20 Most Useful Websites

I don't have any hyper-links for this post yet, but these sites are supposed to be the 20 most useful sites the web. Let me know what you think.

Get Paid For Speaking Out
1) epinions [epinions.com]

This site collects opinions from buyers of almost anything you can think of. As you read along, you will flag the people and opinions you find most useful. Over time, they develop into a trusted circle of advisors. You'll want to deliver critiques of your own. Get up to three cents per page view.

Learn Anything
2) FindTutorials.com [findtutorials.com]

Learn how to tie a bow tie, host a baby shower, drive a stick shift, or any of the thousands of other skills in dozens of categories by following the links to free lessons. Can't find what you're looking for? Try posting your requests to the Wish List forum and someone may be able to help you.

Access The Web Via Telephone
3) Tellme [tellme.com]

The best voice portal that lets you call toll-free and use voice recognition to ask for your personalized Web info, whether it's headlines, stock updates, restaurant listings, or a direct line to a taxi service when traveling.

High Tech Social Secretary
4) Evite [evite.com]

Want to organize an event for 6, 20 or 100 people? This site calls or e-mails the invitations, collects RSVPs, gives directions and makes sure you don't end up with 20 potato salads and no chicken. What a great deal.

Remarkable Research Tool
5) Britannica.com [britannica.com]

It seems unlikely that you will ever have an encyclopedia salesman knocking on your door again because the contents of the Encyclopedia Britannica are available online -- for free. Search everything from A to Z plus related articles from 76 magazines. To make sure your search is complete, you'll get links for 125,000 sites. It's research unlimited.

Boredom Be Gone!
6) eHobbies [ehobbies.com]

Get into model trains and rockets, radio-controlled vehicles, and more. There are articles and tips on every relevant topic, sensible shopping that covers all the categories, lively communities full of aficionados, and an online magazine to teach you the basics of getting involved in any of the hobbies the site covers.

Get The Dope On Drugs
7) RxList: The Internet Drug Index [rxlist.com]

Here's the site for serious information on pharmaceutical drugs, including warnings, interactions, dosages, and overdose treatments. You can also search by imprint codes, the little numbers engraved on pills.

World Class Shopping Bot
8) mySimon [mysimon.com]

My Simon queries so many sites (more than 1,500) that it does a better job of finding the best deal than any other shopping agent. You can also search auctions and classified ads.

Salvation for Air Warriors
9) Biztravel [biztravel.com]

This site is all business. Among its many features -- an automated upgrade system to help travelers fly first-class more often, flight-status updates that can be sent to pagers, exclusive travel deals, and frequent-flyer mileage tracking. It also features Fare Guard, a system that searches for the lowest fare right up until departure.

Leisure Travel
10) Expedia [expedia.com]

Among the features is a family travel section, a Fare Compare section, seat pinpointers to help you get the perfect seat, a place to save your previous search queries, vacation and cruise wizards, and express service for frequent users.

Find Clearance Deals
11) Overstock.com [overstock.com]

Search through dozens of categories, from digital cameras to wristwatches to fitness equipment. Look around by keyword or brand name, or just wander down the categories.


BUSINESS SITES

Storefront Set-Up Services
12) freemerchant [freemerchant.com]

Get a full storefront, free -- complete with business hosting, merchant gateway, secure shopping cart, auction tools, traffic logs, package tracker, member discount program, technical support, and e-mail.

Webhosting
13) Earthlink [earthlink.com]

Take a shot at setting up an online store by going through the process of site creation, site publishing, traffic building, and performance evaluation with tools that are easy to use.

Software Super Store
14) Chumbo.com [chumbo.com]

This site is arranged into six easy-to-browse main categories, and the posted reviews from users and ZDNet give it a very appealing sense of community.
There's an excellent software section with sophisticated applications you can download.

Outsourced Tech Services
15) CenterBeam [centerbeam.com]

Centerbeam helps you build a business using preconfigured PCs and servers (including software.) They manage remotely and troubleshoot crises for you.

Locate Your Parcels
16) SearchBug [searchbug.com/packages]

Package tracking is one of this site's most useful services, bringing together tracking information from Airborne, DHL, Emery, FedEx, and UPS on one page.

A la Carte Business Builder
17) SmartAge [smartage.com]

Build your site, drive targeted traffic, advertise for free, and pursue strategic e-mail marketing. Read the site's excellent tutorials on site building and promotion.

Equip Your Business
18) BuyerZone.com [buyerzone.com]

One-stop shopping for all your office supplies. Submit your requests to get quotes from vendors on supplies, equipment, insurance, telecom, and more.

Human Help
19) Service911.com [service911.com]

Actual, living human beings help you get the job done. Have a question? Check out a video tutorial. Not good enough? E-mail your question and an expert will answer. Still stumped? Ask an expert to come by your home or office.

Protect Yourself
20) McAfee.com [mcafee.com]

Now you can subscribe to the McAfee clinic, a collection of Web-based apps to keep your PC tuned-up and virus-free.