Freeware PC Coloring & Drawing Software

On of my favorite family freeware programs is the KEA COLORING BOOK. This is suitable for both children and adults.

This is downloaded and installed on your computer and is not just any run of the mill color in the pictures software. KEA allows one to use a lot of creativity, such as mixing colors and adding our own details. The drawing and painting tools include a black marker and paint brushes that can be adjusted from fine to wide. There is also an eraser and an "OOPS!" button to undo mistakes.

KEA comes with several coloring page pictures; and more are available for download (also free) at the KEA website.

Using the parental feature you can add pictures that you or your child has drawn. These can also be submitted at the KEA website; if selected your drawing will be placed in the online catalogue of coloring in pictures.

There is also a blank page where you can use the painting and drawing tools to draw and paint freehand.

The KEA pallet holds a large variety of colors and provides a mixing tray where you can select and mix colors from the pallet.

Completed artwork can be saved in jpeg form. I enjoy creating my own drawings to color in, save and use to decorate email or to create my own "email post cards"

While the program is absolutely free, they do accept small donations via Pay Pal to help keep the project up and running.

Every so often a coloring contest is held.

DOWNLOAD KEA COLORING BOOK

How to play Tetris

HOW TO PLAY TETRIS

Grammy now has a pet fly in her computer!

After reading a number of negative, 'thumbs down" reviews and contrasting these with the "thumbs up" comments I JUST HAD to down load JAY THE DANGER FLY from the Game Give Away of the day website. The negative comments are nearly all based on the fact that this is "another clone of a shooter game" and that it is silly.. and a kid's game.

Hmmmm...

Sounded like something this old lady might enjoy and that the young folks we know might also find to be fun.

I DID AND IT IS!

The story line is 'corny'. However, this is part of it's charm. Jay The Danger Fly is bright, cheerful, funny and filled with light-hearted surprises.

AND is not as easy as it looks. Happily we are given a choice of 3 levels. Grammy choose the EASY level and I've, so far, been unable to get past the mean landlady in the kitchen. It was a relief to me when a hint showed up across the bottom ot the screen telling me how I might accomplish this. So, I know it is possible. Trouble is - it takes a bit of skill! Which brings me to another good thing to say about this funny game; it is challenging enough to keep even this adult coming back to "try, try again".

The key to success is to help your cute fly hero (JAY) avoid colliding with as many of the objects thrown at him as possible... this includes "bullets" shot from certain objects in the form of puffs from a DDT spray can, corks from a wine bottle , fragments of broken crockery and so on. One must stay alert and not doze off at the keyboard.

There is the choice to play using the key board or mouse. Grammy chose the mouse (easier for me to manage,)

When the game is first opened a menu appears with the following helpful buttons:
START
README
WEBSITE
SEND PROBLEM REPORT
QUIT

If you choose to try this game I hope you will take time to READ the readme as it well details how to play and explains what all the little bits your fly collects are for. ( "When all else fails - read the instructions")

I know, I know .... we old ladies are SUPPOSED to be content with playing solitaire using a worn out deck of cards, sit on park benches and sadly watch strangers passing by or bake dozens of cookies even when no one has time to come see what's in the cooky jar...So, it does surprise some that quite a few grammy's are out here (canes, walkers, silver hair, knitting bags and all learning new things and enjoying life.. slow as we may look we are still capable of keeping up mentally and, oftener than realized, leave some of the young folks behind in the dust... heck most don't even SEE us speeding past!!)

I suspect that some of the negative and sometimes rude comments were posted by folks collecting freeware who want only the type of games they prefer to be offered.. and even by younger folks who, sadly, are no longer "young at heart".

NOTE: This game, JAY THE DANGER FLY, is SHAREWARE. It was free yesterday only. They are offering a 'tetris' game until midnight today.

What is a BLOG?

A blog is a web log. To log is to record a thing. The referred to web is not an artistically spun spider's web; it is the cyber space place where web pages are found when we venture out into cyber space.

I seem to recall that web logs were originally created by folks working with, exploring and/or experimenting with computer technology and programming and creating software. Web logs were then a way to log and to share project related information.

Web logs, it appears to me, then evolved into web journals; which are a type of public bulletin board filled with whatever information, thoughts or nonsense an individual might decide, or dare, to pin up there.

We now call these Blogs - and to keep a blog is to be a blogger and the act of posting a message is to be blogging.

Not all web logs share really useful information. Now a days ANYONE AT ALL who has access to a computer that travels into cyber space can become a 'blogger'. I believe the realm of cyber space occupied by bloggers is now called 'the bloggersphere'.

Let's talk about Electronic Mail

My main motivation to own a personal computer was being able to join in the exchange of 'electronic mail' - or, as it is more commonly called, Email. I believed that since Email is convenient, easy and more immediate that others who use Email would easily respond. I hoped for more two-way, reciprocal communication with family and friends. While this hope was not entirely smashed; it was soon put into proper perspective.

For one thing, as with 'snail mail', many folks "just love to get mail". HOWEVER, while these folks have time to read they may rarely to never "have time" to reply or acknowledge received personal Email. So, in that respect it is no different from "snail mail". In my opinion, if a person has time to read your personal email message - they have time to reply. Even a brief reply takes only a FEW SECONDS!!

If we type 'email' or 'how to email' or 'about email' (for example) into our web browser we will find plenty of web articles on the subject of email. I have read a variety of instructions for proper email composition. Some believe that ALL email needs to be "brief and to the point". That may be just fine for business, however, when writing a personal email note or letter we may do better to simply write as if we were penning a traditional "snail mail" letter.

A personal letter or note need not be long and drawn out to be interesting. However, our words do matter and a personal note or letter should be just that... personal.

It helps to tailor a personal email to the reader. For example, when I write to those who I know are "busy and on the go" I want to keep my message shorter and more concise without trimming it down to an impersonal business-like message.

WHO?????

When I receive an email I need to know right off WHO it is from. An email address alone does not usually convey this. In fact some email addresses are downright odd or anonymous and may appear to have no relation to the sender. It is helpful to identify ourselves by putting our name, our REAL name, in the FROM area.

Multi Tasking Madness

Why not get back to doing ONE task at at time, such as driving, and doing it well and safely?

Freeware VS Shareware & Free Download

If you are new to downloading software the terms 'freeware', "free download' and 'shareware' may create some confusion and misunderstanding.

Simply put...

Shareware is software that we must pay for to be able to keep and to use. This will normally be downloaded as a 'limited trial version'. The limitations vary - sometimes certain features are locked, or there will be a time limit; or both. To obtain a fully functional version one must purchase and register the software.

FREE DOWNLOAD or FREE TO DOWNLOAD does not mean that the software is free. All this means is the software can be downloaded onto your personal computer for you to try before deciding to purchase. This will be a limited version (as explained in the previous paragraph about shareware.)

FREEWARE is completely free for us to download, keep and use. Freeware will vary in quality. Some freeware programs, games and utilities are every bit as good as software that must be purchased. Just be sure that the free ware really is free, with no strings attached and is not contaminated with spy ware.

How to copy and paste

One of the first thrilling things I learned how to do ( after being shown how to turn my computer ON!) was the wonderful art of "COPY AND PASTE". This is something anyone new to computing will do well to learn. It is EASY and is something that most of us use often.

Type 'how to copy and paste" or "copy and paste" into your web browser and you will see a list of many web pages eager to explain this; here is one:

HOW TO COPY AND PASTE

P.S. I hope you will bookmark my blog in your favorites if you wish to visit again! Will do my best to keep this updated and interesting. There is not much sadder than a blog that looks like it could have been worth visiting.. yet... has been neglected for weeks, months or even years!

Computer School Room

For the past year I have been practicing my typing - a skill that I am now GLAD to have learned the basics of way back in my ancient highschool days. One thing that has helped has been typing tutors and games that can be downloaded to our computer. This includes those that some think are meant only for children such as TUX TYPE, TYPER SHARK and CRAZY LUNCH.

Tux type is a freeware typing game and tutor that I have found to be an entertaining way to practice.

Typer Shark, is shareware, has both a very nice typing tutor and several exciting games.

Crazy Lunch, also shareware, provides a fun way to sharpen typing skill and speed.

I have decided to look at the typing tutors and games offered online. I will not list all these right now - however, anyone reading this can type the words 'typing tutor online' or 'typing freeware' or 'typing games' into the web search.

FREE TYPING LESSONS ONLINE (qwerty)

FREE POWER TYPING LESSONS ( qwerty or dvorak)

This brings to mind spelling. One of my pet peeves is how lazy so many are now a days when it comes to taking time to learn to correctly spell words. The spell check feature can be used as a learning tool rather than as a band aid or a crutch.

I have saved a notepad page to my desk top titled SPELLING. Here is where I deposit words that I have mispelled or that I often mis-type.

My computer is also my own school room where I am both student and teacher. Keep in mind that a teacher must exercise good discipline.

Something New To Learn..

I decided to add the Hindi option to my blog. I am not certain what Hindi is! Is it the language of India? Gives me something new to learn about.

ई देसिदेद तो अदद थे हिंदी ओप्शन तो मय ब्लोग। ई ऍम नॉट सर्तैं वहत हिंदी इस ! इस इत थे लंगुअगे ऑफ़ इंडिया ? गिवेस मे सोमेथिंग न्यू तो लीर्ण अबाउट।

My computer gives me wings allowing me to travel and to learn.

मय कंप्यूटर गिवेस मे विन्ग्स अल्लोविंग मे तो ट्रेवल ऎंड तो लीर्ण।

My husband and I bought our first computer during the summer of 2001.

मय हुस्बंद ऎंड ई बौघ्त ओर फर्स्ट कंप्यूटर दुरिंग थे सुम्मेर ऑफ़ २००१।

It was an old computer with a Windows 98 OS. I waited all day for my husband to come home from work. I needed his help as I did not know how to turn the computer on! We still laugh about that. Since then we have both learned more than we knew we could about using a personal computer.

इत वास ऎंड ओल्ड कंप्यूटर विथ अ विन्डोज़ ९८ ओस। ई वैतेद अल दय फ़ॉर मय हुस्बंद तो कॉम होम फ्रॉम वर्क ई नीदेद हिस हेल्प अस ई दीद नॉट क्नोव हाउ तो तुर्ण थे कंप्यूटर ओं! वी स्टील लौघ अबाउट ठाट। सिंस थें वी हवे बोथ लीर्नेद मोरे थान वी क्नेव वी कोउल्ड अबाउट उसिंग अ पर्सनल कंप्यूटर।

This may not work properly as I am typing in English. My words may come out as gibberish in the Hindi script. Still it is very pretty.

थिस मई नॉट वर्क प्रोपेर्ल्य अस ई ऍम टैपिंग इन इंग्लिश । मय वोर्द्स मई कॉम आउट अस गिब्बेरिश इन हिंदी स्क्रिप्ट । स्टील इत इस वैरी प्रेत्त्य।

VISTA NOTES; Cleaning Out the Junk..

REMOVED FROM VISTA: Certain items are not needed and are usually there to sell us something. They hog space and can get in the way and create confusion. If I don't need it --I don't need to allow it to take up space.

Net Zero and AOL Instalation Software AND:Internet Service Offers Launcher ( this is to promote AOL and so on )

Dell Games Console (This is to sell games and game access)

Yahoo Music Player (Windows Media player is already included and works best, in my opinion)

Corel Snap Fire Plus ( this is a 60 day trial photo program that is not needed as the one that comes with Microsoft Works is all one really needs.)

Freeware Review: POING GAME

I have downloaded this free game:

POING

The link was shared in the comments section of the game give away website as an alternative - or addition to the download offer for a similar game.

POING is FREEWARE ( yours to keep and share forever as a gift from the game developers).

The 'read me' is most interesting; do take time to read this if you download the game.

Definitely a keeper. I would call this a classic game. Reminds me of playing ping pong or tennis with a paddle and a comet. There are several levels and a choice to play "break out style". I'm new to this type of game and will admit that I do prefer the simple games - and variations on simple, interesting game themes. There is enough of a challenge to keep me coming back to try again - without being frustrating. It is possible to win. Good for those of us needing to improve, recover or maintain "eye-hand co-ordination" and "fine motor skills".

To install on VISTA I needed to first extract all files and then had to create a short cut to use. And then I need to give permission for it to be run each time. Now to put it on our old pc still happily humming along on Windows 98.

Website Review : Free Game Give Away

Not long ago I was thinking that it could be enjoyable and interesting to be able to test-drive and evaluate certain computer games and to share my findings and opinion. What I am interested in are games that serve some purpose - even if the purpose is just to relax one's mind and thoughts for a while.

And then a newsletter I subscribe to had a link to the 'game giveaway of the day' website. I almost passed it up, yet, decided to give it a look-see. What intrigued me is that the idea there is for folks to be able to use and evaluate a free, fully functioning, licensed game - and then to leave comments on the game. Obviously, some will visit the website ONLY to obtain free games - not to obtain a free game to evaluate and then keep if you wish.

I hope that the game creators are reading the comments - even though some of the comments are either just to complain or to say "I don't want to download this game .. it aint the kind I like." Mixed in with the junk comments are those that give honest helpful information, suggestions, game tips and opinion. I am hoping that more will begin to leave serious, mature comments relating directly to the software (game) itself.

So far I have evaluated the following games:
Aqua Pearls ( shoot and match game)
Alinox ( a pac man type game)
Crazy Lunch (typing game)
Gem Zone (puzzle matching game)
Musikapa (block busting game)

My comments are signed : GrammyBee

GAME GIVE AWAY OF THE DAY

The games vary in type and quality and must be downloaded and installed during a 24 hour period. Be sure to READ the 'read me" and the installation information shown in plain sight on the website.

IMPORTANT: It is prudent to read the comments before downloading one of the games. Often others will share information about problems they have encountered with the software. One very important bit of infromation is wether or not it includes an UNINSTALLER!

Also, it is interesting to visit each game developer's website. I liked one of the games given away by axysoft well enough to download trial versions of two of their other games; which I decided to purchase:

Chroma Ways ( A delightful, full of surprises, family-friendly, 3D puzzle game that looks WONDERFUL on the new Windows Vista OS.) and AxySnake ( a camera angle remake of the game where you use the arrow keys maneuver a snake around obstacles and lead it to edibles; crunchy apples and mushrooms. This game may scare some younger children - especially when the screen goes dark and the snake screeches in fear at the end... I like to think he is just afraid of the dark. This game has an option setting where you say YES or NO to violence. In the cartoon -like violent mode there are growling creatures lurking at the dark edges; definitely of the 'blood thirsty type" waiting to attack and swallow your snake. And at the end of each session it does just that! Definitely not appropriate at all in this mode for children and for some grown ups as well. I would rate the Axy Snake game 'PG"; for parental guidance and discretion.)

It is the words that matter

All I want here is a plain, easy to keep, simple, useful web log or journal... without the clutter and fuss of videos and gadgets. After all, it is the words that pass along thoughts and information.

Grammy's Computer Adventures

I beleive this will be an enjoyable way to share computer related chat and information... and to answer questions that Gramps and I are often asked... such as how to copy and paste? Where do I find free games or educational software?