Playing around with HTML

In this day and age, there are quite a few people who have their own blogs, if not a personal website. While making a blog, the blog hosting service offers its own collection of templates, from which one can choose any style that seems suitable. These templates are quite diverse in terms of layout and colour scheme and take away the whole hassle of ‘designing’ from the blogger.

However, they sometimes do seem incomplete. A blogger or a website owner can always think of changing one colour, or one font type to suit him or herself. But without adequate knowledge of HTML, this task is not possible.However, there is one website which can make things easier for you, and that is ‘HTML Playground’ where any novice blogger can generate the required HTML code. This code can then be inserted into the blog to achieve the desired effect.

It works in a simple way. As soon as you enter the website, it gives you a short demo of how you need to use the tool. Once you hit close, you are ready to go.

First and foremost, you select the HTML tag — this basically means you choose whatever you want to alter, for instance, do you want to alter the heading on your website/blog or insert a table?

Once you select the tag, you choose its attributes — what font type and size do you want your heading to be; what colour should the heading be when someone places the mouse over it? You choose your own attributes for the tag, and the code generates itself in another box. All the while, there is a description box to help along the way. Once you get your code, you can simply insert it into your blog.

While this website is definitely very handy and very convenient, there are a few things which need to be looked into. Firstly, there is no way to bring back the demo window once you hit close. One idea can be to open this website itself in two different tabs or windows, and keep the demo window open at all times for reference. This way, even if you get stuck at some point, you can refer to the demo of this website. Having said that, the layout and colour scheme of this website is definitely very appealing and well-chosen. Those who wish to explore deeper can visit the blog and forums available here.

To tweak the HTML of any of your websites or blogs, use the handy tool available at http://htmlplayground.com/

Risks, risks everywhere!

Another year means yet another Earth Day. Like the previous years, this year’s Earth Day will also see more and more appeals by environmentalists to pay heed to the state of our planet. There will be yet another call to ‘go green’. More and more people will join the cause, albeit virtually, to do something about global warming at an individual level.

However, as proven by current scientific research, all that is being done to improve the state of the planet is clearly not enough. Every single slip has huge repercussions, whether those slips occur on an individual or on national level. The bigger culprits are, of course, the corporations to whom ‘going green’ also means a decline in profits.

So what does research say anyway? What is the current state of our environment? What is this planet going to be like for the generations to come? Following are some of alarming news stories, based on the latest scientific research, which have been collect from Science Daily (http://www.sciencedaily.com)

Read the rest of the article here:
http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/in-paper-magazine/sci-tech-world/earth-matters-risks-risks-everywhere

Cook what you have

There are some people for whom cooking brings sheer pleasure. They are ever ready to meticulously plan their grocery purchases, set out the monthly menu and cook with an enthusiasm which reflects in the taste of the dishes that they prepare. For others, however, cooking is a tedious chore. They would rather spend as little time as possible on it.

Yet there is one characteristic similar to both, which is their expertise in cooking up something from the leftovers, especially now that food prices have taken their toll on the budget of many households. But those confused about how to make the most f the veggies or anything in the fridge, Cooking by Numbers is a site that will prove to be an aid.

Just select the food items which are in your refrigerator — and pick the same on the website, there is quite a long list to choose from, like butter, chicken, cheese, salad, beef, steak, etc. The next step is to select the items which are in your kitchen cupboard. You can select from flour, lentils, noodles, pasta, bread, coffee and loads more. Once you are done, you can point and click to find out which recipes you can try out.

The recipes are ranked in a unique way, like the recipe containing the most number of items that you are looking for is ranked first — with the percentage showing next to it. The percentage will tell you the extent to which the recipe contains the ingredients that you have specified.

While you are here, you can also try a tomato game available for free. There is also a segment on general cooking tips. If you are a beginner in the kitchen, this section will fill you in on the correct way to chop an onion, make bread crumbs, how to peel citrus fruits and how to get many other basic things done.

However, the most irritating thing is its blue background which hits you in the face — and yes, this background is there on every single page. Moreover, it is again apparent that the basic layout design has not been considered closely, and lacks the pictorial aspect as well. There are many web pages which are titled “Untitled Document” — which does look highly unprofessional. Moreover, the steps in the recipe are not numbered — they appear as one paragraph.

But as far as the functionality goes, this is definitely a very handy website. If you are blessed with a cable or DSL connection, you can log onto this website whenever you are stuck anywhere in the kitchen.

To find out how you can convert leftovers into exotic dishes, log onto http://www.cookingbynumbers.com/

Sharing Made Easy

Hafsa Ahsan recommends Upload.sc, a website that is handy when trying to send heavy attachments in emails

How many times have you gritted your teeth in sheer frustration because the email service you use refused to send your attachment?

How hard do you have to work to zip your documents and compress your photographs just because you know your email server will not let heavy files get through easily?

If the above accurately spells out your predicament, then you definitely need to access a website which can easily send your attachments, and Upload.sc is one of the options you can avail.

This website is extremely handy and the best part is that there is no hassle here. All you have to do is log on to this website, select the file from your computer, specify the email address of the individual for whom the file is intended and hit Send. It is actually as simple as that. You need not reveal your email address or describe the file. But yes, you can enter a personalised message for your intended recipient lest s/he discards your email, believing it to be spam.

And if you are wondering what the catch might be in this whole procedure, then do remember that the file size has a limit. Unfortunately, you cannot use this website to email files which are more than 100 MB in size. This does eliminate heavy videos – but no worries, 100 MB is quite a lot and does indicate that you can send large files without much hassle.

Apart from the file sending facility, this website has an extensive help section which will guide you through the process, and help you in case you run into any glitches. You can also discover new things about using the website here. For instance, there is no such thing as the maximum number of files you can upload in one day. You can upload and send as many files as you like in just one sitting. There is also the facility of sending one file to multiple recipients.

As far as the layout of the website is concerned, it is done very simply with bright colours on a white background. There is absolutely no clutter here – no intruding advertisements on pop-ups. However, there are a few things that do not work, like the “Report Abuse” link on the sidebar – with a facility like this, there is always the chance of abuse as people might send pirated files to others; or some people might use this facility to spam a large number of people. In such a scenario, it is vitally important for the Report Abuse option to work properly.

Secondly, the website does not mention the kind of policy that it follows. People have to enter the email addresses of their intended recipients and even though most of them would not care, it is important that it is stated somewhere that the webmasters will not sell these email addresses to a third-party.

But, apart from these minor glitches, this website is definitely a useful one and come in handy when the email server fails to deliver. To upload and email heavy files, log onto http://www.upload.sc/

The Marvels And The Misfortunes

Hafsa Ahsan looks at some scientific and environmental issue that made news last year

This is the beginning of 2009, and looking back, one can only marvel at the many achievements that this year has witnessed. From scientific discoveries to medical breakthroughs and space-related insights, science and technology in 2008 have been there and done almost everything.

Here is a brief flashback of the major events that took place in the course of last year, which will surely have a much bigger impact in the years to come.

NATURAL DISASTERS
ReliefWeb’s listing of the natural disasters of 2008 illustrates that many countries were on the receiving end of nature’s wrath this year. Earthquakes, hurricanes, floods and volcanic eruptions took place all over the world.

The earthquake which caused the most damage hit Central China in May 2008, killing over 80,000 people and rendering 10 million people homeless (according to Reuters). CNN reported the earthquake as being the worst-ever in a generation. Measuring 7.9, the epicentre of the quake was Sichuan Province. Poor weather combined with equally poor logistics delayed the rescue and rehabilitation efforts. Moreover, the constant aftershocks triggered landslides as well, adding to the misery of the victims.

Pakistan, too, was not spared this year when it came to earthquakes. The Baluchistan province was hit by a 6.4 earthquake, followed by another one, again measuring 6.4. Over two hundred people lost their lives, while 120,000 were rendered homeless. Countries like Iran and the island of Simeulue, in Indonesia, were also hit by very powerful earthquake. Volcanic eruptions happened in Chile and Columbia.

SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERIES
Thanks to UC Berkeley, the Invisibility Cloak has an existence outside the world of Harry Potter. The university scientists used nanowire grown inside a porous aluminium tube to create a sheeting 10 times thinner than a piece of paper. Once an object was wrapped in this sheet, it would be invisible in light. Now this is something a lot of people would love to get their hands on!

When it comes to security systems, face recognition technologies are invaluable. Till now these technologies were not 100 per cent accurate because of variations in the images that were captured. This year, R. Jenkins and A. M. Burton from the University of Glasgow, discovered that if the camera captures multiple images of the same individual and produces an average image of sorts, the result would be more accurate than when only one image was captured.

As the price hike of petrol continues the world over, there is an increasing emphasis on discovering new ways in which fuels can be generated. The latest means on the block through which it can be done is sugar. A group of researchers discovered there is a process whereby sugar from plant biomass can be converted into liquid transportation fuel. Now this is surely a sweet way to travel!

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
It is disheartening to note that the call to “go green” still has not found commercial backing.

This year, researchers David B. Lobell, Marshall B. Burke, Claudia Tebaldi, Michael D. Mastrandrea, Walter P. Falcon and Rosamond L. Naylor combined statistical crop models with global climate projections for 2030 to analyse the risks of crops in 12 regions across the world. These 12 regions are already home to malnourished populations.

And the results of this research indicate that there is a possibility of a harmful impact on crops in the regions of South Asia and South America. On a more heartening note, a team of researchers discovered that high levels of carbon dioxide, which increase ocean acidification, do NOT decrease the process of calcification by marina organisms, as was previously thought. And a pressure of carbon dioxide actually increases this process, thus increasing the production of calcium carbonate.

Some disturbing findings, with regard to global warming also came to light. It was discovered that as the world climate becomes warmer, the solubility of oxygen in ocean water will significantly decrease. This will spell disaster for marine organisms and, eventually, for those on land.

Furthermore, a team of researchers studied 704 reef-building micro organisms and then rated them according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) standards of extinction risk. It was discovered that one-third of these species are at a threat for extinction, due to factors such as pollution, over-fishing and increased sea surface temperatures. And this in turn puts the coral reefs at a risk of extinction too.

OUT IN SPACE
In May, Nasa’s Phoenix Lander visited, for the first time ever, the polar region of Mars. However, it did not really find anything that could change the image of Mars as a “dead world.” In June, Swiss astronomer Michel Mayor got luckier than that — he discovered 45 exoplanets with extremely hot orbits.

MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Stem cell research is one of the most exciting and most controversial avenues of science. In July, researchers at Harvard and Columbia University generated the first motor neurons from stem cells in two elderly women with Lou Gehrig’s disease, also known as ALS. The method they used did not require the use of embryos at all — instead, they simply built upon a technique developed in 2006 by Shinya Yamanaka, a scientist in Kyoto University. This technique involved reprogramming a patient’s ordinary skin cells, causing it to behave like stem cells.

Later, these cells would be coaxed into the desired tissue-specific cells. This breakthrough means that scientists can now closely study the progress of ALS disease. This will enable them to suggest a more effective treatment for it.

Alzheimer’s disease is definitely a painful one, and there is no cure for it. However, 2008 witnessed the discovery of four new genes which emerged after a study of 1300 plus families. Although their exact role in Alzheimer’s is not known yet, researchers think they may contribute to the death of nerve cells. The newly identified genes may shed light on how to keep those nerves alive, something which may be an important target for future therapies.

All children and many adults hate receiving immunisation injections. There is good news for such children and their parents as a new vaccine Pentacel was discovered which will collectively immunise children from diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and haemophilic influenza type B.

It has to be administered in four different doses and the toddlers who have received this injection so far have showed minor side effects like fever and swelling.

The above was by no means an exhaustive list. There were many milestones in the field of science and all of them have, in some way or another, contributed to make 2008 a remarkable year.

Books on the Blog

Hafsa Ahsan zooms in on a book blog that is a perfect treat for book lovers

Blogging is a phenomenon which has increasingly gained pace in the past few years.

As each year passes, the types of blogs too increase along with the numbers. From personal blogs, the focus has now shifted to more impersonal blogging — with blogs as diverse as food and political blogs.

Literary blogs in general, and book blogs in particular, have also become common place now. While book blogs are still a distant concept on the local scene as far as the Pakistani blogsphere is concerned, internationally more and more publishing houses are dedicating their website space to blogs where they publish news and views for crazy bookworms.

The Millions Blog is one such blog which not only makes an interesting read, but apparently it is a blog with some influence. According to the description, it has been featured in the UK’s mainstream media as well. The blog, instead of being maintained by one person, it is a group blog. Hence, a visitor to this blog can read a large variety of posts and opinions. There are also many guest bloggers here, with their own different outlooks reflecting in their posts.

You can either read this blog in the reverse chronological order — or you can simply point and click at some of the many categories in which the posts have been divided. Interestingly, in stark contrast to the conventional way in which blog posts are organised, The Millions has divided its posts quite uniquely. Blogs usually use the tag option to put specific labels on that post — one can then point and click at that label to access the posts pertaining to a specific subject.

The Millions has categories like “Books that I read in 2006” and “Books that I read in 2007”. The books have mainly been reviewed between 2004 and 2008. Moreover, there is a “Book Question” category that include all the questions which have been asked about books and publishing — and the answers that bloggers have given. There is also a segment of Quarterly Reports — analysing the trends in the publishing industry published by Barnes and Nobles.

There are, however, some aspects of the layout which can be improved. For starters, the sidebar is extremely cluttered. Though the headings and their text are distinguishable from each other, it becomes a little tiresome to scroll through the huge list of books reviewed in the past. It would have been neater to have links for the years in which the books were reviewed, and then the list of books would appear on a separate page.

But apart from this minor glitch, the information on this website is comprehensive and the website itself can easily be considered as a haven for an average book lover. Each post is appropriately linked to the concerned website, and even though the posts are quite long, they make for an extremely interesting read.

To find out more about the world of books and publishing, log onto http://www.themillionsblog.com/

The Road To Wordscraper

Hafsa Ahsan analyses the outcome of banning Scrabulous, a board game that literally made people come out in the street.

Most of you who were passionate about playing Scrabulous on Facebook must have found that the Scrabulous application is no more there, and the link to the page says, “Sorry, but your use of this application has been restricted.”

This apparent taking down of the website was quite intriguing. The brainchild of Indian brothers, Jayant and Rajat Agarwalla, Scrabulous (launched in 2005 as a website and in 2007 as a Facebook application) was essentially inspired from the Scrabble board game.

The layout of the board and the style of scoring were similar to the traditional Scrabble board. But Scrabulous offered something which went down very well with the general public — their application on Facebook not only enabled people to play the game with their friends online, but also play random games with people from around the world. Based on the number of games won or lost, each player would be assigned a rating.

However, the real Scrabble, unfortunately, did not look upon this ‘plagiarism’ of its board game too kindly. And one can argue that they had a good reason. Scrabulous was essentially a rip-off of Scrabble – the same board, the same tiles and the same scoring. What was attractive about it was the functionality and diversity of options that it offered to online users. But copyright infringement is not something a corporation takes lightly, so before long, Scrabble and Scrabulous were at war – both offline and online.

The offline war was a legal lawsuit that was filed by Hasbro (the owners of Scrabble in the USA and Canada) and Mattel (owner of Scrabble worldwide). In cyberspace, Electronic Arts, creators of the electronic version of Scrabble, worked on producing a similar application for Facebook users. When news of the lawsuit became public, along with the possibility of Scrabulous being banned, there was a public outcry.

Users of Scrabulous were outraged at the potential “Scrabulous blackout” that they faced. Fans of Scrabulous gathered and rallied together under the “Save Scrabulous” banner. Many groups were created with the same rallying cry — Mattel and Hasbro should strike some sort of deal with the Agarwalla brothers, and let people enjoy the game. There were many others, of course, who felt that copyright infringement should not go unnoticed. However, Scrabulous fans remained adamant on their stance.

One of the arguments put forward by the “Save Scrabulous” members was that in the long run, Mattel and Hasbro were benefiting from Scrabulous. Many parents admitted that after being hooked to Scrabulous, they went out and purchased the Scrabble board game for their children. In a way, Scrabulous was marketing the board of Scrabble. However, it appeared that this argument was discarded as well.

Facebook took down the Scrabulous application, only for American and Canadian users first, and then for the entire world. The beta version of Scrabble application was launched on Facebook. On the face of it, Scrabble seemed to have won the battle.

But, in the long-run, did it really? Following the Scrabulous blackout, there was another rallying cry — “Boycott Hasbro/Mattel.” Many people who were part of the “Save Scrabulous” campaign vowed that they will never purchase a Scrabble board again. As one can imagine, if scores of people can make and stick to this vow, it does not spell very good times ahead for Hasbro/Mattel.

Moreover, even though the Scrabulous website (http://www.scrabulous.com) was banned, it re-emerged under another name. Scrabulous is now Lexulous (http://www.lexulous.com).

Interestingly, they have not made many changes; except changing the website’s name and layout. However, the room names, rating system and, essentially, the functions have remained intact. A court ruling in New Delhi forbids the Agarwalla brothers and their company from using any name that was similar to Scrabble for their games.

On Facebook, the features of Scrabulous have been transferred to Wordscraper, another board game. Here, users have the option of creating their own board and defining their own rules. The option of playing multiple games with random users around the world is very much intact. Many users of Scrabulous are delighted with this refreshing approach to Scrabble. And the best part is that no one can accuse Wordscraper of being a rip-off.

Wordscraper has been around since January 2008, but has only recently gained popularity. This is because it gives the players options to create their own games. And obviously, anyone who wants to emulate an original Scrabble board can easily do so (minus the two blank tiles).

Sci-tech World got in touch with some Wordscraper users to ask them how they are enjoying the new application, and how they would compare it with the ‘official’ Scrabble application. This is what they had to say:

“I love Wordscraper, especially the fact that there is an option for random rules, making each game different. I loved Scrabulous and was totally addicted. I hate Scrabble on Facebook, with its stupid glitzy stars when you get a word and the awful colours! I still have a few games to finish and then I will never use it again,” declared Lee-Ann Wilson, a player from Cape Town, South Africa.

“I think the whole feud is stupid and greedy,” said Savannah Jordan, from New York. “As it was said before, having Scrabulous on Facebook had a lot of people going out and purchasing the board games when they would not have done so before. I do not like the new Scrabble application because you cannot play with people from other countries and the whole point was to meet people from other places.”

“Wordscraper is even better than Scrabulous. For example: the ‘random board’ option gives it a twist and makes it even more challenging, as does the ‘create your own board’ option,” explained G Jane Bradford from Canada.

Raihana Sideek, from Singapore is not too fond of Wordscraper, “The classical scrabble board is always unique and that’s where you can see a talented player,” she said. “Wordscraper is only good for people who are looking for something fun and a change. You cannot use your playing skills on this board. It all depends on where the tiles are placed and you can have some unfair advantages. There are weirdoes creating all sorts of senseless boards as well. The scrabble board will always be my first choice.”

To sum it up, this is not just another example of copyright infringement and online piracy of games. It is about how an issue should be handled — and how the general public has to be appeased and taken into confidence. Mattel/Hasbro tried to clamp down on Scrabulous to the best of their efforts, however, it just bounced back with a different name, and loads of other options which has made it even more popular with the users. At the end of the day, this is all that matters.

The Joy Of Parenting

Here is a website that gives some useful information on child development and education, with fun-filled activities for both children and parents

It is a common belief that one can never imagine the rollercoaster ride that is parenthood until one actually becomes a parent.

And through this rollercoaster ride numerous advices and cautions given to the parents by the elder generation of the family, especially to young, first-time parents. Interestingly, now with more nuclear family setups around, parents are now turning to the internet to read up on the different aspects of parenting and then try out whatever suits them best. Apparently, seeking the advice of elders and trying the methods of the older generation is no more in vogue.

And frankly speaking, with elaborate websites such as PBS Parents on the block, who can really blame these parents? PBS Parents is highly illustrative, rich in content and has all the nitty-grittiness of parenting which would make any website surfer want to visit it again and again. This is not surprising, considering that the wealth of information which is here can only be digested over a nice, long span of time.

PBS Parents has categories which ensure that you go directly into the section of your interest. There is Child Development, Education, Fun and Games, Advice and many other sections. It is actually quite difficult to decide where to start from — probably the best place to begin will be determined by the age range which your children fall in.

Within each section, there are loads of self-help and how-to articles detailing how you can deal with different issues related to your children. There are also many different tools in each section — for instance, the Child Development Section has a tracker.

You can select the age of your child from the tracker and read up to analyse whether s/he falls into the defined, specific characteristics which are normal for children of his/her age. Moreover, in the Education section, the Book Finder tool will help you to get hold of books according to your child’s age.

There are many different blogs here as well. These blogs are maintained by people who want to share the joys and pains pf being a parent. Interestingly, reading up on real-life cases is always more reassuring — of course, you may feel differently. In any case, it is good to know that this website has considered both ways of disseminating information.

On the layout side, the website is definitely very aesthetically designed. It will appeal to you and make you want to visit it repeatedly. However, the sheer amount of information can seem a bit overwhelming at first. Also, the website seems cluttered at times – you can be at a complete loss as to where to go. The first thing would be to take one section at a time and then move to the other.

The website offers interesting ways to break away the conventional role-playing of parents by providing loads of fun activities to download and play with children. Certainly some activities might have to be tailored to make them suitable to children in the local context. To find out all the different activities you can engage in with your children, log on to http://www.pbs.org/parents/ — H.A

The Power Of Words

Words have the creative power to build up and to tear down... Here is a website that features beautiful quotes. Find out which one inspires you, writes Hafsa Ahsan

How often does it happen that you are totally down in the dumps because nothing seems to go right in life. Well, most of the time, the feeling is usually the result of a bad day. But sometimes, there does seem to be a genuine need for something to lift one’s spirits and give one a dose of motivation. At such times, people turn to different things, depending on their personality and inclination.

For at least some of those people, different quotations by others, some well-known and others not quite famous, are a way of finding that silver lining in the clouds of their life. World of Inspiration is one website which is designed to cater to these people.

As the title suggests, this website has a comprehensive collection of quotations mainly divided into 14 categories – ranging from business, character and enthusiasm to happiness, romance, leadership and success. Most of the quotations are indeed beautiful and would definitely serve to make you think and ponder over them.

The website is laid out beautifully and you will not find any unnecessary information. There is one menu of links on the homepage, along with a list of recently added quotations; and even though Google Ad Sense does have a presence here as well, it does not look quite as intrusive and out of place as it does on some of the other websites.

However, at times, it does feel as if this website is too empty. The simply, uncluttered look is definitely commendable, however, one does feel that some extra titbits could have been added to give more functionality to the website and motivate first-time visitors to log on it again.

As it should happen, once you have gone through the quotes, there is very little to do here. Some links to similar resources on the web or a blog detailing the updates to the website and inviting comments from visitors could have been added to make the website a more useful resource. Moreover, the latter would have added a much-needed element of interactivity to the website.

But one must not take credit from where it is due. The website is definitely a very motivating one and just the place to come when you need a dose of inspiration. To get your dose of quotable quotes, log onto http://www.worldofinspiration.com/

Fun With Words

Hafsa Ahsan takes you to a website where you can play interesting word games and enhance your vocabulary

Quite often when you are trying to write something, say an essay or a speech, suddenly you are stuck for words. Sure, you know what you want to say — and the Urdu equivalent might even be floating in your brain at that particular point — but that particular word eludes you.

This is only one of the signs that you need to improve your vocabulary. Interestingly, there are loads of websites out there which are designed to help you do just that. There is yet another category of websites which contain hints and tips towards the same end, for instance, use flash cards, read books, etc. The list is endless and so are the possible places where you can look for help and things you can do to add to your word bank.

Among some of the better websites is “Learning Vocabulary.” This website contains loads and loads of different word games which are specifically designed to help you improve your vocabulary. At the same time, these games also ensure that you do not just learn the meaning of a new word — you also learn how to use it. The latter part is way more productive and it would ensure that you actually make good use of the words which you add to your bank.

The games which you can choose from include crossword, hangman and word search. All these games require flash, so do make sure you have it installed on your PC. Once you are here, all you need to do is select the game, then select the word list and you are ready to go.

It is great to be able to choose the word list from which you want the words to be included in the game you are playing. This ensures that the games are relevant to all age groups. You can choose an easier word list if you are in the younger age group. And if you are applying to foreign universities and giving exams like SAT or IELTS, you can choose a difficult level and revise your vocabulary through these games.

While you are here, you might also want to check out the Vocabulary Blog which is updated with hints and tips as to how to improve your vocabulary. Apart from that, the blog will also guide you to similar resources around cyberspace, which you can avail according to your level.

What makes this site a bit unwelcoming is the colour scheme that can end up making you pine for a pair of sunglasses. The bright yellow and blue scheme might just put some of you off. Apart from the glitch with the colour scheme, the website is pretty much to-the-point – with instructions on the main page as to how you can effectively use word games for a higher purpose. Unfortunately, one cannot call this website uncluttered as Google Ads make an unceremonious presence right on top of the homepage.

At the end of the day, however, don’t let the minor faults deter you from playing the games themselves. These are quite interesting games and apart from relieving your boredom, will definitely help you increase your word bank

To improve your vocabulary the fun way, log onto http://www.vocabulary.co.il/

Let’s Fix It

Troubled with sudden breaking down of appliances? Here are some simple ways to correct and amend things on your own, writes Hafsa Ahsan

Imagine the following scenarios: just when you start pressing your clothes for the party and your iron breaks down and when you are making toasts for the kids in the morning, your toaster gives up on you.

In scenarios like these and many others, the common sequence of events which follows is usually that you call up the respective company and ask them to send over a technician to check out your malfunctioning appliance, or take it to the repair shop yourself. At other times, you avail the service of your plumber or electrician. Either way, the process costs you both your precious time and a lot of money.

How would you feel when you know that you can actually amend anything that has broken down? Of course, unruffled! But for this, you need to log on to How to Mend It — a website that can actually make you good enough to repair your appliances whenever they start to act up. This is a comprehensive how-to website which will help you get most of your malfunctioning things working again — or so the website claims.

The site is pretty user friendly. To choose the correct category of appliances, you have a set of instructions on the homepage. Of course, you can easily use the search option if you are in a hurry. However, if you are here to browse, the list of categories is quite interesting, ranging from bathroom appliances, cameras and computers to kitchen and office appliances, to security systems and telephones. In a nutshell, even if something has not broken down, you can still come here and check out what can be done if it ever does.

Within different categories, there are various questions — where you just need to check if the information you are looking for has already been answered. If not, you can follow the steps to post your question and then wait for the answer.

However, the layout of the website is definitely a bit confusing. The categories have been set out vertically instead of horizontally which would have given it a neater look. Yet, the search box and instructions right at top of the homepage are two pros of the website.

At the end of the day, there would be no harm in trying out some of the steps mentioned here. If that works, you can actually save up on both time and cost. But remember, if you are not confident enough in these technical matters then do not try to take any risks for something that could result in a mishap.

To find out how to repair anything which has broken down in your house, log onto http://www.howtomendit.com/

Health Check

Do you consider your health as an important issue? It’s never too late to start doing so and there are many sites you can turn to for guidance, suggests Hafsa Ahsan

There are quite a few studies which have established that what women mostly search for on the internet, news and magazines, among other things, are ‘health issues’.

This should come as no surprise considering the fact that women are quite sensitive about this issue. The web offers anonymity as well as information from different sources. And, more often than not, individuals using their pseudonyms are usually willing to post their health concerns and experiences online and hence offer advice, relief and reassurance to other women who are going through a similar experience.

You may have come across websites dedicated to common daily life health-related issues and their remedies, as well as specific health concern like sinus, head and back aches. Women Health Questions is one such website that focuses on common health issues faced by women and carries many frequently asked questions.

The question of where to navigate first will be determined by what your chief health concern is. If you are concerned about weight, then you may find the section on exercising helpful, as there are loads of tummy exercises, along with their illustrations, to give people a clear picture of what is to be done and how.

Dieting is very much a part of almost every weight-related discussion or plan. And so is the case here. The section on diets will guide you through the different types of diets which are followed all over the world, along with a step-by-step guide as to how you can embark on a journey towards healthy eating without making yourself miserable.

Apart from weight concerns, most women are faced with some sort of skin problem — usually related to the face. There are different sections devoted to skin issues. Then two sections are dedicated to pregnancy-related issues. One section has detailed descriptions of the symptoms of pregnancy, while another section will guide you through the details and ‘how-to’ of the pregnancy week by week.

The layout of the website is quite uncluttered, as compared to other websites carrying a lot of information on their homepages. However, once you start digging on this website, you will see the layout does get a little monotonous, as only some sections are illustrated while others are mostly text-based.

However, even with all this information, the main precaution remains — never treat websites as an alternative to medical advice. The section on supplements must especially be treated with caution — never intake anything without consulting a doctor. Health-related websites such as this one are always helpful for advice — but your doctor is more credible at all levels.

To get an overview of some of the common health issues faced by women, log on to http://www.womens-health-questions.com/

What’s Your Extension?

Searching and downloading a file extension software may take your time but it can save you from a terrible headache over not knowing weird file extensions’ titles, advises Hafsa Ahsan

How often does it happen to you that you ask for a file to be sent to you via email? You must have made the request countless times and you might also have been struck with some weird file extensions that you may not be able to open.

For instance, you receive an email — you open it and try to download the simple MS Word document, but fail. Then you realise that the extension of the file is ‘name.docx’ instead of ‘name.doc’.

If you are an expert computer user, you will immediately realise that you have an older version of MS Word which will not let you open the file. However, if you are a novice, then you are mostly likely to be stumped than anything else. And this is where websites like ‘File Extensions’ come in. This website has a massive collection of various file extensions along with their definitions. You can look here for the name and description of any file extension which you want to use and know about.

There are three ways to hunt down a file extension. You can search for the extension, which, of course is the simplest; can browse through different file extensions alphabetically, or you can go through the different categories to locate your desired extension. All these file extensions are divided into different categories, e.g. audio files, binary files, database files, document files, system files, text files and many, many more.

This website not only tells you what the file extension stands for, it also lets you know what might be the best software to open any particular file. It also offers links to the homepage of the software which is needed to open that particular file extension, so you do not have to search for it separately.

If you are here mainly out of curiosity, then you should consider browsing the section on the most visited file extensions as well as the section detailing common file extensions.

The website also offers a free scan of your registry — once you do that, it can fix the file extension errors, if it finds any. However, you must remember that editing the registry has its own issues, so use this feature carefully, and it is better if you know how to make a backup of your registry, so that you can roll back any changes if they cause problems later.

As far as the layout of the website is concerned, the homepage can make your head spin. For instance, there is a main left hand menu pointing to the different types of the files extensions, the presence of search boxes, links to the top 10 file extensions and all their title names will add to your headache. However, the good part is, once you locate the search box, you can directly search for your desired extension the next time you visit the website.

Overall, this website definitely comes in very handy when you try to open a file and you get that ever-annoying dialogue box, asking you to specify the software needed to open the file. In that case, go onto this website, search for the file extension, download the required software and that is all. To find out more about different file extensions, log on to http://www.file-extensions.org

No More Dieting

W eight loss is something many people are concerned about. For others, it is an absolute obsession. Whether or not these people actually need to lose weight is another story altogether.

But the fact of the matter is that attaining an hourglass figure is the dream of many a young woman, with few actually stopping to think about the health factor. However, one cannot deny that weight loss isn’t something to be taken lightly. Not taking meals on time or denying oneself the intake of the essential nutrients can easily lead to eating disorders.

There are now scores of different websites which can help you on your quest to lose weight — and ensure that you don’t harm yourself in any way while at it. Weight Watchers is one of those websites and is definitely worth a visit if you are concerned about your health in general and weight in particular.

The best thing about Weight Watchers is that it’s not a passive website at all. If you are just going through to read through it at leisure, it will do nothing to help you. On the other hand, if you are willing to jot down whatever you feel can be implemented in your daily routine and actually attempt to enforce some lifestyle changes, then this website will do wonders for you.

Also, it would be pertinent to remember that Weight Watchers is actually an “offline” group – you will have to pay to access most of the stuff on this website. But fortunately, there are many tips and resources here which are for free. For instance, the Health and Fitness section is a treat for anyone who wants to get into an exercise routine but is stuck for ideas. You can watch sample exercise videos here, read through articles on how to walk regularly and, most importantly, how to make exercise a daily habit.

The Food and Recipes section is also one of the most promising, and here, you can find out why you are not losing weight even if you have been “dieting” for ages. Also, you can get some ideas on how to avoid buying certain types of food at grocery stores, what healthy dishes to cook and more importantly, how to lose weight while eating out.

There is also a whole Community Section here where you can sign up and then login to interact with like-minded people from across the world. You can share your frustration, talk about your health goals, share with others what works for you and of course, get more tips and advice.

At the end of the day, it is all about healthy living. Your figure may not be as perfect as you want, but if your weight is within the normal range for your height, you have a lot to be thankful for. If it isn’t so, and you need to lose it, adopt a sensible approach which is conducive to your health. Starving yourself is definitely not the option.

And to find out how to stop yourself from dieting and STILL lose weight and much more, log onto http://www.weightwatchers.com.

She Mailed, He Googled

Hira Ali, a homemaker, follows a set pattern of tasks whenever she goes online. She opens her email inbox and sifts through the unread emails. She sends detailed replies to most of the emails sent by her friends and relatives. She makes it a point to read even the forwarded emails. Once she has checked all the mails, she logs in to her Orkut and Facebook account. She replies to her messages, checks out the latest discussions in her favourite communities and posts some scraps on people’s walls. She also visits her friends’ profiles to see what they are up to. All this while, her instant messenger is switched on, and she is usually chatting with a couple of friends or cousins. She stays online for an hour or two. In the meantime, if something else needs her attention, she leaves her laptop switched on while she attends to the chore.

Her husband, on the other hand, has a completely different list of things to-do when he logs in to the internet. He checks his email alright; however, he ignores all forwarded emails. The replies he sends are usually short and to-the-point. He has stopped logging in to Orkut, but does check his Facebook account. After giving his homepage a cursory glance, he either plays a game or two, or goes through a personality quiz. He may reply to a scrap if someone has posted one son his wall. Once that is done, he lingers online only if he has something to search for, otherwise his time online is effectively over. And if, while he is online, he has to leave the PC for some work, he disconnects the internet and turns off the system.

The above scenario once again endorses what we have been hearing since childhood: that men are from Mars, and women are from Venus, and this holds true even in the virtual world. Studies have also proved that there are differences in the way men and women communicate with others, and there is a striking contrast in the way they use the internet. This contrast can be subtle in some cases, and quite glaring in others, although this usually depends on the personality of the individual in question.

Differences in the use of the internet by men and women have been an interesting subject of study. Independent researchers and university professors alike have studied these gender differences in great detail — usually seeking to establish the different things men and women do in cyberspace, along with their motivation to do those things. These studies have come up with very interesting, and sometimes, very apt findings.

One such noteworthy research in this regard was Gender and the internet: women communicating and men searching. Conducted by Linda A Jackson, Philip D Gardner and Neal Schmitt of Michigan State University, and Kelly S Ervin of Washington State University, this research was published in the Journal of Sex Roles in 2001.

The researchers sampled 630 Anglo-American undergraduates, and based on a survey, they discovered that women used email more than did men did since they had a stronger motive for interpersonal communication. Men, on the other hand, used the Web more than women since they had a stronger motive for information gathering.

However, there were some similarities between the two genders as well. Men and women reportedly used the internet equally often. Hence, there was no support for the oft-held notion that men use the internet more than women. Also, even though men used the internet to perform a greater number of searches than women, there was no evidence to suggest that these searches were more ‘successful’ than those done by women.

However, given that the lines between gender roles are fast blurring, it is difficult to believe that men and women stick to completely separate internet activities. And in this day and age, it is also hard to imagine either gender not logging into the inbox as soon as s/he goes online. With many email services on the house, and the fact that email is an inalienable part of any business environment, one just cannot imagine that men open a search engine the minute they go online, while women stick to their email inboxes for an hour.

Another study, titled How women and men use the internet takes this factor into account. Conducted by Pew internet and American life project, this study was based on telephonic interviews conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates between March 2000 and September 2005. The study looks into how likely men and women are to go online in the first place, the demographics of the online population, and, finally, the section of current relevance: different online activities of men and women.

When formulating the results, the research analysed the different way men and women communicate online, which indicates that men are just as likely to check their email first and foremost when they log into the virtual world. The only difference lies in the amount of time they give to their email, along with how they use their email in the first place.The study also found that women like to discuss a number of issues with their friends and family members via email; they generally believe that email improves their relationship with them. Hence, a woman’s email is more likely to be enthusiastic, reflecting the time and effort she has put into writing it, and it is valued not just by the sender, but also by the receiver, especially if she happens to be a woman too. Men, on the other hand, are unlikely to share information about their problems and issues through email. This is actually reflective of in real life as well, where women share more problems with their friends than men.

Similar to email, it is hard to imagine men doing all the searching online. Studies have shown that even women seek out information on health, religion and personal problems. Some of them also look up information relating to their PC problems, so obviously, online searches are not exclusive to the male domain. However, while both the genders may be following the same activity, their styles differ widely.

The Pew report found that while women sift out the information they need from the massive search results that they get, men aggressively visit more websites to hunt down the specific information they are looking for. In a nutshell, women are more overwhelmed by the search results, while men are more confident that they will find the information that they need.

As the virtual world expands to no end, various studies on users’ internet habits are also coming up with special reference to gender differences. Perhaps, if one was to simulate such a research at a smaller scale, it will certainly bring out an interesting mix of results, endorsing the belief that while she likes to Gmail, he prefers to Google.

AND THEY SAY...

Given that there was no study closer to home which indicated the differences in the way men and women use the internet, Sci-Tech World approached certain individuals selected at random and asked them to compare their top three online activities with other male and female members of their families.

The responses were as follows.

“I check my email for the freelance work I do. Apart from that, I get newsletters from INETA — the Microsoft-based newsletter. Secondly, I use the net to stay connected with my friends, and for that I regularly check my Facebook and Orkut. Thirdly, I surf — my favourite website is Google. My sister uses the net for chatting and sometimes to surf on business websites. My brothers have different activities as well. One is a medical student, so he uses the net mostly to copy lectures from the net, while the second one uses it to keep in touch with family via Orkut and Yahoo!”
Kanizeh Mehdi

“I like to read news, especially related to global financials; check my email and log on to Facebook, and do research to find any required information.”
Madiha Javed

“I sign into messenger, check my mail and log into Facebook. If there’s some other project I need to work on (for example, a lecture or a blog-post) I do it after I’ve done the former. My brother does the same. However, instead of blog-posting like I do, he’s usually hunting for the latest software for his iPhone or downloading latest movies.”
Mahwash Ajaz

“My top three activities when I go online is checking my mail and reading and replying to mails, checking my Facebook account, and information gathering for assignments. My sister uses the net to check her mails, MSN messenger and for her office work.”
Naureen Aqueel

“Generally, when I use the internet, I either use it to check my mail, do networking on Facebook and Orkut and for research purposes. I also keep in touch with friends through chat on MSN and Google.There is not much difference between the online activities of men and women in my family. Perhaps, the male family members chat more and do networking on Facebook rather than using the net for research. Sometimes, we even consult the Webster dictionary online. But surfing the web is definitely something that we do more than chatting.”
Aelia Raza

“I check my email, read news and do a bit social networking with friends.”
Adnan Siddiqi

“I usually open multiple browsers and check and reply to my emails in this order: work (through webmail), personal (hotmail), rotary (via Gmail apps) and Facebook. I then browse through some of my favourite blogs, NY Times and Economist magazine.”
Arsalaan Haleem

“I spend most of my time on the internet to do research and downloading music. Blogs and email follow with social networks. I’m definitely logged on to messenger whenever I sit down at a PC. I guess most of my family uses internet around the same pattern, although my younger brothers, prefer to chat more and play games (scrabble on Facebook).”
Imtiaz Noor

“I go online to get my information fix — I follow a number of blogs, magazines and newspapers in my RSS reader. I check email - while I do this every day, I spend relatively little time on it, as I send quick answers to any pending emails. I write a weblog post on average once a month, so I spend some time looking up information on the internet regarding that. I hardly do any chatting or social networking.”
Khalid Omer

“I do research or general reading (wikipedia, editorials, news blogs, news sites, etc). Apart from that, I am in my mailbox and then on some social networking website. The largest difference I see in internet usage within my family is the amount of time spent on social networking sites. Everybody is on them, but they barely log in. For them it is purely a mail-Google-IM affair”.
Shyam Balasubramanian

The above responses, interestingly, show some interesting patterns. All women reported that one of their top internet activities was checking their Facebook, while men mentioned social networking as one of their top online activity rather than any specific website. Email was a universal top online activity as was searching for information, for whatever purpose. In a way, these random results definitely are in some consensus with the aforementioned research results. However, whether it is blogging or emailing, men and women are definitely engaging in inter-personal communication at some level whenever they visit cyberspace.Compiled by H.A.

Similarities in men and women users
Use a search engine,
Look for information on travel, jobs and/or places to live
Look for specific phone numbers and addresses
Find information from the government websites
Purchase products and groceries online,
Make travel plans or purchases;
Do online banking
Donate to charity
Pay bills
Do instant messaging
Listen to music
Watch videos
Go online for no particular reason
Play online games

Differences in men
Get news about the weather
Get news in general
Search for do-it-yourself information
Check out sports updates
Get political information/news
Get financial information/news
Do job-related research
Download software
Rate a product/person/service through an online reputation system
Download music files
Use a webcam

Differences in womens
Send and receive email
Look for maps and directions
Look for information on health and medical problems
Use web sites to get support for health or personal problems
Look for information on religion

The findings are available for a free at http://www.pewinternet.org

What's Cooking on Eid?

With the coming of Eid-ul-Fitr, our part of the world gets into action. There is spring cleaning to do, clothes to get stitched, shopping to finish, and of course, the very essence of Eid, mehendi to be applied.

But Eid is also about gorging on yummy culinary delights. It then comes as no surprise that a number of websites have devoted a special section to recipes on certain delicacies which can be prepared on Eid. These websites can be divided into two categories: websites with cooking recipes, and those that are exclusively dedicated to other celebrations on Eid-ul-Fitr.

For example, one interesting website has featured its recipe section at http://theeid.dgreetings.com/eid-ul-fitr-recipes/. This section is small, but carries a collection of some great recipes like biryani, sheer khurma and vermicelli. Along with the traditional delights, you will find some foreign dishes here as well.

The Culinary Digest (http://theculinarydigest.blogspot.com/2007/10/traditional-recipes-of-eid-ul-fitr.html) is more detailed when it comes to Eid recipes. Interestingly, instead of providing just a collection of recipes, this website also describes the diverse Eid cuisines with regards to which country they come from. For instance, did you know that in Egypt, cookies filled with nuts and covered with sugar powder are the equivalent of sheer khurma in this part of the world?

Probably the best feature about this website is the fact that the blogger has linked every dish associated with Eid-ul-Fitr to its specific country and, by clicking on the name, the recipe opens separately with its website. So, if you would like to try an Iraqi pastry dish, or Malaysian beef redang, this is the place to visit.

Another website which has an assortment of Eid recipes is http://www.ifood.tv/network/eid_ul_fitr/Recipes . What makes this website stand out from others is that the recipes here are submitted by the users of the website. Hence, it adds variety as well as a personal touch to all the recipes. Moreover, unlike other websites, the recipes here have been illustrated, showing you a visual of how the final product should look. Each recipe has three categories – summary, ingredients and directions. If you are stuck somewhere, you have an option to post a comment and clarify your problem.

If you Google for Eid recipes, you will get a staggering amount of results. But, if you delve deeper into those search results, you will discover that most of the websites claiming that they feature recipes for Eid-ul-Fitr only have one, or a couple of recipes. And the same recipe has been repeated word-for-word on many websites. So, at the end of the day, you do not gain much by ploughing through a gazillion websites.

But if you do like to cook Eid-specific recipes only, these three web-spots are a better finds from the lot. However, as you can see, Eid recipes do not have a specific, exclusive website as such. The recipes are scattered in different sections of various websites. Fortunately, given the huge number of recipe websites out there, all you need is to know what exactly you want to cook, and then hunt for that recipe.

Surfing Safe

With the boom in cyberspace, it has become even harder to keep your children away from accessing the malicious content on the internet. For parents, this is a double-edged sword: on the one hand is the easily available adult content on websites including social networking websites and chat rooms. And on the other hand, it is not practical to restrict children from accessing the internet since most of their educational needs are fulfilled through surfing on the web.

However, parents need to at least make their children aware of these issues. A good guide to this is Safe Kids, a website dedicated to safe surfing on the internet. It also provides information on the major security and privacy issues online that one needs to know before embarking on a journey through cyberspace.

The best place to start reading through the material on this website is the blog entries. The Safe Kids blog makes for a highly enlightening read since it focuses on the nitty gritty of issues like digital photography and appropriate use of cellphone cameras, social networking websites which are exclusively designed for kids, and most importantly, a little advice for parents as to what they should do and where they should set the limits.

Besides the blog, the website offers different sections that deal with online safety. Here, there are in-depth articles and recommendations for parents as well as children. These articles mainly deal with risks in cyberspace like molestation, bullying, harassment and exposure to adult/inappropriate material. You will also find articles on how to ensure that one does not give out private information on websites and in chat rooms. There is a pledge-of-sorts for the children as well, which can be printed out and pasted near the PC as a reminder. This pledge says, “I will tell my parents if...” and there are a number of things that come after it. The dos and don’ts are there for daily reminders along with tips on a safe blogging experience.

It is important to remember that websites like Safe Kids cater to parents more than to children. It is essential that parents know the issues, the risks and the precautions regarding their children surfing activities, so that they can guide them accordingly. Setting up an internet connection at home and letting children (especially tweens) access cyberspace without any chaperone and guidance can prove catastrophic in the long term.

To keep an eye on the crucial issues regarding safety of your child in cyberspace, log on to http://www.safekids.com

Let's Talk Facts

So you have the ideas whirring in your head, and you just cannot wait to put them into words for your next debate. Alas, despite the speech being eloquence personified, the ‘wow’ factor is missing, right? What you need is a little twist, perhaps, that will jolt the audience wide awake and hanging on to every word. For that, welcome to Amusing Facts.

Amusing Facts features a number of facts and figures on a wide variety of topics. To be very honest, the facts are not exactly amusing in the hilarious sense of the word. They are just some very strange and not-so-well-known statements about different places and people. Therefore, while they are not guaranteed to make you laugh, the website does claim that they are strange, weird and, well, useless in many ways.

All the information on this website is categorised in a number of sections, so you can directly visit the one which appeals to you. There are facts related to categories as diverse as household products, business, health, science, technology, sports, animals, edibles, art, history and entertainment. There are sub-divisions within the categories as well. For instance, edibles are divided into candy, cereals, coffee, cookies, fruits, ice-cream, pizza, vegetables and water. And, in case you are wondering what kind of facts would make it to the section on ice-cream, here is an example: “Great Britain has the highest consumption of ice cream than any other European nation.”

There are some more interesting sections on this website as well. There is, for example, an entire section dedicated to people who once made headlines and have been long since forgotten. This section traces the current doings of these long-lost-and-forgotten celebrities like Paula Abdul and Richard Marx.

Another amusing collection that this website hosts is that of strange news stories. Collected from various sources, these stories make for a highly incredulous read. Yet another section deals with dumb things people have done and the stories they have to tell.

Much as this website is indeed a collection of facts, stories and reports, whether or not they are as useless as the webmasters claim, is entirely up to what use you put them to. If you are simply using this website to while away your time, then it can actually get boring and a little clichéd after a while. But if you are a student and hunting down some additional information to add some spice to your assignment or a speech/debate, then this website will be invaluable to the nth degree. Of course, as usual, the humour section should be used with extreme caution.

To read up on some of the most amusing and strange facts from around the internet, log on to http://www.amusingfacts.com

A Stitch in Time

Just as everything else which have multiplied in variety and improved in quality over the past two decades, personal care products have left no stone unturned either. The mass production of these products may have helped many people, who can now have a wider choice, but it also involves health-related risks, particularly, when it comes to some ingredients used in these products.

Women in general – and now men as well – love to use beauty-enhancing products, but they are hardly aware of what goes into these creams. Perhaps, just a little sneak peak at what makes up these prodaucts will do all of us some good. And this is where the Public’s Right to Know comes in. The website aims to educate by creating widespread awareness about the different types of chemicals used in various personal care products, and which should be cagey in use. It features information based on scientific research conducted on the products; television shows, and the articles that are focused on the issue.

To start with, disregard all the books-related advertisements to the aforementioned subject (since most of them are not available for free), and head straight for the timeline with news items. All the articles are worth a read, since they not only inform, but also raise an alarm about the products that we use daily without giving attention to their chemical compounds. Although some of the brands might not be available in Pakistan, with the increasing number of international brands nowadays, it serves to be up-to-date on which ones are safe and which ones are not.

The main issues that the researchers have covered are cancer-causing toxic chemicals in personal care products, hazards of infants’ exposure to shampoos, lotions and powders etc. Besides giving information and warning about these hazards, the website provides some solutions as well. For instance, you will find some web-links to websites that deal with cancer prevention, and how to make your home and lifestyle safer for you and your family. Of course, there are support groups as well, which suggest ways to make women implement balance in their lives.

You may perhaps feel irritated by that few other websites contradict almost all the information given here. But always ensure the authenticity of that website, along with the source of the research. As a result, you will discover that those opposing websites have been generated by companies that market most of these products.

To get an insight into what your personal care products are really made of, log on to http://www.publicsright2know.com/

Up for a Read?

Blogging has only became popular in the last few years and branched out into numerous categories. Now, it is entirely possible to have a blog and not post entries pertaining to one’s personal life. There are political blogs, photo blogs and video blogs — and these blogs are more about the views, opinions and preferences of the individual blogger rather than any useless detail about what s/he had for lunch and how many people s/he blasted at work.

One of the many different types of blogs which have evolved over the years includes book blogs. Book blogs are often confused with blooks — so it is imperative to clear the concept first. Blooks are basically books written about blogs. The term also refers to those books which are made out of blog entries written over a specific period of time. In contrast, book blogs is where bloggers who are avid readers and book lovers discuss book reviews, bestseller lists, and comment on different books, author profiles and the likes. Basically, a book blog is all about books.

So why a book blog, you may ask. Well, first and foremost, it is always more helpful to read an up close and personal account of a book rather than an impersonal review in the newspaper or the website. With no particular bindings, bloggers can make their entries as interesting as possible, providing links to other reviews on the web, for instance. And if the blog is local, s/he can even suggest places where a certain book will be available.

Secondly, while most people like to read and are in fact voracious readers, they are reluctant to pen their feedback regarding various literary works. There is also an equal chance that their work may never see the light of the day if sent to publication. Book blogs, then provide a suitable platform for these writers and reviewers and they have the freedom to express themselves in an unrestrained way. Plus, they also have the freedom to give their blog URL to whoever they please if they do not want their blog to be public.

At another level, book blogs — especially where bloggers post news from the publishing industry — are also a great way for the readers to keep in touch with the books that are about to hit the market, book launches and feedback on particular books. Agreed that all this would have been possible even with a conventional website of the publisher, but book blogs have an added advantage of interactivity between the writer/reader and writer/publisher. A reader can express views and opinions on whatever is posted — something which is difficult, if not impossible, on a conventional website.

So what exactly are the possibilities if one sets out to create and maintain a book blog? What type of content would do justice to the title of the blog and, most importantly, what should be the theme of the blog?

To begin with, it is absolutely imperative to decide what you want your book blog to do. Do you want to collect news from the publishing industry? Are you more interested in keeping up with the authors? Or do you want something of everything? Once you have decided the aim of your book blog, the writing of the post and updating the blog at your convenience becomes rather easy. If you do not have a clear sense of direction from the very beginning, chances are that your posts will be highly haphazard and in turn confuse your readers as well.

Book blogs have an advantage that they are highly versatile. There is a lot you can do with them provided you yourself are a little creative and have some knowledge of books and authors alike. At the end of the day, a book blog, if maintained properly, is a treat for all those who are involved.

Book blogs can also be introduced in the classroom or summer reading classes as a way to enhance the reading and learning experience of students. Teachers should encourage students to start their own book blog online, and update it regularly. Books blogs will not only be a very effective way for letting the teacher/instructor know how far a student has progressed in terms of his/her reading abilities, but will also give the student a chance to explore new reading websites and book blogs in order to enhance his/her own blog.

There are many themes for book blogs which teachers can specifically suggest to the students to work on. Some of these themes include:

Books which made me think
Similar to Kate’s book blog (http://www.katesbookblog.blogspot.com/), a student can create a blog which revolves around the books that made him/her think — the posts can comprise details about which book inspired some serious thoughts. This will encourage the student to read more and better books.

Favourite authors

The blog can comprise tidbits from the lives of the student’s favourite authors. If the authors are still around, the blog can contain comments on their interviews, or expectations of their new book.

Blog a book

If a student has a particular preference for one book or a series of books (like Enid Blyton’s Famous Five series, for instance), then s/he should be encouraged to blog about those particular books. The posts can be the student’s thoughts about the different characters, the ending, the between-the-lines connotations, etc. Students can use Blogging Anne of Green Gables (http://www.blogginganneofgreengables.blogspot.com/) as an example.

From books to films

This can be a very interesting theme for a book blog — books which were converted into films. The student can blog about what he/she thought of both, talk about the various differences between the two and ponder over whether or not the film director did justice to the book. Differences between the characters in the book and the way they were depicted in the movie can also be assessed. (However, in this case, the teacher may have to place some emphasis on moving beyond the Harry Potter series of books and films)

Group book blogs

Instead of student making an individual book blog, teachers can help form groups of students to work on one blog. This would ensure a diversity of content, plus make it easier for the teacher to assess the blogs as well.

Tête-à-tête

C. Max Magee is a book blogger from the renowned The Millions blog (http://www.themillionsblog.com/). Sci-Tech World got in touch with him to learn more about book blogging in cyberspace.

What is the scope of book blogs?

I think the scope of book blogs can be as expansive or as limited as the individual interests of its contributors. At The Millions, my interests and the interests of my contributors are fairly broad, encompassing a wide range of literary fiction and non-fiction. We also try to embody the person of what we call a ‘trusted fellow reader’ for the audience, that is, a person with a similar love for reading whose book recommendations the audience trusts.

How do book blogs add a new dimension to blogging in general?

I don't know that book blogging is all that different from the sort of ‘enthusiast’ blogging that has sprung up around film, music, and the arts, but what this sort of blogging does is create a space for many geographically remote people who share similar interests to congregate and discuss.

What are the different ways in which students particularly can make use of book blogs?

I think for a student interested in writing and reading, starting a blog is a great idea, especially if s/he intends to pursue writing about books — or just writing in general — as a career. The great thing about blogging is that it gives you an instant audience, even though initially that audience is quite small. You get to practice writing for the public, and then with time, if you do it well, people discover you and you can make a name for yourself and even parlay it into other writing opportunities.

What has been your personal experience blogging about books?

Blogging has been a great experience for me. I've met a lot of interesting people. I continue to be surprised by the blog every day. I think one of the most exciting things for The Millions was becoming a part of the greater community of bloggers and readers that discusses books online. It's been amazing to see the development of an unplanned and vibrant venue for literary discourse. It indicates to me that the world of books and readers is quite healthy. —H.A.