Portable Ebook Readers

What's an electronic ebook reader?

An digital ebook reader (also called a portable ebook reader) takes buying books online allows you to a new level. Ebook software is not the same thing as an electronic ebook reader. Though they essentially do the same thing (allows you to read ebooks) they are completely different. Ebook software runs on the computer with Adobe's Acrobat Reader being the most well known.

Sometimes a company had both electronic book readers as well as ebook software. For example, the Amazon Kindal, a popular ebook reader, has a software version for the pc and Iphone. There's a Mac and Black Berry version coming as well.

What to look for in your Electronic Ebook Reader

How do you get the best ebook reader?

Generalities aside, not all digital ebook readers are the same. There's a few important things when shopping for your portable ebook reader. Storage capacity is but a small part of it. Here's some questions I think about when I'm going to buy an ebook reader.

Backups - Can I back up the contents onto my computer and how easy is it to reinstall the backup back to the ebookreader? This is especially important when looking at upgrades. PDF files aren't the issue, it's the way your ebook reader stores them that's the problem.

Accessability - How easy is it to download ebooks to the reader itself? Can your ebook download straight to the ebook reader? If you have to download the ebook to your computer first, how difficult is it to transfer it to your reader? Does your portable ebook reader include a cable and software (if needed)?

Readability - I don't know about you, but I can put up with a lot of shortcomings if the screen is really easy to read. How well does the screen handle sunlight? Is it going to get washed out? What about reading in low light levels? A really bright screen is painful to your eyes after a while, but if you have to have bright lights in the room, it doesn't help you much on overcast days. How does the screen handle large drawings, maps, charts, or pictures? The Amazon Kindle allows you to rotate the screen manually from portrait to landscape, and the Amazon Kindle DX auto-rotates the screen as you turn the Kindle on its side. For me, this is the biggiest issue I consider when I go to buy an ebook reader.

Portable Ebook Reader Features - What Do They Got?

Why would you buy an ebook reader? What does this ebook device do for you? Why not just use your laptop?
•For one thing...they're small. The Amazon Kindle for example is about as thin as most magazines and smaller than a sheet of paper, but still has a 6 inch diagonal screen. Even it's bigger brother Kindle DX with a 9.7" screen is still slightly smaller than a sheet of paper.
•They're lightweight. Most are under a pound.
•Some electronic ebook readers have anti-glare technology that makes it as easy to read as actual paper.
•Variety. Amazon alone has over 390,000 Kindel ebooks alone.
•Storage. Different models of electronic ebook readers have different storage capacities, but the Kindle can store 1,500 ebooks while the Kindle DX can store over 3,500. That's a lot of reading.

Classic Christmas Stories

Christmas stories are a great way to get into the Christmas spirit. The best stories are the ones that conjure up treasured memories for us. Don't just read to your children, grandchildren, or nieces and nephews, make great memories by reading to residents in a nursing home, children's hospitals or hospice patients.

Put on your thinking cap and I'm sure you can come up with other people you can read to. Here's a few timeless classics to get your reading list started.

• ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore – A must read on Christmas Eve it's also known as “A Visit from St. Nicholas”, it tells of a man’s surprise on Christmas Eve when he has a close encounter with Santa Claus himself.
• The Nutcracker – It's not just a famous ballet by Tchaikovsky. The story of a nutcracker turned into a prince that must save a little girl from the three-headed rat king.
• A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens – A Christmas ghost story that ended up teaching a lesson on the meaning of Christmas. Ebenezer Scrooge has become a bitter, cold-hearted man whose only thoughts are of himself and his money. A visit from his deceased business partner Jacob Marley on Christmas Eve is just the precursor to the visits from three more ghosts.
• The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry – Love, irony, and self-sacrifice. Two poor lovers sacrifice what's dear to themselves making what some would call foolish choices and others would call the wisest choices of them all.
• Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus – Virginia O'Hanlon wrote a letter to the New York Sun. The story came from the response of the editor to her letter espousing the timeless quality of the Santa Claus Tradition which was later turned into a cartoon.
• The Nativity – The countless subject of every medium from print to the internet and everything in-between. It's the story of Jesus' birth continues to be a Christmas favorite. Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem where she gives birth to the Christ in the stable of an inn.

Add some of your other favorites to the list and head on out to spread some good old-fashioned Christmas cheer.

P.S. Many of these have been turned into television shows and movies. If you are going to watch these instead of read them then there's no better way than with a Samsung 52" LCD HDTV

The Stories Behind Popular Christmas Carols

Nothing gives a greater meaning to a song than to know the background behind it. As you enjoy the good food, great friends, and family this Christmas here's a tidbit on five popular Christmas songs.

1. The Christmas Song – Roasting chestnuts, Jack Frost nipping at your nose. Immortalized by Nat King Cole, it was originally written by Mel Torme in the 1940s. Mel wrote the song one hot summer in an effort to “cool off.”
2. Jingle Bells – Revving your horses, body tense, waiting for the flag to drop, hoping your sled was as fast as it's new racing stripes suggested. What? Jingle Bells was actually written about sled races, not Christmas. In the olden days of drag racing…er…I mean sled racing, they tricked out the sleighs just like we trick out cars today. Written by James Pierpont a rogue who lived fast and raced hard.
3. Silent Night – Arguably one of the world's best known Christmas carols, there's a few variations to the origins of this song composed by the organist Franz Gruber in 1818. A troupe of performers was traveling to towns in the Austrian Alps. In one of the towns they performed in a house instead of the church because the church's organ had a mouse problem. One of the ministers was so moved by their performance that he wrote a carol for the church's Christmas Eve service. He approached Franz Gruber and asked if he would write guitar music for the words. However the church's organ was repaired in time for the service and Gruber sat down and played an unforgettable melody for the words.
4. The Twelve Days of Christmas – Spoofed many times over, this fun song is great to sing and play games with. The only thing known for certain about its true origin is that it's English. The fourth day was originally Colley bird, another name for blackbirds, and not calling birds as it is now.
5. The First Noel – Noel means Christmas in French. This song speaks of the events that are chronicled in the Bible surrounding the birth of Jesus.

The power of song is amazing, with the ability to conjure up memories of special events. Is there a story behind your favorite Christmas song?

P.S. Enjoy the Christmas music, movies and more with the Onkyo TX-SR876 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver

The Meaning of Advent

Advent is the four-week period between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It is a season celebrated by Christians of all denominations. Advent prepares our hearts of a time of worship on Christmas day.

Advent is a time of remembrance and internal reflection about how we view Christmas in our hearts. The love God showed towards us is the love He wants us to share at Christmastime and the whole year round.

Advent means “the coming.” It is a time when we look forward to and anticipate the celebration of the Christmas season. During Advent season, we are given insight into the giving of God’s most precious gift to human beings, Jesus Christ. Advent can be celebrated at church and also in the home for a ceremony that just involves the family.

Advent season involves the lighting of candles in a wreath. The Advent candles can sit in a candleholder specifically designed to hold the five Advent candles or can be put into votive candleholders surrounded by a green garland wreath symbolizing the season.

Advent candelabras and wreaths range from the very expensive (used in large churches) to the affordable ones used in home celebrations. A family can construct their own Advent centerpiece so that it has the personal touch. The Advent candle setup is placed in a prominent spot in the room so that it can be a constant reminder of the miraculous birth we celebrate on Christmas Day.

Starting with the first Sunday of Advent, one candle is lit each Sunday representing the four virtues of the season: Faith, Joy, Hope, and Love. Different Christian publications list each virtue in a different order.

There are four main candles for Advent: Three blue or deep purple candles and one pink candle. The Advent portion of service usually involves a litany, a song, and the lighting of the candle. Parishioners are welcome to do additional readings on each virtue through the week to get ready for the following Sunday.

Advent can be celebrated at home also. Each night families can light the candle for that week’s virtue, read a scripture and say a prayer. Advent celebrations open up discussion between parents and kids about the real meaning of Christmas and the significance of Christ’s birth.

The last candle is usually the largest it is the white candle that fits in the center of all the others. It is called the Christ candle and is lit on Christmas Day. Some churches hold special services on Christmas and some do not. Everyone can light the final candle in their own homes as a celebration for the culmination of the Advent season.

This year make your Christmas season even more special with an observance of Advent.

P.S. Don't forget to make the memories last. Take plenty of photographs with your Canon Digital Rebel XSi

Classic Christmas Television Shows for Kids

Who says there's nothing valuable on television anymore? Some of the best shows come on regular TV and cable. With the holidays coming upon us and everyone getting ready for decorations and festivities, there's nothing like watching some of these Christmas classics with the kids to help get into the holiday mood.

Check your local guide for days and times. Here's a few to keep an eye out for.

• A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) – Poor old Chuck, no one has invited him to any Christmas parties. But his luck seems to be changing when he is chosen director of the Christmas play. That is, until Lucy decides to offer him her expert advice.
• Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966) – Narrated by Boris Karloff, a legendary horror movie icon, this is the story about The Grinch and how he hates Christmas. He despises the fact that the Whos down in Whoville enjoy Christmas and plots on how to ruin the holiday for everyone.
• ‘Twas the Night before Christmas (1974) – Based on the poem by Clement C. Moore, the children in a small town end up on Santa’s naughty list when someone begins sending hate mail to Santa. It is up to the town’s clockmaker, Joshua Trundle to fix the situation.
• Mickey’s Once upon a Christmas (1999) – Several short stories about the Christmas holiday involving many of Disney's characters. Mickey, Minnie, Daisy, Donald, and their three pesky nephews (Huey, Dewey, and Louie), and Goofy.
• Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983) –The classic Christmas story by Charles Dickens portrayed by the Disney characters. Mickey plays Bob Cratchet to Scrooge McDuck’s Ebenezer Scrooge.
• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964) – Our favorite reindeer is back again with his friends Yukon Cornelius and Hermie, the elf. Rudolph proves that being different is not a curse, but a blessing.
• Frosty the Snowman (1969) – Who is the fastest belly flopper in the world? It’s Frosty of course. A group of school children bring their snowman to life with the help of a magician’s hat.

So, pull up a chair and a bowl of popcorn to watch these fun family favorites with your kids during the month of December. Sometimes they are repeated so if you miss the first one, you can catch the second airing, or watch them twice.

Christmas Gift Exchange Ideas

With rising costs and growing families, the commercialization of Christmas can get your shopping lists out of hand in a heartbeat. One way to help fray the costs is with the Secret Santa Gift Exchange.

Name swapping is a great way to both keep the spirit of giving alive and cut down on the expenses. The main idea behind it is that you place the names of everyone who's participating into a bowl and each person draws a name out of the bowl. If you draw your own name you need to draw again.

You can do this for families, for the gang down at the office, your Sunday School class, or for whatever group you want.

Each person then buys a gift for the person whose name they drew out of the bowl. As with all activities, there are a few guidelines that everyone needs to follow. This helps everyone get something they like and no one has to go broke.

• Propose the Secret Santa gift exchange before Thanksgiving so people have time to make up their minds about doing it. Everyone who wants to participate has the chance to sign up.
• Set clear guidelines for the gift exchange. Some examples are setting a limit on the amount that can be spent, both a high price and a low price. This is very important, as it will help make sure that the gifts stay on the same level.
• Some people will shop at a dollar store and others will buy a much more expensive gift. If you've set some limits then no one feels "cheated". A limit of around twenty dollars for the office is not unreasonable and for families the amount can be higher.
• Have each person make a list of three things they want for Christmas that fall into that price range. Your Secret Santa gets to decide which of those three you get. If you ask for something that's under the price limit, your Secret Santa can get you more than one thing as long as it doesn't exceed the limit.
• Set the date for doing the gift swapping. It can be when your family normally gathers for Christmas or you can set a special date for it. At the office it can be done at the Christmas party or you can pick a day that is close to Christmas where everyone will be there.

Ideas for a Christmas gift exchange don't have to be limited to the Secret Santa. You don't have to keep the names a secret for example. See what other ideas you can come up with. Another example is having everyone make a gift from a specific list of things.

Get creative and have a wonderful Christmas.

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Christmas Party Games

Many gatherings around Christmas, whether it's a family Christmas morning or your office's Christmas party usually has plenty of food, fellowship, and is an enjoyable event for all. But do you have games?

Christmas party games are great not only for getting a little friendly competition going, but also can help people grow a little closer. There's nothing like fun to help break down the walls we put up.

Choose games that will work for adults and some to include the kids (if there's going to be any there). Some games can work for both. Here's a few to get you going.

Adult Christmas Games

Grinch – The object is to end up holding on to the gift you want. Everyone brings a wrapped gift and puts it into a designated area. It's best if they are all in the same price range.

Everybody draws a number from a hat or a bowl. When it's your turn, you can either take a present and open it, or you can take a present from someone else. If you take a wrapped present, you must open it.

The first person to go gets a chance to either keep the gift they have or to take a gift from one of the other players once the last player has had their turn.

The reason this game is for the adults and not for everyone is that in all the years my family has played it, young children don't quite understand that having their gift taken away is part of the game. Nothing puts a damper on a party faster than trying to console a crying child because their present was taken away.

White Elephant Variation - Instead of regular gifts, everyone should bring a gag gift.

Christmas Trivia Games

Group Trivia – Who knows the most about people in the group? Everyone writes down one true thing that happened to him or her and gives it to the person in charge of the game.

The person in charge reads one of the entries and everyone writes down who they think it is. The one with the most correct answer wins.

Name that Christmas Carol – Read, sing, or play a line or two from a Christmas carol. The contestant (or victim as the case may be) must correctly come up with the next line of the song. Start off with well-known carols and progress to harder ones.

Timed Guessing Games – You must come up with the most answers in a certain time frame. Make the time long enough for people to have a chance, but not so long that they sit there bored while waiting for the timer to run out.

Things you can do are naming as many Christmas carols as you can. Name all the gifts in the song 'The 12 Days Of Christmas'. Take a word and rearrange the letters to make as many words from them as you can.

Charades – What's a party without Charades? A person silently acts out the topic and everyone else tries to guess what it is. All of the topics have to relate to Christmas. This can include a cartoon, movie, book, song, or event. If you divide up into teams then the team with the most number of correct answers wins.

Enjoy the fun, laughter and memories that will be made! These are a few of the great Christmas games you can do to keep your guests in stitches this holiday season.

P.S. Some of these games are great for capturing on video and showing later on, especially if these were family gatherings. Use the Canon ZR 500 or the Flip UltraHD Camcorder to capture these moment forever.

Christmas Party Tips

If you want to host the Christmas Party of the century then you are going to need to start planning as soon as possible. Don't wait until the week before to plan what you are going to do.

Remember how busy people get the closer it gets to Christmas? You'll want to send out your invitations early. This way, people have plenty of time to schedule their other activities around your party.

Who to invite? Anyone you want. Friends and family are usually the first picks, but you can also invite neighbors, coworkers, fellow church members, or anyone else you think would enjoy coming. If you feel really generous, invite the scrooge you know and maybe they'll catch the Christmas Spirit.

Here's a few things to speed you on your way:

1. Do your planning now. What games will you have? Are you serving finger foods or a catered meal? Is the dress casual, dressy or to a theme? Will there be recorded music or a DJ to play requests? Is this a party with alcohol or non-alcoholic beverages? Are kids invited? What is the capacity of your home? All of these questions will get you started on the planning.
2. Try to have your party on a Saturday afternoon a week or so before Christmas. As Christmas approaches, other people's time (and yours as well) become busier.
3. Get your invitations ready. You can get programs for your computer that will print up cards, or you can have a print shop do it. You can always create your invitations by buying a stack of blank cards.
4. You'll want to send your cards out no later than right after Thanksgiving. Essentials for invitations include the party theme (if you have one), a menu (if catered), the address and time frame. It's not unusual to put an ending time as well as a starting time. Most importantly is to ask for their R.S.V.P.
5. If you are going to have catering, then the responses to your invitations are important. You’ll need an accurate headcount for ordering. If everyone has not responded by the second week in December, call the non-committed invitees and ask for a response.
6. Buy your decorations. Be festive, this is a party, so your home needs to look the part. If your party has a them then you'll want to decorate according to the theme.
7. Many Christmas parties are for adults only. If this is the case with your party, be sure to have included that in the invitation. If children are welcomed then you can decide if the parents will be responsible for looking after the kids or you could have someone provide child care and activities for the youngsters.
8. It's a good idea to move your breakables out of the party zone, especially if there's going to be games. Something is bound to get knocked over or knocked off and break. If there is a bar, offer to drive your guests home if they get inebriated. No one wants their friends to drive drunk and hurt themselves or someone else.
9. If you are serving the food, then try to have as much done ahead of time as possible. This will reduce the amount of stress caused by getting everything set up.
10. Set your house up early that day so that you have time to dress before the caterers arrive (if it's catered) or before the food is ready. Have a list of games and supplies ready beforehand to play at the party.
11. Capture the event forever. Use a digital camera like the Canon Rebel XSi
    

Christmas parties can be so much fun. Make yours a party to remember and more importantly one you as the host can enjoy without stressing over every single detail.