File Extensions-What are they?

The following is a list of some of the most popular "file extensions" you will see on your computer and or receive in an email...  File Extensions tell the computer the specific type of "file" something is...    Note if any file extension has an "x" at the end of it, it is an indication it was done in one of the Office 2007, 2010, 2013 programs... (ie.e docx; xlsx, pptx)
Extension	Example File Type
zip	Zip archive
pdf	PDF Document
mp3	MP3 Audio File
jpg	JPEG Image
exe	Executable file
wmv	Windows Media Video
doc	Microsoft Word Document
ppt	Microsoft PowerPoint Presentation
mpg	MPEG-1 Video
tif	Tagged Image File Format
wav	Waveform Audio Format
mov	QuickTime
psd	Photoshop Document
wma	Windows Media Audio
xls	Microsoft Excel spreadsheet
mp4	MPEG-4 Part 14
txt	Plain text file
bmp	Windows bitmap
pps	PowerPoint Show
aif	Audio Interchange File
pub	Microsoft Publisher
gif	GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) Image
qbb	QuickBooks backup file
dat	Data
rm	RealMedia
mdb	Microsoft Access
htm	Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)
flv	Flash video
wpd	WordPerfect Document
rtf	Rich Text Format
jpeg	JPEG image
html	Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) document
pst	Microsoft Personal STorage
ttf	TrueType font
mswmm	Windows Movie Maker Project File
eml	E-mail message
bat	Batch file
wps	Text document; MS Works

Facebook - Using lists to customize who sees your posts

Using "lists" in Facebook allows you to create a post (with or without photos or videos) and share that post with a specific list of people that you have created, instead of sharing it with "everyone" in your friends list... 

You must be signed into your Facebook account and Remember in Facebook you have 2 different pages: a timeline page and a home page.

·       Your timeline page shows everything you have written/posted - as well as easy access to all your friends, photos, maps & likes (companies, groups, artists etc)

·       Your home page (or wall) shows your own postings as well as postings by those you are friends with and comments/likes made on those various posts

To create or edit a custom list, go to your home page. 

P  Click the Home link (along the top-right of every Facebook page)

P  Choose "Friends" from the sidebar on the left side of your home page

P  Press "Create List" at the top of the page

P  Type the name of your list in the "List Name" field. Type the names of Friends into the "Members" field

P  Return to your lists page. Your new list that you created should be on the page

To edit a custom list, go to your home page. 

P  Click the Home link (along the top-right of every Facebook page)

P  Find the list you want to edit in the left column, or click the More link next to Friends

P  Select the list you want to edit or click Create a List

P  Search for your friends in the search bar at the top of the page, or add people from the List Suggestions on the right

You can add individual friends to lists by hovering over the Friends button at the top of their timeline and selecting from the list names that appear. If you don't see the name of the list you're looking for, click the option to show all of your lists.

To delete a custom list that you have created, go to your home page (you are only deleting the custom list - the individuals in that list remain in your friends list)

P  Click the Home link (along the top-right of every Facebook page)

P  Click on name of the list you want to delete

P  Click on the Manage List dropdown and select Delete List

You will notice there is a RESTRICTED LIST category provided by Facebook, people you add to your Restricted list. When you add someone to your Restricted list, they'll only be able to see your Public content or posts of yours that you tag them in

Easily copy files/folders from one pc to another

We are always being asked how to transfer data "easily" from one computer to another.. Here are several options - all of which are quite easy:

USING AN EXTERNAL OR PORTABLE HARD DRIVE

You can "copy" all of your folders/files from one computer to either an External Hard Drive or Portable Hard Drive for temporary storage.  When you are ready, simply "paste" them to the correct main locations on your new computer...

WINDOWS EASY TRANSFER (Microsoft) - You will need an easy transfer cable to use this option..

P  Click "Start."

P  Click "All Programs."

P  Click "Accessories."

P  Click "System Tools."

P  Click "Windows Easy Transfer."

P  Follow the onscreen prompts to transfer the files you want.

MOUSE WITHOUT BORDERS (Microsoft) This is a free software download from Microsoft that was designed for people who use many computers in the same room. For example, a laptop or tablet that you take to meetings might sit right alongside the desktop PC in your office and allows you to control up to four computers from a single mouse and keyboard.

I have to tell you that I've used it many times now since the fall of 2012 and have no hesitation introducing it to all of you...  I find it easy to download and use, so that I can copy folders and files from on computer to another - whether PC to laptop or vice versa.. Also very easy when you are moving folders or files from one pc to another (as long as they are both up and running at the same time...and it works very well between Windows XP, Vista 7 & 8 operating systems, but I haven't been able to use it yet on Macs (assume the software isn't approved yet by Apple)...but I've also just downloaded it to my Smartphone and love it...

Link to download: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35460

No matter which way you choose, be sure the data transfer is complete before deleting the information on the disk or old computer.

Welcome to MCC Hodel Library

Greetings from the Hodel Library on the Lake Havasu Campus of Mohave Community College! The weather is beginning to warm up, so it’s a perfect time to take your reading outside.

Come to the Library and check out a Jonathan Kellerman or a Janet Evanovich to read. You can also use the Library’s online databases to look at articles from journals such as Consumer Reports, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, PC World, U.S. News and World Reports, etc.

The best part – it’s all FREE! Come on in and sign up for a Library card and see what we have to offer. For more information, give me a call at 928-505-3311 or email me at wbirkhead@mohave.edu.

You can also come by and visit with us in person at Mohave Community College, 1977 Acoma Blvd. West (we’re located toward the back of the campus, not far from the 500 Building).

Thanks, Wendi Birkhead, Campus Librarian

Hodel Library, Mohave Community College

1977 Acoma Blvd. West
Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403
www.mohave.edu

Helpful Travel Tips

Just a few helpful travel tips .

BOOK AIRLINE TRAVEL from 12:01AM WEDNESDAY MORNING (Eastern Standard Time) on; all new fares are announced/posted at midnight Tuesday evening for the next week

SIGN-UP FOR ALL E-MAIL NOTICES of special prices from low cost airlines that serve your city or target destination (or are near-by).   Examples include: Kayak's FareAlert, Southwest Ding! Fares, Southwest Click 'n Save fares, AirTran, Frontier, JetBlue, Spirit Airline Red Light fares.  The low cost airlines' special fares are much less restrictive than the high cost carriers' week-end specials.  You can get a weekly summary of many of the airlines weekend specials at SmarterTravel.com. 

LAST MINUTE TRAVEL – Are you retired, a student off for the summer or can take time off from your job on short notice – then register with various “last minute travel sites” who offer incredible deals for short 3 or 4 days vacations to even longer 14-21 vacation land and or cruise packages – Why??  Arrangements are made & once that ship sails or hotel night passes the revenues can’t be made up, so they’d rather sell the package cheap, knowing you’ll spend money on liquor, side trips, gambling & other amenities…  Some incredible deals if you can leave on a few days notice

CONFIRM ARRANGEMENTS. If transportation and hotel are included in the travel package, ask how to contact those companies and confirm with them directly that the reservations have been made.  Always be sure to print off confirmations and keep a print copy with your folder or send yourself an email with the info..(with being able to sync phones & emails & claendars today it's easier than ever to access this info)

EMAIL YOURSELF ALL PERTINENT INFO: Send yourself an email including all airline info; hotel & car rental info & confirmation #'s an rates quoted; list of credit cards you are taking and their pertinent info - #'s, type, exp date, sc code, bank tele #'s; list of all your medications & dosages; doctors names etc... Today no matter where you go you will find a computer so that you can access this data in a pinch..

If you have a suggestion that might be helpful to others when they are travelling, we'd love to hear it...

What is an Android????

According to Wikipedia, "Android is a Linux-based operating system designed primarily for touch screen mobile devices such as Smartphone's and tablet computers. Initially developed by Android, Inc., which Google backed financially and later purchased in 2005, Android was unveiled in 2007 along with the founding of the Open Handset Alliance: a consortium of hardware, software, and telecommunication companies devoted to advancing open standards for mobile devices. The first Android-powered phone was sold in October 2008.

Android is open source and Google releases the code under the Apache License. This open source code and permissive licensing allows the software to be freely modified and distributed by device manufacturers, wireless carriers and enthusiast developers. Additionally, Android has a large community of developers writing applications ("apps") that extend the functionality of devices, written primarily in a customized version of the Java programming language. In October 2012, there were approximately 700,000 apps available for Android, and the estimated number of applications downloaded from Google Play, Android's primary app store, was 25 billion.

These factors have allowed Android to become the world's most widely used smartphone platform and the software of choice for technology companies who require a low-cost, customizable, lightweight operating system for high tech devices without developing one from scratch. As a result, despite being primarily designed for phones and tablets, it has seen additional applications on televisions, games consoles and other electronics. Android's open nature has further encouraged a large community of developers and enthusiasts to use the open source code as a foundation for community-driven projects, which add new features for advanced users or bring Android to devices which were officially released running other operating systems."

Greetings from the MCC Hodel Libary

Hi All! My name is Wendi Birkhead and I am the Campus Librarian of the Hodel Library on the Lake Havasu Campus of Mohave Community College. I want to invite you to visit us and find out about all the wonderful books, DVDs, audiobooks, and electronic materials we have to offer. 

Many people don’t realize that we are open to everyone – students and non-students, alike – and anyone can get a library card for free. Let me fill you in on some great things that we are presenting in January and February: 

• On Friday, January 25^th , the campus will have Marshall Shore (“Arizona’s Hip Historian”) presenting “A Historical Trip Down Route 66.” John Steinbeck called Route 66 the “mother road” and that name endures today. Arizona has the longest stretch of Route 66 that is still in use. This iconic route is a timeline dotted with towns rich with history and tradition. Come learn about Arizona’s Route 66 and discuss its role in John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath. This free presentation will be held in Building 600 at 4:00 pm. 

• We will have a book discussion of The Grapes of Wrath in our campus Library on Wednesday, February 13^th at 2:00 pm. Come by the Library for a free copy of the book. 

• I will present a series of classes during Spring Frenzy that will show you some tricks and tips of using the Library’s free online databases. Learn how to access magazines like Consumer Reports, Kiplinger’s, PC World, and more (for free!). 

Please give us a call at 928-453-5809 to ask for more information. You can also come by and visit with us in person at Mohave Community College, 1977 Acoma Blvd. West (we’re located toward the back of the campus, not far from the 500 Computer Building).

We look forward to talking with you.

Wendi Birkhead, MLS, Campus Librarian and Library Coordinator

Hodel Library – Lake Havasu City Campus

Mohave Community College

1977 Acoma Blvd. West-Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403

Tel 928-505-3311; Cell 928-846-7021

Fax 928-453-8335

Toll Free: 1-866-664-2832

Email: wbirkhead@mohave.edu

12th Annual Spring Frenzy Reminder

Just a reminder that the 12th Annual Lake Havasu City Spring Frenzy is February 4th thru 8th, 2013 and registrations begin today, Monday-February 7th, at the Aquatic Center-so be sure to stop by...

 

For those of you who haven't experienced Spring Frenzy, it is a fun-filled week of activities and classes designed not only for fun, but for improving your quality of life as well.

 

This year Lake Havasu City Parks & Recreation is offering 192 classes featuring 14 special activities including fishing, golfing, field trip to the Bluewater Casino and to Stagecoach Trails. Happy Hour will be happening every day Monday-Thursday from 4 -  6 p.m. and on Friday is a concert.

 

MCC is again donating classrooms at campus so that Wendi Birkhead can introduce everyone to the services of our wonderful campus library and Cassaundra Pham and I will be doing a wide variety of one (1) hour introductions to many of our computer classes including how to use:

• Your Computer, Laptop, Table, eReader, iPad, iPod, iPhone, MacBook & Digital Camera
• How to use Picasa for digital photo editing; Word to create documents, tables & mail merges, Excel for spreadsheets and list managment; Movie Maker to create movies with your digital photos and other application programs;
• How to find & organizde what's on your PC;
• How to use Skype to make free phone calls worldwide; 
• How to save & make money by safely shopping & selling on line;
• How to use Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest & other social networking sites and many more... 

So if you are thinking about taking a class at MCC, this is a great way to "test the waters"...

 

All classes and events fill up quickly, so be sure to stop by the Aquatic Center, right off Rt. 95 at 100 Park Avenue.

 

Price: $4 each class or $30 for the week...

 

So join in the fun.....

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to you and your family and we hope you all had a wonderful holiday season.  For those of our readers who will be travelling to Lake Havasu - safe travels...


I want to apologize for the lack of postings the last several weeks - in addition to the normal hustle and bustle of the holidays, I had some major back issues and while I was back in Boston for the holidays, had no choice but to give in and have a necessary medical procedure on my back, so much to my dismay, I was unable to spend anytime on the computer (not an easy task for me) as most of you can imagine.....

But I'm pleased to say that I am finally feeling better and look forward to getting back to blogging and teaching...

Speaking of teaching we are offering lots of great classes - including some new and modified classes (in red) for those of you with laptops, tablets, eReaders, smartphones, iPads, iPhones, MacBooks and those wanting to better understand facebook, twitter and other forms of social networking...

We are continuing classes to help you find & organize what's on your pc, using Word - Excel - PowerPoint - email - your digital cameras, editing photos, creating great things with your digital photos including wonderful coffee table books & other gift ideas and movies, getting more comfortable buying and selling online-whether it's making travel arrangements, renting a vacation home or selling those things you've been accumulating in the attic and many other great topics... We continue to update these classes to reflect new changes made in software - such as those changes in Office 2007 & 2010 (vs. Office 2000, 2003, XP etc) and discuss the differences in our classes & handouts; we are also addressing the changes in operating systems such as Windows 7 and the new Windows 8, and hope to add a Windows 8 class in February... so our goal is to help give you the information you need to stay current as this technology continues to change and we encourage your feedback as to what topics you would like us to be teaching.....

In addition to our computer classes, MCC offers many other great classes in a wide variety of fun & interesting subjects - from genealogy, health, many types of dance, fitness, ceramics, painting and many more...Visit our website: www.mohave.edu; visit our campus at 1971 Acoma Blvd in Lake Havasu and when you do stop by and visit our wonderful Hodel Library on campus and get a library card or use our computers there, all of which are open to the public; or call MCC for more information.. So sign up today and bring a friend along - Call Registration 928-855-7812

If you are thinking about taking a class - please register.. Last fall we truly regretted disappointing students who showed up for classes, thinking they'd register after the class, only to learn the class was postponed due to low enrollment.. So try to register, and if something comes up and you can't attend we can move your class or refund the monies.

My classes begin next week - we are in Classroom #507 in the computer building and my classes will continue thru April - Complete schedules are available at our MCC campus or online or email me..this is a list of my classes the next two weeks...

Great news for those of you with "i" devices from Apple Mac, we have a wonderful new addition to our team, Cassaundra Pham who will be teaching several 8 hour classes a month dedicated to iPads, iPhones and MacBooks, so I'm listing her class info as well....

As always don't hesitate to email me if you have any questions or suggestions about class topics you'd like to see us teaching - We look forward to seeing you soon....., 

FIND/ORGANIZE WHAT’S ON YOUR PC ~ LSC 062-124, 8:30am-12:20pm, Tues & Wed, Jan 8 & 9 

LIST AND DATA MANAGEMENT WITH EXCEL ~ LSC 069-121, 1pm-4:50pm, Wed & Thurs, Jan 9 & 10 - Bring an address book or contact list to class

HOW TO SKYPE OR GOOGLE VOICE  ~ LSC100-122, 8:30am-12:20pm, Thursday, Jan 10 

Computers FOR THE FUN OF IT  ~ LSC 062-121, 8:30am-12:20pm, Fri & Mon, Jan 11 & 14 

DIGITAL CAMERA BASICS ~ LSC 100A-121, 1pm-4:50pm, Fri & Mon, Jan 11 & 14  Bring your digital camera to class

LAPTOP, TABLET & eReADER BASICS ~ LSC 102-121, 8:30-12:20pm, Tues & Thurs, Jan 15 & 17 Bring your laptop, tablet, eReaders if you have one

WORD-CREATe GREAT LOOKING DOCUMENTS ~ LSC 068-121, 1pm-4:50pm, Tues & Wed, Jan 15 & 16 - 

PICASA PHOTO EDITING ~ LSC 081- 121: 8:30am-12:20pm, Wed & Fri, Jan 16, 18 & 25  Bring your digital camera to class

SOCIAL NETWORKs: fACEBOOK, tWITTER & bLOGGING ~ LSC 080-121, 1pm-4:50pm, Thurs & Fri, Jan 17, 18 & 25 

internet and it’s many uses ~ LSC 071-121,  8:30am-12:20pm, Tues & Wed, Jan 22 & 23

HOW TO BUY & SELL ONLINE ~ LSC 101-121, 1pm-4:50pm, Tues & Thurs, Jan 22 & 24

INTRO TO iPAD'S ~ LSC041-121, 8:30am-12:20pm - Wed, Jan 16 & 23 - Taught by Cassaundra Pham, Classroom #504  Bring your "iPad" with you

INTRO TO MAC BOOKS ~ LSC042-121, 1pm-4:50pm - Wed, Jan 16 & 23 - Taught by Cassaundra Pham, Classroom #504 Bring your "MacBook" with you

INTRO TO iPHONE ~ LSC040-121, 8:30am-12:20pm - Saturday, Jan 26 - Taught by Cassaundra Pham, Classroom #504 Bring your "iPhone" with you

Basic music terminology

Basic Music Terminology ...

There is some terminology that you probably need to be aware of as you learn to use music on your computer or any digital device...

·        MP3* - a file format used for compressing audio files to roughly 1/12th their original size.

·        RIPPING - Basically this is the function of  ”copying” your files  – in this case a music album and individual song tracks onto your computer’s hard drive (this is also known as encoding)

·        MEDIA PLAYER - an application that is used to play all types of media (music, video radio, etc.). Windows Media Player, iTunes, VLC. RealPlayer and QuickTime are all examples of media players.

·        BURN – Basically this is the function of ”pasting” your file – in this case music – onto the CD and or DVD. 

*Note: When we save to MP3 format, you typically won’t notice any reduction in sound quality, but , if you want to ensure you have the highest quality you should import the music again from the original source with the original format, and then make a copy and convert the copy to mp3 formatting. 

What is a "Read It Later" service?

Whether you use your computer, tablet, laptop, eReader or other mobile device - such as a Smartphone or iPhone to "surf the web" we all have the opportunity to read numerous articles, watch videos and other information from friends & family on Facebook, Twitter or maybe Pinterest; or you get News Feeds from your favorite media websites... BUT you don't have time to read or view them all now..  

That's how a "Read it later" service or app can help.  These "apps" saves the information - link - etc. so you can view the article, photo, video later at your convenience (yes-this is also cloud computing).  So with thee services, you establish an account, meaning you have to have a username & password and that allows you to access "your account" and whatever you've saved... 

Many of these services are free (including my 2 personal favorites) but some are not - but they all allow us to  manage articles and other media that we want to access later...  Apps for these services can be downloaded to your computer, tablet or other mobile device and they are very very easy to use..... 

If you have a Pinterest or Twitter account they also offer this service and Facebook will offer it very soon....

I've been playing with 2 different services and really like them both - and yes, both are free

Evernote is my personal top choice abs quite honestly the one I now use daily, because I can store anything I want to remember including quick reminder notes (my family and associates will tell you I'm a constant list maker so this is great for me), but I can save anything I want to view or read later.. www.evernote.com

Pocket (formerly known as Read it Later) is my 2nd favorite and worked wonderfully.... www.getpocket.com

Others you may want to check out...

Instapaper, website is:  www.instapaper.com - Free and paid versions

SnipIt, website is: www.snip.it/#welcome - Free 

Side note... For those of you with tablets and other "Android based devices" some of my students in Arizona are loving this new free app - called "CRACKLE" which is a totally legitimate app offering free streaming of TV shows and movies.  I found that it doesn't have all TV shows, but there are lots of old favorites and some of the new ones as well; same goes for movies...  But again, it's free so a great way to play with "streaming" before you move on to one of the paid services, such as Netflick or HBO... so you might want to give it a try... I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the picture... 

Update-heard from several "Apple/Mac" users and I was wrong - Crackle has been available for  "i" devices for quite a while now... so enjoy everyone.....

Check it out: www.crackle.com

Cloud Computing & Music

This is a note I received from Bob Donovan (a wonderful Instructor on our Team in Boston who loves his music) who applauds using Cloud Computing for all of his music...  

"My music is stored in iTunes on my computer. But I've also put it up in Amazon's music cloud (basically because of the Kindle that I own).  

Currently I have 50,595 songs in the cloud. On my computer these songs take up 224 GB. I'm paying Amazon $24.99 per year for this storage. So far, I'm really pleased with it. It's not as simple or beautiful as iTunes, but it works great and I don't think there's any limit.

Naturally, I normally have to use the search function to find an artist or song or album and that seems to work fine online.  

I also downloaded Amazon's picture storage app, but haven't tried to use it yet-will keep you posted"  

Once you pay for an "app" you can download that app to multiple devices, such as your smartphone - kindle - tablet - etc...How does it know, because Amazon (like other companies) stores the information in your Amazon Account. 

To check these "apps" out, or all that Amazon offers, here is the link to the Amazon App Store for Androids...(or you can just go to www.Amazon.com)  

http://www.amazon.com/mobile-apps/b?ie=UTF8&node=2350149011

Cloud Computing - Continued Discussion

Several times earlier this year (in Feb. & May) we discussed Cloud Computing, but things are changing and there are more and more companies offering us the ability to store on their clouds (which means on their servers) So- the discussion continues...

There is no doubt that cloud computing is here to stay.  Many of us have been using "cloud computing" for years without realizing it - If you use a hotmail, yahoo, AOL or Gmail account" for your emails, you go to the specific company's website, via the internet, enter your user name & password (from any computer in the world) and your email messages appear. You can then write/compose new emails - all the while the computer you are sitting at, is simply a vehicle allowing us to see and type - but all of our emails are actually being stored and/or written on/from their computers....hence "cloud computing"

Today many of these same email vendors are providing us with additional free space, so that in addition to our emails we can also store our documents, photos, movies & music in another part of our "email account" - like having an additional file cabinet...  Why would we do that?

Well, like your emails, you can access any of these items stored on their "cloud" when you are away from your computer (home or work) because remember it's stored on their computer - in their cloud...

If you have multiple devices - you may want to "sync" them, so that when you enter information on one device, it appears on all your devices...   

For example:

You have a Windows based computer, a Smartphone & a tablet - if you have a Gmail account and use the Google Drive Cloud - whatever is entered in these on one computer shows up on the rest

Or You have an iPhone, iPad and MacBook - by simply having an iCloud ID and password (and the iCloud ID can be your existing email address w/hotmail, Gmail, etc..) you can select in the settings of your iCloud what you want to share among your devices-Photos, emails, contacts, calendars, etc..

Or maybe you have a Windows PC, an Android Smartphone and a MacBook - you could simply choose to have the Apple iCloud on all your devices to share your music, data & moves...

And the combination goes on and one..

If you have been using hotmail/live/msn accounts - you have "SkyDrive" which is their free cloud computing for us to store data and photos - but anyone can go to SkyDrive.com and download the app and receive a certain amount of storage for FREE - Gmail users have the free Picasa Web Albums and Google Drive cloud; and again anyone can use this or Apple/MAC's iCloud or any of the other hundreds of companies... most allow some free storage - others charge an annual or monthly fee - some based on the amount of storage, some are by computer - it varies..

Shop around and remember you can use multiple "cloud services"; I know some people who store all their music in iTunes synced with the iCloud; and use their SkyDrive for their documents; maybe DropBox for their data from work; Google Drive w/Picasa Web Albums for their photos and Carbonite, so everything is backed up every time they are on the computer (no limit) but this service doesn't allow you to use a syncing feature (yet)!

The list of companies offering cloud computing is growing every day.  Each has their own features, it depends on what you are looking for... I always think it's better to begin with the FREE services while you learn, and once you've mastered that and understand what it is you are using, then you can always switch to or add another service if needed...Here is the link to an article recently published about some of the popular "cloud computing companies" -

http://www.consumer-rankings.com/online-backup

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday

On behalf of myself and the entire staff at Mohave Community College we want to to wish you and your families a wonderful Thanksgiving... Cherie Houston

"May we all be thankful for the warm family memories we have gathered over the years and may we all get our chance to make our wish on the turkey's wish bone" ~ Father York..

A little Thanksgiving Trivia...

Was Turkey served at the first Thanksgiving? There is no evidence that turkey was eaten at the first Thanksgiving, a three-day meal shared between the pilgrims and Wampanoaug tribe in 1621. It is more likely that they ate venison and a lot of seafood

Did Thanksgiving become a holiday with the pilgrims? No-Thanksgiving became a public holiday in 1863, when president Abraham Lincoln declared it so

Of the three utensils we will use at Thanksgiving (fork, knife & spoon), which wasn't available at the first Thanksgiving? The fork. What did they use to eat their meal with? A knife, a spoon and their fingers. The fork was not brought by the pilgrims. Governor Winthrop of Massachusetts introduced it 10 years later, but it did not really catch on until the 18th century.

In colonial times, did all the Colonies celebrate Thanksgiving or was it just a New England custom? All colonies celebrated Thanksgiving but at different times depending of their harvest

The idea of a “children’s table” at Thanksgiving stemmed from the original feast. What did the

children have to do before they could eat? Children were made to set, serve and clear the tables for the adults.

The Pilgrims invited the Indians to join them for their Thanksgiving feast.  According to history, how many came? 90 Indians from the Wampanoaug tribe including their chief Massoit

Does Turkey really make us sleepy? Not really. Trytophan does make us tired and it is in turkey. But more of it can be found in soybeans, parmesan and pork. So what is to blame for the post-meal coma? Well, it could be the quantity of food over-consumed. The huge serving of dessert could have an effect. Or it could be the amount of booze drunk midday

Do people consume a lot of liquor during this holiday? YES! It has been claimed again and again that the night before Thanksgiving is the biggest drinking night of the year -- beating out New Years Eve and St. Patricks Day. Why? It is the number one evening where people return home and reunite with their high school buddies. Or possibly the anxiety of being surrounded by family drives some to drink

Did the Pilgrims serve their own version of a green bean casserole? They didn't. Green been casserole came into being just 50 some years ago and was created by Campbell's soup. It came about when the company was making new recipes for its annual cookbook. Now, Campbells sells about $20 million worth of cream of mushroom soup, most likely for people to make the casserole

How many turkeys are consumed on Thanksgiving in the United States? An estimated 46 million turkeys are eaten on Thanksgiving (the birds weigh, on average, 16 pounds). That is more than double the amount eaten on Christmas (22 million) and Easter (19 million). In 2010, more than 244 million turkeys were raised and about 226 million of those were consumed in the United States