CEO of Google says "Turn off your computers"

At a graduation that took place on Monday, CEO of Google Eric Schmidt talked about living outside of the virtual world.

If Google tells us to turn off our computers than maybe we should. We as a society have become grotesquely dependent on the internet. If you notice you have more friends on the computer than you do in real life, then it may be a good idea to get out and enjoy the world.

AP coverage

How to Choose an excersize wheel

by Danielle Branch

Round and Round She Goes!

Selecting a hamster wheel can be an interesting task. Many owners stand in the isle staring blankly at the selection because they do not know which type to buy. There will be a few types to select from, each with its unique challenges. Once you know the pros and cons of each you will be able to select the perfect one.

The first type of hamster wheel is the mesh wheel. This is typically a free standing unit that is made of wire and the wheel made of mesh. Some of the great things about this type of wheel are that it comes in any color you would like so that it makes the feng shui of your hamster cage much easier to do. The wheel for the most part is easy to clean when it comes time, just run it under water and wipe it down. There is one thing not working in its favor though, it squeaks no matter how much WD40 you put on it. So, if you can handle the noise, perhaps this type of hamster wheel may suit you.

The next type of wheel is a snap in plastic wheel. This particular type of wheel attaches to the end of a tunnel system, which can either be a plus or a minus for you. If you do not have a tunnel system, then this wheel seems a bit silly for you to buy. There is a piece of tunnel hooked onto the end. This has also proven to be an obstacle while cleaning as well because the wheel does not come apart. If your fur ball has the call of nature in this wheel, then you could run into problems when it is time to clean the cage. If a perfect ending to your tunnel maze is something that interests you, then perhaps a snap in plastic wheel would be your best option.

The third type of wheel actually blends both wheels into one. This is a special plastic wheel that has a trap for droppings and dirt to make it easier for you to clean. The downside is that it also attaches to a tunnel system; however this model in particular can also be stand alone. The wheel does slightly squeak, however a bit of Vaseline takes care of that. So, this has potential to really be a great wheel for you and your fur ball. The only bad thing about this wheel is that as it is used and gets older, it tends to get weaker. That can be said of just about everything.

So here we have 3 different types of wheels with unique qualities about them all. With so many styles and colors to choose from, it really makes the decision endless. However, now equipped with some knowledge about the 3 main types, this should make that decision a bit easier to handle.

Learn more about this author, Danielle Branch.

Costs associated with owning a hamster

The costs associated with owning a hamster go above just the cost of the hamster itself. You will have the hamster housing, toys and food to keep in mind as well. Many of these expenses are unexpected for the novice hamster owner; however play a vital role in keeping your hamster happy and healthy.

Initially you will have one time costs that are relatively inexpensive:
*Hamster Cage - up to $40 for a basic cage
*Food Dish About $5
*Water Bottle less than $3
*Climbing Toys depends on how elaborate you want the cage to be.
*Chewing Blocks These are around $4, but dog chew treats will do too
*Grooming Brush- about $5

Many pet stores will sell a kit that will include many of these items for one price. Before buying the package, take a look and see if buying the individual items would be cheaper for you.

When shopping for these items keep in mind that there are varying price ranges for all budgets. For instance you can find a water bottle for less than $3 that is just a plain old water bottle, however if it makes you smile at night knowing your precious hamster is drinking water from a $23 water bottle, then you may purchase one. However, hamster doesn't know the difference between a designer bottle and the cheaper version.

The place where the money would be worth the value would be the cage itself and the climbing toys. Your hamster will be living with the cage and a little more money spent on a larger cage now will save you money later on. The tunnels you will be purchasing should probably be bought at one time, because hooking up these things later is very difficult.

There will be some items you will find will be a recurring expense:
*Food - $31
*Toys - $13 (These are occasional)
*Non-surgical Vet visits- This varies but should be around $15
*Treats and miscellaneous - $34

Hamsters can eat not only commercial hamster pellets, but also can eat seed mixture and some fresh vegetables. This may reduce the amount of money spent on food.
Owning a hamster does not have to be expensive if you can resist all the cute and fuzzy wuzzy stuff. The essentials typically have a cheaper version that will work just fine for your hamster. Believe it or not, they don't care if the cage isn't a Louis Vuitton.

Learn more about this author, Danielle Branch.

Why should you always have two gerbils?

Gerbils are like humans

Gerbils, unlike many of their cousins need the social interaction of other gerbils in order to live. If a solo gerbil is left alone in the cage it becomes depressed and will die. Introducing new gerbils to an established cage can create territory problems, so getting at least two in the beginning will keep them alive, happy, and friendly. Besides you can only run on a wheel so long before it gets boring.

Depression and Loneliness

Gerbils are a lot like humans because they do not cope well being by themselves. The gerbil will display very typical depression behaviors such as listlessness, reduced appetite, and isolation. They can be snapped out it with love and attention from their owner, but this will also take some time. You can ask your vet if it would be appropriate at this time to introduce another gerbil and how.

Shorter Life Span

Now, I am not saying your gerbil will commit suicide, but it is a proven fact that a depressed lonely gerbil does not live very long. The typical life span of a healthy gerbil is 2-4 years, however many lonely gerbils do not last the first year. Nothing is worse than having to bury a gerbil just because they were lonely.

Age does make a difference

If you are planning on introducing another gerbil to your lonely gerbil it is recommended they be 4-6 week old at the most. If they are any older, it will be almost impossible for them to grow accustomed to each other because they become fixated on their group's odor. All we want in the end is for everyone to be happy and healthy anyways.

Hey Bud this is my Turf

Gerbils are very territorial, and can become aggressive with others they do not know. When introducing gerbils to one another it is best to bring them to a neutral territory so that neither one is dominant of the space. Then once they have gotten to know each other a bit more you can blend the two cages together.

To avoid all of these negative reactions, it is really best to buy two or more gerbils from the same family at the same time. They will be happy with more of their family, and they will have others to play with. Gerbils also tend to play more nicely with members of their own family, just like humans.