ 0 my love affair. http://www.gishers.org/2010/08/my-love-affair/ http://www.gishers.org/2010/08/my-love-affair/#comments Wed, 18 Aug 2010 01:21:31 +0000 Jessica http://www.gishers.org/?p=2800 Saturday was a day of many surprises, but also many upsets. As I slid onto the couch at my parents house, my father begins prancing around the house, completely geeked about this “surprise” he’s about to show me. Being the supportive daughter and all, I totally did not just roll my eyes and pretend not [...]]]> Saturday was a day of many surprises, but also many upsets. As I slid onto the couch at my parents house, my father begins prancing around the house, completely geeked about this “surprise” he’s about to show me. Being the supportive daughter and all, I totally did not just roll my eyes and pretend not to care. Nope! I sat there on that couch and waited in anticipation to see the big surprise. My father, who hates computers desperately, purchased a Macbook. It’s beautiful, shiny and new. I never thought I would fall in love with a Mac, but I did. I have read more laptop reviews than I care to admit and despite my findings, I could not bring myself to purchase one.  Now I am considering buying one for selfish reasons.  Along with a new television, LCD monitor for my desktop and several other electronics that are way out of my budget and on my dream list.

Someday, hopefully in the near future, I will be able to purchase these things.  While they are not necessary, I look forward to being able to purchase something fabulous for myself once again.  And after these two extremely hellish weeks are over, I should be able to cross some things off of my wish list.  Who knew that two days of class could kick my butt so badly?  I am beyond exhausted and I am only in class for eight hours.  Which obviously is a true testament to the fact that I have been out of the work force for far too long.  Well, the “real” work force.  And hopefully, once this class is over with (NEXT FRIDAY!!), I will be able to find a job much more easily.

]]> http://www.gishers.org/2010/08/my-love-affair/feed/ 0 Laptop vs. Desktop http://www.gishers.org/2010/04/laptop-vs-desktop/ http://www.gishers.org/2010/04/laptop-vs-desktop/#comments Thu, 08 Apr 2010 16:02:45 +0000 Jessica http://www.gishers.org/?p=2558 When I made the decision to attend BlogHer ’10, I started thinking about all of the things I would need to take with me and how not high-tech I am in my every day life. It was shortly after that realization that I knew I would most likely need to purchase myself a laptop– [...]]]> When I made the decision to attend BlogHer ’10, I started thinking about all of the things I would need to take with me and how not high-tech I am in my every day life. It was shortly after that realization that I knew I would most likely need to purchase myself a laptop– especially if I was going to do this whole “blogging” thing the right way. Is there even a right way or am I totally making things bigger in my mind than they need to be? I guess my other justifiable reason for wanting a laptop is the convenience they present to me in the sense of work and school. If I am away from home, I can still get home work/school work done. I do not have to be home, sitting at my desk in order to get things done.

But then I look at my brand new desk top and feel as though I would be having an affair on my computer should I purchase a lap top. How much of a dork do you think I am now? Maybe we could all pretend that statement was never even written? I love my desktop though and chose it carefully. I wanted a “skinny” computer and a flat screen lcd monitor. Of course, I had to have help with the important decisions made about my computer (thanks Chris), but you get the point..

As a blogger, do y’all feel it is a necessity to have a lap top? Why or why not? Is it an investment that I will come to later love or regret? I have been leaning on the fence for a while, but have not made a decision one way or the other. And for the record– I do currently own a lap top, but it’s useless. There is not nearly enough memory for me to get a thing accomplished.

]]> http://www.gishers.org/2010/04/laptop-vs-desktop/feed/ 3 10 Free Kid’s Sites http://www.gishers.org/2009/02/10-free-kids-sites/ http://www.gishers.org/2009/02/10-free-kids-sites/#comments Sat, 28 Feb 2009 16:00:25 +0000 Jessica http://www.gishers.org/reviews/?p=10 With today’s economy, many families will be staying home during the children’s Spring Break from school. Staying home means that parents will have to find sources of entertainment during the day and parents, well, they will need some fresh ideas. That is why Feature Wire came up with 10 great sites for kids to visit [...]]]> With today’s economy, many families will be staying home during the children’s Spring Break from school. Staying home means that parents will have to find sources of entertainment during the day and parents, well, they will need some fresh ideas. That is why Feature Wire came up with 10 great sites for kids to visit during their Spring Break (aka stay-cation). Not only are they fun and safe, but they are mostly educational and FREE. What could be better than free during these tough economic times?

FREE ENTERTAINMENT FOR KIDS ON SPRING BREAK “STAY-CATION”
10 WEB SITES TO KEEP YOUR KIDS ENTERTAINED AND SAFE

In these tough times, a lot of families are opting for Spring Break “stay-cations” instead of big holiday trips. But if you’re staying home, it can be hard to keep the kids entertained and out of trouble. Many parents are naturally cautious about letting their kids loose on the Internet, but there is a lot of good, free, appropriate content available online – if you know where to look. Here’s a list of 10 web sites to bookmark that can help your kids beat Spring Break boredom if they’re staying home.

BEST SET-AND-FORGET WEB ENVIRONMENT FOR KIDS
KidZui – KidZui is actually not a Web site at all – it’s the Internet made just for kids. It gives kids access to millions of Web sites (including all of the below), YouTube videos, games and photos that have been vetted by a team of parents and teachers. Kids love the cute little avatars they can create and the safe social networking features, and parents love the fact that there’s no chance of enquiring minds stumbling across anything inappropriate.

BEST WEB SITES FOR KIDS
Club Penguin – A snow-covered virtual world where children play games and interact with friends in the guise of colorful penguin avatars.

Lego.com – Ideal for the Lego fan, your child can watch Lego comics and movies, play games and construct their own Web page to show off their creativity.

Nick.com – Your child can pledge to save the world, play games, check out the latest news on SpongeBob or create a virtual life on Nicktropolis.

PBSKids.com – With games themed around Sesame Street, Clifford, Curious George, Arthur, Barney and other kid classics, your kids will have fun “interacting” with their favorite characters.

Poptropica – This virtual online world lets kids create a character, play games, compete with other kids and travel between islands on a blimp to explore new areas.

BEST ONLINE GAME SITES FOR KIDS
Cartoon Network Games – With more than 200 games featuring favorite cartoon characters, your kids can hunt monsters with Scooby-Doo, play Ninja Survival or follow the Path of a Jedi.

Funbrain – Part of the Family Education Network, the site provides educational activities for parents and teachers, as well as interactive games to help your kids with math and reading.

Funschool – This site, provided by Kaboose, is designed for elementary-age kids and offers free educational games as well as printable activities, coloring sheets and craft projects that will help your kids learn while having fun.

Hot Wheels Games – For car fans, Hot Wheels has dozens of vehicle-related games that let kids drive through mazes, race friends and solve puzzles.

KidZui’s Cliff Boro believes that parents needn’t be afraid of letting their kids use the Internet. “The Internet is a wonderful tool that, when used appropriately, provides endless hours of free entertainment for the whole family,” he says. “And more than that, it’s a great way for kids to learn and discover new things without even realizing it!” And what parent wouldn’t approve of that?

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