11. Learn a second language
The internet is the perfect place to polish up on your Esperanto, and the site I Love Languages (www.ilovelanguages.com) offers 2500 hand-picked links to lessons and translators to any language you can think of. The UniLang site (http://home.unilang.org) offers dozens of language lessons from basic level upwards.
12. Donate your time to a good cause
Don't just donate your clock cycles, volunteer your body as well. GoVolunteer is an Australian matching service for those wanting to volunteer, and those in need of a volunteer. The directory is broken down into types of volunteer services, and you should have no problem finding someone, somewhere, that needs your help. For more information, check out: www.govolunteer.com.au.
13. Think you're smart one? Test your IQ
Mensa is the world's leading authority on brainiacs, and you can bet that Mensa's online IQ test is going to strain your brain. Doing this won't immediately get you into Mensa, of course -- to become a member you'll need to sit a paper test with a mediator in the room. However, if you fancy yourself to be one of the world's smartest people, the Mensa Workout should sort you out: www.mensa.org/workout.php.
14. Make your own photo album
Putting your photos online is all very well and good, but what about something a little more impressive. Local site Momento offers the software and know-how which will enable you to layout and print your own professionally-bound photo album /coffee table book. Check it out at: www.momento.com.au.
15. Make a computer game
Designing and programming a computer game is easier than ever. Whether you're an amateur with little programming experience, or a professional looking to discuss the tricks of the trade with other developers, you'll find numerous tools, resources and tutorials online. GameDev.net (www.gamedev.net) is a hub for game development, but if you're interested in something more specific, there are many beginner tools to get you started. For 3D games, check out www.garagegames.com and take a look at the Torque game engine (used in Tribes 2). Or, if adventure games are more your style, the Adventure Game Studio (www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk) is a powerful, but simple, development tool. Finally, for those after an all-round development tool, Clickteam's Klik and Play (www.clickteam.com/English/klilk&play.htm) is very popular with budding game designers.
16. Learn a programming language
If you're reading PC Authority, there's a good chance that you're a programmer, or have at some point, experimented with programming. If you haven't dabbled in a little programming before, you've got nothing to lose by developing some basic skills, and with the web being a breeding ground for coders and hackers, you'll find an abundance of tutorials to get you started. We're big fans of Python - it's portable across platforms, powerful, and very easy to learn - and it can find a place for any type of application. Check out www.python.org to download the interpreter and libraries and then jump over to www.hetland.org/python/instant-hacking.php to get started.
17. Can't read it? Translate the web page
Many sites are either English-based or offer English versions, but you'll sometimes stumble on a page that does not have an English alternative. Aside from study a new language, your best option is to translate it. Altavista's Babel Fish Translation http://world.altavista.com, based on SYSTRAN's translation software lets you translate sections or whole web pages from many different languages into English, or other languages. Alternatively, Google offers a similar service at www.google.com/language_tools.
18. Get fit and learn a new sport
The internet is a great way to find and learn obscure sports. One homegrown game is Suburbanball (www.trustamate.com/Suburbanball/index.php), which is a type of street hockey. But for a more pedestrian game, head to www.herta.edu.hel.fi/Potatoes/molkky.htm for the Finnish sport of Molkky (pronounced merlo-cue), which involves tossing a small bat at wooden pins, and is best enjoyed with beer. Finally, if these sports don't satisfy you (we can't imagine why), head to www.everyrule.com for more.
19. Dig up dirt on your favourite celebrity
The Smoking Gun is a repository of documents, photos and reports collected in the name of public interest, freedom of information, and the outright humiliation of celebrities. No-one is safe from The Smoking Gun, and you can find dirt on everyone from Michael Jackson's court trial, to Hugh Grant's misdemeanour, and even Bill Gates' 1977 traffic violation. So, to take advantage of the public's right to know about the misfortunes of famous folk, head to www.thesmokinggun.com.
20. Test your defences
In a response to increased hacker activity, Microsoft is one of several companies providing software firewalls and spyware scanners. But is it still advantageous to use third party software? Companies such as McAfee (www.mcafee.com) offer free firewall scans to registered users, but Shields Up! by GRC (www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2) is one of the most reliable and anonymous firewall testers available. Trend Micro (http://housecall.trendmicro.com) and Panda ActiveScan (www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/com/activescan_principal.htm) also offer free online anti-virus checking, which means you no longer need to download large pattern files to keep your computer secure.