I have quite a few online friends of various faiths. Some are Christian like me. One of the problems we Christian parents have is finding a safe place online for our kids. Even with excellent monitoring, MySpace can be a place that we just don’t want our kids to frequent. And YouTube can be even worse.

Xianz.com is a faith based alternative to MySpace. It has recently released a similar alternative to YouTube, Xianz Watch. It’s just launched and already has hundreds of videos. They’re hoping to have thousands by the end of February.

Xianz Watch, the largest online Christian social network, supports over 20 video formats and offers a video messaging system that allows communicating and video sharing.

Whether you’re looking for something more uplifting and better suited to your views or you just want a safe environment for the young people in your life, Xianz.com is there to fill that need. Give it a look.

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Although not as old as online Bulletin Boards or IRC, online forums have been around for quite some time. I’ve belonged to quite a few over the years, each with its own personality. Yeah, a forum has a personality, usually based upon the person or group setting it up as well as those who are members.

Of course, there are some common traits with all forums as well. All have a set of standard rules that members agree to. All make carrying on a conversation over a period time a little easier than IRC or other chat platforms. All are based on sharing information, ideas and knowledge.
I guess that’s what I love most about online forums. I love being able to build relationships by giving and receiving help and assistance. I love to be able to share my knowledge or learn about something that has always interested me.

Whether I’m at a web design site, trying to find a better way to lay out a webpage with CSS or skimming through a Poker Forum, looking for information about the best sites for online Poker games, I know there are people who are willing to help me out.

Maybe I’m most amazed at the number of people online who are just waiting to share what they know for no other reason than the desire to help others. I guess that proves the point that there are still a lot of good people out there, wanting to help others. I guess it proves that the human race is doing okay, and that the good guys still outnumber the bad guys.

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I’m fascinated with people who excel in a specific field, branch out into another field and excel there as well. There are plenty of one-trick ponies out there. Most of us have many interests but few of us pursue those interests to the point of mastering them.

That’s why Celebrity Eric Schiffer has caught my eye. First, he’s a programmer. His software application on molecular fusion was the foundation of the learning company he founded. That means he’s an entrepreneur, too. He conducts long-term research and has written books and formed organizations based on the findings of that research.

Eric has also appeared on the covers of magazines, such as The Saturday Evening Post. Speaking of magazines, he was featured as one of Cosmopolitan Magazine’s Top Bachelors. I’m married but I can appreciate a pretty face, too. And Eric Schiffer has the kind of look that holds my attention.

And did I mention that Eric has also directed a number of actors such as Faye Dunaway and Corbin Bernson? That’s right, he’s a film and animation director. Now, he’s decided to move out from behind the camera to star in a remake of a Charles Bronson film. Filming of the independent release is scheduled for December, 2007.

My husband introduced me to Charles Bronson and his films quickly became some of my favorites. I’ll definitely be watching for the release of Eric Schiffer’s film, “Death Wish Returns” in mid-2008. He’s got a smoother, more pleasant look than Bronson but is just as rugged and “masculine.” Yeah, he’s got the “sexy factor” down pat.

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Language is interesting. It binds people, or divides them. Language is powerful; those able to express themselves well will make their point more effectively. Language is the catalyst for understanding.

My friend, Osman, loves language. He is studying at the Department of English Language Teaching in Turkey. He speaks fluent turkish, is quite good with English, and is learning German and Spanish. He says he understand Kurdish but doesn’t speak it well.

Osman’s newest blog, Linguistics and Languages, is a celebration of language. Whether he’s showing his sense of humor for Wordless Wednesday, wishing his niece a Happy Birthday in various languages or featuring a guest writer, Osman gives new life to language and linguistics and makes the subject interesting and fun.

Check him out!

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Back in the day, like before I had kids, I read constantly. I still love to read but I never have the time to actually read an entire book. Or maybe I should say that I get so caught up in a book that I ignore the kids. Not good.

That’s why I began to read magazines. After a few decades of magazine reading, I think it’s safe to say I’m addicted to them. I can’t even count the number of magazine subscriptions I have had over the years.

At MagsDirect.com, you can find over 1300 titles and all at the lowest prices around. Order online and there’s no sales tax plus, they offer a 100% satisfaction money-back guarantee. Visit them and look through all the great magazines or give them a call at 1-800-232-0487. I’m heading over there now to add to my own list!

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It’s hard to believe that it’s been eleven years since I first joined this worldwide phenomenon called the internet. Back in 1996, I discovered a parenting site and immediately immersed myself in its forum or “community boards.”

Friendships were forged despite most of us being just a cute username on the screen. Few of us even posted our pictures back then. It was more about connecting with others and sharing our lives and wisdom.

Not much has changed since then.

The whole social networking thing is simply and grandchild of the old boards and forums. It’s still about sharing, getting to know each other, connecting with others. It’s still about people.

It doesn’t matter what your passion is. For me back then, it was parenting. For some it could be movies or scrapbooking. For many, Poker brings the community together.

My son loves the poker communities. He learns about various tournaments and even trades hints and tricks with others. I thought it was really interesting when he mentioned wanting to meet some of the people at the poker forum he frequents. I’ve met online friends so I understand that.

Social networking is not a replacement for real life friendships but it certainly is a supplement to it and in some cases, a stepping stone to real lifetime connections.

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Do you listen to the radio? Do you ever think that you could host your own radio broadcast? Well, there’s no reason not to give it a shot.

I’m not talking about a radio broadcast but rather an internet podcast. That’s right, all you need is the desire and some time to make your own Free Podcast.

Your free membership at MyPodcast gets you unlimited storage and bandwidth. And if that wasn’t enough to entice you, MyPodcast will pay you each time your podcast is downloaded! Imagine that, getting paid for doing something you love. Now that’s a novel idea.

So what are you waiting for? Head on over to MyPodcast and in 3 easy steps, you can be podcasting and making money, too!

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I have a number of musician friends. I guess that’s because I’ve always had a soft spot for musicians. In fact, I think every serious boyfriend I had way-back-when was a musician. And I know there are a few musician friends who read my blog now.

Most of the musicians I know are very good, even if their music is more a passion than a paying job. But all that can change now. For all the Unsigned Artists out there, this is definitley the place for you.

After signing up and creating your profile, upload your content to show the best of yourelf or your band. This is a great way to get more exposure. And Unsigned.com is adding new features! From a Music Player and Playlist Editor to a Page Builde and CD Creator, Unlisted.com has everything you need to get your music and your talent noticed.

Oh, and if you’re like me, you don’t perform but you still want great music. So sign up and start listening to some of the best hidden talent around. You just neve know what gems you’ll find.

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I can hardly believe that it’s been over 15 years since I watched a Soap Opera. Since I was a very little girl until my thrid son was born, CBS soaps were a part of my daily life. I don’t even remember why I stopped watching.

It was good to check in on my old favorites although I was saddened to read that Darlene Conley, aka Sally Spectra, had died of stomach cancer. She was a one-of-a-kind actress.

I also enjoyed seeing that Reva and Josh on the Guiding Light are still driving each other crazy. Looking over the Soaps.com site was kind of like visiting old friends and catching up.

The only thing I really missed there was a section on the history of each soap. For instance, the site says that Guiding Light is about the Spaulding, Cooper and Lewis families. But that isn’t how it started. I’d love to see a history page about the Bauers, the original GL family. Or the Stewarts on As The World Turns or the Brooks sisters from the Young and The Restless.

Soaps.com could become a great resource with all the up to date information there. All they need to do now is fill in the gaps of the past with some good historical research and the site will be indispensible to all soap fans.

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