100
BEST WEBSITES
|
#
|
Website
|
Summary
|
|
1
|
Yahoo
is your Online Free Treasure Room! An outstanding search engine
(especially for "official" websites), it also provides a
cornucopia of free services: free email, maps, Yellow Pages, games,
shopping, news, finance, sports, live chat -- the list just goes on
and on and on! By far (in our opinion), Yahoo is the best site on the
Web!
|
|
|
2
|
We
believe Google is simply the best tool on the Web for finding just
about anything (except possibly "official" websites). It is
screamingly fast, sleek, streamlined, and as comprehensive as a search
tool can be.
|
|
|
3
|
Amazon
is nothing less than a revolution in how the world shops. It is a huge
step forward in the achievement of an ideal competitive market. It is
user-friendly, vast, and reliable.
|
|
|
4
|
About.com
breaks up the Web into major subject areas with a volunteer human host
for each of them. It helps you sift out the wheat from the chaff on an
enormous range of subjects.
|
|
|
5
|
Much
of the greatest literature in the history of humankind will be found
in full text form (and free of charge) at this amazing site. In
addition, many useful reference tools are here (also free!)
|
|
|
6
|
Formerly
"DejaNews", Google Groups is a glorious experiment in free
speech! This oceanic database of over 800 million posted
"Usenet" messages from people all over the globe constitutes
the largest bulletin board in the history of the world! It's fully
searchable, and you can post your own messages free of charge. (Tip:
don't use your primary email address in your posts! To avoid spam, use
a temporary email address.)
|
|
|
7
|
A
bold endeavor in online journalism, Google News provides you hundreds
of news sources (typically) for each of the major stories of the day.
Just find the story that interests you on the main page, and you will
see something like "227 related" or "535 related"
just beneath it. Click this to see the extensive range of news sources
available for the story you are after! (Its database of past news is
also searchable.)
|
|
|
8
|
For
fast-breaking news and responsible journalism, it's hard to beat CNN.
And the text content at this site is mostly free!
|
|
|
9
|
Ebay
is the world's biggest, longest-running garage sale, as well as its
most extensive auction house. Buy, sell, browse, bid, and be amazed at
what you find at this wonderful site!
|
|
|
10
|
If
you love software treasure-hunting, Download.com is the site for you!
This massive and well-rounded collection of shareware
(try-before-you-buy) and freeware (totally free software) is fully
searchable and sortable. And there's no wait for a package in the
mail: download it NOW, install it, and take it for a test drive!
|
|
|
11
|
Craigslist.org
is a daring bulletin board system directed toward the major cities in
the US, Canada, the UK, and (soon) other countries. The magical
distinction of Craigslist is its use of anonymous email forwarding:
your email address is invisible to the public. A pointer (which
expires after several days) forwards all responses to you. Visit
Craigslist if you want to sell or buy something, if you want to meet
new people (romantically or otherwise), if you want to look for a job,
or if you want to share your ideas. Almost all of its features are
totally free, except job listings for employers.
|
|
|
12
|
Your
inner-librarian will be delighted! Here you will find (free of charge)
Dictionaries, Encyclopedias, Almanacs, Atlases, and an assortment of
other helpful resources.
|
|
|
13
|
One
of the most remarkable online encyclopedias on the Web! All the
content is free, in the public domain, and quotable. Wikipedia is
maintained by an army of volunteers. Even so, its content remains of
very high quality. Wikipedia is a good example of how the Web can
function at is best! Be sure to visit whenever you have any question
that an encyclopedia might help you answer. You might be surprised how
often Wikipedia will come through for you!
|
|
|
14
|
Beliefnet.com
is an online community for people who practice spirituality in just
about any tradition in the world. The emphasis here is on mutual
respect and tolerance. Free inquiry and exchange of ideas is invited.
Secular (non-religious) philosophies and ideas are also welcome. Also,
sacred texts from the world's great religions will be found referenced
at this site.
|
|
|
15
|
Anywho
is a great online phone book and people-finder sponsored by AT&T.
Use the Yellow Pages for businesses, the White Pages for people, and
the Reverse Lookup if all you have is a phone number.
|
|
|
16
|
Enter
your Zip Code and see the weather predictions for the next ten days
(scroll down), courtesy of The Weather Channel. It's easy and it's
free!
|
|
|
17
|
Search.com
is an outstanding example of a "metasearch engine": a web
search tool that employs over 1,000 search engines running in parallel
to help you find what you are looking for.
|
|
|
18
|
MSN's
Hotmail.com provides you with totally free email, pure and simple!
|
|
|
19
|
The
National Institutes of Health of the U.S. Department of Health &
Human Services has created this clearinghouse of information on all
matters related to your physical well-being. You'll find drug
information (MEDLINEplus), disease & symptom documentation, health
recommendations, summaries on every major system of the human body,
and much more at this excellent site.
|
|
|
20
|
CNET.com
(the parent site of Download.com) is a technophile's oasis! If you are
looking for desktop computers, laptops, printers, peripherals,
software cell phones, cameras, or just about any other kind of
gadgetry, be sure to take advantage of CNET's reviews and price
comparison features. This free site can save you hundred or thousands
of dollars, depending on your needs
|
|
|
21
|
The
London Review of Books is a respected journal for those who enjoy
reading the best books in the world! At times, the reviews themselves
rise to the level of great literature.
|
|
|
22
|
You
could spend tens and tens of hours browsing the huge catalogue of
useful websites at Refdesk.com. You'll find newspapers, photo
databases, reference tools, trivia, quotes, self-help advice, search
engines, and much, much more at this virtual goldmine of the Web.
|
|
|
23
|
Simply
put, the Mayo Clinic is one of the greatest hospitals and medical
research centers on Planet Earth. In that tradition, the Mayo Clinic
provides this excellent website devoted to the promotion of human
health.
|
|
|
24
|
If
you give some of your time, money, and energy to help the
disadvantaged of the world, you would probably like to know that your
contributions are put to good use. GuideStar.org provides extensive
information on nearly all major charitable organizations. It will help
you "heal the world" responsibly.
|
|
|
25
|
The
official portal of the Federal Government of the United States,
FirstGov.gov puts you in touch with your elected officials and the
agencies and people they govern. Lots of good information here.
|
|
|
26
|
The
BBC has long been the standard for international journalism. At this
site, you can watch, listen, and read live and recorded content from
the BBC. (Be sure to catch the hourly World News Update!) But don’t
stop with the news! Be sure to browse the History, Science, Society,
and other categories to find rich content of unusually high quality.
You could browse this site for many weeks without exhausting its
abundant resources!
|
|
|
27
|
The
Internet Movie Database (IMDB) is a movie-lover's paradise! Discover
every movie your favorite actor/actress has been in, discover every
actress/actor in your favorite movie! All the facts about all the
films will be found here.
|
|
|
28
|
Expedia.com
makes travel very easy and about as cheap as it can be. Your one stop
shop for low-cost air travel, hotels, rental cars, and tour packages!
|
|
|
29
|
MSN's
Slate is one of the premier online magazines. You'll find news, ideas,
reviews, and much more here.
|
|
|
30
|
Nutrition.gov
provides authoritative information about health and nutrition. You
will also find the USDA's National Nutrient Database here, which will
allow you to evaluate your diet with more knowledge than ever before!
|
|
|
31
|
Alternative
medicine has found its voice on the web at Altmedicine.com! Having
received praise from many sources (including the prestigious medical
journal "The Lancet"), Altmedicine.com explores the best
information from many sources on alternative approaches to human
health.
|
|
|
32
|
When
you need to get to know a city fast, Citysearch.com should be your
first stop! You'll find information and reviews of restaurants,
hotels, places to see, shopping, services, and much more about major
American (and some international) cities at this site.
|
|
|
33
|
Need
a job? Visit Monster.com, an enormous database & job listing site
for employers and employees to be!
|
|
|
34
|
Enter
your Zip Code and find links to your Congresspersons, your President,
and your state representatives! Project Vote Smart will help you
become an informed and effective voter.
|
|
|
35
|
The
online manifestaton of Scientific American magazine, Sciam.com
presents clear, intelligent writing on the most important scientific
discoveries, initiatives, and controversies of our time. Much of the
content is free. And you can search past issues!
|
|
|
36
|
If
you love sports, sports history, or sports statistics, ESPN.com is the
site for you!
|
|
|
37
|
MSN's
online encyclopedia Encarta gives you fast, free access to an amazing
range of facts. Much of the content is free, but some requires
membership.
|
|
|
38
|
Findlaw.com
provides a fantastic set of tools for anyone interested in American
Law. Widely used by legal professionals, it can also be used
profitably by laymen. Learn the facts about the laws that govern you
from this excellent site!
|
|
|
39
|
One
of the world's premier scientific journals, Nature, provides much of
its content online (and much of it free!) Check out subject areas on
Chemistry, Physics, Microbiology, Medicine and much more at this
fantastic site!
|
|
|
40
|
Though
it's not quite a substitute for your favorite local paper, USA Today's
"States" news will give you a summary of the major events in
all 50 states of the Union.
|
|
|
41
|
Who
would have thought that one of the best selections of fine art prints
online would be available at a poster shop?! Allposters.com is almost
like an online museum: but a museum at which you can buy what you see
(at reasonable prices). Not only fine art, but movie and concert
posters and many other things framable will be found here!
|
|
|
42
|
Time
magazine is one most respected news magazines on earth. And much of
its content is available free here!
|
|
|
43
|
Get
clear, printable maps, driving directions, addresses of businesses,
and much more at Mapquest.com
|
|
|
44
|
Find
your favorite old or out-of-print books at this wonderful site!
|
|
|
45
|
From
Beethoven to the Beatles and beyond, you'll find Allmusic.com a
treasure-trove of musical knowledge.
|
|
|
46
|
The
National Institutes of Health maintains MedlinePlus for those
interested in reliable information on prescription and
over-the-counter drugs. Even so, you'll find many other valuable
health-related resources here.
|
|
|
47
|
As
modest as it appears, the Open Directory is a true powerhouse in
web-searching! It provides search data to many of the most widely-used
search engines, and it itself is a first rate directory of the best of
the Web.
|
|
|
48
|
The
Library of Congress is gradually making more and more of its collosal
store of resources available on the web. Its website should afford you
many happy hours of browsing.
|
|
|
49
|
Online
Radio is here, and MSN's Windows Media is one of the finest sites
available devoted to it!
|
|
|
50
|
Your
favorite comics may be online, and they may be here! The latest
contributions from Garfield, Calvin & Hobbes, Doonesbury, Cathy,
Ziggy, and many others will be found at this easy-to-use site.
|
|
|
51
|
A
first-rate online almanac, atlas, dictionary, & encylcopedia, all
rolled into one!
|
|
|
52
|
What's
good is not always popular, and what's popular is not always good, but
on the Internet, popularity and quality go are found together often
enough. Alexa.com helps you find the most frequently visited sites in
many categories.
|
|
|
53
|
When
you're too busy to visit museums in person, you can visit them online!
This fantastic guide to online museums is a great place to start.
|
|
|
54
|
The
homepage of the United Nations presents a rich collection of
information about the state of humankind on Planet Earth. Practical
strategies for making this world a better place are laid out in
substantial detail here.
|
|
|
55
|
The
Internet Sacred Text Archive presents the scriptures of the world's
great spiritual traditions. You'll find sacred writings from
Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, Taoism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity,
Islam, Confucianism, and many others here (along with a few curious
entries!)
|
|
|
56
|
Artforum
is one of the world's most widely read journals devoted to the fine
arts. Be sure to check out there "Museum Finder" when you
visit!
|
|
|
57
|
Get
sound medical information and tips on a healthy lifestyle from this
respected site.
|
|
|
58
|
The
WWW Virtual Library relies on a consortium of experts around the world
to present the richest content available on the Web in a broad range
of subject areas.
|
|
|
59
|
MSN's
MoneyCentral will help you make intelligent decisions about investing,
taxes, loans, retirement, and all things financial.
|
|
|
60
|
Wouldn't
you love to track down some of your old school friends? Or maybe a
favorite teacher who made a difference in your life? This is the place
to start. Basic access is free, premium access is modestly priced.
|
|
|
61
|
The
Hompage of the European Union is home to a vast collection of
information about all aspects of European government. The EU's goals
and strategies for achieving them are discussed in detail.
|
|
|
62
|
Nowhere
is it easier to start your own discussion group or bulletin board
about just about anything! Within minutes and with no cost, you can
have your special subject humming with lively (and often scrappy)
discussion. Free speech rules!
|
|
|
63
|
This
foremost literary journal is surprisingly generous with its content:
access the full content of each edition online. Remarkable.
|
|
|
64
|
Not
only will you find jokes in abundance here, but each joke has a
running rating from site visitors! Be forewarned, not all these jokes
are in good taste!
|
|
|
65
|
Name
the price you're willing to pay for airline tickets, hotels, rental
cars, vacations, or cruises. There's no guarantee your offer will be
accepted, but if it is, you will save some serious money!
|
|
|
66
|
Which
movie should you see this weekend? Rottentomatoes.com lets you read
the opinions of over 100 critics (for most movies) to help you decide.
The "Cream of the Crop" critics list may include your
favorite critic. The popular "TomatoMeter" gives you a
running average of the critics ratings for each film.
|
|
|
67
|
The
Internet Public Library, based at the University of Michigan, may be
the next best thing to having a University library attached to your
house! In some ways, it may be even better.
|
|
|
68
|
We
all know we should exercise, but what exercises are best for us? The
American Council on Exercise describes exercises that are safe and
effective for those wishing to stay in shape.
|
|
|
69
|
The
home of Quicken financial software, this site also provides free tools
to help you plan and manage your assets.
|
|
|
70
|
This
celebrated classical music magazine is available online, much of the
content free. Paying members will enjoy an extensive collection of
additional resources.
|
|
|
71
|
What
does the latest research say about vitamins, minerals, nutritional
supplements, and other nutrients? The Micronutrient Information Center
of the Linus Pauling Institute provides detailed and well-documented
information on all these. (Incidentally, Linus Pauling was the only
person in history to win two Nobel Prizes!)
|
|
|
72
|
PC
Magazine has long been a favorite read of computer and technology
enthusiasts. For hardware and software reviews, as well as tips for
improving your computing experience, be sure to visit this site!
|
|
|
73
|
Yes,
you have to subscribe for access, but it's worth it to read the Times
of London online.
|
|
|
74
|
The
FedWorld Federal Job Search engine might land you in a new job quicker
than you had thought possible! It's free to use, and user-friendly.
|
|
|
75
|
One
of the world's finest newspapers, the International Herald Tribune is
also one of the few online newspapers that doesn't require
registration to read, free or otherwise! (Let's hope it stays that
way!)
|
|
|
76
|
Over
20,000 free books on the Web, many of them classics! Search by author,
title, subject, century, or just browse for fun.
|
|
|
77
|
Play
Chess, Checkers, card games, or work Crosswords online at Pogo.com, a
free website maintained by Electronic Arts!
|
|
|
78
|
BizRate.com
may be "the largest, fastest, and most accurate shopping search
engine on the Web". Save money and find top quality at this site.
|
|
|
79
|
Billboard
Magazine has chronicled the world of popular music and entertainment
since its founding in 1894! (Yes, that's 1894, not 1994!) Much of the
information at this site is free.
|
|
|
80
|
Translate
the content of an entire website from one language to another simply
by entering the site's web address! Or enter a block of text and
translate it from one language to another! To be sure, the translation
is not perfect, but it may be good enough for what you need.
AltaVista's Babel Fish Translations site has been serving up automatic
translations for years, and it's free! (To see Babel Fish in action,
why not translate and display THIS website in any one of 10 languages
with a single click of the mouse -- click
here to see our "Translation Bar"!
|
|
|
81
|
Most
of us would like to donate money, time, energy, or ideas to help the
least advantaged people of the world. But it is a challenge to ensure
that our donations are used effectively and responsibly. Give.org, a
service of the Better Business Bureau, evaluates major charities and
provides reports on how responsibly they do their work.
|
|
|
82
|
"The
Web's most extensive mathematics resource" will help you remember
all the algebra, geometry, trig, statistics, calculus, and diffie-Q
that you left behind years ago! And you'll probably learn a lot you
never knew along the way.
|
|
|
83
|
Webrings
are like pearl necklaces of websites on related topics. Webring.org
helps you find the webring that you'd like to browse or insert your
own website into.
|
|
|
84
|
CareerBuilder.com
employs its network of more than 130 local newspapers to help employ
YOU! If you're looking for work, do stop by!
|
|
|
85
|
411.com
is a combined online Yellow Pages, White Pages, People Finder, and
more!
|
|
|
86
|
This
site exists to help people make intelligent buying decisions. It is a
compendium of reviews from thousands of people on thousands of
different products. A good site to visit before any major purchase.
|
|
|
87
|
The
Religious Studies Web Guide is an enormous collection of links to
major journals in theology and spiritual philosophy.
|
|
|
88
|
Arts
& Letters Daily is a favorite stop for those who love thinking,
literature, and dazzling ideas. It's always fresh and always relevant.
|
|
|
89
|
The
homepage of Nolo Press, the pioneers of do-it-yourself law, is also a
rich source of free legal information.
|
|
|
90
|
Classical
music lovers of all different levels of experience and sublety will
love this site devoted to the history and ideas of great western
music.
|
|
|
91
|
Create
your own "blog" to express your ideas to the world and
invite responses. This service is high quality, and it's free!
|
|
|
92
|
The
New York Times online does require (free) registration, but it is well
worth that small investment of time. Keep up on events that shape the
world by visiting often.
|
|
|
93
|
Live
online cameras are all over the world in fascinating and often
unlikely places. Look through many windows on the world LIVE at
Earthcam.com!
|
|
|
94
|
The
Better Business Bureau is online and ready to help in the continuing
struggle against shoddy business practices.
|
|
|
95
|
Harvard
Medical School's respository of consumer health information will be
found at this excellent site, along with many user-friendly articles
on health, disease, drugs, and the human body.
|
|
|
96
|
Keep
a journal online about anything at all! And browse the journals of
others. Livejournal.com is one of the most popular "blogging"
sites, and with very good reason.
|
|
|
97
|
The
"Religion & Ethics" site of the BBC sets the world's
great spiritual traditions side by side and provides extensive
information on each of them.
|
|
|
98
|
This
"daily digest of arts, culture, and ideas" is sure to
provide stimulation for aesthetes and intellectuals.
|
|
|
99
|
The
purpose of ticketmaster.com is simple: get the tickets you want
easily, in advance, and at a reasonable cost.
|
|
|
100
|
Project Gutenberg presents a collection of over 15,000 electronic books ("ebooks") available for free download! Most are older literary works in the public domain, many of the considered classics. An amazing and useful monument to the volunteer labor of thousands of participants! |