JumpstartMyPC.com has decided to bring FollowFriday to our blog. Read on and, if you are so inclined, add these “interesting people” to your own list.

FollowFriday – Round 17

Summer is here and, with any luck, you’ll be vacationing soon. Family trips to Disney World, national parks and beach resorts (assuming they aren’t located on the Gulf of Mexico) are in full swing. In order to remember these amazing trips, or simply gloat to family and friends, we break out our cameras and snap away. The only question now is what to do with those digital images once you get home.

Pictures aren’t developed anymore. They are uploaded. They aren’t placed in albums, but in folders (conveniently titled albums). You don’t invite people over to look at your photos, you send them a link.

I forget which comedian said it, but I thought this line was great (and please forgive me, as I am going strictly from memory here). “In my day, looking at someones vacation pictures was considered punishment. Now people do it for fun!”

Flickr is the first name that comes to mind when I think about storing pictures online. I can’t tell you why, considering I just opened my first Flickr account recently, but the name is synonymous with online digital photo storage.

Upload your pictures, tag them, write a description, place them in sets… The list of options goes on and on. If you want, you can use Facebook Connect to automatically add those same pictures to your Facebook profile as they are uploaded. The only real downfall to Flickr, that I can find, is that you can’t order physical prints, but then again, who does that?

Twitter: http://twitter.com/flickr
Web Site: http://www.flickr.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/flickr

Flickr is on Twitter - Now That's a Mouthful

Shutterfly as been my go-to photo sharing site for many years now. I started using it because I wanted to print out my digital pictures and, as time went on, Shutterfly added features and morphed into a real tool for storing and sharing digital images with friends and family.

One of the best features of Shutterfly, in my humble opinion, is the ability to create Share Sites. Share Sites are like individual web sites that you can edit to contain photos, calendars, weather and other individual components with simple drag-and-drop functionality. You can create a Share Site for your family vacation, an big event, a wedding, etc. or simply dump all of your pictures there.

Web Site: http://www.shutterfly.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/shutterfly
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Shutterfly

Shutterfly for Sharing and Printing

Snapfish is another of the many business arms of HP and a very similar service to Shutterfly.  You can upload, store, edit, share photos and order prints from their site.  The site looks a bit outdated to me (when compared to Shutterfly) but they have all of the functionality and great deals to offer a great service to their customers.

In researching the difference between all of these photo-sharing sites, I stumbled onto one interesting piece of information.   Snapfish offers a service called PictureMover that allows users to connect their digital camera and upload images directly to the SnapFish web site.  I have never tried this myself, but this seems like a great selling point for inexperienced PC users who are afraid of trying an online service.

Web Site: http://www.snapfish.com/snapfish/welcome
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/snapfish
Twitter: http://twitter.com/snapfishbyhp

Snapfish is not Just for Fishermen

Try out one or all three of the sites we recommended today and check back next Friday for more great #FollowFriday recommendations. Don’t forget, if you want to share this article with friends or family, all you have to do is click on the ShareThis button below.

JumpstartMyPC.com has decided to bring FollowFriday to our blog. Read on and, if you are so inclined, add these “interesting people” to your own list.

FollowFriday – Round 16

2010 Hurricane Names

Like it or not, hurricane season is here.  Alex, which came in as the second most powerful hurricane of June (all-time) has already dissipated, leaving heavy rains for Mexico and Texas.  For many, this storm will serve as a wake-up call that it is time to prepare for a busy hurricane season.

Being prepared means being informed.  Traditional news sources like TV, radio and print will provide us with valuable details as new tropical storms develop and head towards the U.S./Mexico, but the information does not stop there.  Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites are becoming equally (if not more) effective at spreading important news and, for those of you trapped in cubicles and offices during “normal work hours,” these social sources might be your only link to the outside world.

If you are a “hurricane tracker” or are just interested in staying ahead of the storms, you might want to consider following some of the following sites.

Hurricane Alerts (brought to you by the National Hurricane Center) was designed to track hurricane and tropical storm news and warnings for the coastal United States.  

Most of the updates (tweets) are links to articles on web sites, but the posts are frequent and you’ll have no problem keeping up with the latest details on any hurricane.

Twitter: http://twitter.com/hurricanealerts
Web Site: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

Hurricane Alerts on Twitter

The Weather Channel

Updates made during the approach of Hurricane Alex indicate that TWC’s Twitter account does a great job at keeping everyone informed regularly with great information on wind speeds, rain measurements and road conditions.  There are also occasional links to articles on weather.com.  If I were trapped somewhere with only my cell phone and no computer access, this is a Twitter feed I would want to follow.

Web Site: http://preview.weather.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheWeatherChannel
Twitter: http://twitter.com/TWCBreaking

The Weather Channel for Hurricane Updates

Weather Underground is the site to follow for people who like lots of detail.  The site was created to provide people with real-time information and they do not disappoint.  From advisories to Global Sea Surface Temperatures, you can find it all here.

The Twitter updates from WU are frequent and provide a combination of good details and links to their site.  What’s great about following Weather Underground is they post the coordinates of the storm in every tweet, so you trackers can mark it on your maps as new updates are posted.  I might get a map just to follow along.

Web Site: http://www.wunderground.com/tropical/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/wunderground?v=wall
Twitter: http://twitter.com/wunderground

Wunderground is Where You Can Find All the Details

Try out one or all three of the sites we recommended today and check back next Friday for more great #FollowFriday recommendations. Don’t forget, if you want to share this article with friends or family, all you have to do is click on the ShareThis button below.

JumpstartMyPC.com has decided to bring FollowFriday to our blog. Read on and, if you are so inclined, add these “interesting people” to your own list.

FollowFriday – Round 15

We’ve focused on gaming news and reviews in the past (see our #FF on Video Games), but with all of the video game talk of the last month (E3) we thought it would be good to revisit the topic.  This time, instead of simply wetting your appetite with information, we’re gonna give you some details on saving money on video games, consoles and accessories.  After all, video game setups can get quite expensive if you aren’t careful.

The XBOX360, PS3 and Wii are all currently in their prime and new toys are on the way for summer and Christmas.  The problem for the big three is that disposable income is not what it was 2 or 3 years ago, competition is at an all-time high and people only have so many hours in a day.  That creates the perfect storm for the consumers.  Deals, deals and more deals are everywhere you turn.  Today’s list focuses on some of the best places to find these gaming deals, so you can spend less and own more.

LogicBuy.com is one of my favorite bargain-shopping sites.  We’ve talked about finding deals on LogicBuy before, but did you know that they have an entire area of their site dedicated to gaming? LogicBuy employees and site visitors hunt down the biggest bargains of the web and post them here for everyone to enjoy.  Amazon, Steam, NewEgg, Buy.com, Dell, GameFly…. The list of sites represented goes on for days.  If there is a bargain out there, LogicBuy has it.

One of the best features of LogicBuy is the ability to set Deal Alerts.  Do you know a specific game, console, accessory or item that you want, but aren’t willing to pay full retail?  Set up a Deal Alert and get up-to-date information on deals, coupons and more delivered right to your inbox.  I did this when we first bought a Wii and saved $100’s on new games and accessories.

Twitter: http://twitter.com/LogicBUY (not specific to gaming, but gaming deals are included in feed)
Web Site: http://www.logicbuy.com/categorydeals/20/Gaming.aspx
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/LogicBUYcom (again, not specific to gaming)

Just Look at These Deals!!!!!

Cheap Ass Gamer (CAG)

CAG is also giving away 5 brand new XBOX 360 250GB Slim consoles.  Follow them on Twitter, create a wish list, check out deals, etc. to earn entries into the contest.  This is a great way to get familiar with the site while getting your name into the drawing.  What do you have to lose?  I earned 7 entries into their contest in under 30 minutes.

CAG also allows you to create a “collection list” of games that you currently own and might want to trade or sell.  Other CAG users can offer up their games for trade or make you an offer.  If you are sick of losing out on trade value at your local game shop, simply pay the price of shipping to swap games with others throughout the country.  This could really save you some cash in the long run.

Web Site: http://www.cheapassgamer.com/
RSS Feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/cheapassgamer
Twitter: http://twitter.com/videogamedeals

Cheap Ass Gamer Has a Top Notch Site

Amazon.com offers several ways to save on your gaming needs.  There is an area dedicated to Video Game Deals, A Deal of the Day (one or more gaming products at a very special, low, one-day only price) and Warehouse Deals (used games, consoles and accessories).  Patience and a Prime membership could mean big savings on purchases for past and upcoming games.

Also, don’t underestimate the power of being a loyal Amazon.com customer.  Case in point, I just pre-ordered the game Crackdown 2 for XBOX 360.  Amazon was offering $4 off, FREE shipping (on release day) and $10 off of my next game purchase.  Also, I didn’t have to pay sales tax.  Total up the savings and I saved somewhere in the neighborhood of $25.50 on this purchase. (4 + 10 + 7 + 4.50).  The next game I buy or pre-order might offer a similar deal, so I’ll keep the savings rolling with each and every purchase.

Finally, did you know that you can trade in your games on Amazon?  Look up your games, print a shipping label (for FREE) and receive an Amazon.com Gift Card that will be deposited into your account upon receipt of games.  The offers seem to be fair, when compared to other retailers like GameStop.  You can always use the tools on Cheap Ass Game (links above) to compare values between the two.

Web Site (Video Game Deals): http://www.amazon.com/Outlet/b?ie=UTF8&node=40956
Web Site (Deal of the Day – Gaming): Click Here
Web Site (Warehouse Deals): Click Here
Twitter (AmazonGames): http://twitter.com/amazongames

Amazon.com Offers Up Great Deals

Try out one or all three of the sites we recommended today and check back next Friday for more great #FollowFriday recommendations. Don’t forget, if you want to share this article with friends or family, all you have to do is click on the ShareThis button below.

JumpstartMyPC.com has decided to bring FollowFriday to our blog. Read on and, if you are so inclined, add these “interesting people” to your own list.

FollowFriday – Round 14

The FIFA World Cup is here.  Today officially marks the start of the most widely viewed sporting event in the world and, if the numbers are anything like that of the last World Cup (2006 in Germany), there will be hundreds of millions of people watching the matches over the next month.

For U.S. fans, catching the majority of the televised games will be a challenge, considering the games are being held in South Africa.  There is a 7 hour time difference between Johannesburg and the Central time zone here in the states.  So, while many of you are at work or asleep (for quite a few matches) the tournament will be in full swing overseas.  For true soccer fans this means late nights and finding creative ways to watch/follow the games from the office.  Luckily, we’re here to help.

We’ve rounded up several places you can track the World Cup so you won’t miss a minute of the action.

FIFA.com is the official home of international soccer and they have gone all out for this year’s World Cup.  Their web site is both visually stunning and well organized, giving you quick, easy access to all of the latest information on teams, scores, schedules and more.  You can even join in some of the games they have running during the tournament, including he Predictor Game and a Fantasy Game.

In addition to the web site, FIFA has a Twitter and Facebook presence, as well as a few desktop widgets for you (if you can install programs on your work PC).

Twitter: http://twitter.com/FIFAcom
Web Site: http://www.fifa.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Fifa-World-Cup-Sudafrica-2010 – I am not sure if this Facebook page is officially linked with FIFA or the tournament, but there is plenty of World Cup action being posted here.
Widgets: http://www.fifa.com/newscentre/widgets/index.html

FIFA.com is Soccer!

ESPN

Web Site: http://espn.go.com/
ESPN3 (for online streaming): http://espn.go.com/espn3
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ESPN360

ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3 & ABC Will Cover all 64 Matches

Univision has put together a web site for World Cup coverage and offers it in English for those of us who don’t speak Spanish.  As with the other sites mentioned you can catch up on schedules, players, scores, photos, etc.

According to NewTeeVee.com “UnivisionFutbol.com will offer free live streams of all 64 games and doesn’t care about your ISP. There will also be real-time stats and minute-to-minute commentary. Everything will be in Spanish, which should make the goooooooooools even more exciting.”  I have yet to find the link to “watch live,” but I imagine the coverage will show up front-and-center once the games begin.  If you can’t get onto ESPN360.com, this might be your only source for live web coverage.

Web Site: http://futbol.univision.com/world-cup-2010-south-africa (in English)

Univision Has World Cup Coverage For Everyone

One word of warning for all you sports fans!! - Big events like the World Cup create big opportunities for cyber-terrorists.  Searching for places to watch the games online makes sense, but visiting sites you are unfamiliar with can be quite dangerous.  Read our March Madness article for information on protecting yourself from malware and viruses while surfing.

Try out one or all three of the sites we recommended today and check back next Friday for more great #FollowFriday recommendations. Don’t forget, if you want to share this article with friends or family, all you have to do is click on the ShareThis button below.

JumpstartMyPC.com has decided to bring FollowFriday to our blog. Read on and, if you are so inclined, add these “interesting people” to your own list.

FollowFriday – Round 14

Today is National Donut Day!  Celebrated the first Friday of June each year, Donut Day was created by the Salvation Army in 1938 to honor the women who served donuts to soldiers during World War I.

While many of you have already had your breakfast and cup of coffee this morning, there is no reason why you can’t run back out and enjoy some of the ring-shaped treats being offered up by your local donut shop.  Independent and large national franchises are offering FREE doughnuts all over the U.S. and we’ve got the lowdown on who to visit along with recommendations on who to follow from here on out.  We wouldn’t want you missing out on the next promotional offer or national holiday!

Dunkin’ Donuts, who claims to be the world’s largest coffee and baked goods chain, serves 2.7 million customers per day at almost 9,000 stores in 31 countries (6,400 of those are in the USA).  Their web site is well designed, interactive and full of information on upcoming promotions and offers.  Following DD on Twitter, Facebook or even YouTube might be your ticket to freebies all year long.  Plus, you can join the Dunkin’ Perks program for free drinks and other special perks.

Web Site: https://www.dunkindonuts.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/DunkinDonuts
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DunkinDonuts

Dunkin Donuts on Donut Day: Enjoy a FREE DONUT with any beverage purchase on June 4th, as DD celebrates 60 “glorious years of donuts on National Donut Day.”

Dunkin' Donuts - America Runs on Dunkin

KrispyKreme

The Krispy Kreme web site is very simple, but has enough information for any user to locate the nearest store, take a look at the doughnut options and find information on fundraising programs.  Last year, schools raised over $30 million dollars with the help of Krispy Kreme Fundraising.

Web Site: http://www.krispykreme.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/krispy_kreme
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KrispyKreme

Krispy Kreme on Donut Day: Doughnut Day 2010 is being honored at many Krispy Kreme locations, as their web site reads “Come Celebrate Doughnut Day with a FREE Doughnut!”  There is no indication of a required purchase, but you never know what you’ll find when you arrive at their store.

Krispy Kreme - Doughnuts & Coffee Since 1937

Shipley Do-Nuts is a part of life here in Texas (and a few other southern states). Shipley has been around since the 1930s and currently has more than 220 stores, 146 of which are in the Houston area.

In addition to do-nuts (yet another spelling of the breakfast standard), Shipley locations also offer kolaches, which you won’t find at the other major chains.  Kolaches come in all shapes and sizes, but it’s only here in Texas that you will find a breakfast as enticing as a Sausage, Cheese and Jalapeno kolache.

Unfortunately, Shipley Do-Nuts does not have a Twitter presence.

Web Site: http://www.shipleydonuts.ws/index.html
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shipley-Do-Nuts

Shipley Do-Nuts on Donut Day: National Donut Day! Friday June 4th, receive one FREE GLAZED DONUT till noon with your purchase!! *limit one per customer.  The FREE donuts will be handed out until 12:00pm (noon), so don’t wait.  Head on over now!!

You'll Have to Head South to enjoy a Shipley's Treat

Try out one or all three of the sites we recommended today and check back next Friday for more great #FollowFriday recommendations. Don’t forget, if you want to share this article with friends or family, all you have to do is click on the ShareThis button below.

JumpstartMyPC.com has decided to bring FollowFriday to our blog. Read on and, if you are so inclined, add these “interesting people” to your own list.

FollowFriday – Round 12

No, no.  I am not lost and we aren’t starting some sort of philosophical debate.  We are simply honoring one of the best TV shows of all time here.  The series finale of Lost (an event announced two and half years ago) is just 2 days away as I write this article and I couldn’t be more excited and upset at the same time.

“Cursed numbers. Hidden hatches. Miracle cures. Tropical polar bears. Wrinkles in time…”¹ have occupied my time (120 hours of my life) and numerous debates over the last 6 years and soon, it will all be over.  For those of you who are big fans, you know where I am coming from.  For the rest of you, I suggest you start at the beginning and rent, buy, borrow or steal the DVD/Blu-Ray disks of this amazing series.

For viewers of any level, I suggest you visit/follow these sites for supplemental information on the show and it’s many, many mysteries.

Lostpedia has been my guidebook to Lost for at least 3 seasons now.  I don’t think you will find a more comprehensive collection of Lost information anywhere on the web.  In fact, for a Lost newbie, this site could be downright overwhelming.  Seasoned veterans can refresh their memory or simply search for simple answers by visiting areas like Main Characters, Supporting Characters, Mysteries and Episodes.

The Episodes area of the site is by far my favorite.  Watch an episode and then visit the site to get a synopsis, trivia, production notes and analysis of that single episode.  You’ll see what you missed and get explanations on how certain elements of the story tied to previous episodes, characters, etc.  With a show this complicated and confusing (I’m not complaining) you will find this area very, very helpful.

Twitter: http://twitter.com/lostpedia
Web Site: http://lostpedia.wikia.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Lostpedia

Feeling Lost? This site can help.

Entertainment Weekly

No Desmond?

EW’s Totally Lost (the area on their web site dedicated to the show) is filled with amazing information, including theories from Doc Jensen, who is the resident Lost expert at the magazine.  If only I had know that position was available.  My favorite part of all of this Lost coverage is the 10 different covers that EW issued for  issue #1102.  I received Locke in the mail, but the other 9 are available for purchase from the EW web site.

Web Site: Totally Lost on EW.com

Totally 'Lost' Can Help You Find Your Way

ABC Official Lost Site must get a mention on the list.  I mean, it is the OFFICIAL site of the show.

Party Time!

Catch up on the latest episodes, watch some behind the scenes footage or check out the SlapDown specials that add a little comedy twist to the Lost world.  You won’t have access to the same type of information found on our other 2 recommended sites, but you will find the ultimate Lost store.  Buy yourself a Dharma Initiative shirt or (and I wish I had known about this a week ago) a Lost Viewing Party Kit, complete with plates, cups, coasters, napkins, balloons, a bottle opener and stickers all branded with the Dharma logo.

Web Site: http://abc.go.com/shows/lost

Officially Lost on ABC

Try out one or all three of the sites we recommended today and check back next Friday for more great #FollowFriday recommendations. Don’t forget, if you want to share this article with friends or family, all you have to do is click on the ShareThis button below.

¹ – Quote taken from Entertainment Weekly #1102 article titled “Lost: How it All Began.”

JumpstartMyPC.com has decided to bring FollowFriday to our blog. Read on and, if you are so inclined, add these “interesting people” to your own list.

FollowFriday – Round 11

Last week, our FollowFriday topic was television and since we are entering the end of the TV season the topic made sense.  Flip that coin and you’ll see that blockbuster movie season is marching in to take it’s rightful place.  Iron Man 2 opened last weekend and officially marked the beginning of the summer movie bonanza that happens every year.  If you haven’t done so already, it is time to check out the long list of releases for the summer, watch all the trailers you can and decide what weekends you’ll be lining up to fork over your hard earned cash for over-priced tickets and treats.  Don’t get me wrong, I’ll be doing the exact same thing.

Don’t forget that movies aren’t just for the large theater.  You’ve also got the small theater (your own living room) to occupy your film needs.  With the economy in a state of constant flux and jobs disappearing like Gordon Gekko’s millions (that’s a Wall Street reference), you’ll want to save every penny you can by renting or buying movies this summer.  Some of our mentions today will keep you up-to-speed on your DVD and Blu-Ray releases as well.

There are hundreds of movie sites out there, so which ones should you be visiting.  Who is “follow worthy” and who is just wasting your time.  Here are our recommendations.

Rotten Tomatoes is pretty much THE movie web site of choice.  Forget the crazy name and focus on the amazing amount of content that RT has to offer.  For years now, they have completely dominated the web with their reviews, discussions and movie-related info.

If you are the type to take critics’ advice on movies, then RT is the place to be.  “Fresh or rotten,” they sum up what all of the critics are saying about most every movie and DVD.  See the latest trailers and clips, catch up on red carpet fashion and browse through their extensive film and celebrity database.  You can also catch up on the latest, hottest movie news from all over the web.

Twitter: http://twitter.com/rottentomatoes
Web Site: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/rottentomatoes
In Your Pocket: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/mobile/

Rotten Tomatoes is Your Source for Movie News (Fresh or Rotten)

IMDB

While there might be only visual differences between the content on RT and IMDB, their content is not always the same.  As with any other competing sites (Gizmodo and Engadget, G4TV and IGN, etc) it is great to have more than one source.

For those who want to get a little closer to the action, IMDB Pro offers you the chance to “Stay on top of the film and TV industry.”  You can search for showbiz contracts, build a resume and even browse casting notices and job listings.  IMDB Pro does cost an extra $15.95 per month.

Web Site: http://www.imdb.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/imdb
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/imdb

IMDB Offers Movie and TV Info for Every Fan

HSX (the Hollywood Stock Exchange) is a bit of a stretch, but an absolute must for any movie fan who enjoys games.  The stock-market simulation game puts you in the driver’s seat with $2 million HSX bucks to start.  Buy stocks (movies) and bonds (actors) for your favorites, then watch their values rise or fall based on their success.

Playing the HSX (a game that never ends) will provide you with hours, months or even years of fun while you learn about upcoming movies and industry gossip.  I have personally been playing this game since ‘95 or ‘96 and I can’t get enough.  I might not visit the site for months at a time, but I always come back to see what movies are being talked about, what dream sequels everyone wants to see made and where I stand on the all-time leader board (2,308 at the moment).

Side Note: Movie stock day-trading could become a reality one day.  The Cantor Exchange is hoping to get approval from the CFTC that would allow you to invest real dollars in upcoming movies.  HSX would be a training ground for those who think they have the skills to predict box-office success.

Web Site: http://www.hsx.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/hsxmovies
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2208208383 (there doesn’t seem to be a Fan Page, but this Group Page will do for now)

HSX Brings Movies, Games and teh Stock Market Together in One Place

Try out one or all three of the sites we recommended today and check back next Friday for more great #FollowFriday recommendations. Don’t forget, if you want to share this article with friends or family, all you have to do is click on the ShareThis button below.

JumpstartMyPC.com has decided to bring FollowFriday to our blog. Read on and, if you are so inclined, add these “interesting people” to your own list.

FollowFriday – Round 10

I am a little embarrassed to admit it, but I am a television addict.  The “small screen” has so much to offer that I wish I had more hours each week so I could catch it all.  To me, great television shows are like movies that go on for years instead of hours.  In truth, I am a huge movie fan as well, but skyrocketing ticket prices, crazy popcorn/soda prices and the introduction of the cell phone to movie theater audiences has all but killed the once great movie-going experience.

Several years ago, we invested in a large HD television and HD service from one of the big satellite companies (no free advertising for this company, since they dropped TiVo).  While our bill might be larger, we now have a nearly endless supply of entertainment lined up on our TiVo (one of the best inventions EVER).  Aided by a surround sound system, our television shows have become the movies of choice.  We have had so many favorites over the years and we just continue to add more and more.

For those of you who are already big fans and for those who want to know what’s hot, what’s not and what’s coming up, our FollowFriday topic this week is Television.  We aren’t talking electronics or repairs, but who to follow and what to read about what to watch.  Several great resources will provide you with info on your favorite shows and a way to interact with other fans who share the same passions for TV and all it has to offer.

TV Guide by all accounts, should probably have slipped into oblivion by now.  The once must-have resource for TV fans has been published since April of 1953 and shows no signs of slowing down now.  Over the last decade, TV Guide has managed to accept and utilize the digital age to continue their hold on the television viewing public.

TVguide.com offers TV listings and times along with articles, recaps, photos and even full episodes from some of your favorite shows.  That’s right, tvguide.com is another resource for actually viewing TV shows online.  If they don’t show the video, they tell you where to find it and if there is a cost associated (unfortunately not available for every show).  You can even sign up for a “My TVGuide.com DVR” and subscribe to favorite shows.  Get notified when they are available.

Twitter: http://twitter.com/tvguide
Web Site: http://www.tvguide.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TVGuide

TV Guide is Still Here (and doing quite well)

TV.com

Looking for a different way to surf the channels?  TV.com has a “Video Wall” that shows images from shows (past and present) in a coverflow-esque way that allows you to visually choose a program to fill in that free time you have.

The integrated Facebook connect feature on TV.com allows you to share programs and information with your friends and family and you can jump into the forum section to chat about anything and everything TV related.

Web Site: http://www.tv.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/tvdotcom
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tvcom

TV.com For All of Your TV Needs

Reality Blurred is for all of you “reality” fans out there. I honestly don’t understand the draw in reality television, but I can’t discount the success or popularity that it has found in American homes.  Shows like Survivor, The Biggest Loser (which I do watch occasionally) and American Idol are big in ratings and advertising dollars.

In true  reality fashion, Reality Blurred brings you information on your favorite shows, but spends more time talking about news “behind the scenes.”  Honestly, I get the feeling that there is far more reality in the news reported on by site creator Andy Dehnart than in the shows themselves.  Follow Andy’s blog, read his reviews on recent reality shows or share what you find on Facebook via the new “like” feature that is integrated into realityblurred.com.

Web Site: http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/realityblurred
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/realityblurred

Reality Blurred - The True Reality of Reality TV

Try out one or all three of the sites we recommended today and check back next Friday for more great #FollowFriday recommendations. Don’t forget, if you want to share this article with friends or family, all you have to do is click on the ShareThis button below.

BONUS: For those of you who have read this far and are still hungry for more TV info, I would like to share my list of favorite shows.  As a true TV addict, I can tell you that every one of these shows is worth watching and I haven’t missed a single episode of any one of them:

• Battlestar Galactica
• Firefly
• Castle
• Buffy the Vampire Slayer
• Angel
• Supernatural
• Lost
• Chuck
• Big Bang Theory
• House
• Rescue Me
• Breaking Bad
• Weeds
• The Office
• Stargate (SG-1, Atlantis and Universe)
• Alias

JumpstartMyPC.com has decided to bring FollowFriday to our blog. Read on and, if you are so inclined, add these “interesting people” to your own list.

FollowFriday – Round 9

Console and PC gaming have grown into a multi-billion dollar business, with total sales of hardware and software (not counting PC’s) reaching $19.66 billion in 2009.  And while you might think that gaming is just for teenage boys, recent research has shown that the majority of male gamers now fall into the 25-40 age group.  According to the ESRB, almost 41% of PC gamers are women and the average American gamer has been playing for 12 years.

Before you make a decision on gaming or gamers, take a moment to reflect on your daily activities.  You might not consider yourself a traditional gamer, but how many hours of Facebook games have you played?  With titles like FarmVille, Mafia Wars, Bejeweled Blitz and Uno attracting millions of users each day, it is hard to find someone who doesn’t play any games at all.  I can tell you from experience that many of my customers and family members have only learned about computers through work or games.  I have a 90 year old grandmother who uses her Nintendo DS regularly and another who has played more hours of Scrabble and Boggle than you could even imagine.

The following sites are dedicated to gaming and gaming news. Add these sites to your inbox, Twitter follow list or Facebook “likes” and let the information come to you.

IGN Entertainment, a division of News Corporation, is probably the largest player in the video game news industry.  According to their own web site they are a “leading online media and services company obsessed with gaming, entertainment and everything guys enjoy.”

From the IGN web site, visitors can access up-to-date information on games for the XBOX 360, PS3, Wii, PC, DS, PSP and more.  Read reviews on games before you purchase and even rate them yourself.  In recent news, IGN has begun reviews of iPad games (found in the “Wireless” section) and added the new Facebook Like feature to it’s web site.  Find a game you like, leave a review and share it with your friends in just a few clicks.

Twitter: http://twitter.com/igncom
Web Site: http://www.ign.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ign

IGN Entertainment Covers it All

G4

The only thing that confuses me about G4 is the link between gaming, which dominates their web site, and their television station, which is ruled by programs completely unrelated to gaming.  I am not saying that these shows aren’t great, I just don’t get the connection.  In this day and age, I would think that a station could broadcast, gaming news, reviews, demos, etc. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Maybe that is the long-term goal.

Web Site: http://g4tv.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/g4tv
Facebook: http://facebook.com/g4tv

G4tv is All About Games... At least on the web site

Inside Social Games is for all of you “social gamers” out there.  Inside Social Games is a service of Inside Network, the first company dedicated to providing news and market research to the Facebook platform and social gaming ecosystem.  Although this site is really meant for developers, marketers and analysts, it has some great game reviews and news that you can benefit from.  Wanna know what the fastest growing game on Facebook is this week?  Looking for a review on a new game before you dedicate hours and hours to it?  This is the place.

While Inside Social Games is not the perfect option for consumers (Facebook users) it is currently the only dedicated option.  I have a strong feeling that this will change very soon, as these social games have become big business.  A recent article on GIGAOM stated that Zynga, the company behind social games like Farmville and Mafia Wars, would “likely be worth as much as $5 billion, if it were publicly traded instead of privately held.”  That is just one of the companies currently producing FREE games for social networking users.

Web Site: http://www.insidesocialgames.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/InsideNetwork
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/InsideSocialGamescom

Inside Social Games for You "Non-Gamers"

Try out one or all three of the sites we recommended today and check back next Friday for more great #FollowFriday recommendations. Don’t forget, if you want to share this article with friends or family, all you have to do is click on the ShareThis button below.

JumpstartMyPC.com has decided to bring FollowFriday to our blog. Read on and, if you are so inclined, add these “interesting people” to your own list.

FollowFriday – Round 8

Organization has been the topic of a few of our most popular articles.  It seems that many people, including myself, are always on the hunt for a better way, a better device or even a better program to help organize our life.  While some of us might know how we want to accomplish this, there are many of us who need guidance and new, fresh ideas to help us move forward with our organization goals.  Why not use the power of the internet to have that information delivered to us every day?

The following sites are dedicated to organization and decluttering your life.  Add these sites to your inbox, Twitter follow list or Facebook “likes” and let the information come to you.

unclutterer is a website for home and office organization.  According to their own web site “it’s not just for the helplessly disorganized who would lose their heads if they weren’t attached, and pack rats looking to put their stashes on a diet, but also for obsessive compulsive neat freaks looking to squeeze even more order into their lives.”

This great site has several writers on board who are fighting their own organization demons and are constantly trying new and creative ways to unclutter their own home and/or office.  If they find a great idea or tool, they share it with you.

Twitter: http://twitter.com/unclutterer
Web Site: http://unclutterer.com
Email: Subscribe to the unclutterer email distribution list

unclutter Your Life at unclutterer.com

The motto for this site says it all: “Clean House, Cut Clutter, Get Organized at Home!”

Web Site: http://organizedhome.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/cynthiaewer

Get Started with Organized Home

The Organization Junkie (orgjunkie.com) is another great site from an individual.  Laura is a self proclaimed junkie who loves organization (especially containers) and owns her own professional organizing business.  She writes articles on all sorts of organizing topics and frequently provides product reviews.  This is perfect, considering her job puts her in contact with all sorts of gadgets and products.  Let this expert share her experiences with you.

I especially like that Laura has written her own Housekeeping Mission Statement: “To provide an inviting and peaceful household environment, for my family and all that enter, that is conducive to living simply, loving deeply and laughing abundantly. I will make strides everyday to achieve this by practicing and teaching good daily habits and routines along with effective organizational skills. I will graciously and cheerfully serve my family and genuinely enjoy my commitment to creating a home sanctuary that is above all else pleasing to God.”

Web Site: http://orgjunkie.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/orgjunkie
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Im-an-Organizing-Junkie

Living a Life of Simplicity and Order...

Try out one or all three of the sites we recommended today and check back next Friday for more great #FollowFriday recommendations. Don’t forget, if you want to share this article with friends or family, all you have to do is click on the ShareThis button below.