• Names and dates are reported differently when data from various sources or census years are compared. Often spellings were phonetic when recorded by census takers.
• One site is usually not enough to gather all details.
• A gedcom file is a standard method of transferring a family tree from an existing genealogy program.
• Talk to your relatives to see what they know first.

Choosing Tools to Gather and Share Information

• New York Times on Genealogy Tools
• Genealogy Databases Compared – Check the boxes for the products you would like to compare side-by-side
• Digital Librarian links -”A librarian’s choice of the best of the web”
• Best Genealogy Resources for Beginners
• Beginning Your Family History
• Wisconsin State Historical Society Classes and Workshops
• “Finding Your Roots” PBS TV Show Resources

Subscription Sites (Many have free trial periods)

• Ancestry.com – Prompts you through information gathering
• Geni – Includes social tools
• Genealogybank.com – Includes newspaper archives and a 30 day free trial
• Archives
• World Vital Records

Sites with Free Access to Most Content

• Top 10 Free Genealogy Sites
• Wisconsin Historical Society Genealogy Tools
• Heritage Quest – Available on campus (from networks within the UW IP space) through UW libraries.
• Free Genealogy Resources
• Ellis Island Genealogy Learning Center
• FamilySearch
• rootsweb – Includes free global searching on surnames. Affiliated with Ancestry.com
• National Archives – Searchable documents, photos and records
• Ancestor Hunt – Search Wisconsin surnames or cemetery records
• My Heritage
• Cyndi’s List of Genealogy Sites on the Web

Reviews

• The Best Online Tools for Personal Finance
• Best Mobile Personal Finance Tools
• Mint.com Review
• Mint.com vs. PageOnce
• Five Personal Finance Apps to Try for 2012

Online Banking

• Safe Internet Banking
• Five Great Internet Banks
• Example of Tools Provided by Online Banks – Your bank probably has tools, as well

Accounting

The Best Free Small Business Accounting Software

Testing Notes

• Mint – By Intuit (the makers of Quicken). Has a nice iPad app, along with the full desktop software and various phone and tablet apps. Great for planning.
• Uses “bank-level security”
• Users can set goals such as attaining a monthly retirement amount
• Shows spending trends
• Combines transactions by date fro all accounts
• PageOnce – A competitor to Mint that has a strong bill paying feature on its iPhone and iPad apps.

* Be sure to log out on your tablet or phone to remove downloaded data from the device.

Digital decisions

Amazon takes on the iPad

eBooks in Madison Public Libraries

“Libraries Brace for run on e-books”

Madison Public Library eBooks

Library access to eBooks using OverDrive

“How fast are eBooks catching up with print book circulation at libraries?” Maggie Lichtenbuerg

eBooks at UW-Madison

UW-Madison eText pilot

eTextbooks for Rent or Purchase

NOOK Study

Apple iBooks textbooks for iPad (And with the iBooks Author app, anyone can create a book for the iPad)

eCampus.com

CourseSmart

Info for Kindle Owners

Kindle Owners’ Lending Library

Free Books for Kindle

Listen to the show

To listen to the tech report segment go to the 41:10 minute mark at WORT Friday Eight O’Clock Buzz - February 24, 2012

Predictions from the October 2009 Show

“Why E-Books are Hot and Getting Hotter“

Downloading Music and Movies

Understanding File Sharing

Music Sites

RIAA List of Legal Music Services

EDUCAUSE Extensive Legal Downloading Sites and Alternatives

Digital Music – Sites, Services and Essential Software

FREE MUSIC SITES:

10 Awesome Sites To Listen/Download Free Music Legally

Amazon has many free download options.

Pandora

Jango.com

Spotify

Yahoo

PAID SERVICES:

Rhapsody

SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act)

Lifehacker All About SOPA…

Electronic Freedom Foundation SOPA overview

SOPA Bill Text

Internet blacklist power to be stripped from Senate’s PROTECT IP ACT

Take Action Checklist

FEATURED GIFT

• This Is What Democracy Cooks Like WORT cookbook at WORT FM.

UW GIFT IDEAS

• Doors of the UW-Madison poster to help support UW–Madison students through the Great People Scholarship Campaign. You can view the poster online and see where to pick it up, but no web orders for this item.

• If you are UW Madison Faculty, staff or students, you are eligible to shop at the DoIT Tech Store. Go to techstore.doit.wisc.edu and enter the Personal Store to see some of the items, including gift cards for your favorite affiliate and gloves that allow you to use your touch screen devices.

• Just in time for the Rose Bowl, a copy of the “buckumentary” Being Bucky.The movie was an audience award winner at the 2009 Wisconsin Film Festival and is very entertaining (includes language that may not be suitable for children).

• The Wisconsin Union Terrace store has unique items such as my favorite mini terrace chairs, as well as posters and other gifts . Union members save 10%.

• The Chazen museum shop includes books, note cards and posters.

• The Badger Band Store has UW marching band recordings and gifts, and the School of Music has concert CDs, including seasonal such as “In the Bleak Midwinter”

• The Arboretum bookstore has an online gift shop. You can also donate or purchase a membership for a friend. One featured item: Bird Song Ear Training Guide BY JOHN FEITH. “Wisconsinite John Feith’s CD is a great aid to bird call identification and features the recorded songs of 189 different species.”

• UHS massages. Jonathan was correct. These are for students, so purchase a discounted massage for the student in your life.

DOWNTOWN MADISON

• At Downtown Madison’s site, you can purchase downtown gift certificates that can be redeemed for shopping, dining, museums, live theatre, etc. at more than 170 shops, restaurants, museums, cafes, bars and other establishments on State Street and the Capitol Square. See the Shop and Dine page to order your certificates. You can also read the participating business list before ordering.

ITEMS WITH AN ORDER DEADLINE

• By Dec. 14 – an opportunity to send an animal theme card with a message stating that you have made a donation in your gift recipient’s name to the School of Veterinary Medicine.

• Olbrich Gardens has has personalized greeting cards with Olbrich images for sale. All cards are provided by Alumni Cards, a division of Park Printing in Verona, Wisconsin. A portion of the proceeds benefits Olbrich Botanical Gardens. You can also purchase gift memberships to Olbrich while there.

CITY OF MADISON GIFTS

• Gift Certificates can be purchased On-line at the City of Madison and can be redeemed for cross country skiing, ice skating, dog park permits, golf fees, lake access fees, boat storage fees, shelter reservations, at Goodman Pool and at Warner Park Community Recreation Center.

UNIQUE GIFTS

• The Wisconsin Historical Society has a nice list of gift ideas including a Frank Lloyd Wright marionnette and a Wisconsin charm bracelet. The full catalog includes bubbler t-shirts and cheese curd or “no thanks I’m having butter” items.

• There are also 2012 WHS individual or family passports for unlimited admission to historic sites and museums (and they are a great buy). The family passport is well under $100 and includes unlimited seasonal admission to the following historic sites and museums:
  • Circus World in Baraboo
  • HH Bennett Studio in the Wisconsin Dells
  • Madeline Island Museum on Lake Superior
  • Old World Wisconsin in Waukesha County
  • Pendarvis in Mineral Point
  • Stonefield Historic Village and Agricultural Museum in Cassville
  • Villa Louis on the Mississippi River in Prairie du Chien
  • Wade House and Wesley Jung Carriage Museum in Sheboygan County
  • Wisconsin Historical Museum in Madisonin Sheboygan County

• Buy your Wisconsin State Park stickers and calendars online through Friends of Wisconsin State Parks. They have several gift packages that include donations to provide outdoor education to children. Order before 12/16/11 for those who would like delivery by the 25th.

BOOKS

• University of Wisconsin Press online store. Go to the regional books page and follow the instructions for 20% off cover price on books and CDs about Wisconsin and the Midwest. You must order through the Web site to get the discount.

MAGAZINES

• You can purchase a gift subscription to Wisconsin Trails or buy the “Capture Wisconsin” Wisconsin photography book.

• Go to Madison Magazine and click on the “Give a Gift” button (right side of the page) for gift subscriptions. The magazine store is also selling notecards from UW Press.

ENTERTAINMENT

• Tickets for the Isthmus Beer & Cheese fest to be held January 21st. Participants include a number of area brewers and cheesemakers, along with local live music.

• Most local performance venues allow you to purchase tickets and/or gift certificates online. One example is the Overture Center.

SPORTS FANS

• Go to UWBadgers.com and click on “Buy Tickets” for Badger single game tickets or multi-game packages, such as Hockey Family Packs. Groups of 15 receive a discount.

• Packers apparel and gifts at The Packer Pro Shop. For a more significant gift, stock, suitable for framing, is available.

• Badger gifts at Wisconsin Made, including Badger grills and just about anything you can think of  with a Badger theme.

• Badger gifts – Get your Bucky versus Ducky Rose Bowl shirts at the University Bookstore. Ground shipping deadline is 12/16

• See the Alumni Association store at  for lots of great gifts including Badger Holiday cards.

FOR ANIMAL LOVERS

• Anyone who purchases a Vilas Zoo membership by December 23rd receives gifts (and the membership is under $50).

• Sponsor an animal  or donate in honor of a of a person or pet at the Dane County Humane Society. There is still also time to purchase your “Make Your Pet a Pin-Up” 2012 DCHS calendar for the animal lover in your life.

• Give online at Dane Friends of Ferals, where you can sponsor a cat or become a member.

HOBBIES

• Gift of music: at Music Notes (a Madison company), you can buy sheet music or a gift certicate for your favorite musicians’ work.

CHARITIES

• Donate in someone’s name. For example, at Community Shares of Wisconsin, you can select a member agency and most allow you to donate online.

• Or, go directly to WORTFM.org and become a listener sponsor.

FOOD & DRINK

• Babcock Dairy Store offers cheese boxes and clothing gifts

• Barriques has gift cards, wine clubs and coffee.

• Penzeys sells gift boxes or you can create your own mix. They are running a Kind Heart mini gift box special at a great price for the holidays.

• The Mustard Museum has an online store with much more than mustard. They also have a mustard of the month club.

• Order baskets filled with Wisconsin’s favorite treats from Sweet Gift Express.

• Wisconsinmade.com has unique holiday gift ideas and gift baskets including cheese, sausage, chocolates and other gourmet food gifts for friends and family. You can also shop for special gifts from Wisconsin artisans, unique Wisconsin Badger and Packer clothing, Wisconsin guides/travel books, music, and home/garden gifts.

• Wisconsinmade.com also has some interesting Gift of the Month Clubs, including:
  • Cheese of the Month Club
  • Chocolate of the Month Club
  • Coffee of the Month Club
  • Dessert of the Month Club
  • Gourmet Food Month Club
  • Ice Cream of the Month Club
  • *Kringle of the Month Club
  • Pie of the Month Club
  • And, they will ship Babcock Hall peppermint stick ice cream.

• Fromagination, Carr Valley Cheese, Wisconsin Cheeseman and House of Wisconsin Cheese are just a few of the others that allow you to order gift boxes online and ship direct to your friends and family

• Order chocolates directly from Gail Ambrosius, Mauries and Candinas, to name a few.

RESTAURANTS

• Madison dining online is one site that sells half price gift certificates. They feature new restaurants each Friday through their 50/50 Fridays promotion.

• Madison Originals is a grassroots confederation of more than four dozen independently-owned restaurants. You can buy gift certificates from their site which can be used at any of their area restaurants.

• You can purchase Foodfight cards for use at any of the Madison Food Fight restaurants or toward cookbooks at Food Fight Restaurant Group site and you get your own gift card free with a minimum gift card order. Offer ends December 31, 2011.

• Don’t forget to check your favorite restaurant’s Web site for specials, as well.

CLASSES

• Wisconsin Union Mini Courses make a great gift for someone you know well.

PERSONAL CARE

• The Soap Opera has winter holiday soaps.

Remember that some gift certificates are mailed, rather than allowing you to print them, so you may need to order soon

FOR MORE LOCAL OPTIONS

• Portal to Dane County Businesses participating in the Dane Buy Local campaign.

• Steve Jobs: He Thinks Different
• iPhone’s Siri vs. My Human Assistant

Recipe Sites:

Cooks Illustrated Magazine from America’s Test Kitchen offers a 14-day Free Trial for access to their well-tested recipes, along with equipment reviews and ingredient taste tests. Membership includes an iPhone app with access to their entire database of recipes.

Create Your Own Cookbook:

Use social bookmarking to create a database of your favorite recipes at delicious. Go to simple mom to find out how. Yumm is another site that allows you to gather all of your favorite recipes and share them, if you like.

Create a searchable bookshelf of cookbooks you already own at eatyourbooks.com. Select up to 5 of your cookbooks for free or add unlimited books for $2.50/month or $25/year

Delish.com allows you to create your own recipe book and includes an advice column called CookChat.

The “Building the Future” video is very interesting (especially to someone who has a geothermal loop system at their home). The WID web site also includes a list of grand opening events. DoIT will be providing Internet kiosks for the Town Center.