Dave's DVR, June 6-12: Bobby Fischer, 'Covert Affairs,' 'The Glee Project'

Monday,

Last Man Standing Catherine Bell, Mekhi Phifer and Anthony Michael Hall costar in a made-for-TV movie about a suburban mom whose past as a special-ops agent endangers her family. 7 p.m. Lifetime

 Bobby Fischer Against the World A hypnotic documentary profile of the nutcase chess champ. 8 p.m. HBO

Great Performances: Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival 3 A Chicago concert with Billy Gibbons, John Mayer, Derek Trucks, Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang, Ron Wood, Jeff Beck and the host strangling the strings. Also Louisiana’s Sonny Landreth, who opens the show after Clapton personally introduces him as “my hero.” Bill Murray serves as goofus MC for what is a must-see, must-hear, must-crank-it-up-to-11 TV event for blues-guitar fiends. 8 p.m. WYES

Tuesday

White Collar The stylish drama returns for season three. 8 p.m. USA

Covert Affairs The even-stylisher (see above) drama returns for season two. 9 p.m. USA

Wednesday

Locked Up Abroad Henry Hill, whose story is told in “GoodFellas,” is the subject. Was he locked up abroad or just down the block? Watch and find out. Actors re-create Hill’s prison experience, but he appears as his current self in interviews, and apparently his witness-protection-program disguise is Mel Brooks. 9 p.m. National Geographic

Dave's DVR for June 6-12, 2011 Dave's DVR for June 6-12, 2011 Watch video

Through the Wormhole With Morgan Freeman In the season two premiere, experts explore being and nothingness. 9 p.m. Science

Saturday

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Telethon The opening hours of the charity fundraiser. 6 p.m. WDSU

A Crush on You Sean Patrick Flanery, Christine Scott Bennett and Brigid Brannagh costar in a made-for-TV movie about the perils of careless emailing. 8 p.m. Hallmark

Sunday

The Tony Awards Neil Patrick Harris hosts. The trophy-haul favorites include "The Book of Mormon," "The Scottsboro Boys" and "Anything Goes." 7 p.m. WWL

The Glee Project A reality-TV talent contest, the winner of which gets a guest role on “Glee” next season. 8 p.m. Oxygen

Below, blabbity-blah-blah, blah, blabbity-blah, blabbity-blabbity-blah, blabbity.

Dave Walker can be reached at dwalker@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3429. Read more TV coverage at nola.com/tv. Follow him at twitter.com/davewalkertp.

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Warriors hire Jackson

OAKLAND, Calif. - Mark Jackson's leadership skills as a player more than outweighed his lack of coaching experience when it came time for the Golden State Warriors to hire their coach.

The Warriors hired Jackson to replace Keith Smart on Monday, giving the former point guard and television analyst his first chance to be a head coach on the game's biggest stage.

"He epitomized leadership as a player in this league for 17 seasons and we think that characteristic - and many other positive traits - will translate very well into his coaching duties with our young team," owner Joe Lacob said in a statement. "He was a leader and a winner both on and off the floor in this league and we're convinced that he is the right person to guide this team into the future and help us achieve the success that we are striving for as an organization."

Jackson played 17 years as a point guard in the NBA, for New York, the Clippers, Indiana, Denver, Toronto, Utah and Houston. He won Rookie of the Year honors in 1988 and made the playoffs 14 times. He ranks third on the NBA's all-time assists list.

But he has never coached, spending the past few seasons as the lead analyst for ESPN and ABC for their NBA coverage. He won't start his new job until after he's finished calling the NBA finals.

His first coaching job is a daunting one, taking over a team that has made the playoffs just once since 1994.

"I am really elated about this opportunity and I'm looking forward to the challenge of building the Warriors into a perennial contender," Jackson said.

Jackson played for five Hall of Fame coaches in his college and pro career: Lou Carnesecca, Lenny Wilkens, Jerry Sloan, Pat Riley and Larry Brown.

Jackson, 46, had been looking to get into coaching while working as an analyst in recent years. He interviewed for the opening in New Orleans last year and was one of three finalists for the Minnesota job in 2009, but lost out to Kurt Rambis. He also interviewed in previous years for openings in Phoenix, New York and Chicago.

He finally ended up getting the offer he wanted from the Warriors, who have made big changes in the front office and coaching staff under Lacob's new ownership.

"I have sensed that Joe is committed to winning and building a team and a culture the right way," Jackson said. "I think we all witnessed that with some of the recent front office additions as well and some of the other positive things that have been done in recent months. This is an incredible opportunity."

The hiring of Jackson is the latest move by Lacob, who took over the team last year after buying it from Chris Cohan for a record $450 million. The team cut ties with Don Nelson before Lacob and co-owner Peter Guber officially took over ownership and Keith Smart coached the team to a 36-46 mark this past season.

But Smart did not keep the job despite Golden State showing a 10-game improvement in the standings. Lacob also hired Hall of Famer Jerry West as a consultant last month and former agent Bob Myers as assistant general manager and GM in waiting in April.

Jackson takes over a team led by a high-scoring but undersized backcourt of Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry. But Golden State lacks an inside presence.

"He will bring a youthful and fresh approach to our team and the fact that he enjoyed a stellar playing career, where he served most of that time as the leader of some very successful teams, will prove invaluable in the long run," general manager Larry Riley said. "We were looking for a coach with leadership ability and a strong personality and believe Mark possesses those qualities. He's very well respected in NBA circles, is a consummate professional and his knowledge and background will be an incredible asset for our team and organization."

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NBA notebook: Golden State hires Jackson; Bosh's eye feeling better

OAKLAND, Calif. - The Golden State Warriors hired Mark Jackson to replace Keith Smart on Monday, giving the former point guard and television analyst his first chance to be a head coach on the game's biggest stage.

"He epitomized leadership as a player in this league for 17 seasons and we think that characteristic ... will translate very well ... with our young team," owner Joe Lacob said in a statement.

Jackson played 17 years as a point guard in the NBA, for New York, the Clippers, Indiana, Denver, Toronto, Utah and Houston. Named the top rookie in 1988, he made the playoffs 14 times and ranks third on the NBA's all-time assists list. But he has never coached, spending the past few seasons as the lead analyst for ESPN and ABC for their NBA coverage. He won't start his new job until after he's finished calling the NBA finals.

Golden State has made the playoffs just once since 1994.

"I'm looking forward to the challenge of building the Warriors into a perennial contender," Jackson said.

Bosh ready for Game 4

DALLAS - Miami's Chris Bosh isn't sure if he could see out of his left eye after getting inadvertently poked.

"I wasn't thinking about my vision or anything. I was trying to play the best basketball possible," said Bosh, whose team leads Dallas 2-1 after Bosh made the winning jumper late in Sunday's 88-86 win. Game 4 is tonight.

Before the Heat practiced Monday, Bosh said his eye "feels a lot better" though it appeared his left eye wasn't open as wide as the right one. "We just have to stay on top of it and make sure it's not an issue" tonight, he said.

Haywood still on 'one leg'

Injured Dallas backup center Brendan Haywood was taking part in a shooting game at the end of practice Monday when he told a teammate to give him a break since he was "on one leg." Haywood, who missed Game 3 of the NBA finals because of a strained right hip flexor, said he was joking with starting center Tyson Chandler. Still, Haywood is a game-time decision for Game 4.

Rim shots

• Miami won consecutive NBA finals games in Dallas, its title-clinching Game 6 victory in 2006 and Game 3 of this year's series Sunday night. But in regular-season games at Dallas, Miami has lost nine straight since 2002.

• Mavs guard Jason Kidd has 50 double-digit assist playoff games after dishing out 10 in Game 3. In 138 career postseason games, Kidd had 1,198 assists, trailing only Magic Johnson (2,346) and John Stockton (1,839).

• Through three finals games, broadcasts on ABC are being seen by an average of 15.31 million viewers - up 15 percent over the last Miami-Dallas series in 2006 and slightly over last year's Celtics-Lakers series.

Today

• What: Game 4

• Who: Heat at Mavericks

• When: 6 p.m.

• TV: Ch 9

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Netflix, Pandora Password Sharing Could Land You in Jail

Logging into a friend’s account to listen to music or songs on sites such as Netflix or Pandora is now illegal, even with the account owner's permission, according to a new state law passed in Nashville, Tenn.

Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam has signed a bill backed by the recording industry to make music sharing illegal and to stop hackers from selling passwords in bulk. It’s possible that other states will look into similar bills in the future, according to the Associated Press.

The bill – which was first introduced in February and was signed earlier this week – could also be expanded to include users who lend out their passwords to friends and family.  It will go into effect on July 1.

"What becomes not legal is if you send your user name and password to all your friends so they can get free subscriptions," said Rep. Gerald McCormick, the bill's House sponsor.

Violations that rack up services valued at $500 or less would be subject to a misdemeanor charge, with a $2,500 fine and the possibility of jail time up to a year. A felony would include the value between $500 and $1,000 and if it’s a second offense.

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Gifts for College-Bound High School Grads

High school graduation is the time in your child's life when their next chapter begins. Their dreams, hopes and, most importantly, their freedom, all seem within their grasp. As you prepare to say goodbye and send them on their way, why not send them with something that they will really enjoy? Whether your child is an outgoing social butterfly or a studious bookworm, we've got 10 perfect gifts for your college-bound high school grad that will start their college experience off with a bang.

 1. Tablet 
iPad 2

Whether your child is constantly checking Facebook or Twitter on the go, or fervently taking notes during class, the iPad 2 is the ideal computing device for any student. These tablets feature a large touchscreen but small dimensions, so the iPad is the perfect device for students to carry on a daily basis. With a large internal memory and up to 10 hours of battery life, the iPad 2 will get your new college student through an entire day filled with note taking, listening to music and surfing the web. And with dual camera capabilities and the ability to record 720pHD video, not a moment of their college experience will be lost.

2. Laptop
HP Compaq 6730b

College is full of late night cramming, researching and writing papers – all part of the classwork that never seems to end. The only way to be successful in college and accomplish all the work thrown their direction is to have access to a computer. A laptop computer allows a college student to be productive at all times throughout the day. Your child will not have to worry about running to campus to type their last minute English paper or find information for their history presentation for tomorrow. The HP Compaq 6730b not only provides quick access to the internet through its Wi-Fi capabilities, it can also store 2GB worth of documents and boasts a crisp screen resolution. Additionally, the built-in web cam means you'll be able to video chat with your child. It's like the gift that keeps on giving.

 3. iPod Shuffle
Apple iPod Shuffle

If your child loves music, they will appreciate this portable MP3 player. This compact device gives your high school graduate 15 hours of battery life, allowing them to listen to their favorite tunes as they walk to and from class or while concentrating on homework. This MP3 player provides 2GB of storage, which translates to storing hundreds of songs. Plus, the iPod Shuffle is small enough for students to clasp onto a jacket while they're walking to class and stick in their pocket during lectures.

4. eBook Reader
Kindle 3

Whether your child is a bookworm or just enjoys a little light reading, a Kindle may be the gift you are looking for. These portable devices can store hundreds of books, connect to the internet through Wi-Fi and play several different audio formats. And not only is a Kindle a perfect way for your child to maintain a large library while living in a small dorm room, but several text books are also available in the Kindle's digital format, saving you money at the bookstore.

5. Compact Digital Camera
Fujifilm FinePix F300EXR

College is an experience unlike any other, and your child will want to capture these memories. The Fujifilm FinePix F300EXR is a compact digital camera that can capture your child's journey, every step of the way. The F300EXR not only features a small and portable design, it offers 12MP photos, 15x optical zoom and a battery life that can last for 250 images. No matter what your child's personality, they will love the ability to document their adventures while away from your close care.

6. Personal Finance Software
AceMoney

When new graduates step out on their own, managing their money quickly becomes a concern. Personal finance software is one way your child can keep track of income and expenses. AceMoney helps your high school graduate manage a credit card, pay any bills or expenses they may have and maintain a budget. Going to college isn't always about the fun and the books. It includes several life lessons, and AceMoney is just one way to make financial life lessons a little less painful.

 7. Gaming Gift Cards
OffGamers

Everyone will need some type of distraction from their studies, and if your high school graduate enjoys gaming, why not consider a gaming gift card? Knowing the exact game or type of gaming accessory your child most craves can be difficult, but a gift card allows them to buy exactly what they want to create their ultimate gaming experience. OffGamers offers gift cards to more than 200 games and provides easy payment options, including the ability to trade gaming credits. 

8. Compact Fridge
GE Spacemaker GMR06AAPBB Compact Refrigerator

Every college student loves to eat. Most students want something fast and quick to grab. The GE Spacemaker compact fridge makes it possible for your high school graduate to keep brain food nearby while keeping their noses in the books. This 6-cubic-foot compact fridge will also save time, keeping students from running to the cafeteria or, even worse, on constant fast food stops.

 9. LCD TV
LG 55LD650

Just because your high school graduate is heading off to college doesn't mean they will always be reading, writing or filling their minds with knowledge. Sometimes they will need some relaxation, and a little chill time may be the perfect remedy to keep their minds going. The LG 55LD650 is an LCD TV that will allow their minds to wander and focus on something more than chemistry or psychology. The LG 55LD650 is available with a 47- or 55-inch screen, and it is just over 3 inches thick. It offers beautiful 1920 x 1080 resolution, and several connectivity options ensure this device will fit nicely in any dorm room or apartment.

10. TV and Video Membership
Netflix

If your child has a favorite TV show or is a movie buff, they can take that passion with them to college. Netflix gives your graduate unlimited TV episodes and movies instantly through the internet or television set. By simply signing up for the service, your high school graduate can instantly access an unlimited selection of TV episodes and movies. This is the perfect gift to fill those boring Friday or Saturday nights when nothing else seems to be going on.

At TopTenREVIEWS We Do the Research So You Don't Have To.

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Road Trip Buying Guide

The road trip has been an American tradition for all ages from young adults in their first cars to senior citizens enjoying their golden years in an RV. Traversing America’s scenic byways is an excellent way to spend time away from school or work. Before you hit the open road, take a few minutes to consider what pieces of technology to take with you. There are several tech products that can make your road trip safer, more successful and certainly more fun.

Road trip tech can be as simple as an audio book to help break up the monotony of long drives. On the other hand, they can be as involved as GPS units to ensure that you don't get lost in an unfamiliar city. Our road trip tech helps you stay connected and avoid speeding tickets. Don’t drive into the sunset without this tech.

1. Car Stereo System 
JVC KD-A615

Nothing complements the majestic natural scenery and cityscapes like the right music coming through your car’s speakers. Before you set out on your road trip, make sure you have the best car audio system available. A solid, capable in-dash head unit is arguably the most important piece of that puzzle. The unit we recommend is the JVC KD-A615. This car stereo of course plays CDs, but you can also hook it up to your iPod or other MP3 player via its auxiliary jack or USB port. Additionally, this receiver is compatible with satellite and HD Radio. Therefore, no matter where you are across the fruited plain, you can listen to your favorite hometown radio station or talk show.

2. Radar Detector
Escort Passport 9500ix

Nobody wants to drive unsafely. However, perhaps upon occasion there are times that we all need to open up our engines to see just how high our speedometers can climb. The only problem with that is Johnny Law may just be hiding right around the next bend. Radar Detectors eliminate the anxiety that often accompanies the need for speed. If you have a lead foot and are responsible at high speeds, we recommend the Escort Passport 9500ix. This radar detector detects most of the brands of radar guns used by law enforcement. It also identifies laser guns used by some highway patrol departments.

3. Audio Books
Audible

Ten years ago the prospect of getting any reading done on the open road would have ended up with you in a ditch somewhere. Digital audio books allow you to plow through that best-seller you’ve been meaning to read. For long cross-country treks, we recommend getting an Audibleaccount. You can read as many books as your iPod or other MP3 player can hold. Plug that into your stereo and you can finish War and Peace on the roads that lead from New York to San Francisco.

4. Cell Phone Signal Amplifier
Wilson Electronics Cellular Signal Amplifier Kit

Watch TV long enough and you’re bound to see a commercial that touts one cell phone provider over another. The fact of the matter is that no cell phone provider can cover you everywhere you go. Especially on a road trip. To that end, we recommend picking up the Wilson Electronics Cellular Signal Amplifier Kit. This device helps you extend your cell phone’s range anywhere from the high peaks of the Rocky Mountains to the searing hot depths of Death Valley. This isn’t only convenient, but it also can help you out of really nasty situation if you happen to break down in the middle of Nowhere, Idaho.

5. Bluetooth Car Kit
MOTOROKR T505

Multitasking behind the wheel is a dangerous proposition on America’s freeways. Text messages, email and phone calls all make for deadly distractions. But you need to stay connected. That’s why we recommend the MOTOROKR T505 Bluetooth Car Kit. This wireless device clips right onto your visor and connects your phone, even if it's not a high-tech smartphone. It automatically synchronizes all the contacts in your device and routes calls through its voice interface. Additionally, this device can wirelessly play any media contained on your phone. This way you can keep your hands on 10 and 2 and not miss any calls.

6. Reviews and Directions App
Yelp

Road trips inevitably take you through unfamiliar cities. While you can usually find fast food chains easily, sometimes you want more than a burger served through a window. If you have an iPhone or Android device, we recommend downloading Yelp. This app enables you to look up points of interest, including restaurants, wherever you happen to be. It also helps you locate bars, banks, gas stations and much more. It even provides reviews and location services so you know where to go and how to get there.

7. iPad Mount
DBTech Car Headrest Mount

The iPad is great for a lot of things – not the least of which is watching movies and videos. For passengers in your back seat, watching iPad videos on their laps can get a little straining on their necks. And holding it up for all in the back seat to see is annoying. To address this problem we recommend the DBTech Car Headrest Mount. This iPad holder latches onto one of the headrests of your car’s front seats, enabling your passengers to watch their iPads hands free while you drive.

8. Roadside Emergency Kit
Emergency Kit Warrior Backpack

In the unfortunate event that you find yourself stranded on the side of the road with a flat tire or, heaven forbid, a seized engine (always check your fluids), you’ll be glad you brought along the Emergency Kit Warrior Backpack. This bag of treats has everything you need to stay safe until rescue arrives. Inside you’ll find a 30-minute, high-intensity light stick, a tow rope, jumper cables, flashlight, solar rescue blanket, reflecting triangle and much more. If you were a boy scout when you were younger, you remember the term "Be Prepared" – this backpack fits that motto perfectly. And if you weren’t a boy scout, you should still be prepared.

9. iPod Charger
Griffin PowerJolt Dual Micro

All the devices and gadgets in the tech world will do you exactly zero good if they run out of power. You can’t make calls on a dead phone and your passengers can’t watch shows on the iPad if it has no juice. Make an investment in an iPod Car Charger to keep your iPods, iPads and iPhones fully charged throughout your whole trip. We recommend theGriffin PowerJolt Dual Micro. This car charger plugs right into your car’s cigarette lighter or other power source. We like the design of the PowerJolt because it sits flush with your power supply, eliminating accidental disconnections. So you can keep your Apple mobile devices charged up through your whole trip.

10. GPS Navigation Unit
Garmin Nuvi 755T

Lastly, and arguably most importantly for any road trip is the GPS Navigation unit. It goes without saying that you don’t know the intricacies of all the roads and highways in America. And asking for directions is so embarrassing, and kind of dangerous if you’re in the wrong neighborhood. We recommend the Garmin Nuvi 755T. This little guy has a map of every road in the United States and Canada, provides turn-by-turn directions and is loaded with more than 6 million points of interest in every major American and Canadian city. The Nuvi also directs you around traffic jams and keeps you in the right lane to make sure you don’t miss an exit or freeway junction.

At TopTenREVIEWS We Do the Research So You Don’t Have To.™

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The All-Vacation Checklistt

Whether you’re planning one or several trips this summer, don’t be caught unprepared! We have rounded up the 10 best products and services to have on any vacation. From electronics for entertainment to hotel and flight booking service websites, these products are useful for road trips to visit family and flights to exotic destinations alike.

At TopTenREVIEWS We Do the Research So You Don’t Have To.™

1. eBook Reader
Kindle 3
Traveling will always be contiguous with waiting in the airport, long flights and exhausting drives. Keep your mind busy with our favorite eBook reader, the Kindle 3. The Kindle's long battery life and light weight make it especially desirable for travel. The Kindle 3’s screen and high-contrast E Ink is easy on the eyes compared to bright LCD screens that can damage your eyes if you look at it for too long. However, as with printed books, you cannot read E Ink in the dark without the aid of an overhead or book light.

2. Car Rental Service 
Enterprise
Renting a car is always a chore when you're traveling, but Enterprise’s online car rental service makes it less aggravating. The website is easy to use and understand, and it offers a wider selection of cars than most other rental service sites, including an impressive array of hybrid cars. It also helps that this company has locations is most U.S. states and foreign countries!

3. Noise-cancelling Headphones
Sennheiser PXC 350
Noise-cancelling headphones are perfect for use in cars and airplanes alike. Though they may be a little bulky, you’ll be grateful for these headphones if there’s a crying baby on your flight or if the person next to you has his music up too loud. The cushioning around your ears blocks out all outside noise so that you can listen to your music at a comfortable volume. These headphones are also great for napping, even if you don’t have music playing.

4. Travel Insurance 
TravelSafe Vacation Plan
There’s no way to guarantee that you, your family and your property will return from a vacation completely unscathed. Travel insurance can provide a hefty payout in cases of medical emergencies, lost baggage and other travel headaches. When it comes to these types of emergencies, especially common issues such as baggage delays, TravelSafe Vacation Plan is worth the premium cost.

5. Tablet and Carrying Case
iPad 2
An iPad is the cure-all for boredom on the road and in the air. Music, games, internet, eBooks and more are available at the touch of a finger on an iPad. Its 10-hour battery life should get you through most of the day’s travel time. You can also purchase travel guides to major cities such as Paris and Chicago to help you find activities and places to eat. Use our top-rated tablet to calm fussy children in the backseat by letting them play some games, but be sure to purchase a carrying case to protect your iPad from smudgy fingerprints and scratches! http://tablets-review.toptenreviews.com/apple-ipad-2-review.html

6. iPad Car Mount
DB Headrest Mount Holder for iPad 2
This mount transforms your iPad into a TV screen for backseat passengers by attaching to the back of a headrest. It has adjustable clamps and tilt so it will attach to the headrest in any car. It comes with an auxiliary cable that you can use to connect the iPad to your car’s stereo system. Although the mount probably won’t attach to many airplane seats, this is a useful item to have for rental cars and road trips.

7. Travel & Map Software
Microsoft Streets & Trips 2011
Travel and map software is an excellent trip-planning aide. Microsoft Streets & Trips, TopTenREVIEWS number one rated travel software, can help you plan ahead for your vacation with detailed maps and driving directions, among other features. Streets & Trips helps you expect the unexpected with useful tools such as a gas calculator, road construction updates and a GPS wizard.

8. Hotel Booking Service 
Priceline
Researching hotel rates can be tedious, especially if you’re planning a trip to several locations. Online travel service sites such as Priceline make it easy. Just type in the city where you’ll be staying and the dates you’ll need a hotel and the service will bring up the best hotel deals in the area based on criteria you determine. You can compare the rates and hotels and then book the room you want from the website. Priceline also provides best-deal info for flights, cruises, vacation packages and more. By taking advantage of this website, you can book the best deals for your whole vacation at one place.

9. Compact Digital Camera
Fujifilm FinePix F300EXR
There’s no point in going on vacation without a camera! Make sure you have the best device for documenting what will later become cherished memories. We love the Fujifilm FinePix F300EXR’s 15X zoom feature. This camera is especially great for sight-seeing; it has a long battery life, excellent image quality and is small enough to fit in a bag or pocket.

10. Foreign Language Software
Tell Me More Software
Traveling abroad this summer? It’s never too late to learn a new skill, and traveling to a foreign country is the perfect reason to learn a new language. Interactive foreign language software makes learning a new language as easy as uno, dos tres. Tell Me More language software is available in nine languages including Spanish, Arabic and Chinese. This software makes brushing up on a foreign language or starting from scratch easy with tools such as voice recognition, 3D animations of lip and mouth movements and games that help you learn the names and geography of foreign cities and landmarks.

Source

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Top 10 Social Networks for Kids

Over 20,000 kids age 13 and under try to cheat the age limit and sneak into Facebook every day, and it’s easy to see why. What kid wouldn’t want to watch funny videos of their friends, chat with their neighborhood peers or play an addicting game like Farmville? Unfortunately, Facebook and other popular social networks are also filled with adult content, unfiltered comments and potential for cyberbullying, identity theft and child predators.

With this problem in mind, several companies have attempted to create safer alternatives that are essentially “Facebook for kids” –safe social network platforms where kids can be themselves without all the risks. Social networks for kids are built on the balance of entertainment, expression, experience, education and engagement without endangering exposure. Facebook isn’t for kids, but social networking can be.

Social networks for kids are a safe alternative to Facebook because they are built with safety in mind and age-appropriate fun. The best social networks for kids have all the features of traditional social communities (friending, chat, photos, profiles, comments, etc.) but also have more kid-friendly features like games, virtual gifts, contests, art projects and more. Most importantly, kid-friendly social networks are monitored and include parental oversight to make sure everyone is safe.

More than just a digital babysitter, social networks for kids can be a useful teaching tool, helping kids learn about appropriate social network etiquette, safe sharing practices and online citizenship. You and your kids can enjoy social network training wheels while they prepare for the inevitable rite of passage of one day getting a real Facebook page. When they're ready to move on to the real deal, you can still keep in the loop by using Facebook parental controls.

Click on any of the top 10 social networks for kids to learn more about the exciting features and benefits in store for you and your kids. You can find an age-appropriate social network that your kids will love and you can approve of. Your kids will like them better than Facebook, and you’ll rest easy knowing they’re protected.

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Concerns Beyond Just Where the Wild Things Are

Maurice Sendak’s 80th year — which ended with his birthday earlier this summer and is being celebrated on Monday night with a benefit at the 92nd Street Y — was a tough one. He has been gripped by grief since the death of his longtime partner; a recent triple-bypass has temporarily left him too weak to work or take long walks with his dog; and he is plagued by Norman Rockwell.

Or, to be more accurate, he is plagued by the question that has repeatedly been asked about Norman Rockwell: was he a great artist or a mere illustrator?

“Mere illustrator,” he said, repeating the phrase with contempt. It’s not that Mr. Sendak, who has illustrated more than 100 books, including many he wrote, is angry that people question Rockwell’s talent; rather, he fears he has not risen above the “mere illustrator” label himself.

Never mind that Mr. Sendak’s originality and emotional honesty have changed the shape of children’s literature; that his work is featured in museums; that he has designed costumes and sets for operas, ballets and theater; that he has won a chest full of awards and prizes including a National Medal of the Arts. As the playwright Tony Kushner, one of his collaborators, said, “He’s one of the most important, if not the most important, writers and artists ever to work in children’s literature. In fact, he’s a significant writer and artist in literature. Period.”

Mr. Sendak protested, “But Tony is my friend.”

Mr. Sendak, a square-shaped gnome, was sitting in the dining room of his Connecticut retreat. His shoulders are a bit stooped, but his fingers are long and delicate. When he hears that the 92nd Street Y event is sold out, his eyebrows rise in surprise.

“They must be coming to see the other people,” he said, referring to guests like Mr. Kushner, Meryl Streep, James Gandolfini, Spike Jonze, Dave Eggers and Catherine Keener.

Even his heart attack doesn’t seem up to snuff. People aren’t impressed with a triple bypass, he lamented; now it has to be a quadruple: “You feel like such a failure.”

That Mr. Sendak fears that his work is inadequate, that he is racked with insecurity and anxiety, is no surprise. For more than 50 years that has been the hallmark of his art. The extermination of most of his relatives and millions of other Jews by the Nazis; the intrusive, unemployed immigrants who survived and crowded his parents’ small apartment; his sickly childhood; his mother’s dark moods; his own ever-present depression — all lurk below the surface of his work, frequently breaking through in meticulously drawn, fantastical ways.

He is not, as children’s book writers are often supposed, an everyman’s grandpapa. His hatreds are fierce and grand, as if produced by Cecil B. DeMille. He hates his uncle (who made a cruel comment about him when he was a boy); he hates anything to do with God or religion, and Judaism in particular (“We were the ‘chosen people,’ chosen to be killed?”); he hates Salman Rushdie (for writing an excoriating review of one of his books); he hates syrupy animation, which is why he is thrilled with Mr. Jonze’s coming film of his book “Where the Wild Things Are,” despite rumors of studio discontent.

“I hate people,” he said at one point, extolling the superior company of dogs, like his sweet-tempered German shepherd, Herman (after Melville).

He is, at heart, a curmudgeon, but a delightful one, with a vast range of knowledge, a wicked sense of humor and a talent for storytelling and mimicry.

When Mr. Sendak received the 1996 National Medal of Arts, President Bill Clinton told him about one of his own childhood fantasies that involved wearing a long coat with brass buttons when he grew up.

“But Mr. President, you’re only going to be president for a year more,” Mr. Sendak said, “you still have time to be a doorman.”

Mr. Sendak insisted he was trying to be ingratiating, not funny.

Against all probability, some of the nightmares that have relentlessly pursued him since childhood — like the 1932 Lindbergh baby kidnapping — have been laid to rest. A couple of weeks ago a dealer found one of the tiny reproductions of the kidnapper’s ladder that were sold as souvenirs at the New Jersey trial.

“I was floored,” Mr. Sendak said. He traded one of his drawings for it. “That ends my obsession with the case,” he said.

His fascination with the kidnapping, like many of the other details of his life, has been repeated endlessly over the years in the hundreds of interviews he has given. Was there anything he had never been asked? He paused for a few moments and answered, “Well, that I’m gay.”

“I just didn’t think it was anybody’s business,” Mr. Sendak added. He lived with Eugene Glynn, a psychoanalyst, for 50 years before Dr. Glynn’s death in May 2007. He never told his parents: “All I wanted was to be straight so my parents could be happy. They never, never, never knew.”

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Windows 7 Antivirus

Choosing Windows 7 antivirus protection software can be a confusing process. There are so many options advertised on the internet that the choices can be overwhelming. You need antivirus software that is compatible with Windows 7, but, more importantly, you don't want to download a product that claims to be antivirus software that is actually a virus or malware in disguise.

One of the best ways to find Windows 7 antivirus software that works for your budget and your needs while avoiding scam sites is to go with well-known companies that the Microsoft Corporation recommends.

Maybe one of the most obvious antivirus software suggestions for Windows 7 is Microsoft Security Essentials. Since both the operating system and antivirus protection are made by the same company, you can rest assured that few, if any, compatibility issues will arise as they might with other software. Microsoft Security Essentials is free to download as long as you have Windows 7 running on your computer.

Microsoft Security Essentials works in real time, which means that you don't have to schedule system checks or run scans manually. The software guards against viruses, spyware and other malicious software as well.

McAfee is well-known antivirus software that is also recommended for use with Windows 7. While McAfee claims to have the number one malware-protection software, many people may find their antivirus software aggravating to use. Many users report that McAfee tends to often miss viruses that other software catches, such as the Google Redirect Virus. On the other hand, McAfee does have comprehensive parental controls and actively works to block and destroy threats.

Norton Antivirus may be one of the best-known Windows 7 antivirus software products. It updates automatically when new viruses are created and identified, so your computer is always protected against attacks. Its constant file and website checking may be annoying, since the software will alert you every time it finds something suspicious. If you like security software to run unnoticed, you may want to go with a different brand. Also, the software will only check your system at certain times or you must run scans manually. This can mean that a virus can dwell in your computer much longer because the software isn't actively running except at certain times.

Trend Micro Titanium Antivirus is a lesser-known brand that has many of the same features as more-popular internet security options. For example, it provides real-time system checks, and easy-to-use status and graphic reports that allow you to track any potential security threats so that you know which sites to avoid next time. One difference is that it uses cloud computing, which means that it works from outside your computer to keep viruses from reaching it at all.

It's important to keep your computer guarded against attacks, not only for the sake of your system, but also to maintain your personal security and prevent identity theft and fraud. Any one of these Windows 7 antivirus software choices are excellent options that will work to keep your computer safe.

At TopTenREVIEWS We Do the Research So You Don’t Have To.™

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How to Copy a DVD

Since reel-to-reel cassette tapes became publically available, consumers' ability to copy music became, if not a right, an expectation certainly. The advent of compact discs (CDs) took recording to completely new levels. Thanks to the MP3 format and internet file sharing, vast libraries of music became widely available. Unfortunately, video copying lagged a little behind. CDs had a limited capability to record video, giving VHS tapes and VCRs a longer life than perhaps they deserved. Life became very sweet in the home-recording world with the arrival of recordable DVDs. The “V” in DVD stands for versatile, and versatility is what you get with DVDs. Not only can you record thousands of music files onto a single disc, but you can also easily duplicate full-length movies and games in the same quality as the original.

What You Need to Copy a DVD

It’s simple to copy a DVD. First, start with the device that will physically copy a DVD. There are freestanding DVD duplicators that are effective but have their drawbacks. For instance, most of these devices will not allow you to rip (copy) encrypted DVDs with copyrighted content. Laptop computers equipped with a DVD writer provide portability and offer users the ability to download software to rip encrypted DVDs.

If you go with the laptop option, you’ll need the right software. There are many DVD copying software applications, so you need to do a little research and draw your own conclusions before you choose one. At TopTenREVIEWS, we've chosen DVD Cloner, 123 Copy DVD, and 1Click Copy DVD as the top three applications. Hallmarks of the best DVD copying software include built-in decryption software, a file compressor and the ability to copy files from and to dual-layer DVD discs.

The last thing to consider is the proper media to burn your copied DVD files to. Associating brand names with DVD quality is not accurate. It’s better to download a freeware application such as Download Info and look at where the disc is made. The inventor of the CD, Taiyo Yuden, makes the best discs. Knowing who manufactured a DVD disc can tell you a lot about its durability and data-storage capabilities. There are many DVD standards are out there, giving rise to the need for software that allows for multiple format recording. You also need to know what type of disc you are going to copy files from, as well as the disc type to which you will burn the copied files. For example, you wouldn’t want to use a DVD9 – which is a dual-layer disc that can store data on both sides, thereby doubling the disc's capacity – when you only need a single-layer disc. Otherwise, you're wasting the extra disc space.

Follow the Prompts

Once you figure out the details of the media you’re copying files from and burning those files onto, the remainder of the process essentially entails following the prompts from your DVD copying software. If you’ve done your homework, it’s entirely possible to create a high-quality copy that is barely discernable from the original. It’s important to note that this article in no way condones the violation of copyright laws. Its purpose is only to teach you how to copy material from a DVD you own in order to create a backup copy for your personal use.

At TopTenREVIEWS We Do the Research So You Don't Have To.™

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Desert Biomes

In this report you will learn about Hot and Dry Deserts and Cold Deserts. I hope you enjoy!

A Hot and Dry Desert is, as you can tell from the name, hot and dry. Most Hot and Dry Deserts don't have very many plants. They do have some low down plants though. The only animals they have that can survive have the ability to burrow under ground. This is because they would not be able to live in the hot sun and heat. They only come out in the night when it is a little cooler.

A cold desert is a desert that has snow in the winter instead of just dropping a few degrees in temperature like they would in a Hot and Dry Desert. It never gets warm enough for plants to grow. Just maybe a few grasses and mosses. The animals in Cold Deserts also have to burrow but in this case to keep warm, not cool. That is why you might find some of the same animals here as you would in the Hot and Dry Deserts.

Deserts cover about one fifth of the Earth's land surface. Most Hot and Dry Deserts are near the Tropic of Cancer or the Tropic of Capricorn. Cold Deserts are near the Arctic part of the world.

Hot and Dry Deserts temperature ranges from 20 to 25° C. The extreme maximum temperature for Hot Desert ranges from 43.5 to 49° C. Cold Deserts temperature in winter ranges from -2 to 4° C and in the summer 21 to 26° C a year

The precipitation in Hot and Dry Deserts and the precipitation in Cold Deserts is different. Hot and Dry Deserts usually have very little rainfall and/or concentrated rainfall in short periods between long rainless periods. This averages out to under 15 cm a year. Cold Deserts usually have lots of snow. They also have rain around spring. This averages out to 15 - 26 cm a year.

Hot and Dry Deserts are warm throughout the fall and spring seasons and very hot during the summer. the winters usually have very little if any rainfall. Cold Deserts have quite a bit of snow during winter. The summer and the beginning of the spring are barely warm enough for a few lichens, grasses and mosses to grow.

Hot and Dry Deserts vegetation is very rare. Plants are almost all ground-hugging shrubs and short woody trees. All of the leaves are replete (packed with nutrients). Some examples of these kinds of plant are Turpentine Bush, Prickly Pears, and Brittle Bush. For all of these plants to survive they have to have adaptations. Some of the adaptations in this case are the ability to store water for long periods of time and the ability to stand the hot weather.

Cold Desert's plants are scattered. In areas with little shade,about 10 percent of the ground is covered with plants. In some areas of sagebrush it reaches 85 percent. The height of scrub varies from 15 cm to 122 cm. All plants are either deciduous and more or less contain spiny leaves.

Hot and Dry Deserts animals include small nocturnal (only active at night) carnivores. There are also insects, arachnids, reptiles, and birds. Some examples of these animals are Borrowers, Mourning Wheatears, and Horned Vipers. Cold Deserts have animals like Antelope, Ground Squirrels, Jack Rabbits, and Kangaroo Rats.

Stetson N. 2000

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How to market your business online

With the internet now a common tool to research products and services, marketing your business online has become a necessary part of your promotional activities.

In fact, founder of skincare label Little Innoscents Antonette Golikidis believes all mainstream brands are now involved in social and new media.

Her label, which provides chemical-free, certified organic products to use on children, is very active online.

How to market your business online
Gayle Bryant
May 31, 2011 - 10:30AM

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Founder of skincare brand Little Innoscents, Antonette Golikidis, says her small business does its best to have a big voice online.

With the internet now a common tool to research products and services, marketing your business online has become a necessary part of your promotional activities.

In fact, founder of skincare label Little Innoscents Antonette Golikidis believes all mainstream brands are now involved in social and new media.

Her label, which provides chemical-free, certified organic products to use on children, is very active online.
Advertisement: Story continues below

“We're only a small business but we act like a big one and we do our best to have a big identity and voice online,” she says. “The internet is a vital element of our PR and promotional strategy, which supports our overall marketing and business plan.”

Some of the internet-based initiatives Golikidis has set up include a monthly e-newsletter, which is sent to 4000 subscribers, a blog, and a monthly blogger cross-promotion, where bloggers review a product and support it with social media.

“We also have a Facebook site with 2600 members,” says Golikidis. “And we have a couple of short videos on YouTube but will be launching a proper YouTube babycare series later this year.”

Julie Ryan, of Strategic Thinking, says the best way to market yourself online is to have a social media plan. “It's a great way to engage with your customer base,” she says. “People think social media is free but they should also remember that it costs time.”

As part of an online marketing plan, Ryan says businesses should create a LinkedIn profile and fully optimise it so they can be found.

“A retailer for example, should put descriptions of what they do in five separate places within their profile,” she says. “Getting customers to provide recommendations on the profile also helps when people are looking for someone they want to do business with.”

An overlooked part of an internet strategy is a blog and having it as part of the company website.

“A website can be quite static and most small businesses don't have the funds to be always updating it so having a blog means customers can engage in up-to-date content,” Ryan says.

But people can make the mistake of saying too much or too little. “Keep them quite short and relevant,” she says. “Updating your posts once a week is fine and you should write at least 10 blog posts before you start telling people about it to help you get into the habit.”

Daisy Cow Soap is a Victorian, home-based skincare company and owner Sue Mosdall relies heavily on the internet to promote her business.

“I've actually had a lot of help as I'm a computer novice,” she says. “I was told the first design of my website wouldn't work and the consultant who was working with me turned my life around in three months with a redesign of the site including getting me on Facebook.”

Mosdall incorporates her online strategy with a number of offline activities. For example, she was advised to make Daisy Cow magnets and give them out for free at the markets she takes her products to. The magnets have her website address on and this directs customers to her site.

“I'm beginning to send more products out of Victoria so the internet is critical to this side of the business,” Mosdall says. “In my line of work you need to be honest and we get this from our Facebook site where people can post comments and I can give responses.”

Meanwhile, Golikidis says if you are a small business owner just starting out online, you should look at well-known companies or even smaller domestic labels to see what they're doing and try a few different things.

“Don't expect internet activities to turn into sales immediately,” she says. “But make sure you spend money on a good website, good website support, and make sure that your visual identity is consistent with your product labelling and advertising.

"At some point you're bound to make mistakes and even lose money but one thing is certain, to catch a new media wave to online success you have to at least be in the water.”

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Snooki, Justin Bieber among the celebrity tales that keep Americans dreaming

Americans don't seem bothered enough by the country's growing wealth divide to do much about it, according to a recent Harvard Business School survey. In part, that's probably because they vastly underestimate the gap, believing the top 20 per cent own 59 per cent of the nation's wealth when they actually own 84 per cent.

But there's another, less obvious reason for our passivity — the hope and glory pushed by an all-pervasive news, gossip and star-driven celebrity culture.

The core of the American dream teaches us that the formula for achieving wealth involves hard work, determination and luck. Celebrities, and the coverage of them, seem to provide visible proof of this message every day: If it can happen to [Canadian] Justin Bieber, it can happen to me. So why change the system?

The connection between stardom and social mobility is as old as the first fan magazines of a century ago. Silent-film star Ruth Clifford was an orphan who peered through a knothole at the Edison Studios lot in New Jersey before getting her big break, according to a 1919 issue of Photoplay. Virginia Valli was a stenographer traveling through a dangerous part of Chicago while struggling to support her mother and sister before leading the "limousine life," a 1918 story in the same magazine details.

Just last week, in an obituary in the Los Angeles Times, the story was retailed again. Mary Murphy, who played the sweet small-town girl opposite Marlon Brando in "The Wild Ones," was "a package wrapper at Saks Fifth Avenue on Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills when she was discovered at a nearby coffee shop by a talent scout."

The narrative persists like "once upon a time." Stories about contemporary celebrities — in fan magazines like Us Weekly and on star-driven websites like E Online — typically highlight how much stars were like us before making it big. We see their embarrassing high school pictures and read about their small hometowns, relationships, babies, body fat, marriages and divorces.

Oprah Winfrey is at least as famous for her rise from rural Mississippi to billionaire media mogul as she is for her "Live your best life" message. Teen sensation Bieber personifies overnight success — from YouTube video to a recording deal and platinum album. The very title of his remix album and biopic, "Never Say Never," echoes the American dream of limitless opportunities for anyone who refuses to give up.

The rise of the Internet and reality TV, which has made fame and fortune seem ever more accessible, has further strengthened the illusion that our class system is wide open. That Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi of "Jersey Shore" fame can command $32,000 for a Rutgers University appearance — $2,000 more than Nobel- and Pulitzer Prize-winning Toni Morrison received to deliver the university's commencement speech — is not just a commentary on the value we place on celebrity. It also reaffirms the possibility of social mobility for those with few skills.

Celebrity culture sustains faith in our economic system in another way. It tells us whom to blame for failure — the individual.

Stories portray a star's addiction, weight gain or personality problems as the rationale behind their downfall. A once -bright star who "let herself go" just needs to work harder at the gym and maybe appear on "Celebrity Fit Club" or "Dancing With the Stars."

Tabloid darling Lindsay Lohan embodies this ethos: She is regularly portrayed as the architect of her career and life's collapse. That's not without truth, but seldom does coverage of her antics go beyond individual responsibility to explore the vagaries of stardom and the challenges young people face navigating the pressures of the industry.

The "has beens" who unwittingly star in these morality tales shore up a convenient notion of the American dream: that downward mobility — even during economic hard times — is about individual character traits rather than the social system or catastrophic societal and industrial changes.

During the Depression, silent-film director D.W. Griffith's career slide was portrayed in a 1934 issue of Photoplay as the result of his own poor business decisions. Never mind the seismic shift that the rise of talkies brought to the industry.

More recently, when several of actor Nicolas Cage's homes went into foreclosure and it was revealed that he owed millions in back taxes, People magazine pointed its finger at the actor's out-of-control penchant for "lavish properties and prized toys."

Celebrity culture's focus on individual determination and, to some degree, blind luck as ingredients for success distracts us from the roles power and privilege actually play in upward mobility, even in Hollywood. It makes it easy to forget that a percentage of today's A-list stars — Gwyneth Paltrow and Kiefer Sutherland, for example — had A-list parents whose connections likely opened doors that for most remain closed.

Hollywood is perceived as a bastion of liberalism with a wide variety of progressive causes. The great irony is that the celebrity on which it turns is among the most conservative social forces at play in shaping public attitudes about class and social mobility. There's nothing wrong with the dream, except that it so rarely results in such spectacular reality.

Karen Sternheimer, a professor of sociology at the University of Southern California, is the author, most recently, of "Celebrity Culture and the American Dream: Stardom and Social Mobility." She wrote this for the Los Angeles Times.

McClatchy-Tribune

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The Dish: Snooki crashes into cop car

 

Snooki was involved in a car accident in Italy Monday.

The Jersey Shore star – who is in Florence filming the fourth season of the MTV reality show - was driving a Fiat Multipla which included her co-star Deena Nicole Cortese as a passenger and collided into a police car that was intended to be her safety escort.

A member of the show's production team was also in the vehicle and no one suffered any major injuries, although officers sitting in the police car had to treated for whiplash and minor cuts and bruises.

Reports say Snooki – whose real name is Nicole Polizzi – was driving the car when it collided with the back of a traffic control car, becoming entrapped against a highway wall.

A witness told TMZ that Cortese, who was sitting in the passenger seat, had to exit the vehicle through a window because the wall was blocking her door.

The star – who alongside Cortese refused treatment - wasn't arrested but was taken to Florence's central police station to fill out paperwork.

Last month it was reported that the cast of Jersey Shore were instructed to comply with strict guidelines while filming in Italy, which includes a ban on them being filmed drinking in public places.

WINEHOUSE WARNED ABOUT ALCOHOL

Amy Winehouse has been told to quit drinking or die.

The 27-year-old singer – who has a history of drug and alcohol abuse - checked in to London's The Priory clinic last week and has reportedly been warned by doctors that she won't have long to live if she doesn't dramatically change her lifestyle.

A source said: "It's the last chance saloon for Amy. Doctors have come down hard on her because of the severity of her situation. It's a harsh reality but she had to hear it."

Winehouse's father Mitch and boyfriend Reg Traviss were by her side as she received the daunting news, but insiders insist the singer took the decision to check into rehab herself.

The source added to The Sun newspaper: "They are worried about her. Mitch has been down this road before during Amy's drug addiction. But she is there of her own accord this time and wants to sort herself out."

The "Back to Black" singer is no stranger to rehab, undergoing stints in the same clinic between 2007 and 2009 to help her addictions to Class A drugs.

As she made her way to the facility last week, she was reportedly seen purchasing a small bottle of vodka and drinking it before she checked herself in.

An onlooker said: "She seemed out of it. She was stumbling about, slurring her words.

"I was shocked to see her buy vodka so early in the day, and even more shocked to see her knock it straight back."

JUDGE: LOVE MUST PAY EX-MAIDS

Courtney Love has been ordered to pay out over $35,000 in unpaid wages to her former maids.

The Hole frontwoman was taken to court by two former staff members – named Miriam and Myriam – who alleged she never paid them for working in her home several years ago.

A judge in Beverly Hills has now ruled that the 46-year-old star – who has an 18-year-old daughter, Frances Bean, with late husband Kurt Cobain – must pay $16,632.45 to Miriam and $19,137.27 to Myriam, totalling $35,769.72 in wages, penalties and interest.

The news comes days after it was revealed Love's former attorney is suing her over comments she made on twitter.

Rhonda Holmes has alleged the "Malibu" hitmaker has damaged her career after using the microblogging website to accuse her former legal representative of taking bribes.

Love – who hired Holmes' firm Gordon & Holmes to investigate whether money had been stolen from Cobain's estate, but fired her six months later - wrote on a now-defunct account on the website: "I was f---ing devastated when Rhonda J Holmes Esq of San Diego was bought off."

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Gordon & Holmes claim the singer lashed out after Holmes asked her to refrain from "any and all substance abuse" while they worked together.

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