* SmarterKids offers essential back-to-school tips at www.smarterkids.com/rescenter/library/articles/back_to_school_tips.asp?redir=true.
* The electronic Global Gourmet site has a back-to-school family handbook at www.globalgourmet.com/food/egg/egg0997/backschool.html. The site features tips, quick breakfast and lunch recipes and more.
* Going Back 2 School at www.expage.com/4back2school features a collection of links to school-related online resources.
* The Family Education Network's back-to-school section at www.familyeducation.com/channel/0,2916,44,00.html?wtlAC=featured,FENhome features homework help by grade, printable checklists, tips, recipes, ideas and more.
Spinning webs
Sharon Williamson of Danville created a page called Fun 4 Toddlers at www.wtv-zone.com/Chris_T_Mouse/MyF_KeySaver/fun4toddlers.html. She writes, "I made this Web page of links especially for parents, grandparents, babysitters and others who have contact with very young children. All of the sites are very easy for little ones to navigate so they can learn how to use a mouse or keyboard. They will enjoy the color and animations, too. There are also some links to sites that have great ideas for things to do with the little ones offline, too."
Net buzzz
* Red Hat, a top Linux distributor, has filed a suit against SCO. SCO is the company that earlier this year sued IBM for allegedly incorporating its Unix code into the free Linux code. Read more at http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1104_2-5060941.html. On Thursday, IBM filed a countersuit against SCO in regards to other Linux-related issues. Learn more at http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1104_2-5060965.html.
* Lindows.com CEO Michael Robertson has launched a new business called SIPphone. The new company will offer free worldwide phone calls via a broadband Internet connection such as cable or DSL. SIPphone has no per-minute charges or monthly fees. Read more at www.sipphone.com/.
* AOL has launched a new service called AOL for Small Business. The service uses the new AOL 9.0 Optimized software and features a variety of useful business-related tools and resources. Learn more at http://aolsvc.aol.com/small_biz/.
Live MSN chats
Aug. 12: Chat with Robert Englund - Freddy Krueger of "Nightmare on Elm Street" - at 8 p.m. Go to http://chat.msn.com/msnlive_feature.msnw?id=artist/robertenglund.
Aug. 13: Chat with Dr. Arthur Agatston, author of "South Beach Diet," at 7 p.m. Go to http://chat.msn.com/msnlive_feature.msnw?id=artist/southbeachdiet.
Other online events
Aug. 11: Chat live with Destiny Child's Kelly Rowland at 9 p.m. for the "Freddy vs. Jason" chat at www.scifi.com/chat.
E-mail me at sheila@amnews.com; fax me at (859)236-9566; or write me snail-mail at The Advocate-Messenger, P.O. Box 149, Danville, KY 40423-0149.
