Tuesday's Tool: Urban Legends Reference Pages

To delete or not to delete; that is the question... Among the dozens, if not hundreds, of e-mails that arrive daily, how can patrons figure out what is delete-worthy and what should be passed along posthaste to everyone on their address lists?

Enter the Urban Legends Reference Pages, frequently referred to simply as Snopes. One of a number of "debunking" sites, this is one of the most fun in which to spend some time. Here are entertaining, insightful, and authoritative analyses of not only urban legends in the strictest sense, but also pleas, warnings, scares, heart-wrenching stories (i.e., glurge), offers, gossip, fallacies, etc.

In this season, it should be pointed out that there are a number of holiday legends, superstitions, and glurge. One of the most entertaining of the lot has to do with The Red and the Mondegreen, or misheard Christmas carol lyrics. Give it a read for a good laugh! Happy Holidays!

SUBJECTS: REFERENCE RICHES

CFLC Chronicles: CFLC "Globe" Trotting #3

While the blog hasn't been very busy lately, the globe was traveling a great deal in November. Here are pictures from its wonderful cruise to Baja California and the Mexican Riviera (note the cliff diving) that it took with the cousins of one of the trainers (who were having waaay too much fun with the towel bunny!):














SUBJECTS: CFLC CHRONICLES

Friday Fun Thing: PNC Christmas Price Index

Any "True Loves" out there? It's gonna cost you! The price of the traditional gifting from the Twelve Days of Christmas song has risen to a 21-year high of $18,348.87!

Check out the PNC Christmas Price Index for a lighthearted, but valid, in-depth analysis of the prices, trends, and economics involved in the gifting. An animated version of the carol opens the page, complete with a scrolling ticker; a Flash presentation describes the factors involved in the pricing (bird flu, rising shipping costs, etc.); and an "Educator's Guide" provides interactive tools for classroom use. (The Flash presentation also provides a truly eye-popping amount for the "True Love" who wants to repeat the previous gifts daily as the song implies!)

And you thought you had shopping woes!

SUBJECTS: CFLC CHRONICLES

Tuesday's Tool: Technology Reviews

After much too long a holiday break, this week's Tuesday's tool is designed to help you answer those patron questions about which electronic gadgets to purchase. Cnet.com presents lengthy reviews, comparison articles, and video tutorials on products from "car tech" to televisions and from desktops to games and gear.

There are continually changing features and one right now is the most useful Holiday Gift Guide 2005, with "12 hours of answers to your questions on holiday gadget shopping." Includes both price and category browse functions. Not so helpful is the information that there are "only 12 shopping days left...", but who's panicking?!

SUBJECTS: REFERENCE RICHES