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Spring break is just around the corner, and children everywhere are gearing up and packing up to head to their grandparents’ homes. In turn, grandparents are frantically searching for activities to keep the grandkids busy.

With the price of gasoline on the rise, many families are opting to stay close to home for their spring break vacation, and planning is as important for a staycation as it is for an overseas trip.

To ensure a fun time is had by all, even the youngest in the group, create a staycation passport using either your computer’s clip art or the site http://tinyurl.com/staycationclipart.

The temperatures are warming up, and the daffodils are blooming. My 2012 gardening adventure is under way. I am confident that my neighbors think I am excavating my backyard in hopes of finding buried treasure. Little do they realize that the buried treasure is none other than tree roots and stumps. Trying to tame the wildness that is my backyard requires tenacity, hard work and access to good information.

February is African-American history month. If celebrating your heritage has you digging for the roots of your family tree, consider using the Internet for help.

Genealogy research is one of the fastest-growing hobbies in America. More and more people want to know where they came from and how they ended up here. The Internet offers many useful tools to those of us who cannot travel to visit historical archives in other states or the Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

Valentine’s Day is perhaps the hardest holiday for computer geeks because it requires two things we are not overly fond of -- public displays of affection and people.

Christmas tends to be a very easy holiday for us because we can do all of our shopping online. Birthdays are much the same. Valentine’s Day often requires a conversation with a florist, which is usually someone we don’t know. Because ordering flowers online doesn’t really count as a carefully chosen, personal gift, it usually isn’t an option.

Small businesses can entice local customers with online coupons and discounts just like the big box stores do.

Shopping online can be extremely useful for busy consumers, but it often leaves small businesses out in the cold.

There are numerous options for the small business owner or entrepreneur when it comes to selling online, but determining the right fit for your growing business can be a challenge. Most tech-savvy folks say there is no perfect online payment system. Rather, it’s a choice between what software helps net the most sales minus the software that gives you the least amount of headache.

Planning a wedding can be an intimidating experience, but technology can help the couple and their guests enjoy the day.

The Internet can be a good source of information about local photographers, caterers and florists, so investigate before signing on the dotted line. Check the reviews of other customers, and be sure to click on the Images tab to see if any photos of the person’s work are available in addition to the pictures on their website.

Small, local shops can use free social media tools to create online gift registries.

I love small downtown businesses. There is just something special about wandering into local shops and looking at locally made pottery, jewelry and other knick-knacks, especially when I am shopping for myself. However, when it comes to wedding and baby gifts, online registries offered by larger companies are usually my “go-to” choice.

If losing weight is at the top of your New Year’s resolutions list, consider using technology to make it easier. Before beginning any new diet, consult with your medical professional or nutritionist.

As Christmas wrapping paper litters the living room floor, gift recipients eagerly tinker with their new gadgets and gizmos. But what should they do with their old computers, cell phones and monitors?

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans abandon 12 million to 14 million computers each year. Of those, 75 percent are stored in closets, and 50 percent of those could be donated.

Setting up wireless Internet access for your home or home office may sound daunting, but with careful attention to detail and a little patience, it can be done in an afternoon.

First, decide whether wireless Internet access is right for your home. There are several benefits to wireless access. For example, it can allow you to use the Internet from anywhere in the house without being tied to a network cable. It also allows you to connect multiple devices (computers, iPads, gaming consoles) to the network.

Gifts for the technology lover do not have to be confusing or expensive, and there are many options that can help fill in spaces under the tree without breaking the bank.

My mother referred to these smaller items as “filler” presents. If we woke up Christmas morning to find a shiny bicycle beside the tree, we knew that every other present underneath the tree would be socks and underwear.

The holidays are quickly approaching, and little ones have begun the eager countdown to Christmas morning. A tradition in many families is to write a letter to Saint Nick, and many tech-savvy children are turning to the Internet to get their letters to Santa in on time.

Tablet computers burst into the technology market a little less than two years ago with the launch of Apple’s iPad tablet. The iPad tablets account for nearly 80 percent of the tablet market, but other manufacturers, like Amazon, Motorola, Samsung and Toshiba, are introducing their newest version of the tablet just in time for the holiday season.

The holidays may be the only time during the year all of your extended family comes together to celebrate the season and enjoy some quality time. However, once a year may not be enough for many families.

For example, grandparents are often eager to watch their grandchildren develop. Families want to stay in contact when loved ones are serving in the military overseas. Parents need to keep tabs on college students far from home. One way to keep in touch is by using a web conferencing or desktop videoconferencing system.

Holiday shopping used to be so simple, but today’s technology-related gift options are very tempting, complicated and in some cases, expensive.

Electronic book readers are extremely popular this year. Whether you are shopping for someone else or dropping hints about your personal desires, look into all the options before settling on one.

E-book readers come in many different forms, but the four most common are Amazon’s Kindle, Barnes & Noble’s Nook, Apple’s iPad and the Sony Reader.

As the holidays approach, many Mississippians find that using online coupons can help save money on gifts and food, even in local stores.

If children and grandchildren top your list, most major toy companies offer $5 to $10 coupons on select toys. Some companies, such as Hasbro and Fisher-Price, offer coupons that can be printed and taken to your local store. Others, such as Mattel, offer coupons that can be used only at their online store. When combined with in-store coupons or discounts, the savings can add up quickly.

When your digital photos have been downloaded to the computer and edited, it is time to decide what to do with them. You can keep them on your computer where no one else will see them, or you can display them.

The easiest way to display digital images is on a digital photo frame. Digital photo frames are easy to use and will rotate through hundreds of photos in an automated slideshow. When you purchase a digital photo frame, there are several factors to consider, such as price and resolution.

Many software programs and features can help you manage your digital photos with the click of a button.

After photos are downloaded to your computer, decide whether editing is required. Several photo editing software packages are available that can improve pictures by removing red eye, cropping or removing blemishes.