Top 3 Websites

http://www.earthhour.org/
If you want to do your bit for the environment but don't know where to start...click across to the Earth Hour website.
Earth Hour is an event that started in Sydney, but now it's a global event where you participate by turning off all the lights in your home or business for a single hour - that particular hour being on Saturday March 29 2008 from 8pm– 9pm Sydney time.

Turn of your lights, light a few candled and play scrabble i say!

http://www.bumllionaire.com/bumllionaire/
Recent statistics apparently show that there are already 1 billion people using the Internet...so what if you could get just one dollar from each...you'd be a Billionaire right!

Well that what this website is trying to do...but more specifically they want to raise 1 billion dollars in 1 year and donate it all to a homeless guy who currently has nothing....just so he can be on the Forbes rich list!

http://www.faceinhole.com/home.asp
Finally for you a site that includes a bit of Easter fun! The 'face in hole' website is a place where you can take a photo of anyone's face and insert it onto one of the many photos on the website. You can put your head on a celeb's body...or for Easter, put your kids face on the Easter bunny.

It's very easy to do and doesn't require you to download any software....have a go and email the results to your friends!

Tip of the week - Choosing an email name!

Here's a problem that's just really starting to raise its head. If you've been using the Internet for quite a few years you've probably had an email address that you've been using for the same amount of time...but did you chose something fun and clever that was relevant at the time, or did you go with something that was timeless?

For example, I've seen younger users with email address names like sexygirl79 or clubberboy which really show off the age of their owner...but what happens when you have the same address 10 or more years down the track?

Chances are it won't fit the person you are...and yes you could simply change your email address...but think about how much hassle it is when you change your postal address...you can never guarantee that everyone you know will get your new address.

Here's what I suggest....If you have one of those old email addresses that is perhaps a bit embarrassing to keep using...if it's an address provided by your Internet service provider, you might be able to get an additional email address which you can use as your new one for all outgoing mail...while still getting mail on the old address. The same goes with email providers like Yahoo where you can create additional email addresses on the same account.

Basically try and use an email address that centres around your name...or variations on your name as there are plenty of people with the same name.

Hey just finally...I safety reminder especially for Easter...if you're driving, stay off your mobile phone....remember handheld use of a mobile phone is illegal in every state...and you can cop quite a fine for ignoring the law! Plus it's for the safely of yourself and other road users!

Have a great Easter long weekend...I'll be back next week thanks to AVG Anti-Virus and Internet Security.
AVG is tough on threats - easy on you! Buy AVG Internet Security Home edition covering 3 computers for two years for just $123.25 at avg.com.au

Top 3 Websites

http://www.wormcharming.com/

This is the most unusual website that I came across this week...and belongs in the category "only in the U.K"

Forget the Olympics...Worm charming...that's extracting as many worms from the ground as possible. Competitors are each allocated their own 3x3 metre plot from which they must extract the greatest number of worms in 30 minutes. Keep in mind that no digging is allowed. Last year's champion collected a staggering 399 worms.

Check out the video on this website to see the crazy competition in action.

http://www.faildogs.com/
Now I should point out that I love animals...so I'm a sucker for a good cat or dog funny photo website...and this is one of the funniest i've come across lately.

...it's fully of dogs in embarrassing or just plain silly situations - each picture is stamped with the world FAIL - you'll see why.

http://www.scamwatch.gov.au/

I thoughts I'd better finish up this week with a website that's more informative than entertaining.

The Government ScamWatch website is the first site you should check out if you come across an offer that's too good to be true...especially if it's on a website or arrives via email.

Along with Internet scams you'll find info on mobile phone, investment, banking or employment scams - There's some victims stories on site that are worth a read too.

Also this week - Using the Internet to make cheap calls: Your options

This week I've got some info on some new technology that offers cheap phone calls...so I thought I would update you on the options available.

The ability to make voice calls using the Internet has been around for pretty much the history of the Internet...but it's only really been in the last 5 years that has become user friendly - so anyone can use it!

One of the most popular systems that you may have hears of is SKYPE...this is a piece of software that resides on your computer and you generally use a headset and microphone - The best thing about Skype is that the calls are free between Skype users...however you need to have your computer turned on and a good Internet connection helps.

Another good option for using your broadband Internet connection to make phone calls is a service like Engin...this uses an external box that plugs directly into your Internet connection and then into a regular phone...so you don't even need to have your computer switched on! They're refined this service so it appears to work just like making a regular phone call...however you can expect much better rates depending on what plan you're on...but don't expect to pay any more than 10 cents for a local or national call!

The latest method of obtaining cheap phone call rates still uses the Internet...but you don't have to own a computer or even have an Internet connection!

A Western Australian company has developed a product called the "Buzzbox" which sits between your phone and the wall socket...when you go to make a call, I routes it to the Buzz network instead of your normal call provider.

The call rates look good for short local calls or if you make lots of STD calls...and they have two different plans to choose from...though you're not locked into any contract. Probably worth checking out http://www.thebuzzcorp.com/ before March 15 as they have a promotional offer on where you can get the Buzzbox provided free when you register.

Listen to an interview with Professor Kevin Fynn, CEO of The Buzz Corp - BuzzBox_Interview.mp3

I'm on the show with Nerissa every week thanks to AVG Anti-Virus and Internet Security.
AVG is tough on threats - easy on you! Buy AVG Internet Security Home edition covering 3 computers for two years for just $123.25 at avg.com.au

Top 3 Websites
http://guessmycrime.blogspot.com

This is one of the more unusual police mugshot websites that you'll find online...for a couple of reasons...Firstly everyone is smiling in the mugshots featured on this site...and secondly because you will have to guess their crime.

The crimes range from Forgery, to drink driving and domestic violence but you'll have to guess just by looking at each photo who did what.

Make a game of it will friends and 'guess my crime'

http://www.truckspills.com
There are plenty of trucks roaming the highways of the world...and we don't really consider what they are carrying...that is until one loses its load all over the road. Well that's what this website is devoted to!

What you'll find here are some amazing images of truck spills...from pallets of Beer, Flour, Potatoes, Garlic, Alligators...live chickens...dead chickens and more.

P.S please be careful on the roads!

http://www.toiletmap.gov.au
I'd like to know if anyone really thinks this website would come in handy. It will help you track down the nearest public toilet anywhere in Australia.

There are 4446 listings for New South Wales, 2906 for QLD, 3260 for VIC, 1739 for WA and 1255 for S.A...

Also featured on the site is a trip planner which will help you plan toilet stops along the way...obviously for those longer car journeys!

Also this week - My top 5 iPod Accessories

A protective Case
iPods should be treated nicely nice any other electronic gadget...but because people take them out and about they need protection.
Cases range from iPod socks to keep the device safe from scratches, to more stylish leather cases and Acrylic hard cases which offer more protection....prices start from around 30 dollars upwards.

Charge/ connect dock
Ultimately you will always have to plug your iPod into your computer to transfer songs across or to recharge...so rather than just plug it in using the included cable, a simple desktop Dock is a neat way to position your ipod upright for syncing and recharging. Shop around and you'll find one for between 30 and 40 dollars.

Speakers - When you're at home you shouldn't be restricted to headphones or may want to share your music with others...so an speaker system that has a dock for your iPod is a must have.

Prices range from just under 100 dollars for something you might put on your bedside table to around 500 hundred dollars for a system that will be right at home in the lounge room.

An FM Transmitter
If you then want to take your iPod with you in the car...headphones are a BIG no-no while driving...but you can buy devices that allow to you connect tune into your iPod through your car's FM radio!

The latest FM transmitters for iPod will actually find the best frequency to use on your radio...away from radio stations.

Clear Screen overlays

When you buy a new iPod...you may find that it has a clear plastic sheet over the screen...in fact may devices such as watches or phones have the same thing. I know some people who try to leave this on as long as possible to prevent the screen from getting scratched. Now you can actually buy packs of clear screen overlays for the various iPod models... In each pack you get three overlays plus wet and dry screen cleaning cloths...a good investment!

Back next week, thanks to AVG Anti-Virus and Internet Security. AVG is tough on threats - easy on you! Buy AVG Internet Security Home edition covering 3 computers for two years for just $123.25 at avg.com.au