Pcmag.com has published its list of the Top 100 Web Sites of 2010. The list is comprised of 50 classic sites and 50 undiscovered sites.
Classic sites listed include Microsoft's Bing search engine, freeware and shareware hosting site FileHippo.com, and the Troy Public Library's instant messaging client of choice, Meebo.
New, undiscovered sites include CeeVee, an online resume creator; Clicker, a guide to streaming TV and movies on the Internet; and Critical Past, which houses a collection of over 7 million historic photographs and 57,000 historic videos.
Have you tried any of these out? What are some sites that you think should have been included? Let us know by leaving a comment.
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Fun Friday: Geocities-izer
Do you remember the epic browser war between Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer? Do you ever have a feeling of nostalgia for the way the web used to be before Twitter, before Facebook, heck, even before Google? Did you shed a tear on October 29, 2009, the day Geocities, an early website hosting and creation service, was closed by Yahoo?
Now you can bring back those glory days to any modern web page thanks to the Geocities-izer! Just go to the Geocities-izer, enter in any URL, and that webpage will be transformed to look like it was created in the mid 1990s with Geocities, complete with hit counters and cheesy MIDI music of mid-90s hits!
(via The Onion A.V. Club)
Cycling Sites for Spring
With the recent return of warmer weather, many people have brought their bikes out from winter storage and have started riding again. To help you enjoy cycling more this season, here are some websites that you may want to visit.
- Google Maps has now introduced bike directions. Go here, type in your start and end points, and Google will try to determine a route that utilizes bike paths, streets with bike lanes, and others that have been recommended by cyclists. Please use common sense when using this service. Bike directions for Google Maps is still in beta, and my early searches have shown that it can route you on some busy streets. For a real world review, check out this NPR story.
- Founded in 1880, the League of American Bicyclists is one of the oldest cycling advocacy groups in the country. This site is a fantastic resource if you are interested following legislative efforts to help improve the conditions for bicyclists throughout the US. Additionally, the League sponsors Bike Month, which is held each May. For more information about upcoming Bike Month events, including ideas to help celebrate Bike to Work Day on May 21, go here.
- We mentioned it last year, but it bears repeating this year: If you are looking for an organized ride to go on this year, the League of Michigan Bicyclists has published the 2010 Michigan Ride Calendar. They also publish What Every Michigan Bicyclist Must Know, which is an excellent guide that describes the rules of the road as they pertain to bicyclists.
- Do you enjoy riding, are want to find out more about what is happening in the ranks of pro cycling? VeloNews is a one stop source for excellent information about professional cycling. You can also catch professional cycling on Versus.
- Complete issues of Bicycling magazine issues from 2006-2008 are able to be viewed and searched at Google Books. This is a fantastic resource, especially if you have an upcoming ride and need to find some training tips.
- Need to fix your bike? The videos at bicycletutor.com can help you if you want to fix it yourself.
Some End-of-the-Year Reading
As a public service alternative to football games, here are a few end-of-the-year items of interest:
The 100 Essential Websites from the Guardian of London
How Google Changed the Game in 2009 from Smartware
Newspapers and Technology: Network Effects from The Economist
What Does it Mean to be Literate in the 21st Century? a video from bibliosmartgirl
Happy new year to all!
The 100 Essential Websites from the Guardian of London
How Google Changed the Game in 2009 from Smartware
Newspapers and Technology: Network Effects from The Economist
What Does it Mean to be Literate in the 21st Century? a video from bibliosmartgirl
Happy new year to all!
Top 100 Web Sites of 2009
Pcmag.com has published its list of the Top 100 Web Sites of 2009. The list is compromised of 50 classic sites and 50 undiscovered sites.
Classic sites listed include popular microblogging site Twitter, travel search site Kayak, and a Technology Center favorite, Lifehacker.
New, undiscovered sites include Gizapage, which combines a single dashboard to control a variety of social networking websites; Petrucci Music Library, a site that features public-domain sheet music downloads; and Alternative To, which provides free software alternatives to pricey software packages such as Photoshop and Microsoft Office.
Classic sites listed include popular microblogging site Twitter, travel search site Kayak, and a Technology Center favorite, Lifehacker.
New, undiscovered sites include Gizapage, which combines a single dashboard to control a variety of social networking websites; Petrucci Music Library, a site that features public-domain sheet music downloads; and Alternative To, which provides free software alternatives to pricey software packages such as Photoshop and Microsoft Office.
Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Apollo 11
In July, 1969, the Apollo 11 mission fulfilled President John F. Kennedy's challenge to have a successful manned expedition to the moon before the end of the 1990s. Here are several sites that honor this tremendous human achievement.
This site from the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum attempts to recreate the Apollo 11 mission in real-time. Visitors can follow the progress of the mission through three different Twitter feeds. A mission counter will displays on what stage the mission is currently. The site also features audio, video, and photos from the mission.
Google Moon features a map showcasing the landing sites of the Apollo Missions.
This site contains links to various NASA websites commemorating Apollo 11's 40th anniversary.
For current news about spaceflight around the moon, visit the website of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter or follow its Twitter feed.
More Cycling Sites for Summer
Have you been using MapMyRide.com to track your bike ride routes? Here are several other sites to help find new bike routes, keep track of your training, join organized rides, and more.
- The Detroit News has an interactive map of local Metro-Detroit bike trails.
- Want to keep track of how many miles you've ridden? Bicycling Magazine has a free, online training log.
- Take a look here for cycling events happening around Michigan, courtesy of the League of Michigan Bicyclists.
- It's almost Tour de France time! This year's edition starts July 4 in Monaco. You can follow the media reports, but do you want to get closer to what the participants have to say about the race? Follow these Twitter feeds of some professional cyclists. (Lance Armstrong isn't on this list, but he can be found here.)
- Speaking of the Tour, here is a preview of all 21 stages.
Down for Everyone, Or Just You?
Having a problem accessing your favorite website? Wonder if the site is down for everyone, or if it is having a problem just on your computer?
Now you can find out by going to Downforeveryoneorjustme, and typing in the website you are trying to access. Downforeveryoneorjustme will tell you if the site is down for everyone -- or just you.
Now you can find out by going to Downforeveryoneorjustme, and typing in the website you are trying to access. Downforeveryoneorjustme will tell you if the site is down for everyone -- or just you.
Plan Your Bike Rides With MapMyRide.com
It was a long time coming, but finally spring has sprung here in Troy. Leaves are on the trees, baseball is being played in local parks, and people are back outside riding their bikes.
If you are interested in planning new bike rides this year, you may want to check out MapMyRide.com. By plotting points on a Google Map, this site will calculate the mileage of your bike ride. You can save routes, and search for rides other users have created. For example, here is the route with round-trip mileage from Metro Beach in Harrison Township to the Grosse Pointe War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms:
The site also has many other features. A training log keeps statistics of your rides, including time, distance, speed, and calories burned. Discussion forums allow you to connect with other cyclists. It also integrates with popular social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook, and features apps for the iPhone.
If you are a cyclist, it is definitely worth a look. If you don't ride, you still may want to check out these sites that are built on the same website platform for walking, running, or hiking.
If you are interested in planning new bike rides this year, you may want to check out MapMyRide.com. By plotting points on a Google Map, this site will calculate the mileage of your bike ride. You can save routes, and search for rides other users have created. For example, here is the route with round-trip mileage from Metro Beach in Harrison Township to the Grosse Pointe War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms:
The site also has many other features. A training log keeps statistics of your rides, including time, distance, speed, and calories burned. Discussion forums allow you to connect with other cyclists. It also integrates with popular social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook, and features apps for the iPhone.
If you are a cyclist, it is definitely worth a look. If you don't ride, you still may want to check out these sites that are built on the same website platform for walking, running, or hiking.
Webby Awards for Online Excellence
The New York Times, the endangered Boston Globe, Britain's Guardian and the BBC scooped up Webby Awards for online excellence on May 5.
The Economist, National Public Radio (NPR) and The Huffington Post were also among the media outlets whose online efforts were rewarded by the 600-member International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences.
NYTimes.com picked up Webbys for best writing and best practices but gave up the title it won last year as best newspaper website to the Guardian, which won for the fourth time in five years.
NPR earned Webbys for best radio site and for music.
The Onion won in the humor category and ESPN for sports.
The New York Times, Guardian, BBC and NPR also won People's Voice awards in several categories. The People's Voice awards are decided through an online vote by the public.
Comedian Jimmy Fallon was named "Webby Person of the Year" "in recognition of his enthusiastic embrace of the Internet to connect with his fans."
Hot micro-blogging service Twitter was named "Breakout of the Year" while comedian Sarah Silverman was named "Best Actress" for her YouTube hits.
The 13th annual Webby Awards are to be handed out at a gala in New York on June 8.
There is some great stuff here. Take a look at a complete list of Webby winners, and their links.
[via Yahoo Tech]
The Economist, National Public Radio (NPR) and The Huffington Post were also among the media outlets whose online efforts were rewarded by the 600-member International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences.
NYTimes.com picked up Webbys for best writing and best practices but gave up the title it won last year as best newspaper website to the Guardian, which won for the fourth time in five years.
NPR earned Webbys for best radio site and for music.
The Onion won in the humor category and ESPN for sports.
The New York Times, Guardian, BBC and NPR also won People's Voice awards in several categories. The People's Voice awards are decided through an online vote by the public.
Comedian Jimmy Fallon was named "Webby Person of the Year" "in recognition of his enthusiastic embrace of the Internet to connect with his fans."
Hot micro-blogging service Twitter was named "Breakout of the Year" while comedian Sarah Silverman was named "Best Actress" for her YouTube hits.
The 13th annual Webby Awards are to be handed out at a gala in New York on June 8.
There is some great stuff here. Take a look at a complete list of Webby winners, and their links.
[via Yahoo Tech]
New Website for Michigan Seniors
Michigan seniors citizens can visit a new website to find information ranging from a guide to nursing homes to how to avoid scams. The new site, http://www.seniorbrigade.com, was announced on May 4 by State Attorney General Mike Cox.
Cox said the goal is to give seniors one place where they can learn more about health care, financial issues, consumer protection, veterans affairs and local events.
"There are 100 different websites that have information that helps seniors. But there's no one place where seniors can go for specifically consumer protection," said Mary Ablan, director of the Area Agencies on Aging Association of Michigan.
The site's home page features a video message from Cox, a Republican who is planning to run for Michigan governor in 2010. People who use the site can increase the font size if they have trouble reading the text. Cox said Michigan's population of seniors is expected to double by 2030.
[via Yahoo Tech]
Cox said the goal is to give seniors one place where they can learn more about health care, financial issues, consumer protection, veterans affairs and local events.
"There are 100 different websites that have information that helps seniors. But there's no one place where seniors can go for specifically consumer protection," said Mary Ablan, director of the Area Agencies on Aging Association of Michigan.
The site's home page features a video message from Cox, a Republican who is planning to run for Michigan governor in 2010. People who use the site can increase the font size if they have trouble reading the text. Cox said Michigan's population of seniors is expected to double by 2030.
[via Yahoo Tech]
Find The Cost of A Car Repair with RepairPal
As drivers in Michigan know, due to sudden freezes and thaws, winter this year created a bumper crop of potholes with which to contend. Now, unfortunately, many of our cars may have alignment problems, suspension issues, and more.
Before taking your car to a mechanic or the dealership, take a look at RepairPal. Just enter you car's make, model, year, and type of service you need done and RepairPal will provide you with a price range the repair should cost, and also a Google Map showing various repair shops based on your zip code. Additionally, RepairPal provides information about why it is a good idea to get the repair done and what may happen if you wait. The site also offers a helpful auto repair encyclopedia with articles such as Do I Really Need New Shock Absorbers? and Car Fluid Leaks: What to Do.
Before taking your car to a mechanic or the dealership, take a look at RepairPal. Just enter you car's make, model, year, and type of service you need done and RepairPal will provide you with a price range the repair should cost, and also a Google Map showing various repair shops based on your zip code. Additionally, RepairPal provides information about why it is a good idea to get the repair done and what may happen if you wait. The site also offers a helpful auto repair encyclopedia with articles such as Do I Really Need New Shock Absorbers? and Car Fluid Leaks: What to Do.
Three Websites to Help Celebrate Earth Month
April is Earth Month. Here are three websites to help with all aspects of going "green" regarding technology.
GoodCleanTech
GoodCleanTech is one of blogs maintained by the PC Magazine Digital Network. It focuses on news and reviews of environmentally friendly technology.
Ecofont
Looking to save money (and resources) when printing? Instead of using standard fonts like Arial and Times New Roman, you may want to download and install Ecofont. Ecofont places tiny circles within letters to help use up to 20% less ink.
Electronics Recycling Superguide
This excellent guide by Jennifer DeLeo of PC Magazine covers all aspects of recycling used electronic equipment, from recycling initiatives by specific equipment manufacturers and retailers such as Best Buy, to websites where you can recycle your used equipment for cash.
GoodCleanTech
GoodCleanTech is one of blogs maintained by the PC Magazine Digital Network. It focuses on news and reviews of environmentally friendly technology.
Ecofont
Looking to save money (and resources) when printing? Instead of using standard fonts like Arial and Times New Roman, you may want to download and install Ecofont. Ecofont places tiny circles within letters to help use up to 20% less ink.
Electronics Recycling Superguide
This excellent guide by Jennifer DeLeo of PC Magazine covers all aspects of recycling used electronic equipment, from recycling initiatives by specific equipment manufacturers and retailers such as Best Buy, to websites where you can recycle your used equipment for cash.
Really "Free" Credit Report
By now, everyone has heard and seen the commercials for freecreditreport.com. While the jingle is catchy, you may be surprised to learn that by using freecreditreport.com you are signing up for a credit monitoring service. From their website:
For a truly free credit report, use annualcreditreport.com. This site is recommended by Federal Trade Commission.
Remember, according to federal law you are entitled to a free credit report each year from the three credit reporting agencies (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion). For additional information, please see this FAQ from the Federal Trade Commission.
"When you order your free report here, you will begin your free trial membership in Triple AdvantageSM Credit Monitoring. If you don't cancel your membership within the 7-day trial period, you will be billed $14.95 for each month that you continue your membership."
For a truly free credit report, use annualcreditreport.com. This site is recommended by Federal Trade Commission.
Remember, according to federal law you are entitled to a free credit report each year from the three credit reporting agencies (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion). For additional information, please see this FAQ from the Federal Trade Commission.
Readability Makes Reading Websites Easier
Have you ever tried to read a story on a website that had video streaming on one side of the page, boxes popping up as you moved the cursor on the other side, and ad images and links breaking up the text of the story?
Worse yet, have you ever tried to print such an article? Ads print incorrectly, text runs off the side of the page, and you are never sure if you have the entire story.
If so, you might try Readability, a simple tool that strips away the clutter around the text on website, making it easier to read – or to cut and paste – the content.
All you do is go to Readability, select how you want the text you read to appear – in small, medium or large size, with narrow or wide margins – and then drag the Readability icon to your browser’s tool bar.
Then, when you visit a page you want to read, just click on the icon in the toolbar.
Readability turns this page:
Into this:
[via metafiler]
Worse yet, have you ever tried to print such an article? Ads print incorrectly, text runs off the side of the page, and you are never sure if you have the entire story.
If so, you might try Readability, a simple tool that strips away the clutter around the text on website, making it easier to read – or to cut and paste – the content.
All you do is go to Readability, select how you want the text you read to appear – in small, medium or large size, with narrow or wide margins – and then drag the Readability icon to your browser’s tool bar.
Then, when you visit a page you want to read, just click on the icon in the toolbar.
Readability turns this page:
Into this:
[via metafiler]
Let PlantCare.com Put You in the Mood for Spring
Now that spring is starting to turn, it is hard not to think about gardening. PlantCare.com has some great information, whether you are a novice or an experienced gardener, indoor or out.
At PlantCare.com you can search an extensive plant database to find information on thousands of outdoor and indoor plants, participate in and discuss your favorite topics in the plant forum, shop for home and garden products, and expand your plant knowledge with hundreds of gardening tips and guides.
I hope to use the information I found under the plant type cactus to improve the Technology Department’s cactus garden:
[via metafilter.com]
At PlantCare.com you can search an extensive plant database to find information on thousands of outdoor and indoor plants, participate in and discuss your favorite topics in the plant forum, shop for home and garden products, and expand your plant knowledge with hundreds of gardening tips and guides.
I hope to use the information I found under the plant type cactus to improve the Technology Department’s cactus garden:
[via metafilter.com]
File Your Federal Taxes Online for Free
According to lifehacker.com, everyone can now file their federal taxes online free:
I still prepare my taxes on paper myself, so I have never tried the Free File program. But I might try it this year.
In the meanwhile, if anyone has any experience with the IRS' Free File software, drop a comment.
“You used to have to make less than $56,000 per year to use the IRS' Free File program to submit your income tax forms online... Now everyone can e-file for free this year... As the Consumerist blog points out, you'll have to know pretty much exactly what you're doing with the right forms, since those making more than the $56K limit won't be given any pointers on what goes where. But if you're a DIY type… Free File has opened up the doors to any and all.”
I still prepare my taxes on paper myself, so I have never tried the Free File program. But I might try it this year.
In the meanwhile, if anyone has any experience with the IRS' Free File software, drop a comment.
Tax Resources Available Through the IRS
Label:
IRS,
Small Business,
Taxes,
Websites
It's tax time again, and the Internal Revenue Service has resources to help you out:
- Are you an owner of a small business? Download a free 2009 calendar that has important tax articles for small business and also lists important tax filing dates.
- Need help filling out and filing your taxes? In addition to information on the IRS website, telephone assistance is also available by calling 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676). More information about help available from the IRS can be found here.
- Please be wary of emails and websites saying they are from the IRS. Remember, the only legitimate website for official IRS information is www.irs.gov. More information on how to avoid phishing and scam attempts can be found here.
Free Tech Support Online
According to Azadeh Ensha, writing in The New York Times: “If you’re like me, odds are that you’ve… found yourself with a tech problem that was made worse by the lack of ready, available — and perhaps most important — useful [phone customer support]. But with the Internet, there’s no need to have to wait on hold.
"There are hundreds (if not thousands) of other users out there, sharing their experience and wisdom, often free. So instead of getting on the phone, get online and start crowdsourcing your tech support needs.”
Ensha then reviews several free tech support web sites, for PCs, Macs, and smartphones, such as the BlackBerry and the iPhone.
Some good advice if you are looking to find high quality tech support from co-users without a cost or a wait.
"There are hundreds (if not thousands) of other users out there, sharing their experience and wisdom, often free. So instead of getting on the phone, get online and start crowdsourcing your tech support needs.”
Ensha then reviews several free tech support web sites, for PCs, Macs, and smartphones, such as the BlackBerry and the iPhone.
Some good advice if you are looking to find high quality tech support from co-users without a cost or a wait.
Fun Friday: Garfield Minus Garfield
What if you had Hamlet without Hamlet? Romeo and Juliet with no Romeo? Batman and no Bruce Wayne? The Sopranos with no Tony Soprano?
How about Garfield Minus Garfield?
Things take on a much different twist.
How about Garfield Minus Garfield?
Things take on a much different twist.
