but you have to click on them to see them. This
certainly cuts down on aggravation and on load
ing time. JWorkman
Usability: A- Content: A
Editor’s Pick
Zdnet
zdnet.com/2dhelp
An excellent PC help site provided by Ziff-Davis,
publisher of Yahoo Internet Life, PC Magazine and
other tech titles. Here they have collected help
files for Windows users and for Macs, help files
about the Internet, and about other popular
applications and games. One great feature is the
“healthy PC section” with tips on the correct
ergonomics for computer use, how to avoid
viruses, and other information for safer PC use.
DDesmond
Usability: A Content: A
ResExcellence
RiesixGellenGe.com
The motto of this site is “The place to hack your
N.1ac.” If that doesn’t scare you away, you’ll find a
^ealth of software and hacks you can do yourself
t^ enhance your Mac’s performance, add cool
features or cus
tomize the
operating sys
tem. A lot of
the software
can be easily
installed, but
|here are parts
of the site
which do
require a cer
tain degree of
technical
knowledge and
ResEdit (a sys
tem editing
tool) proficien
cy. DDesmond
Usability: B
Content: A
msB
Sports Byline USA
sportsbylme.com
This 12-year-old site is a live sports talk show
that broadcasts Monday-Sunday from 10pm to
6am EST. During daylight hours you can keep
the conversation flowing in the section called
Point/Counterpoint. Scheduled interviews are
nicely designed, and range from Mike Holmgren
(Seattle Seahawks head coach) to Cojko Kasich
(Bobby Knight’s attorney). This is the place to
turn for some interesting sports conversation to
give you a break when you’re pulling an all
nighter. MSpilberg
Usability: A- Content: A
Burton
burton.com
Winter’s here—you need riding gear. For any of
you riders out there, amateur or profi, check out
Burton’s online site for gear and travel updates,
as well as specific information from tuning your
board to buying the best gear at the most
decent price. Whether you want to buy clothes
online or find out their next team demo appear
ance, burton.com makes everything easy. If you
don’t know where the nearest store is, check out
their locator. If you’re just plain bored, take the
factory tour. If you’re really bored, tell Burton
“why the riding never stops.” They’ll post your
answer, I promise. YTabi
Usability: A+ Content: A
Wahine
Wahinemagazine.com
For any power girls interested in surfing, skating
and snowboarding, check out this site for great
articles and pics of innovative women in sports.
Find out what you need for a surfing trip, or
what’s new in female sports companies. The site
is super accessible with an up-to-date event list
ing for surfing, paddling, body boarding, and
more. Wahine reviews and interviews bands like
the Muffs and solo musicians like Aimee Mann
and Juliana Hatfield. There’s also a merchandise
section, with gear that ranges from hats to
sweatshirts. YTabi
Usability: A- Content: A
wahine
hline
mm
US News
usnews.com
Of course, you don’t care about silly computer
generated number-crunching ratings. Obviously,
the value of an education is defined by so much
more. But after you’ve given in and checked
where your school falls on the now infamous U.S.
News & World Report College Rankings, stick
around and read the other offerings in their ever
expanding college section, including longer, in
depth analysis of the college rankings process, as
well as insider looks at undergraduate and gradu
ate admissions, financial aid and the future of
higher education. (The magazine offers monthly
national and international news and feature sto
ries, too.) CDavenport
Usability: A- Content: A
Fileamerica
Fileamerica.com
Fileamerica is one of the most useful web sites
on the planet. Co here to do things that would
otherwise require standing in line at a govern
ment agency. Depending on where you live, you
can apply for a hunting license, register a car,
pay a parking ticket, apply for a passport and a
host of other options. If you can’t apply online,
you can download and print a hard copy. It’s
quick, easy, well thought out and can save you a
ton of time. DJohnson
Usability: B Content: A
Mr. Cranky
Mrcranky.com
If Oscar the Crouch had been a film critic, his
web site would look like mrcranky.com, where
movies aren’t rated for how good they are, but
for how much they don’t suck—the best rating
here is “almost tolerable.” Needless to say, Mr.
Cranky has a little trouble seeing the glass as half
full. But he faithfully keeps up with trashing all
the latest releases, and he even has the humility
to invite you to prove him wrong with your own
review. MAguilar
Usability: B+ Content: A
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