Thursday, March 02, 2006

New Links on our web for the week of March 3, 2006 Books and Reading Jewish MysteriesThis site features an annotated bibliography of American Jewish mystery and detective fiction. The mysteries are divided into three categories "based on Jewish identity and the role of Judaism in each mystery": assimilation, acculturation, and affirmation. Also includes an introductory essay. From a rabbi who is the editor of anthologies of Jewish mystery stories. (LII) Computers and Internet Camino 1.0 Camino is a new browser for Macs. (SR) WIFI Safety from the Internet Tourbus guru, Bob Rankin (TB) Government, Elections, and Law Tax Software Review A side-by-side comparison of 10 tax preparation software programs and electronic filing (e-filing) services. Factors include price, basic features, e-filing options, tax assistance support, and technical requirements. Also includes details about ratings for each program. From a publisher of product reviews for software and web services. (LII): On Government Agency page Kids Chess Maniac a free online chess playing community where you can play chess online, participate in tournaments, teams, chess clubs and more. News Background Q and A: The UAE Purchase of American Port Facilities "Questions and answers about issues surrounding a purchase that would give a company from Dubai (in the United Arab Emirates) "control over facilities in six U.S. ports: New York, Miami, Newark-Port Elizabeth, Philadelphia, New Orleans, and Baltimore." Discusses security concerns (weapons of mass destruction and vulnerability of liquefied natural gas), the company (DP World), significance of operation of U.S. ports by foreign companies, and related topics. From the Council on Foreign Relations." (LII) Counter-Terrorism: Publications: Port Security "Collection of government publications on the security of U.S. ports. Topics include port and maritime security challenges, policy and practices, identification systems, ontainer security, potential impact of terrorist attacks on freight transport, role of government agencies (such as the U.S. Coast Guard), and more. Publications go back to 2002. From the Counter-Terrorism Training Coordination Working Group convened by the U.S. Department of Justice." (LII) Fact Sheet: Securing U.S. Ports "This February 2006 overview of U.S. ports includes details about the groups responsible for the ports (U.S. Customs and Board Protection, Coast Guard, terminal operator, and port authority), security measures (such as screening and inspection and the Container Security Initiative), the United Arab Emirates (UAE)/Dubai Ports World acquisition, and related topics. From the U.S. Department of Homeland Security." (LII) Keeping Cargo Safe: Container Security Initiative "Facts sheets about the Container Security Initiative (CSI), "a program intended to help increase security for containerized cargo shipped to the United States from around the world." Discusses elements of this anti-terrorism program, the ports where the CSI is in operation, and related material. Includes links to news releases about the CSI. From U.S. Customs and Border Protection." (LII) Teen Sites Flamingnet "At Flamingnet, a father and son team from Baltimore manage a team of student reviewers that read current books and prepubs (books that are not out yet) for preteens and teens. Books are rated on a scale from 1 to 10, and some are given a smiley face content rating. Click the "What's this?" link below the yellow smiley faces to learn what the different ratings mean. The site also has a civil war section (wish they explained why), and a bulletin board for posting comments on any of the reviewed books." (STN) Reader's Club: Teen Corner "The Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County has created a whopper of a "guide to enjoyable books." The reviews are organized (as librarians are prone to do) into twenty-two categories such as Action/Adventure or Humor/Satire. Highlights of the site are Celebrity Book Reviews, a form to submit your own 100-word book review, author interviews, and a personal reading log (requires free registration). After all this, if you are still stumped about what to read next, the nice librarians will send you a few personal recommendations if you tell them what books and authors you like (click on What to Read.)" (STN) Teen Ink: Books "Teen Ink is a website and print magazine "devoted entirely to teenage writing and art." Their book reviews section contains more than 600 reviews written by teens. Unfortunately they are only browse-able in reverse chronological order, or alphabetically, so it is impossible to peruse a specific genre. Best click is the form to submit your own reviews. In addition to books, Teen Ink accepts movie, music and college reviews." (STN) 3:12:44 PM

© Copyright 2008 Jocelyn Shaw. Last update: 11/18/2008; 2:58:46 PM. Photo curtesy of Marjorie O'Brien