Captain Squid's Lenses of Doom

DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST)

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 07:57:16 -0600

You can literally skip your freshman year of college in many cases, or at least save A LOT of time and money by passing a few easy credit by examination tests. At the moment, we're featuring full coverage of the DSST program, but we will "soon" be adding material on the more widely-known CLEP exams, which are surprisingly similar.

The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:29:30 -0600

Two events made 1776 a remarkable year. The first is the well-known Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress. The other, which ultimately has had a far greater influence on the world in which we live, was the quiet publication of The Wealth of Nations by Scottish philosopher Adam Smith. Calling Smith an economist belies the fact that prior to The Wealth of Nations "economics" did not exist. His book is the foundation of the academic discipline.

Cassandra (Elvira) Peterson - Mistress of the Dark

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 08:41:17 -0600

Cassandra is better known as her alter ego "Elvira, Mistress of the Dark," The hostess of KHJ-TVs Movie Macabre in the 1980s, which became the first nationally syndicated horror host show. The Queen of Halloween has been a pop culture icon ever since, branching out into feature films, calendars, books, music, and, of course, tassel dancing. (If you haven't seen Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, you really do need to get out more!) Her sarcastic wit and double-entendré humor are two more things that make it a comedy classic in it's own right.

The Penguin Classics Library Complete Collection - Top 100 Titles

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:06:29 -0600

The Penguin Classics Complete Collection is an Amazon exclusive. It has been temporarily unavailable in the past, so we're leaving these links to the "top 100" titles separate. Some of the dead links on Amazon's main site have been fixed too, at least for now. Amazon.com now charges shipping on these 700 pounds of books, but occasionally has a free shipping special. Of course, you don't have to buy the whole set , even though it would be a good foundation for an institutional library.. Maybe you just need some books for the new lake house...

American Girl - Julie Albright

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 05:50:24 -0600

See the newest American Girl historical character, Rebecca Rubin "Julie Albright doesn't want to move away from her San Francisco neighborhood near Chinatown, even if their new apartment is just a few miles away. Moving means leaving her best friend, Ivy, and her pet rabbit, Nutmeg. Worst of all, it means leaving Dad, now that her parents are divorced. Julie tries to make the best of it by joining the school's basketball team, but the coach won't allow girls to play. She learns that it's up to her to make positive changes in her new school--and her new life."

Theoretical Physicist Lisa Randall

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 02:18:06 -0600

Lisa Randall is one of the leading young thinkers in particle physics, having become the first tenured woman theoretical physicist at both MIT and Harvard, where she now teaches. Time Magazine named Lisa one of their 100 Most Influential People in 2007 for her work regarding the evidence of higher dimensions.

American Girl for Grown-ups

Sat, 19 Sep 2009 08:30:23 -0600

The American Girl® brand was established in 1986 by educator & entrepreneur Pleasant T. Rowland. Mattel acquired American Girl's parent Pleasant Company in 1998. American Girl is the direct marketer of the popular collectible-quality American Girl 18'' dolls -- The marketing "hook" for their more widely distributed merchandise tie-ins -- primarily a well-regarded series of books aimed at the 4-13 year old age group.

Classics Illustrated Comics - Collectible Study Guides

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:12:06 -0600

Classics Illustrated Comics have introduced generations to the world of literature. They include fairly high-quality art, and are reasonably true to their original source material. Some would say they were early versions of the ill-defined graphic novel genre Classics Illustrated Junior began later to introduce a younger audience to favorite fairy tales and legends.

Squidoo Workshop 101 - SEO for Beginners

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:00:56 -0600

Squidoo is great for people who have something to say, but aren't web-obsessed enough to learn HTML. Still, you need to know a thing or two about web publishing if you want your creations to be seen. Learn how to use tags and keywords to improve your search-engine visibility, get more traffic, and make more sales

Fascist Dictator Benito Mussolini

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 06:35:55 -0600

People are so negative about Mussolini! Since Squidoo insists that we "respect everyone," all I can say is that Il Duce had a lot in common with today's "hip-hop" Republicans. Obviously, that's a good thing!

X-Men Movies on You Tube

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:20:14 -0600

Maybe you thought this page was about that adult online video site. Well, it was but that violated Squidoo's terms of service, so it got axed. Drawing on the name in the URL, I thought I'd try to make something of it. It's a work in progress, but X-Men fans should find something here they like. If you got here by mistake, you might be more interested in Who is Cassandra (Elvira) Peterson - Mistress of the Dark or Another View of BSA's "No Gays" Policy

Rock Guitarist Dweezil Zappa

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:45:18 -0600

The eldest son of iconoclast rock legend Frank Zappa, Dweezil has become a force to be reckoned with in his own right. Rather than try to avoid comparison to his famous father, Dweezil has taken the bull by the horns by forming the tribute band Zappa Plays Zappa, which has had three successful tours.

Music by Genre @ Amazon.com

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 08:02:21 -0600

Bands and artists strive to develop their own unique sound, then the music industry pigeonholes them into more-or-less appropriate genres. This page should make it a little easier to find your favorites. For more choices, see our Music Mania aStore.

Top Bridal Magazines

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:07:42 -0600

Amazon.com's got all the popular bridal magazines to make your special day just a little easier on everyone. Whether you're planning a wedding or just dreaming for now, you'll find lots of interesting and useful information in these top-selling magazines

Which Espresso Machine Should I Buy ?

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 07:29:54 -0600

Full-bodied, aromatic, and flavorful -- espresso is a delight to the senses and a tonic to the soul. Once the exclusive property of the beat generation, espresso has gained in popularity with the introduction of specialty coffee outlets like Starbuck's. Where a few years ago the would-be home barista would have been hard-pressed to find a serviceable espresso machine, she is now confronted with more options than can be absorbed in a few days. Here are the results of our considerable research into currently available espresso machines and associated paraphernailia:

American Girl - Kirsten Larson

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 08:06:18 -0600

"Kirsten Larson is a brave, steadfast pioneer girl growing up on the Minnesota prairie in 1854. Her stories begin with her long, dangerous voyage with her family from Sweden to America. At first, Kirsten finds it difficult to get used to this strange new country. But as she makes friends and discovers what her new land has to offer, she learns the true meaning of home—and that love is the same in any language."

American Girl - Rebecca Rubin

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 02:25:13 -0600

Rebecca Rubin is a lively nine-year-old girl growing up in a big Jewish family in New York in 1914. She dreams of becoming an actress, but her parents and grandparents have traditional ideas and don't think young ladies should perform. When Rebecca learns that her cousins in Russia are in great danger and must escape to America, she puts on a show to raise money--until her disapproving grandmother steps in. Unexpectedly, Rebecca finds another way to earn money. But for her plan to work, she'll have to keep it a secret.

The Amazing Kreskin - Mentalist George Kresge

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 07:11:36 -0600

The Amazing Kreskin, is a mentalist who became popular on North American television in the 1970s. He was inspired to become a mentalist by Lee Falk's famous comic strip Mandrake the Magician, which features a crime-fighting stage magician. -- Wikipedia

American Girl - Molly McIntire

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 06:21:34 -0600

See the newest American Girl historical character, Rebecca Rubin "Molly McIntire is a lively, lovable, patriotic girl growing up in 1944. Her stories describe her life on the home front during World War Two. Molly doesn’t like many of the changes the war has brought, and she especially misses her father, who is away caring for wounded soldiers. But Molly learns the importance of getting along and pulling together—just as her country has to do to win the war!"

Stupid Squidoo Tricks - Publicize Your Lenses

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 06:40:18 -0600

You can do a lot with the Squidoo resource with a little imagination and some trial and error. Edison said genius was "99% perspiration," but he didn't say whose! Squidoo is constantly "improving" this platform. Some of the strategies outlined here have been short-circuited, which is why I am reluctant to describe anything truly innovative here, but that could change.

Squidoo Lens Directories

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 06:50:49 -0600

Don't Tase me, Bro! This lens will be "under construction" for some time. The reason I started it in the first place, as you might guess, it that I have had some external backlink "issues" of my own. You can monitor my progress as I continue to research this topic. For now, there is enough information here to be useful, even very useful, depending upon how much you've been effected by recent changes at Google and Squidoo.

Today's Deals @ Amazon.com

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 10:14:09 -0600

Everybody loves a bargain, and Amazon.com has a lot of them... IF you know where to look! Visit these bargain categories any time, and be sure to stop by The Friday Sale every week! Don't forget to check out the "Top Ten" offers in DVDs, Music & Videos, updated hourly.

American Girl - Josefina Montoya

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 02:59:17 -0600

"Josefina Montoya is a hopeful, caring, faithful girl. She is growing up in 1824 New Mexico, a place of sweeping big skies and hard work, danger, and dreams. In Josefina’s stories, she and her family watch their old ways cross paths with the new as americano traders arrive from the east. Josefina is lucky to have her family and faith to guide her through all the changes in her life!"

The Real Captain Squid

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 06:46:25 -0600

I know that a lot of people use computers for personal networking (as opposed to computer networking, which is another topic.) Accordingly, a lot of attention is paid to avatars and biographies. My primary focus as a webmaster is to generate enough income to quit my day job, and thus have time to devote to personal projects. As a retailer, I'm not so interested in presenting my personal views as I am in trying to put product links in front of people who might be interested in them. to Captain Squid's Lenses of Doom

American Girl - Kaya

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:05:14 -0600

See the newest American Girl historical character, Rebecca Rubin "Kaya is a daring, adventurous Nez Perce girl living in 1764. Her deep love of horses and respect for nature nourish her spirit, as she dreams of becoming a courageous leader for her people. She’s ready to meet whatever the future brings! Kaya draws strength from her family, the legends her elders tell, and the bold warrior woman who is her hero. And she learns that the choices she makes affect all Nez Perce people."

Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddler's Convention

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 05:33:28 -0600

I've been fortunate to help out with the stage management chores at the Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddler's Convention for the last eight or nine years, and I've been looking for a way to encourage a greater web presence for the event. Students, campus organizations, faculty and staff, performers, concession operators, friends of the convention, and fans are all invited to create a lens. Please make the TVOTFC the focus of your article, and include a link to the official website, although you are certainly welcome to link to additional pages or lenses highlighting your own particular interests, either broader or more specific.

Amazon aStores @ Amazon.com

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 07:07:06 -0600

21 AUG 07 - Amazon.com's aStores are one year old today, and to celebrate, Amazon has unveiled a whole new set of features. (Actually a week ago, but why quibble?) Now you can quickly and easily build thousands of Amazon product pages using the unlimited category nesting feature, build your own site navigation, and customize your store's look and feel with CSS. See Associate's Blog article

LinkBuddies Banner Ads - Not Dead Yet!

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 02:10:27 -0600

People often tell me, "Banner ads are dead." I admit they can be annoying, they don't often take surfers to useful, relevant pages, and people generally ignore them. But dead? Not really. The thing is you have to use banners correctly and have realistic expectations about their benefits. I like the LinkBuddies program, and I've been using it successfully for some time now.

Anthropologist Jane Goodall Books and Videos

Sat, 19 Sep 2009 08:51:04 -0600

Dame Jane Goodall, DBE is best known for her 45-year study of chimpanzee social and family life in Gombe Streams National Park, Tanzania where she subsequently founded the Jane Goodall Institute As her lens, Jane Goodall: The Big Picture shows, her interests include a wide range of environmental issues beyond her specialties of primatology, ethnology, and anthropology.

Build External Links with Social Bookmarks

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 10:13:48 -0600

This lens was originally intended to be part of my RSS Feeds & Syndication lens, but it quickly became apparent that it needed it's own space. It's just a bunch of links at the moment, so flame gently, please. I'll be adding commentary RSN.

The Zappa Family

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:19:34 -0600

Lumping Frank Zappa's kids into one category as DMOZ does and calling it "the Zappa Family" isn't especially good organization, particularly since the Zappas aren't a family act like The Osmonds or The Jackson Five Borrowing a strategem from Capt. von Trapp, we'll just stick to Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention If you like Frank Zappa, you may be a borderline sociopathic cultist who won't like anything else, but you could try Captain Beefheart, The Fugs, Professor Longhair, or Meat Loaf

Dungeonmasters Advanced Dungeons and Dragons Resources

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:00:47 -0600

The barkeep of the Rutting Unicorn jerks his head significantly toward a lone figure in threadbare robes shrouded in the shadows at the far corner of the public house. Nearing, you glimpse Architeuthis' visage, hideously stained vert et gules in magical combat long ago. "I have forseen your coming," he intones in a voice at once soft and hoarse, yet indescribably powerful. "Buy me an ale, and I will fulfill your quest..."

AD&D (Dungeons and Dragons) Forgotten Realms Titles

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 02:52:29 -0600

Search Squidoo for "AD&D" and you get no results. That is because their search function can't properly escape the "&" character. You will have better luck looking for "Dungeons and Dragons" or "DnD" This little corner of the web was dedicated to the Forgotten Realms campaign setting and very nearly became a "forgotten realm" itself. It's just never gotten much traffic. Well I've learned a few things about search engine optimization since then, and I'm giving it another shot, but the fact of the matter is you'd be better off at : Anne d'Roid's Dungeon and Card Shop

Storz and Bickel Volcano Herbal Vaporizer

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 06:31:30 -0600

The Storz & Bickel "Volcano" Vaporizer is probably the best on the market as this review and others indicate. It was used in the Pyrolytic Compounds Study in the Journal of Cannabis Therapeutics, as well as other studies. Its purpose is to release therapeutically active compounds as a vapor by gently heating plant materials without producing the dangerous pyrolytic by-products associated with cumbustion. This method is not only more efficient, but less likely to cause harmful side-effects.

IP Routers : Speed, Security and Economy

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 06:53:44 -0600

IP routers -- often called broadband routers or just routers -- direct network traffic to its proper destination, and so help to reduce the load on every system in the network. Once the exclusive domain of IT professionals, a wide variety of small but extremely capable routers are now available for the home & small business markets.

Earn College Credit with CLEP

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 02:37:10 -0600

When I started my credit by examination page (years ago) I focussed on the somewhat obscure DSST exams, thinking, "Everybody knows about CLEP." Besides, the DANTES option was a lot cheaper. Well a lot of people know CLEP exists, but the College Board site is hard to navigate, and arbitrarily places a lot of the information students really need in their "teachers and administrators" section. Besides CLEP and DSST cost about the same now. Anyway, the CLEP section isn't nearly as "fleshed out" as the DSST pages, but they contain some valuable links, and I'll be working to get them up to speed in the coming weeks. There are at least a few textbook suggestions, something the College Board neglects.

Who Is Megan Casey ?

Sat, 19 Sep 2009 09:30:26 -0600

It's so hard to keep up with tween phenomena these days. By the time the Internet Movie Database lists them they may already be passé I happened upon this newcomer quite by accident. She is apparently better known in Germany. Follow Megan's meteoric rise to obscurity here, as she battle impossible situations and ridiculous odds.

Finding Popular Products for Your Amazon Modules

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 02:51:04 -0600

Looking for great products from Amazon.com to feature on your webpage, blog, or Squidoo lens? We've done the heavy lifting for you! (So give us 5 stars.) Amazon.com's "Movers and Shakers" are the products category by category that have had the greatest increase in sales over the past 24 hours. See them here.

Current Amazon Music / Playlists

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:49:26 -0600

Here are Amazon.com's most popular CDs by category, updated hourly. Sorry, Amazon deleted the popular Free Downloads feed, and inexplicably the profitable "Gear & Gadgets feed.

Penguin / Viking Portable Library Series

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:24:41 -0600

The Penguin (Viking) Portable Library Series offers substantial if not complete works by significant authors at bargain prices. They are indispensible volumes for any well-rounded personal library. Buy two to qualify for free shipping.

The Cramps -- Not Psychobilly?

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 05:05:12 -0600

The Cramps have gone through numerous personnel changes, since emerging from the early punk scene with lead singer Lux Interior and lead guitarist Poison Ivy as the only constant members. Their music is influenced by early rockabilly, as well as sufer music and punk, and has spawned a genre known as psychobilly which Lux Interior maintains does not describe their style. If you like The Cramps, you might also enjoy music by The Meteors, Gun Club, or The White Stripes. Official Website

Who is Seth ( Squidoo ) Godin?

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 04:37:48 -0600

I, for one, am averse to the cult of personality that makes celebrity endorsements such a huge business. (I'm not a Doctor, but I play one on TV). So why would I care what advertising executive Seth Godin has to say? Well, Squidoo has certainly made an impact on the web. Two parts social networking site and one part blogspace provider, it differs from most other social networking sites in that it encourages affiliate links. It's pretty much zero parts Wikipedia, a site that Squidoo loves to compare itself to. Herewith is a brief introduction to "Original Squid" Seth Godin, beginning with the video clip: "All Marketers are Liars" Seth Godin Speaks at Google

Meet the American Girls

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 04:33:12 -0600

See the newest American Girl historical character, Rebecca Rubin Here is a list of all the pages I've written about your favorite American Girl Characters. You can find lots of good books about them and some DVD movies, dolls, and fun activities too.

World of Warcraft / The Burning Crusade

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 01:53:22 -0600

The Burning Crusade is a popular expansion for the MMPORG World of Warcraft, one of the most popular online games in the world today.Order Now! Coming Soon: The Wrath of the Lich KIng Thanks for making this the #1 IGN group Lens!

Orphan Groups @ Squidoo

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 06:31:06 -0600

When somebody gets 50% of the revenue from an enterprise, they're not a "service," they're a partner. When they have more control over operations than you do, they're a senior partner. In web publishing, as in life choose your partners carefully. Did you write a lens for a "co-branded" group only to be hung out to dry for months? Fortunately, not many did, since these were SO hard to locate. Unfortunately they have remained hard to locate ... til now!

Bestselling John Steinbeck Titles from Penguin

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:33:15 -0600

John Steinbeck is one of my two favorite authors, I suppose. (The other, in no particular order, is Ernest Hemingway.) Steinbeck won both the Nobel and Pulitzer Prizes, which is not bad.

Amazon "Omakase" Contextual Advertising Links

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 04:02:25 -0600

2006-08-02 Amazon.com announced today in in their associates-only web pages that they were releasing a new "beta" program called Omakase links. The links will combine data from Amazon's associate & customer databases as well as context information from the hosting web page to choose products the customer is most likely to be interested in. Cubistic.

"Domestic Diva" Martha Stewart

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:28:57 -0600

Martha Stewart opted to serve a five-month sentence for "something" after a lengthy public witch-hunt worthy of Kenneth Starr failed to produce evidence of alledged insider trading. The charge is currently under appeal, but Martha is now back on the street, baking her dangerously seditious cookies! Fans might find the satirical Martha Cooks in Prison amusing. Or then again, maybe not.

My Squidoo Table of Contents

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 09:58:01 -0600

I began this page long before the term "lensography" was coined .. not that I got any credit for that! It's a Table of Contents. I'm almost as sure Squidoo users know what that is as I am that the general public has no idea what "lens" or "lensmaster" or "lensography" mean. I eventually opted for a simple local HTML file. That didn't repeatedly overflow my browser cache, and actually served my purposes far better than an online list would, but I'm gonna try again ... My goal here is clear communication, not to see how many squidiotic made-up words I can use. So here are my pages, organized into somewhat coherent groupings with a little commentary besides.

The NY Times Hardcover Nonfiction Bestsellers List

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 04:26:54 -0600

New! Subscribe by E-Mail! This RSS feed is updated automagically when Amazon.com gets around to it, usually Monday afternoon. E-Mails should arrive Tuesday mornings. Subscribe by Email

Write Squidoo Lenses for Fun and Profit

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 02:02:15 -0600

If you haven't heard of Web 2.0 yet, you soon will. Chances are you'll be hearing more about Squidoo in that context, too. One of the first things about Squidoo to attract my attention was it's capability to publish embedded RSS feeds. Now you can have pages that automatically update themselves on a regular basis!

Penguin - The English Collection - 19th C. British Literature

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:41:05 -0600

Amazon features a number of exclusive collections from Penguin Books, carefully selected by the editorial staff at Amazon and The Penguin Group. This selection of 19th century British literature is perfect for English majors or anyone who enjoys lterary classics. See More Classic British Literature in our bookstore

Science Books - David Suzuki's Readings on Environmentalism

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:39:05 -0600

David Suzuki is an acclaimed scientist, broadcaster, and environmentalist. For over 40 years, he's been educating the public about environmental issues--both in the classroom and over the airwaves as the host of the long-running television program 'The Nature of Things.'

American Girl - Samantha Parkington

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 03:04:49 -0600

See the newest American Girl historical character, Rebecca Rubin "Samantha Parkington is a bright, compassionate, generous girl being raised by her wealthy grandmother in 1904, during a time of great change. Samantha’s world is filled with frills and finery, parties and play. But Samantha sees that times are not good for everybody. That’s why she tries to make a difference in the life of her friend Nellie, a servant girl whose world is nothing like Samantha’s."

Book Editors Listmania Lists : 1-250

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 04:05:13 -0600

Anyone can write a Listmania! list, but Amazon.com's book department editors do an especially good job. Here are their most recent 250 lists.

Current NY Times Bestseller Lists

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 02:16:34 -0600

The New York Times Bestsellers list may not be the most prestigious award in literature any more than the Billboard top 40 is more covetted than the Grammy. But it's money in the bank for authors. Here are this week's winners. (Updated when Amazon.com gets around to it, usually Monday afternoon.)

Resyndicate your Blog with FeedBurner RSS Server

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:47:51 -0600

Feedburner is a great webmaster's resource for resyndicating blogs or other xml or atom sources, that was recently cited by Red Herring as one of their top 100 new technology companies

Computer Programming Languages

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:37:06 -0600

Knuth says programming languages are all alike (OK, he says they have several properties in common.) Still, it is a lot easier to learn a second or "N 1th" language than it is to learn the first one. Many languages are available, each with strengths and weaknesses -- and fervent fans. Knowing what you intend your progams to do makes picking an appropriate language a lot easier.

RSS Feeds and Syndication

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:35:17 -0600

As with any online page-builder, there are a lot of things you can't do with Squidoo lenses. One thing you can do very easily is to insert RSS feeds into your page without even knowing any HTML. If you are looking for the "Social Bookmarks" section, I finally moved it.

Microsoft Windows 7 / Vista Operating System

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:22:45 -0600

Vista is the first major upgrade to Microsoft's Windows Operating System in over five years, and it is packed with the new features and capabilities users want most. Still pricey at 40% below its initial cost, even Microsft admits the OS targets manufacturers more than the upgrade market.

Teen Pleasure Reading - Popular Teen Fiction Series

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:37:44 -0600

Almost titled this "Summer Reading," but, people read for fun all year long. After a stack of computer and technical books, I'm seldom looking for anything too challenging in the way of diversions. StumbleUpon this

Mystery Novelist Jeffery Deaver

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 05:01:17 -0600

Jeffery Deaver is a popular writer of detective thrillers, who began his writing career as a journalist. He later became a practicing attorney, then began writing fiction. His first book, Manhattan Is My Beat was published in 1988.

American Girl - Felicity Merriman

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:54:17 -0600

See the newest American Girl historical character, Rebecca Rubin "Felicity Merriman is an independent, loyal, spirited girl growing up in colonial Virginia in 1774, just before the Revolutionary War. Felicity® is impatient doing the “sitting-down kinds of things” that colonial girls are expected to do. She much prefers to be outdoors, especially riding horses! In her stories, Felicity learns about loyalty and responsibility—to her family, her friends, and her country—and what it means to be truly independent."

The NY Times Hardcover Fiction Bestsellers List

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 02:57:23 -0600

New! Subscribe by E-Mail! This RSS feed is updated automagically when Amazon.com gets around to it, usually Monday afternoon. E-Mails should arrive Tuesday mornings. See also: Captain Squid's Lenses of Doom

Amazon - Constrained Search vs. Random Results

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 01:59:37 -0600

"Amazon" is a very popular word referring to a number of things, but they all refer back to the Amazons, a tribe of warrior women most notably found in Greek mythology. If you seek "The Earth's Biggest Bookstore" ... oops!. I'm testing search engines, including the aggressively non-commercial ODP, so this is about everything except what you were looking for. Try "any" search engine, like the Squidoo search at the top of this page.

Science Books - Lisa Randall's Readings on Physics

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:30:58 -0600

Lisa Randall is one of the leading young thinkers in particle physics today, having become the first tenured woman theoretical physicist at both MIT and Harvard, where she now teaches. The book editors of Amazon.com have asked her to recommend ten books on physics for their Grown-up School series, and she has graciously supplied the recommendations below:

My Amazon.com Purchases & Wishlist

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:55:11 -0600

If you're one of those who just has to know all about other people's personal details, this is as close as I come to a tell-all. Enjoy.

Oprahs Book Club Selections

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 18:14:58 -0600

Oprah may not like hamburgers, but her book club has done a lot to raise the public awareness of decent literature in recent years. If you like, you can view the FAQ and join Oprah's Books Club®. Book Club members save 10% on selected Amazon Merchandise

The Pelican "World of Shakespeare" Collection

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 04:44:40 -0600

Shakespeare was famous in his day for writing plays that appealed not only to wealthy patrons, but to the common folk as well. Patrician or groundling, you will enjoy Shakespeare once you begin to become comfortable with the Elizabethan style of the language. This really doesn't take as long as you might think, although I sometimes reread the first few scenes after the phrasing starts to make a little more sense. It's the same usage as in the King James Bible, after all.

Nursing Books @ Amazon.com

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:46:19 -0600

I've put a lot of work into this book store, only to have it buried by the Squidoo geniuses when the co-branded WebMD group became one of their Orphan Groups. They all need a tour of duty somewhere. You'll get better results at my Amazon aStore -- Technical Bookmania, or if you're looking for textbooks, on my Amazon blog The Whole Ed Cata-Blog. See Seth Grodin -- Theif or No Theif for the "humorous" details

Current Amazon VHS Video Cassette Lists

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:18:07 -0600

This "Lens" is not intended to be a shopping page, although the links do click through to Amazon.com, and it can be used that way. Rather it is one of several tools we've developed to help Lensmasters and Amazon associates find products they might like to feature on their pages. We've combined several Amazon.com feeds into one convenient browser-friendly list below. If you see something you'd like to buy feel free, of course. We expect most people will use this page the same way we do though, just to locate products they'd like to feature on a more focussed topical page. You'd be much better off at my Video Mania aStore

The NY Times Paperback Fiction Bestsellers List

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 02:50:45 -0600

Current Amazon Computer and Video Game Bestsellers

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 18:02:12 -0600

Lensmasters, Amazon associates, and busy shoppers will find Amazon.com's most popular game-related items here. Just find your system in the "Lens Contents" in the right margin. We've developed these tools to help people find products they might like to buy or feature on their pages.

MP3: Amazon's Top Ten Most Popular Artists

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 05:02:56 -0600

Squidoo excels at displaying RSS feeds like this one from Amazon.com. Who knows if it will meet their undefined "quality" standards?

The Thistle & Shamrock -- Celtic Music @ NPR

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 02:27:12 -0600

National Public Radio supports one of the most cost-effective news organizations in America today, and promotes diversity in musical programming, including a lot of instrumental music, which I find less distracting than earwig lyrics that comandeer the verbal faculties of your brain whether you can understand them or not. We are happy to contribute half the proceeds from this lens to the cause.

Classic Literature - Penguin Foundations in Literature Collection

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:48:36 -0600

The American literary tradition is so rich and varied that the Penguin Classics editors have grouped the collection into two volumes, with Volume I focused on the novels, short stories, and poetry through the 19th century, and Volume II focused on the political writings, memoirs, and narratives that chronicle the birth and growth of the nation.

'Tis the Season ... for Calendars!

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 08:32:34 -0600

Calendars make great Christmas gifts, and with the increasing popularity of 18-month calendars, they can also be a thoughtful gift year-round! Amazon always changes their calendar listings around sometime in the fall. (They keep different years separated by assigning whole new categories.) This page may behave unpredictably during the transition.

American Girl - Kit Kittredge

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:47:06 -0600

See the newest American Girl historical character, Rebecca Rubin "As a girl growing up during the Great Depression, Kit Kittredge sees her dad lose his business overnight. To help save their home Kit becomes resourceful. With Ruthie by her side, Kit also learns to treasure what money can't buy -- friends and family."

Classical Studies - Penguin Complete Greeks and Romans Collection

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:48:57 -0600

Much of Western Civilization is derived from the works of the ancient Greeks and Romans, so a foundation in the Classics is essential not only for its direct benefits, but to fully understand the modern classics which often refer to them. Amazon apparently has NOT done away with this collection without even the courtesy of leaving the page live for "used & new" sellers -- but the page has been AWOL for some time. We're leaving this page up in case Amazon gets their act together and because most people just pick a title or two from the top-sellers list anyway..

Current Amazon DVD Bestsellers Lists

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:16:24 -0600

A lot of people don't "get" RSS yet, and I confess I'm a relative newbie myself, but the point is that the content on this page changes four times a day (If everything is working) regardless of the "Lens Freshness" data in the sidebar. Come back and visit often, we don't have all the third-party reviews that Amazon.com has, but we link to them and we load faster!

Line Conditioning and Power Supply

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:36:04 -0600

Does your computer crash in weird, non-reproducible ways? It may not be a software problem. An inadequate power supply can cause extremely unpredictable operation, and it is one of the most frequently overlooked computer hardware SNAFUs. "Brand name" equipment is as susceptible as home-built and white box units, too. It seems nobody gives the lowly power supply it due, even though every other component in the system depends on it. Let's assume you've had your computer for a while, and you've added a few "upgrades" -- a faster processor, additional RAM, maybe an additional hard drive or CD-ROM burner. Did you consider the addtional power demands those components would place on your power supply? Probably not, and to be fair you should give yourself a break -- most "professional" repair shops don't give it a second thought, either.

Retro Swing Band Cherry Poppin' Daddies

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:12:47 -0600

Cherry Poppin' Daddies is an American retro swing band known for their part in the swing revival of the 1990s. Their musical influences include swing, ska, and rock. The band is best remembered for their CD & single Zoot Suit Riot, and has been on hiatus since 2000 with front-man Steve Perry working on his degree in molecular biology (!) If you like Cherry Poppin Daddies you might also like: Big Bad Voodo Daddy, Royal Crown Revue, The Brian Setzer Orchestra, Squirrel Nut Zippers, or Indigo Swing,

Current Amazon Magazine Lists

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:08:43 -0600

These "Top 10" lists are resyndicated every 6 hours via Amazon Web Services and FeedBurner. They are relatively "bullet-proof compared to earlier "screen-scraped" versions. Hey, I'm a "belt and suspenders" kind of guy!

American Girl - History's Mysteries

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 11:02:45 -0600

See the newest American Girl historical character, Rebecca Rubin The History's Mysteries Series from American Girl® carries the stories of familiar characters forward for somewhat older readers, approximately grades 3 - 5.

My Amazon Top Five Lists

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:31:26 -0600

As a long-time Amazon associate, I've developed some tools that can help you find specific products. First, there's my Book Category Search. Officially a public "beta," it works fine, but is not yet complete. Secondly, there are the "Top Ten" lists which will keep you on top of what's hot at Amazon.com. Although I originally intended them as a tool to quickly locate popular Amazon products for webmasters, they have proven to be popular with busy shoppers, too..

A Beginner's Guide to CSS

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 06:25:53 -0600

This lens isn't finished yet, but a couple of decent modules are ready, so I'm publishing. (When is a lens ever "finished?")

MP3 : Amazon's Top 10 Songs

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:55:53 -0600

Squidoo excels at displaying RSS feeds like this one from Amazon.com. Who knows if it will meet their undefined "quality" standards?

Music Editors Listmania Lists @ Amazon.com 1-250

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 02:43:07 -0600

Anyone can write a Listmania! list, but Amazon.com's music department editors do an especially good job. Here are their most recent 250 lists.

New Republic Editor Peter Beinart

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 18:13:34 -0600

Peter Beinart is an author and syndicated columnist as well as a contributing editor to The New Republic. Peter served as TNR's editor for over 6 years.

Science Books - Andrew Weil - Readings in Science

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:23:01 -0600

Dr. Andrew Weil, M.D. is one practitioner of modern western medicine who does not subscribe to the notion that there is a pill for every ailment. Rather he advocates a more proactive approach not to the mere absence of identifiable disease, but the promotion of health. Amazon.com has invitede him to recommend his own "top ten" science books, which are included here.

My Penguin Group Index @ Squidoo

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:33:20 -0600

I've resorted to making my own index, since the Penguin Group Group remains "orphaned". Actually, if you're interested in books you should just go straight to Amazon.com's Penguin Classics Page.

The NY Times Paperback Nonfiction Bestsellers List

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:09:58 -0600

New! Subscribe by E-Mail! This RSS feed is updated automagically when Amazon.com gets around to it, usually Monday afternoon. E-Mails should arrive Tuesday mornings. Subscribe by Email

Collecting Comic Books by Author

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:15:35 -0600

Anne d'Roids Dungeon & Card Shop is the place for all your comic and graphic novel collecting needs. Here are a few off the title you can find by some of your favorite authors.

American Girl - Addy Walker

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 04:14:56 -0600

See the newest American Girl historical character, Rebecca Rubin "Addy Walker is a courageous, strong girl growing up in 1864, during the Civil War. Addy’s stories tell of her daring escape with her mother from slavery, and the challenges they face afterward as they try to reunite their family. But Addy’s stories are about much more than hardship. They are full of the love and hope that help her get through the worst of times and keep her dreams alive."

Talking Heads Frontman David Byrne

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 04:01:06 -0600

David Byrne is best known as the lead singer and principal songwriter of the new wave supergroup Talking Heads Byrne is known for his interests beyond music, including film and information theory, and won an academy award for his "Last Emperor" soundtrack. If you like David Byrne, you may also enjoy Brian Eno, David Bowie, Devo, or Peter Gabriel

Teen Reading - The Penguin "Children's Library Collection"

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:37:26 -0600

From the title, I expected this to be a collection of picture-books and bed-time stories. There are a few of those, but generally this would be better termed The Teen & Young Adult Collection. Confusion aside, there are quite a few titles in here I've missed or would like to re-read and I'm not all that young!

Three Great OReilly Series @ Amazon.com

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:46:51 -0600

O'Reilly & Associates began publishing computer-related books in 1978 (before the PC revolution) with a small series of highly regarded UNIX® manuals. Their books were frequently better than the "official" documentation, if any such documentation existed at all, and several of their animal cover books like "The Camel Book" and "The Rhino Book" became classics.

Current Amazon Computer and Software Lists

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:20:39 -0600

You've got to get up pretty early in the morning to stay abreast of developments in computer hardware and software these days. These feeds of Amazon top sellers can help. Updated hourly.

More American Girl Historical Characters

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:25:37 -0600

See the newest American Girl historical character, Rebecca Rubin The main characters in the American Girl history series have friends, too. This page tells about them and other American Girl items for learning and just for fun.

Food Editor Roy Finamore - Top Cookbooks

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:19:11 -0600

During his 30-year tenure as a top cookbook editor, Roy Finamore helped guide Martha Stewart, Ina Garten, and Diana Kennedy, among others, to the bestseller lists. One Potato, Two Potato, co-authored with Molly Stevens, gave readers a taste of Finamore's way with a recipe, and with his first solo cookbook, Tasty: Get Great Food on the Table Every Day, Finamore offers a one-stop destination for homecooks looking for simple, sophisticated, easy-to-prepare fare.

The "Leading Lensmasters" Shell Game

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:04:18 -0600

This lens contains opinions that cannot currently be verified for 100% accuracy. I will stipulate that the use of the word "scam" does not imply that Squidoo LLC is currently under indictment for fraud. I wrote this in December 2006. Squidoo is now "cracking down on spam" by allowing "Giant Squids" a free pass while scrutinizing everybody else's pages. What qualifies as spam? Rule # 4 : "Anything else that smells spammy to Squidoo official and the Squidoo community." You'd think in two and a half years they could come up with something more definitive than that!

Penguin "Foundations in Democracy" Collection

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:17:45 -0600

General Breastfeeding Supplies

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:16:14 -0600

I don't know much about breastfeeding, but displaying obscure products from Amazon.com is my specialty! Personally, I find the third-party recommendations at Amazon.com more credible than the sales pitches of commision-oriented associates anyway! Half of the proceeds of this page go to La Leche League International

Current Amazon Booklists

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:11:32 -0600

So you're adding some Amazon.com content to your blog (Squidoo makes it easy). Which books should you feature? Your own favorites, of course. Your expertise in the areas you're most interested in is the "value added" part of your Amazon associate marketing efforts. You'll have better luck, though, if you also remember that your customers are most likely to buy titles that are currently popular. People buying these books is what makes them popular. So here through some creative hacking are Amazon.com's bestselling books by category updated hourly.

Famous Squidoo Lensmasters - Notable Notables

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:48:22 -0600

My Everybody Eats! lens has generated a lot more traffic than I ever thought it would, probably because (a.) everybody eats, and (b.) it features the very popular Rachael Ray. In the process of building my new Stupid Squidoo Tricks lens, I found that I could zero in on lensmaster's bio pages, and found some very interesting Squidoodlers there.

eCommerce Author Skip McGrath Books

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 11:08:08 -0600

Lensmaster Skip McGrath and his wife Karen have been eBay Power sellers for over six years. Skip has written a number of books that will help eBay novices and seasoned sellers alike to maximize their profits as eBay sellers. These books should be of interest to all lensmasters who use the eBay module in their lenses, as well as to eBay sellers generally.

Politics Central - Ian Bremmer's Readings in International Politics

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 11:03:42 -0600

U.S. foreign policy, warns Ian Bremmer, is too often based on a simplistic formula: engage America's friends and isolate her enemies. Bremmer's provocative and persuasive new book, The J Curve: A New Way to Understand Why Nations Rise and Fall, reveals why this approach rarely brings the hoped-for result. Tyrants, Bremmer argues, have an interest in isolating their peoples. U.S. policymakers should not be in the business of helping them do it.

Penguin Readers Series - Classic Childrens Books

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 10:38:13 -0600

Penguin publishes a very nice selection of Children's classic literature, much of it unavailable anywhere else. One of their more innovative offerings is the Penguin Readers Series a large selection of children's books arranged according to reading levels. These groupings aren't necessarily equivalent to a particular grade or age they are simply an arrangement of books from the easiest to the hardest. When a child has mastered the level one books, they move on to level two. It's all self-paced. Brilliant!

Lensmaster Index: The Editors of Rolling Stone Magazine

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 08:28:29 -0600

The Editors of Rolling Stone Magazine wrote 124 lenses, probably imagining that their efforts would be recognized. If you examine their XML feeds, you'll see they haven't updated anything since about 6 JUN 2006. I wonder if there's a back-story there.

Visit War-Torn Afghanistan

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 07:41:15 -0600

Maybe you won't enlist, but you could lend the army a hand in some small way -- and patting yourself on the back with a stupid yellow ribbon doesn't count. You could perhaps read Afghanistan: A Short History of Its People and Politics. Then, if the subject ever comes up, you would know something about it. Half the proceeds of this lens are donated to Soldier's Angels

American Girl Dolls, Books, and Other Products Headquarters

Sat, 20 Jan 2007 09:15:55 -0600

American Girl Dolls, Books, and Other Products I've noticed quite a few American Girl lenses, so I thought it would be nice to gather them into one place with a group. Any on-topic lens can join.

Coffee-Makers and Espresso Machines

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:16:53 -0600

The feeds on this page have been reworked using Amazon's Web-Services (AWS) API, making them considerably more "bullet-proof" than the original screen-scraped versions. The jury is still out on whether it's better to show one example product for each feed or to list the titles only for all featured products. Be sure to click on the "View / Subscribe" links to see more products.

Another View of BSA's "No Gays" Policy

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 04:26:15 -0600

I'm an Eagle Scout, so I not only understand, but heartily approve of the Boy Scouts' desire to instill positive moral values in America's youth. I am not obligated to agree with every decision the BSA Central Office makes. The decision to ban gay boys from Scouts is legally justified on the grounds that Scouting is a private organization free to restrict membership as it sees fit. It is also dead wrong.

National Geographic National Park Profiles

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 18:12:30 -0600

The National Geographic Society has championed conservation and responsible land use since 1888. Their Park Profiles Series is invaluable if you plan to visit any of our national parks, or if you just want to experience the vicariously. ... Read More

Freakonomics by Steven Levitt and Jay Dubner

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 18:02:53 -0600

Economic influences shape our daily lives both overtly and in more subtle ways. Oddly, the subject is often viewed as arcane and unknowable. I'm always glad to see good books like Freakonomics, or Henry Hazlitt's Economics in One Lesson demystify this everyday discipline. Steven D. Levitt is a highly respected, albeit unorthodox professor of economics at the University of Chicago.

Book Editors' Listmania Lists : 251-on

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 18:00:59 -0600

Anyone can write a Listmania! list, but Amazon.com's book department editors do an especially good job. Here are more of their lists, including some deep discounts.

Ed's Test Lens

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:57:10 -0600

I pretty much stole the idea for this lens from Megan Casey, athough my content is much different. I'm testing modules here before publishing them to a "real" lens. Some modules rely on third-party software to select content based on keywords / tags. I'll try these modules out here for a while and make adjustments before their fully public release.

Earn College Credit in Art History

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:54:33 -0600

Art History is strictly a humanities subject, and as such it is more about living life than about earning a living. If you have to ask, "What is it for?" you might not enjoy taking such a class, but in that case, the short answer would be: "Three easy credits." By the time I finish fleshing out this outline with links, I should be pretty well-versed in "Art History 101"

Politics Central - Peter Beinart's Readings on Liberalism

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:48:50 -0600

"Since becoming the editor of The New Republic in 1999 (a position he left this spring to become an editor-at-large at the magazine), Peter Beinart has been one of the sharpest and most influential political writers around, and after 9/11 he was one of a number of leading liberal voices arguing for a strong response to what he calls the totalitarian spirit of radical Islam." Given that the most popular political authors at Squidoo seem to be Glenn Beck, Michelle Malkin, Bill O'Reilly, and Anne Coulter the ranking of this page isn't too surprising. Form your own conclusions.

Anne d'Roid's Dungeon & Card Shop

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:39:46 -0600

Idle surfers may want to read the unsupported opinions of anonymous "experts," but shoppers -- the people who can make you some real money -- want choices. The idea that you can persuade anyone to buy something they don't want by bloviating about how remarkable it is is simply ridiculous! Nobody wants to wait 20 seconds for a streaming video ad to load just so they can find out how much you like Harry Potter. They want fast, focussed, friendly searches that lead them quickly to unbiased information about a range of products that closely match their criteria -- in short they want Amazon aStores. ... More

Science Books - Dava Sobel's Readings on the Planets

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:24:01 -0600

Bestselling author Dava Sobel, best known for Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of his Time as well as for Galileo's Daughter: A Historical Memoir of Science, Faith, and Love reveals her top 15 recommended books on the planets and the solar system.for Amazon.com's Grownup School

Music Editors' Listmania(TM) Lists @ Amazon.com 251-on

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:15:38 -0600

Amazon.com's Music Editors write some very good Listmania(TM) Lists.

Current Amazon Portable Electronics Lists

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:09:03 -0600

Contrary to the "last updated" data in the sidebar to the right, the content of this page is updated four times a day. Be sure to come back frequently to see what's new in portable electronics!"

A Web Standards Bookshelf

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:07:11 -0600

"... As to whether modules are a good idea for someone who doesn't like modules... obviously no. For someone like you, you're pretty better off with a blog or a custom site." --Seth Godin in Squidoo Says My Lens Needs Improving

Politics Central - John Dean on the American Presidency

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:56:40 -0600

John W. Dean, a former counsel to the president of the United States, after recently retiring from the world of business, has turned to writing and lecturing full time about the ways and means of government in Washington. Given that the most popular political authors at Squidoo seem to be Glenn Beck, Michelle Malkin, Bill O'Reilly, and Anne Coulter the ranking of this page isn't too surprising. Form your own conclusions.

Low Fat Cookbooks @ Amazon.com

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:55:21 -0600

The American Heart Association recommends a "heart healthy" diet featuring moderate amounts of fat and cholesterol. Since the typical American diet includes far more red meat than is recommended, knowing how to cook low fat and non-fat alternatives can help you feel better and live longer. You don't have to be a strict vegetarian to enjoy a few meatless dishes!

Current Amazon Electronics Lists - Home, Office & Miscellaneous

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:36:22 -0600

Electronic gadgets are here to stay. Besides the obvious computer, audio / video, and portable categories, there are a lot of office and "miscellaneous" devices featured here.

Everybody Eats

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:18:03 -0600

I was surprised that celebrities (or their publicists) were posting on Squidoo's evil cousin MySpace. The idea of a website based around personal profiles just smacks of those desperate "dating" sites. No wonder parents and cops alike are horrified! Anyway, I soon discovered that Rachael Ray (or the editors of her magazine) had a Squidoo page.

Politics Central - Haynes Johnson's Readings in History / Politics

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:14:49 -0600

For nearly half a century, Haynes Johnson has reported on American history as it happens, including a Pulitzer Prize for his reporting on the civil rights battles in Selma, Alabama, years as a national affairs columnist for the Washington Post and a frequent commentator on PBS, and bestselling books on the Reagan years and the Bay of Pigs.

Fantasy Author Elaine Corvidae Books

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:13:29 -0600

Elaine Corvidae is an up-and-coming writer of "Fantasy with Attitude", beginning with her 1996 novel, Wolfkin. Her recent Dragon's Son was awarded the 2006 Eppie Award for fantasy.

Jeffery Deaver's Readings in Forensics

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:11:57 -0600

Jeffery Deaver, former attorney and folksinger, is the internationally bestselling author of 22 suspense novels, which have sold in 150 countries and been translated into 30 languages.

National Geographic for Children and Teens

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:10:18 -0600

National Geographic publishes a number of books and magazines specifically for children and teens.

Browse Amazon Books - Constrained Search vs. Random Results

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:59:57 -0600

Unless you spend an inordinate amount of time searching for books at Amazon.com, you probably didn't notice that they have recently overhauled their ridiculously inadequate search function. The change is a big improvement overall, but a big step backward for those who prefer browsing through categories over keyword searches.

Amazon.com's "Grownup School" Expert Guides

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:55:46 -0600

Amazon.com invites readers to write guides focussing on products for a specific task, e.g. "So you'd like to ..." (escape from the lab and take over the world.) Here are a number of specially commissioned "expert" guides from Amazon. I'm not sure who some of these experts are, but they are probably well-known in their respective fields.

Video Gaming News

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:35:00 -0600

I learned early on that video game lenses get a lot of traffic. (Well, duh!) Unfortunately, I haven't had a lot of time for gaming in the last few years, which is an eternity in the fast-paced world of game development. I do spend a lot of time poking around Amazon.com for cool products, and I found these "hidden" resources that gamers should find interesting, and resyndicated them in a more user-friendly form.

Webhosting Options - Simple to Complex

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:14:46 -0600

If you've been appalled by some aspect of Squidoo -- the proliferation of ads, the slow load times, the lack of flexibility -- whatever. Don't go away mad. You don't even have to go away, just branch out a little. With just the slightest knowlege of HTML, you can easily start your own blog on any one of a number of free blogspace providers. If you want even more flexibility, look into the capabilities of Apache Web server. You might even set up your own LAMP server if you are truly obsessed.

Science Author Dava Sobel

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:44:12 -0600

Maybe I'm a slow learner, but I had to try out Squidoo's automated page generator. This picture of Dava is probably better than the one below, which actually looks a lot more like Albert Einstein. I've removed the empty modules and filled in the "Three Reasons to Love Dava Sobel" module. Otherwise, this is what you get. -- access2

Medical Specialties for Health Care Professionals

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:42:57 -0600

Health care professionals read a lot of books, but they are often too busy to struggle with Amazon.com's mediocre indexing to find what they are looking for, despite the healthy discounts offered there. These books from the Medical Specialties category should be for doctors and medical students, but since Amazon categorizes their books based primarily on keyword search results, that isn't always the case.

Low Sodium Diet Cookbooks

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:41:10 -0600

Excessive sodium in the form of table salt is not good for the electrolyte balance that helps to regulate nerve impulses in the healthy heart. Since almost all foods contain salt, it is nearly impossible to have a sodium deficiency. Once you go without "extra" sallt for a while, you will find that you don't even miss it!

Electronica Synthpop Glam Band - Goldfrapp

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 08:35:14 -0600

Goldfrapp is billed as a duo consisting of lead singer Alison Goldfrapp and composer Will Gregory, so apparently other band members are not considered permanent. The group has enjoyed considerable critical and popular acclaim in Europe, but is relatively unknown in the States, probably because their music doesn't fit neatly into any particular radio "format."

Politics Central - Paul Berman's Readings on the American Left

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 08:30:11 -0600

"Paul Berman is one of the American Left's most incisive historians and thinkers, loyal to what he considers its best traditions but passionately critical of its excesses and its willingness to turn a blind eye to totalitarianism when it comes in the clothing of the Left." Given that the most popular political authors at Squidoo seem to be Glenn Beck, Michelle Malkin, Bill O'Reilly, and Anne Coulter the ranking of this page isn't too surprising. Form your own conclusions.

Bestsellers from the Penguin Group

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 08:17:45 -0600

I don't suppose people commonly pick a publisher, then a book (unless they have a credit or coupon or something.) Nonetheless, it is useful to be familiar with publishers when evaluating books. Some just have a better reputation than others. Penguin Group is one of the good ones.

Amazon Toy Lists - All Kinds of Toys and Games

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 07:56:04 -0600

Amazon.com lost a court battle with Toys"R"Us, apparently because they hadn't lived up to the "exclusivity" terms of their contract with Geoffry & Co. That really put this page through some changes, but it appears that the dust has settled and everything is working normally now.

National Geographic Products Headquarters

Sat, 27 Jan 2007 11:16:11 -0600

National Geographic & Related Products To quote Whole Earth Catalog founder Stewart Brand: "Good old National Geographic." Any lens featuring books, DVDs, videos, software, or other materials from the National Geographic Society are welcome. I hear they even publish a magazine.