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Sometimes it's fun to build a lesson around a holiday or some other theme.  If that type of lesson "speaks" to you, here are a few links your might be able to use to help you get started in planning your lesson.  I always did this, and the kids lived it!  If you think you will use it, then BOOKMARK THIS PAGE!

HOAXES AND VIRUSES Disney and Microsoft are NOT going to send you $5000 for forwarding an e-mail to everyone you know.  Check out this and other Internet rumors at Don't Spread That Hoax. If someone sends you an e-mail that says, "A pet squirrel for you," DON"T OPEN IT!  If you do, your computer will spontaneously combust...  Sound familiar?  Viruses can be scary, but there's no need to freak out.  Understand them and get on the latest viruses and hoaxes at Stiller Research. This really IS an encylcopedia of hoaxes!  Get hundreds of links, as well as explanations and photos on every hoax you can imagine at Cliff Pickover's Encyclopedia of Hoaxes. Who ya gonna call?  Hoaxbusters!  Get the skinny on hoaxes and chain letters from the U.S. Department of Energy's CIAC, or Computer Incident Advisory Center. Avoid Internet, telephone, and other Scams at Scambusters. An interesting set of diplomatic "copy and paste" responses and explanations for your friends when they keep sending all of those scares at the Urban Legend Combat Kit. Win $1,000,000 by taking the James Randi Educational Foundation Challenge, and check out the origins of some hoaxes. Find some of the greatest hoaxes of all time--Internet and non-Internet alike--at The Museum of Hoaxes. Very specific, but interesting.  Some believe that we've never actually landed on the moon, and that it was all staged in Hollywood.  Check out the moon hoax. If you still think you're too gullible, take this inteactive tutorial Internet Detective course. One last crack at a few more Urban Legends. INCOME TAX SOURCES For Federal Forms www.irs.gov Phone (800) 829-3676 Phone (live person) (800) 829-1040 Fax (703) 368-9694 Tax forms NON IRS SITES Essential Links Tax and Accounting Sites Director Motley Fool's Investment Tax Guide Find a tax advisor in your area Financial Calculators Ask an expert Other Links... BOOKS Amazon.com (enough said) Barnes and Noble Can these folks really save you a few bucks on your books? Give the Frugal Finder a try! When you want something beyond latest print editions, find rare and antique books at Abe Books Public Domain Classics on-line More Public Domain Classics Create you own adventure Or add to the Neverending Tale, or the Neverending Tale Classroom Edition for use in your classroom. AUTOMOBILES Need the Low-Down on a new or used car?  Check out the Kelly Blue Book before you buy. Still not sure?  Try AutoWorld Do you feel like you get taken advantage of when you shop for a car?  Learn some of the 'games' dealers play. Trying to s-t-r-e-t-c-h your dollars by buying used?  Check out the Internet's biggest Auto Trader, updated every day. What are the experts saying about the car YOU are ready to buy?  Find out at Edmund's. Need to know what your payment will be?  Calculate it at People First. Why don't you compare a few side by side before you purchase?  Go to The Intelligent Choice. Need advice about or a link to auto loans or insurance?  Check out Microsoft's Carpoint. Feeling really adventurous, and you want to actually buy or sell on-line?  Autobytel is waiting for you. And maybe saving the best for last, check out Autopedia for everything you see above and more! How do you know that the used car you are about to buy isn't a ?  You can check on any used car!  Try Carfax. Finally, if you want a site that does it all at one location, try giggo. FOOD AND DRINK Have a cooking question? Ask a chef! Food with a 'tude. Give 'em a try! Diabetic Gourmet Magazine Everything you every wanted to know for beginners and experts alike, including step-by-step instruction AND illustrations, at Epicurious Food Studying for class and can't bear to leave the computer? Order on-line! Database of restaraunts in YOUR town Healthy food that tastes great at The Sneaky Kitchen Have you ever wondered just how Red Lobster makes those terrific cheese bisquits?  Or the secret to Olive Garden's Italian dressing?  Try asking the copycats.  This site is VERY cool! And of course, don't forget the compliment your meal with wine at Wine Match MOVIES AND TELEVISION Want to be a star?  Want to break into Hollywood?  Try here first.  Done Deal Movie and Television Scripts DVD releases How'd you like to preview the hottest movies?  No, I mean REALLY preview them!  See full-length previews--the exact sames ones you'll see at the movies--at Moviefone.  VERY cool. The Internet movie Database Soon-to-be-released Movies Don't forget to read the on-line issue of the prominent Variety magazine. Sometimes you need to know just how "family-oriented" your movie is.  Check out your movie's content by visiting Kids-in-Mind. Ever seen a television commercial, and you would love to see it again, but it just doesn't show up?  Try adcritic.  Watch your favorite and funniest commercials over and over again.  You're gonna love it! And one of my personal favorites, Atomfilms.com, shows full feature "mini-films" that run between 4 and 20 minutes.  Watch a show! NEWS A little bit of everything at 4newupdates Select the information that YOU find most important on CReAte Your Own Newspaper (CRAYON) Or maybe you don't want your news to be quite so substantive.  Visit The Hollywood Reporter Like a strong business and technology tilt?  Try individual.com A little bit of everything at The Nando Times Want to hear news about the news?  You have lots of spare time, don't you?  Go to News Watch. Especially fond of politics?  Try The Political Insider Or what about technology?  Be sure and visit Silicon Valley Interested in news that's a bit more unusual? World Net Daily prides itself on providing the news that stands out a bit more than usual. STOCKS AND OTHER FINANCIAL RESOURCES Feel like a beginner?  Try Investorama. Need a "primer" course in the stock market?  Check out the tutorial at EDUSTOCK. The Financial Times Help to plan your goals with Financial Engines. How about a really cool custom ticker right on your computer screen!  Check out NASDAQ's! Gather information from one of the big boys at CNNfn Find information at every level at The Motley Fool Want to put your money where your conscience is?  Check out the Social Investment Forum Like to play but with someone ELSE'S money?  Give it a try at The Virtual Stock Exchange Do you like the thrill of hitting that home run?  Check out upcoming IPOs at Hoover's IPO Central.

Contact Mickey Kosloski at mkoslosk@odu.edu
Contact Dave Netherton at dnethert@odu.edu