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Sometimes you want some information quickly, and do not want to take the time to sort through all the websites that your search engine(s) find for you. You can go to several sites that I have found VERY USEFUL. The are basically a list or index of sites, broken down into different groups or categories. I have found them to be very helpful when I know what type of website will give me the information I am looking for.
The first site is located at http://www.el.com . This site is called ESSENTIAL LINKS.
There is one place that you put in a towns zip code, and you get back the local weather. By putting your zip code in another text box, you get the schedule of the local television channels. This site even asks you what cable company or satellite service you are using, before it gives you the channels with their programming.
There is a dictionary that can tell you the meaning of any word, and a direct link to encyclopedia Britannica. If you want to read the newspapers such as the London Times, the Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune and more, just go to this website. All these newspapers are just a click away.
You can also find direct links to all the major search engines. There also some direct links to the major meta search engines. Make one entry, and you will have anywhere from 10-40 search engines search the internet for the information you are looking for. My current favorite mult-search engine is DogPile..
You will also find links to magazines such as Reader Digest, Life, Time, Newsweek plus others covering the subjects of sports, business, finance, computers and entertainment. There is also a set of reference links to almanacs, maps, calculators, stock market quotes and more.
A second site that I have found extremely valuable is located at http://www.hotsheet.com. You can find links to all the major news networks and wire services in the world at this site. Before you head out on your next vacation, come and visit the travel sites located here. When ever I am looking for the “deal of the day”, I always go to the sites on this website. You will also find a very nice selection of electronic greeting cards. BlueMountain is a favorite of mine. Card Central has 100’s of links to other Ecard sites. If you can’t find what you are looking for here, it probably doesn’t exist on the WWW.
Have you ever wanted to send a package across country and didn’t know which service –UPS, Fed Ex, Air Bourne or USPS was the best? Go to this site, put in your zip code and then the zip code of the destination. In a matter of seconds, you will get back a page that shows you all the ways to ship your package, the cost and when it will get there.
If you want to get the joke of the day or just want to check you horoscope, you will find several great sites located here. Many people like to read the latest edition of their favorite comic strip on the WWW. Several are located here, all only one mouse click away.
Do you need some software to perform a certain task? If you visit one of the websites located on HOTSHEET, you will probably find what you are looking for. In many cases you will find either a FREE or a SHAREWARE solution to your software problem.
At the bottom of this site, you will find a collection of shopping sites. If you are looking to buy an automobile, books, clothing, computers, cosmetics, food, gifts, home & garden items, music CD’s, office supplies, pet supplies, sports equipment, toys or video’s …. Check out this area of HOTSHEET. There are even some links to sites that do COMPARISON shopping for you, all from the comfort of your home.
If you want a Library on your desktop - check out REFDESK. The vision statement for RefDesk says : “Since 1995, Refdesk is a free and family-friendly web site that indexes and reviews quality, credible, and current web-based resources. RefDesk was selected by PC World Magazine as the “Best Reference and News Resource” for 2004, In 2003, PC Magazine selected it as one of the “Top 100 Websites” and Yahoo Internet Magazine selected the site as “Best Reference Directory” for 2001 and 2002. This website put a Reference Library on your desktop.
When I was teaching in the Business Departments of Winona State University and Cappella University, I often referred the student to CEOexpress. This website “Connects Busy To Information that Matters.” My doctoral students found this website their first destination when doing research for their assignments.
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