The Top 10 Most Useful Web Sites (2010)

Source: http://netforbeginners.about.com |

#10) BBC News

 

 As much as American news gives us the most drama and the most compelling imagery, it is not the most objective point of view. Of the many different international news choices available today, the British Broadcasting Corporation has earned the title of the most objective and the most expansive journalism of international reporting. If you want to see more than one point of view of the War in Iraq, the Swine Flu pandemic, the Kyoto Protocol, and the Real Space Race, then the BBC is your news site.

#9) Lifehacker

"Computers make us more productive. Yeah, right. Lifehacker recommends the downloads, web sites and shortcuts that actually save time. Don't live to geek; geek to live!"

Yes, webbies... Lifehacker is an online community dedicated to 21st Century thinking people. Here is where you get digital knowledge and life knowledge, all in one place!

#8) Merriam Webster Dictionary and Thesaurus

At M-W, you can figure out what that strange word online really means. You can look up thesaurus synonyms to devise a better job application letter. Students and writers can even download toolbars and other to help improve the professionalism of your writing.

In this digital age, your ability to communicate with written English is paramount. And M-W.com is the perfect resource to improve your English now.

#7) Online Conversion of Any Measurement

Can't figure out how many ounces is 750 mL? How many meters is a 40-yard dash? How tall is someone who is 192cm?

#6) How Stuff Works.

This web site is a tremendous source of learning. See how fire extinguishers and tasers work. Learn how a hurricane really forms. See how a Mazda rotary engine functions, and how bulletproof armor deflects bullets. I wish I had real-life teachers that were as clear, visual, and vivid as this website!

#5) Homefair: Resources for Moving, Career, and Raising Your Family.

Are you thinking about renting or buying your next house? Should you move to Nevada or Ontario? Is your daughter's university town a safe city to live in? How much should you be earning for your current level of education and experience?

Homefair.com answers all of these questions and more. A very useful combination of research tables, statistical trends, and international surveys to help you plan your next big step in life.

#4) Epinions: Consumer Reviews by Regular People.

Epinions.com is wonderful. This is the smartest and easiest way to do your shopping homework on your next digital camera, your next plasma TV, your next MP3 player, your next dog food purchase, your next car and your next washing machine investment.

Real people making real comments on real purchases. This is a truly valuable resource for the smart consumer.

#3) Webopedia

Webopedia is a must for anyone who wants to understand the computer world. This online glossary of computer terms is also a fantastic encyclopedia for beginners.

At Webopedia, you'll learn what DDR and SDRAM are, what RAID stands for, and how TCP/IP beams messages around the world.

Even more importantly: you can now shop for computer goods and get a patient explanation for what all the hardware terms mean! This is a truly useful resource for every computer user.

#2) Google News

Although Google News is not arranged by community recommendations nor by editorial suggestion, it does plug you into over 4500 news sources.

Amazing breadth and depth of choice here, folks. Search by celebrity name, current event, topic, or by region... you're bound to find nearly all the news you'll ever want here.

#1) StumbleUpon

So why is Stumbleupon the most useful web site on the Internet? Wouldn't Google be more useful?

Well folks, as good as Google is, it is a keyword search tool. Stumbleupon is so much more human and intimate than that. Stumbleupon is the collective recommendations of thousands of hours of searching by web users who share your interests.

Call it a "recommendation engine". Stumblers add to this engine by providing their personal recommendations on what sites are worth your time. Thousands of people who share your interests and hobbies will point you to the sites that they personally recommend. And guaranteed, you will like many of these recommendations.

The Internet just got smaller in a good way, folks. Stumbling is so much more satisfying than Googling.