Get up to snuff on Gmail:

Any Gmail users out there besides me? If you haven't signed up for a Google e-mail account yet, you should. You'll have to check out some of my previous posts as to why though. If you are unable to sign-up for an account for any reason, just drop me an email at tomdifran@gmail.com and I'll send you an invitation. Once you get an account - or if you already have one, you will want to check out a really informative Gmail User's Guide by clicking here.

One can do all kinds of fancy smancy things with Gmail!  ¶ 12:18 PM

  Breaking News Story:

Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Small town computer geek becomes prolific worldwide author in five short months.

"Extravagant Grace" – a Christian audio book has just been released by Café Press, a California based publishing and production company. The audio book contains the works of freelance newspaper columnist and author Tom DiFrancesca III. Mr. DiFrancesca narrated his own work and created the soundtracks for each of the twenty pieces contained on the CD. Anyone who visits GraceClouds.com will be pleasantly presented with a sixty-second sample of every track on the newly completed project.

Tom is a Spirit filled born-again believer who re-dedicated his life to the Lord in 1995. In 1996, while living in Clovis, New Mexico, he began writing Christian poetry. He quickly developed a loyal following of readers who subscribed to his weekly e-mail mailing list. Tom soon discovered that he had readers spread out all over the world. Eventually, his work began appearing on ministry Web sites and in church bulletins around the globe. In 2001, Tom began writing a weekly newspaper column about the Internet; and it too began to grow quickly in popularity.

After being prompted by several of his dedicated readers and members of his own family, Tom began to pursue the idea writing a book. In mid-2004, he decided to get passionate about that pursuit. In fact, in the past five months, Tom has had four books published; and has now followed them up with his very first audio CD. "God has richly blessed me throughout my life and now I want to help Him bless others. I’ve got several other projects in the works right now and hopefully they will reach the market by the end of 2005." Tom reports.

Tom’s very first book "Mastering Internet Explorer: Tips, Tricks, & Timesavers", published by Maryland based America House Book Publishers, is currently selling worldwide at most of the major online bookseller Web sites. The book was a "Top Seller" at Amazon.com in January of this year. His other books include two collections of his most popular "Internet Safari" newspaper columns; and a collection of Christian theme poetry and short stories entitled "The Shepherd’s Ink", Lulu Press of North Carolina is the publisher of those three books.

Tom and his wife Susan are now residents of Valparaiso, Florida and attend The River of Life Family Church in Niceville.

Web site: www.GraceClouds.com
E-mail: tomdifran@gmail.com  ¶ 6:46 AM

  Internet usage still growing worldwide:

When was the last time that you spoke to someone who DOES NOT have Internet access? It seems to be getting quite rare for me to run into anyone who does not use the Internet on a regular basis or have an e-mail address. Click here to read a news story about how over 90 million citizens of China now have access to the World Wide Web. There is also a recent story about how 50 percent of the households in Israel have Internet Internet access with over 85 percent of those homes using a high-speed connection. In the "old days" (late 1990's), the average Internet user was an American white male, mid-30's, with an annual income of around $50,000 - that sure isn't the case anymore. Male, female; old, young; rich, poor; black, white, brown, and a number of other shades now populate the Web.  ¶ 8:30 AM

  Mapping & Directions from Google:

In addition to such Web sites as MSN Maps, Mapquest, and Yahoo Maps - there is now another option when searching for location and direction information - Google. Just hop on over to Google Maps and check it out. I like the interface on the site, it seems to load a little faster and is a little more interactive.
  ¶ 2:10 PM

  Another reason to keep Windows updated:

Click here to read a breaking news story about a new virus that is making the rounds. The virus is transmitted by MSN Messenger and so if you utilize that program be aware. If your computer operating system is up-to-date, you shouldn't have to worry.
  ¶ 9:22 PM

  Revamped Search Engine:

Bill Gates seems determined to be the leader in almost every aspect of the Internet. Microsoft has now revamped the MSN search engine in an attempt to some day beat out Google (I really don't think that is going to happen). Hop on over to www.msn.com and give the new search engine a whirl. I did - I wasn't impressed.
  ¶ 8:48 AM