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4by6
A “postcard printing tool for professional graphic designers.” Whether you’re a wiz with the graphics or not, this online service can be helpful for your organization or business. Kind of reminds us of the John Mayer song “3by5.” |
674 |
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AbbreviationZ
This self-proclaimed “A to Z of Acronyms & Abbreviates on the Net” is fantastic. From computing to governmental to international… they’ve got it all. Most helpful. |
337 |
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All Business
If you have or are dreaming of starting a small business, visit this Dun & Bradstreet-company’s site forthwith! Great advice, tips & articles are aggregated in one convenient spot. Easy to scan and nicely designed (unlike many dry business sites), we plan on spending lots of time at this site. |
470 |
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AltaVista's Babel Fish Translation Service
Come across a French word that you don't understand? Want to write your honey a romantic letter? Need to sound smarter than you are? There's all this and more on this magical site. Gotta love technology. |
353 |
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Angie’s List
Do you know the old saw, “the cobbler's children go barefoot” (because he's too busy making shoes for others)? If you are like most in the design industry, you’ve been working so hard for your clients that you’ve neglected your own projects. Silence that nagging voice in the back of your head by making a checklist of everything that needs improving around your home or office. Prioritize the tasks that will save your life like repairing faulty wiring and trimming the heavy tree limb that is just a wind gust away from becoming a part of your décor. Next, move on to the items that will save you money in the long run, such as adding insulation in the attic and sealing door and windows. After those biggies get done, then tackle the aesthetic stuff like replacing the tiled fireplace surround or upgrading door hardware. And if you are not Mr. Fix-It /Ms. DIY and don’t have a service provider for this or that, then consult Angie’s List, a mega-directory of reputable service providers and subcontractors. |
489 |
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Answers.com
The best definitions and explanations for over one million topics, covering people, places, words and names, drawn from reliable dictionaries, encyclopedias, websites, and more. |
320 |
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Askville
Hang out in Askville when you want “real answers from real people”. It’s a new website from Amazon with forums on 32 different topics. |
399 |
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Barnes & Noble University
Want to learn more about almost any subject? You can do it online here. From book clubs to life improvement to cooking, they’ve got it all online, and a great deal of it is free… except for the course materials, of course. They’ve got to make money somehow, right? |
483 |
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Barrier Free Travels
A resource for information for travelers who use wheelchairs, walkers or who simply must move slowly, Barrier Free Travels is run by Candy Harrington, who is the author of several accessible travel books, as well as the editor of Emerging Horizons, a publication dedicated to the same topic. |
67 |
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Bebo
Great for all of you disorganized people out there. In their words: Bebo is an online address book. Each person only keeps their own contact details updated and then changes appear in their friends' address books. You always have complete and up-to-date contact details for all of your friends. |
531 |
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Better Business Bureau
If we are looking to do business with someone new, we like to check 'em out first. We also write complaint letters to the BBB when a vendor attempts to cheat us. Take action - it really does get results. Plus, it's less inconvenient than a trip to jail. |
308 |
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Bless This Chick
Need an avatar for your CLUBCHiNTZ.com identity? Or a cute little web-portrait to add to your signature or use on a mug or a shirt? This British site creates adorable “hand-drawn personalised mini-portraits” for less than 4 Euros. You could use them in all kinds of kooky ways – whether you’re a Princess Chick, a Rock Chick or any other type of Chick. This site is guaranteed to make you smile. |
757 |
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Careers Out There
An up-n-coming site for those trying to figure out what they want to do when they “grow up” or those interested in making a career switch, Careers Out There host, Marc Luber, features interviews with practicing professionals, one of which is Rachel Winkour, owner of Etta Designs, a firm dedicated to eco friendly living with a luxury twist. |
326 |
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Catalogue Choice
YES! Finally a way to unsubscribe to unwanted catalogs in one fell swoop. Instead of spending all day calling each company to get off their lists, go to this site sponsored by the Ecology Center. Sign up at the free site, gather your catalogs, type in some mailing label info and let them do the work. It’s that easy to save trees. |
335 |
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CeeVee
Online résumés are not going away any time soon, and this handy website allows you to build one online instead of just uploading a PDF or JPG file. Therefore, you end up creating a unique URL that you can then easily share with potential employers. It’s neat, it’s clean, and you can even print the address on your business cards, which is oh-so-handy during networking opportunities! |
145 |
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Charitybuzz
Talk about a win-win formula: 1,000+ non-profits around the world raise much needed cash because ordinary people get the opportunity to live out their dreams by bidding online for extraordinary items and experiences. Launched in 2005, this New York City-based for-profit company has a business model that takes advantage of brand loyalty, pop culture and the global obsession with celebrity to generate funds for non-profits. |
11 |
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Citysearch
Goin’ travelin’ and don’t know what to do? Check out this site for restaurant and club reviews, hotel info, and even movie and weather information for cities all over the U.S. Hit the road, Jack. |
305 |
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Coco Myles
If you’ve ever been a bridesmaid, then you’ll understand the horror that often accompanies the bridesmaid’s dress. (If it wasn’t so, then why did they make a movie about it?) Enter Coco Myles, the godsend resource that’s a win-win for everyone: the bride chooses the color and each bridesmaid chooses the style that works for her body type. The outcome: Everyone feels good and can concentrate on the significance of the occasion instead of obsessing over appearances. Where were you 10 years ago!?!?! |
232 |
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Daphnée
Their tagline says it all: Your Lovely French Teacher. Yes, this gorgeous little video app for iPhone and iPad (and soon Android) is actually a virtual language teaching tool that is about as far from your high school French class as you can imagine. The videos guide you par les rues de Paris, all the while introducing to French culture, cuisine, shopping and seduction. We say un grand OUI! |
129 |
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del.icio.us
Yet another example of Web 2.0 (as all the user-generated content and social networking sites on the web are collectively known) is del.icio.us. This time it’s social bookmarking – as in being able to share your internet favorites or bookmarks with others. Or with yourself. Put your bookmarks on del.icio.us and you can access them from any other computer with an internet connection, not just your own. Handy, huh? As an added bonus, you can share them with other del.icio.us users – maybe someone else is looking for a site about textile artists working in the sacred Tibetan tradition. Your bookmark might help them out. You can also find other del.icio.us users who have interesting bookmarks and add them to yours. Last, but not least, you can mark any or all of your bookmarks “private” so they stay for your eyes only. As some of your bookmarks should. Not that we’re judging. |
461 |
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Design Facilitator
The customer may have always been right, but today consumers rule. Web 2.0 has created a feedback frenzy in service sectors such as the hotel, restaurant, travel industries, forcing hospitality providers to respond more quickly to consumer demand or risk dying a slow death. The A&D community (another type of service provider) now can take a cue and get a clue about what its clients are thinking but not saying out loud. In less than five minutes this client feedback tool for architects, interior designers and engineers, lets your firm know where it really stands –not only with clients, but with collaborating teams, as well. Whether evaluating a single project or tracking operations over time, this service can help shave off some outmoded practices and stave off M.I.A. clients. |
317 |
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DiggersList
A fun name for needed resource: free online home improvement classifieds. Ever expanding, you can buy or sell everything from plumbing fixtures and ceiling fans to flooring and building materials. Or you can even donate your extras to a local non-profit that has partnered with DiggersList. It’s a win-win situation all around. |
158 |
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DoMyStuff
This site is just what all of us too-busy-to-do-one-more-thing people. Instead of squeezing in another errand or chore, do what the big companies do – outsource it! Simply go the site, post what you need done and wait for local individuals and/or businesses to bid on doing it for you! You can even dictate the duration of your bidding window, the local radius the winning “assistant” must be located in and more. You may never have to clean your pool or plan another birthday party again! |
598 |
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Donate My Dress
You know that great formal dress hanging in your closet? The one you love but will never wear again? Donate it to this organization and make some girl’s prom dream come true. It’s easy to find a local place to donate using their locator right on the home page. |
472 |
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Doodle
Brought to our attention by our friend Julie Grisham, Doodle is an online scheduling service that helps find the right date and time for a group of people to meet. In a nutshell, this online coordination tool – which is free for basic service – prevents all those millions of reply-all emails required to figure out when everyone can meet. Bonus: It doesn’t require you to install software or even register to use it. Just Doodle It. |
81 |
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Download Squad
We’re convinced that anything you ever wanted to know about new computer hardware, software applications, gadgets, communication tools, gaming, etc. can be found on this site if you just dig deep enough. Written by a motley crew of technology freaks, they revel in reporting about the manufacturing launches, technical glitches, downloadable patches and secret shortcuts having to do with all things digital. If you felt like your tech-loving friends were speaking Greek the last time you joined them at happy hour, just read a few of the latest articles here and impress them by matching their Greek with your Geek. |
275 |
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Earworms
Why can I remember every lyric to every Duran Duran song from 1983-1988, yet not a single bit of Calculus? Well, maybe I hated Calculus, but that’s beside the point. Turns out you learn best to music. Earworms Musical Brain Trainer helps you do just that. By setting foreign language words and phrases to repetitive tunes, Earworms anchors them in your long-term memory – kind of like the lyrics to “Planet Earth” – but a LOT more useful. |
695 |
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EchoSign
An innovative sales and operations efficiency tool, EchoSign allows companies to establish agreements and close deals faster via electronic signatures. Eliminating the need for the cumbersome and wasteful steps of printing, signing, faxing or scanning, EchoSign allows for fast e-signatures that are fully compliant with the Federal E-SIGN Act that was signed into law on Oct 1, 2000, and makes online electronic signatures in a commercial transaction equivalent to a written signature. |
21 |
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ecopod
By partnering with those amazing design mavens at BMW DesignWorksUSA, Ecopod has found a way to make recycling cool, stylish and convenient by bringing it into your kitchen. Looking a bit like a typical step-on trash can with a hole in the lid, the Ecopod houses its own compactor allowing you to crush, store and redeem or recycle plastic bottles and aluminum cans. It’s easy, it’s stylish and it’s available through William-Sonoma starting January 2007 – just in time for your New Year’s resolution to be more “green”. |
530 |
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eHow
Though, phonetically, the name of this site sounds like something you’d find on the menu of a Chinese restaurant, it actually is a DIY type operation out of Bellevue, Washington. Through articles and videos, they can guide you through everything from how to program your Tivo and find a good divorce lawyer to how to coach baseball and make basic repairs on your five-year-old car. Bonus: If you are actually one of those helpful, smart, capable people who knows how to lots of stuff already, then you can actually make money writing for eHow. eHowonderful. |
254 |
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Elder Wisdom Circle
Need some wise counsel about a part of your life from someone with years of experience? Get a Cyber-grandparent at Elder Wisdom Circle. These wonderful senior volunteers offer sage advice to anyone who asks. You get non-judgmental help – they get to contribute their life skills, even if they’re homebound. It’s win-win for all. |
346 |
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Eventbrite
Organizing events – especially when you need to sell tickets – can be quite an undertaking. This online service streamlines the process and provides you with some effective tools to manage whatever it is that you’re planning. From creating a professional looking registration page and collecting money to increasing event visibility and tracking your progress, Eventbrite keeps you organized. Plus, it's free to sign up and get started. Go forth and plan, young man. |
76 |
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Experience
It’s the age-old problem: How do you get a job without experience, but how do you get experience without a job? Well, Experience, the web-based college recruiting platform, can help. Not only can students can find a vast number of entry-level jobs and internships (that don’t require you to have experience) here, but employers can post jobs and search resumes, and colleges and universities can manage their on-campus recruiting and career fairs. The only problem for P&C’s primary audience is that they don’t yet have a A&D industry section. Maybe if enough of us contact them, they’ll develop one! |
283 |
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Expert Village
Who doesn’t need some help when it comes to… backing up your computer on a remote server, relieving back pain through pressure-point massage, prepping for your first fly fishing trip, playing a difficult cord on your cello, calming your newborn baby to sleep… If you can think of it, there is probably a video on here to explain it. And if there’s not, maybe you should research the topic and create it. |
241 |
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FlightStats
Between endless security screening lines and ridiculous baggage fees, airline travel in the modern world can be a major whip. And when the unpredictable Mother Nature gets in on the act, delaying flights with micro-bursts, lightning and blizzards, going postal starts seeming like a rational option. You can, however, avoid a stress-induced stroke with the knowledge you glean through FlightStats, a website that keeps up with everything aeronautical – e.g. flight status updates (of course), travel warnings, security delays, airfares, frequent-flier promotions – via email and text alerts. It’s like having a travel agent in your pocket. |
163 |
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FollowUpThen
If you, your best friend, or a colleague you work with regularly has a hard time following through, then consider FollowUpThen, a free email reminder service that makes following-up with yourself or anyone else a snap. For example: If you need to remind yourself to complete your expense report by Monday, send an email to Monday@followupthen.com. Want to remind yourself on a specific date in the future to check up on your team’s progress on their latest project? When you send them the initial notification email, copy 2012-12-01@followupthen.com, and the system will prompt you by sending you a copy of your original email on December 1, 2012. Surrender to the digital age. |
26 |
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Fonetiks
What a fantastic online find! Not only does it have pronunciation guides to seven varieties of the English language and nine other languages, but it also samples by over 40 native speakers. And it’s free! |
334 |
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FontStruct
Have you ever been frustrated that you couldn’t find just the right font to convey a specific feeling or idea or to coordinate with a particular design element that you are utilizing in a presentation or portfolio? If so, then just create your own with FontStruct. This free font-building tool sponsored by FontShop, the world’s leading retailer of digital type, allows you to build your own font, generating high-quality TrueType fonts to use in any Windows or Mac application. You can even peruse the font gallery containing others’ creations, using one as the basis for your own inspired font and then adding it to the gallery for others to discover. Font and font alike. |
25 |
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Free My CV
This U.K.-based resource servicing those looking for employment in the British Isles intrigued us. It allows users to upload their C.V. (otherwise known as a résumé to the Yanks in the crowd) once for distribution to a large network of partnering websites. They even partner with niche job sites for industry-specific specialists. The benefit is that you only have to enter your info once instead of registering as an individual user with multiple sites. Less time typing equals more time preparing for those all-important interviews. |
250 |
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Free Rice
Challenging, addictive and charitable – the Free Rice site is good for everybody. While you challenge yourself to build your vocabulary with programmer John Breen’s multiple choice vocabulary test, families around the world get free rice for each of your right answers. That’s right - each time you get a word right, the site’s sponsors donate 20 grains of rice to the UN’s World Food Program. And YOU might learn that a “popinjay” is a “fop.” |
282 |
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Fresh Books
An interior designer friend of ours uses this “painless billing” and time tracking application, and just like the testifiers on their website, she loves it. Perfect for small creative studios and freelancers, it apparently takes the agony out of the necessary evil of accounting. The beauty of the system over traditional accounting systems like QuickBooks and Quicken seems to be its online capability, which makes it accessible to you from anywhere you can connect to the Internet. Furthermore, if you so choose, the system will allow your clientele to manage their account with you online, which will make you extra attractive to computer savvy clients. |
310 |
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Friendster
“Friendster is an online service that helps you connect with your friends and discover new friends and interests.” It’s that whole cool six-degrees-of-separation thing. Always fascinating, and a good way to meet people if you’re out in the boondocks. |
298 |
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Get Human
If you’d rather poke a bamboo skewer under your fingernail than attempt to hack your way through an automated telephone customer support jungle, this is the site for you. Search for a company you’re dreading dealing with and find the quickest way to get a human on the phone. Volunteers keep this free site updated and manageable. |
539 |
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Globe Dialer
Calling all globetrotters! Now you can use your cell phone to call internationally for cheap. With Globedialer’s downloadable software for your mobile phone you can call mom in Morocco when you’re in Yemin without paying exorbitant rates to your cell carrier or resorting to some clunky calling card and a PIN you can’t remember. The plan works with Sony, Motorola, Nokia, Blackberry and Treo Java-enabled phones; Samsung, and LG are coming soon. Try a sample call for free to test your phone. |
781 |
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Google Earth
This is Google’s “3D interface to the planet,” and it is pretty amazing. From satellite photos and 3D models, explore anything from the Grand Canyon, to the Eiffel Tower to your own neighborhood. Be careful, though – it’s addictive. Contributed by Joey Stewart and Beth Cowan. |
308 |
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Google Maps
Another map site??? This one’s different – really! Not only can you find directions, but you can also find businesses and services near that location. Our favorite part is the “panning” feature: just hold your mouse button down and move around the screen. Very convenient. Plus, if you’re feeling James Bond-ish, then check out the satellite photo feature. Very Cold War (and a little Big Brother-like), but cool nonetheless. |
290 |
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Grammar Girl
Those who never grasped the concept of double possessives, run-on sentences and collective nouns need to make this site a favorite without delay. However, since even the best of us need a grammar lesson every once in a while, we’d recommend that pretty much everyone bookmark it for easy access. Between humorously written lessons and entertaining podcasts, you’ll have no excuse for letting your participles dangle. |
456 |
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GrammarBook
Whether we want to admit it or not, we ALL occasionally need a little help in the English grammar department. If you find yourself without that old standby “Handbook For Writers” on hand, this will save you from making yourself look like an idiot when you put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard. Plus, the site has fun little quizzes to make hammering the grammar into your thick skull all the more pleasurable. Oh, and did we mention that it’s free? |
241 |
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GrandCentral
If you’re tired of emailing everyone your new phone number every time you move or switch cell phones, you need to visit GrandCentral.com. This unique start-up company offers “One Number…For Life™” among other spectacular features. We gotta admit, this seems a bit intimidating to us at first glance, but it’s probably quite easy. Using a web-based Inbox, you can centralize all your messages from all your phone lines into one place, then manage them as easily as your e-mails. You can also choose which phone to use no matter which line someone has called – grab your cell phone and switch the call over from your home line as you’re running out the door. Or save your cell minutes by talking on your business phone when someone calls you on your cell at the office. They’re also doing a bit of good by offering free phone numbers & voicemail to homeless persons in the San Francisco area (where they’re based - they hope to expand the program nationwide). This way, those who may need to reach out to family and friends will have a way. It’s a crazy new phone world out there. GrandCentral seems to be getting it under control. |
377 |
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GriefShare
The death of a loved one is such a difficult part of life, and most people either have an incredibly tough time coping with such a loss or – worse – they don’t cope with it all, which inevitably leads to more heartache down the road. Our lovely friend Kay Troutt made us aware of this wonderful resource that provides support for those who have experienced such a loss. GriefShare groups meet weekly to help you face these challenges and move toward rebuilding your life. Their sessions are made up of three elements: video seminars with experts, support groups to talk about that week’s session, and personal study with reflection. |
75 |
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Howcast
Another “how to do anything” website. Covering the necessary (how to get an after school job) and the life-saving (how to kick a drug addiction) to the medical (how to get rid of overnight heartburn) and the uncomfortable (how to deal with an inappropriate teacher), there’s something for everyone. |
102 |
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I Am A Cartoon
Give the gift of cartoon to a friend or yourself. This neato site will take your digital picture and turn it into a cartoon drawing. Put your cartoon self in front of one of their themed backgrounds. Or have the family portrait done as a cartoon. Pretty cool. Check out the site to see how it works. |
797 |
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iJango
If social media is overwhelming your brain and consuming way too many of your hours, consider using iJango to help you save a little time managing all of your accounts. Its slick, nicely presented interface allows you juggle email, LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter all in once location instead of having to bounce from website to website and browser window to browser window. You can also use iJango to download music, shop and earn money for your favorite cause. But will it go pick up the dry cleaning? |
254 |
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indiegogo
Money makes the world go ‘round, and indiegogo provides a platform for anyone with an internet connection to raise cash for whatever – having an operation, developing a business, building a museum, etc. – from anyone else with an internet connection. To quote them directly: “Tell people what you are doing, how they can help and what unique perks they’ll get for becoming contributors. You keep 100% ownership of your campaign and you don’t owe us a cent until you raise money.” |
23 |
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infoplease
This is an almanac, thesaurus, encyclopedia, atlas and dictionary all rolled into one. |
282 |
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Invoice Bubble
Now that more and more people are freelancing or starting their own businesses, easy bookkeeping help is in demand. If you are tight on cash, Invoice Bubble might just be the solution for you. The online invoicing and payment collection service, which allows you to get paid through PayPal, lets you create a free account that will allow you to take advantage of the majority of their features with unlimited clients. The catch is that the invoices do include a small ad for Invoice Bubble, but, frankly – who cares? |
143 |
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join.me
A free service to share your computer screen with up to 100 colleagues, join.me can be utilized for organized training, impromptu meetings, product or how-to demonstrations, etc. I love being able to meet in my pajamas. |
70 |
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JumpStart Social Media
Baffled by social media and overwhelmed by techno talk, but want to start managing your online presence as a busy business professional? Then you need a JumpStart. Not only do they have jargon-free reference guides to LinkedIn and Facebook, but they’ll actually set your profile up for you if you’ve really got the cyber jitters. |
361 |
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LearnHub
LearnHub is aptly named as there are endless educational possibilities through this site. Need some help prepping for the SAT, GRE or GMAT? You can do it here. Interested in possibly studying abroad? They can help here too. Just want to test your current level of knowledge in particular category? This is the place. It’s global in scope, but an array of different “learning communities” becomes your “it takes a village” support structure. |
292 |
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Legal Zoom
We hope that you don't ever get in a situation where you desperately need a lawyer, but if you just need some basic legal help or questions answered, this seems like a pretty reasonable alternative. |
500 |
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lynda.com
Wanting to build your ID street cred by learning software programs such as Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator? Then get thee to this award-winning educational service that provides everything from online courses to DVD-based video training for those with a creative bent. |
286 |
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MapBlast
Good for maps or driving directions. Pretty basic. |
310 |
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MapQuest
Ditto. Sometimes addresses show up here that don't show up on MapBlast and vice versa. |
299 |
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Meeting Tomorrow
Ever had to lug a laptop & a projector through airport security? I have - and it's not fun. Thanks to these superfriends, though, you no longer have to be your own Audio-Visual geek on the road. Order projectors, screens, laptops or whatever other equipment you need to make your presentation shine on the road. They'll deliver it, answer any questions, and make it easy to return everything when you're done (think Netflix, but with bigger envelopes). Where were these guys when I needed them? |
514 |
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Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
We’re not kidding when we say that we use this site multiple times a day. Maybe we’re just stupid, but it is extremely helpful. The dictionary and thesaurus are much more extensive than what you’ll find on your word processing program, plus you can hear how to pronounce things. Bonus: You can sign up for Word of the Day. At least that way you’ll never have a day without email. We all need reassurance. |
511 |
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MightyBackup
If you’re like us, your whole world is in your cell phone Contacts list. But when your phone doesn’t survive the latest fall from your purse or your dog eats it, it does you no good to know only that your best friend is “5” on speed dial. Enter Mighty Backup – a groovy little application you can download to your phone that securely stores all your phone’s content – pictures, too! – and automatically backs it up in just seconds every day. This could be the most valuable software ever invented. |
641 |
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My Travel Rights
Jetsetters rejoice! Everything you need to know about your rights as a traveller are compiled in one handy site. What are hotels liable for? What happens if a tour operator leaves you high and dry? Bookmark this site and visit before any trip you take. |
434 |
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MyLife Organized
In the past, P&C has touted the Getting Things Done (GTD) concept via our interview with Merlin Mann, the San Francisco-based writer who coaches readers about personal productivity. The basic outline: identifying tasks, penning them, prioritizing them, and then following through. If you are one of the digitally addicted or find your own handwriting indecipherable, then MyLife Organized (MLO) is for you. This “personal task outliner and to-do list manager” keeps you on track by helping you neatly sort your thoughts and prioritize your lists without the danger of losing your mind because you accidentally shredded the piece of paper with your latest list on it. |
310 |
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Next Issue
As their tagline states, Next Issue offers “an entire newsstand at your fingertips.” If lugging around all your favorite magazines is too cumbersome, too expensive, or too limiting, then check out this app for iOS or Android that – for a mere $10 per month – gives you access to over 85 magazine titles. It’s affordable, it’s sustainable (look, no paper!), and it will leave more room in your carry-on bag for some much-needed snacks. |
4 |
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NuBarter
Here’s a new twist on a very old idea. In centuries gone by, bartering for goods and services was quite common as physical currency was often scarce. Today, both business bank accounts are often a bit anemic, but the need to get things done never goes away. Enter Nubarter, an online venue where businesses from around the world can trade in a whole “old” way. Instead of using cash, businesses use “trade credits,” a practice which helps preserve their current cash flow, sustaining and (hopefully) ultimately growing their businesses. |
243 |
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One Minute News
Are you suffocating under an avalanche of daily depressing data? From television to tablets, chances are you are feeling the crush of information overload more and more with every new gadget. Some enterprising Millennials have capitalized on our 21st Century stress, creating One Minute News to help lighten the load and the mood with their “video news with edge.” Enjoy the edutainment. |
67 |
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OneReceipt
For those of us who feel like we’re being overrun with paper receipts or even have a difficult time keeping track of our electronic receipts, OneReceipt is a welcome solution. Based in New York, this service allows users to rent a virtual file cabinet in the sky – i.e., the cloud – to store all of their receipts so that they can be accessed at any time from anywhere. Additional handy features include the ability to assign categories and tags so that users can filter and search more easily. |
41 |
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Online Conversion
Although we're showing you how to convert things on your own, there are some conversions that make you want to scream. So, when you have access to the internet, feel free to take advantage of this free service. Why didn't WE think of this? |
505 |
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Online Image Editor Comparison Chart
Not everyone needs the full capabilities (and associated high price tag) of an image editor like Photoshop. Plus, if you are away from computer and, thus, aware from your own personal software, wouldn’t it be nice to have an alternative method of editing images wherever you have an Internet connection? Blogger Smiley Cat has researched and compiled a nice little comparison chart of free online image editors, comparing features, their effectiveness and ease of use. He (or is it she?) is just nice that way. |
243 |
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Out of Office Ad
What company or individual doesn’t want to earn more money? And what if it could be accomplished while you are on vacation? If it sounds too good to be true, let us explain. Saatchi & Saatchi Stockholm, a crafty Swedish ad agency, came up with the though-provoking idea of monetizing those automatic “Out of Office” email responses by having them sponsored by companies wanting to advertise. If the thought makes you a little squeamish, then think about this… You could donate the money to charity, earning some good karma points. That way, everyone wins. |
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Pandora
Ever wanted a personal DJ to introduce you to new music based on your current faves? Click over to Pandora. Type in your favorite artist and Pandora will create a personalized streaming radio station containing music with similar qualities, not just songs in the same genre. Don’t like where it’s headed? Veto a current song to block it and others like it. Add in another favorite artist or song to put Pandora back on track. Or start another personal station – you can have up to 100, all for FREE. Musicians and music-loving techies from the Music Genome Project have analyzed songs by more than 10,000 artists and broken them down by melody, vocal harmonies, instrumentation and many other factors. This is how that Cheap Trick song gets played after a Lyle Lovett ditty – they’re categorized by similar guitar work, no matter that one’s 70’s Rock and the other is Country. Scoot on over to Pandora and be your own Sir Mix-a-Lot. With 20,000+ songs, they’re sure to keep your foot tapping. |
332 |
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Pecan Press
Full disclosure here: this site belongs to the mother of P&C’s Founder, Laura McDonald’s. Ann McDonald is a photographer and writer, and she showcases her global subjects here. The site has been under renovation for several months now, and it 99% complete, so we wanted to share it with our readers. |
423 |
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Penultimate [APP]
Designers communicate visually – i.e., we like to sketch instead of type. If you love your iPad but find yourself compulsively inclined to draw on it with a pen like it’s a glowing notepad, then download the Penultimate app. All of a sudden you’ll be able to sketch a floor plan concept for a client, take notes from your project meeting, or just doodle some ideas on the plane – right on top of that slick electronic screen. When you’ve got something worth sharing, email to vendors, co-workers, friends or family. Think of it as an electronic sketchbook. |
54 |
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Pheeder
Goodbye phone trees, hello pheeder! Ever get tired of being the one to call 14 friends to let them know about dinner plans for tonight or a spontaneous dance party at Lush’s pad? Don’t sweat it – just “pheed” it! Call Pheeder, leave a message, hang up and in a moment your friends will all get your message simultaneously on their phones. They can reply to your message or forward to their friends. Great way to organize a spontaneous meeting in Conference Room S (for Starbucks, doncha know), update your friends on your latest dating disaster as it happens, or use your one phone call to appeal to everyone to come bail you out of jail! |
424 |
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Plant Concierge
With the Slow Food Movement and anti-consumerism backlash inspiring everyday people to create consumable gardens wherever they can, this resource is very timely. Coaxing copious amounts of cabbages and carrots from the earth isn’t as easy as it may first appear, however. If your thumb is shade of black, then access Plant Concierge, who will connect you (novice gardener) with a local expert. |
253 |
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Positive Press
Sick of all the negative news and attitudes? Visit this site for sections like Positive Quote of the Day, Positive News of the Day, Life Changing Advice from People You Should Know, and Living Sanely In An Insane World: Philosophy for Real People. (Contributed by Charlye Gallaher) |
401 |
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PPT Salon
Even though the words of the day are fast and cheap, no one is willing to sacrifice quality. Enter PPT Salon, a online-only presentation design service that creates customized presentation designs in 48 hours. Operating out of India with low overhead, a 20-slide presentation starts at just $99. Skeptical? Go check out their portfolio. We think you’ll be impressed. |
120 |
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Prezi
Love this online presentation website! I first saw it when an interior design student presented her senior portfolio to me and a few other design professionals. Way beyond the a static PowerPoint, Prezi allows more of a natural, yet incredibly dynamic, flow of information and images that will spice up whatever you are trying to communicate. |
80 |
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Pubslush Press
My how publishing has changed in the social media age. With Pubslush Press, the readers determine what books get published. Authors upload a book summary plus 10 pages, and users peruse, choosing to support it or not. If enough do, then the book is published, the supporters purchase it, and Pubslush Press donates a book to a needy child for every book sold. The platform also fosters an ongoing dialogue between the author and his/her readers. |
44 |
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PunchLists by Smartools
It’s a mad, mad mobile world, and Smartools has answered a collective prayer by developing PunchLists, a highly useful app for the iPhone and iPod Touch that allows design and construction industry folk, as well as clients, to create punchlists instantly on-site and on the go. Take photos, add notes to go along with it, and easily generate a PDF that you can email out to the team before you ever leave the job site, all from your smartphone. |
18 |
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Quikbook
Not just another hotel booking site – it’s THE hotel booking site if you’re tired of scrolling through all the same boring chains with all the tacky ads on those other hotel sites. It’s clean and uncluttered – like their pre-selected hotels (i.e. unique and different) with good prices and even better service. Even this jaded traveler thinks it’s worth a look before the next trip! |
631 |
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Quora
Have an inquiry or think you know a little something about something? Then get yourself to Quora. This question and answer website has a wiki-like collaborative approach in that it allows anyone to answer a question or to add on to an existing answer. Since they allow businesses to promote themselves if appropriate to the topic, Quora offers a way in which a business owner can position his- or herself as an industry expert as to grow the business, all the while actually helping people. It’s a win-win. |
61 |
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Regiftable
Whether the idea of regifting makes you smile or cringe, when your bank account is dwindling and your gift budget is stretched thin, it’s definitely one way to help keep you from sinking even further into debt. Just think of it as the sustainable practice it is: retail recycling. The key is to do it right so that you don’t offend, alienate or disappoint anyone in the process. Let Regiftable help you meet your goals of stretching your dollar and making others happy. |
37 |
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Reputation Defender
MySpace, Facebook, YouTube….do you really know what’s being said about you online? Unfortunately we live in an age where your next job may be on the line if an HR department finds something they don’t like about you online. Nip it in the bud with the services of Reputation Defender – they’ll search out what’s out there, and destroy it if need be. |
355 |
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Save This
If you read an article on the web and don’t want to lose formatting or images due to cutting and pasting, the use Save This. It will keep record of the articles on someone else’s computer, and you can even create folders so that you can keep things organized. It also has an Email This feature, and you can add both of these features to your browser bar. You have to sign up with a password, but that means that no one else can access your stuff. |
564 |
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SCORE: Counselors to America’s Small Business
2008 isn’t exactly the best of times when it comes to the economy, and large corporations aren’t the only ones scaling down. If you are a small business owner and are in need of some solid advice and support to carry you through the rocky times, then get the SCORE. From topics on running your business more efficiently to renewing yourself as a leader, you’re sure to win with this site’s content. |
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Seat Guru
Whether you hate to fly or love to fly, Seat Guru can make the skies much more friendly. This self-proclaimed “ultimate source for airplane seating, in-flight amenities and airline information” features a breadth of information for an amazing amount of carriers. Make your airborne experience less stressful by visiting this site before you book your next flight. |
506 |
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Sentemental
Do you save every greeting card, drawing or special note given to you by a loved one? Is your house starting to look like an episode of “Hoarders”? If you answered yes to either one of these questions, then let us introduce you to Sentemental, a British-based online service that will preserve your memories while preserving the peace in your household. Think of it as a big filing cabinet in the sky where you can privately save and/or publicly share all of those special sentiments with family and friends. They’ll even do the scanning for you if you prefer, so get to purging and posting. |
136 |
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Sharpened.net: The Help Center
Ever get a computer file from someone and not know what in the heck it is or what software to try to use to open it? Save yourself some time and visit this site as it has an extensive list of file extensions along with the software programs needed to open the file type. Very, very helpful. |
772 |
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SheSpeaks
Be your own “consumer reporter” without having to wear that unflattering lab coat. SheSpeaks sprung from a brilliant female marketer who realized that women are responsible for 83% of all purchases in America. Aliza Freud launched SheSpeaks as a testing ground and forum for women. Join for free and test products that are matched with your interests. When you’re finished, give your feedback and keep the product. If you’re the one all your friends turn to for product advice, then expand your circle and share your feedback with everyone from site members to the product manufacturers themselves. |
430 |
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Shoeboxed
Shoeboxed is a free web site where you can store and organize all your receipts. Digital receipts are extremely useful, but scanning all that paper can be very time-consuming. To save you time, they can scan your receipts for you through their Receipt Mail-In program. The site’s purpose is to make it as easy as possible to digitize, organize, analyze, and export your receipts. As the world goes digital, Shoeboxed plans to work to get rid of unnecessary paper receipts that that cause you stress and harm our environment. |
293 |
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SitePAD
You knew it was coming. Our app-crazy world has inspired SitePAD, an iPhone app that lets interior designers, architects, contractors and anyone else who deals in digital drafting to create, manage and exchange CAD files 24/7. Whether you’re out in the field, at the airport or – sadly – on vacation, CAD is only a click away. For those workaholics out there, be sure to register for a free trial on their website. |
156 |
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SlideRocket
An alternative to traditional PowerPoint software, SlideRocket helps businesses create presentations via an online platform that supports standard features like images, charts, audio and video, but also incorporates new media such as Twitter feeds and other real time social networking sites. Not only that, you can track how many people have accessed the presentation, know how long they looked at something in particular, and tweak as needed anywhere you have an Internet connection. It’s not free, but, considering its capabilities, it’s not expensive either. |
134 |
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Snap.com
Sure Google is great, but sometimes you feel the need to explore and see what other search engines come up with. Try Snap. Its most distinctive feature is that it shows you search results on the left side of your screen and what the actual webpage looks like on the right side. This is especially great if you’re looking for a site that you’d recognize, but can’t remember the name of. Go ahead, break out of your Google box – just once today. |
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Social Print Studio
Between your and your friends’ Facebook profiles, your and your follows’ Twitter feeds, and your blog on Tumblr, you’ve got thousands of digital photos floating out in cyberspace. Is there a way to morph those megabytes of imagery into printed material that you can hold in your hand or view without the aid of an electronic device? Yes! Social Print Studio can turn all of those photos into photo albums, stickers, posters, and even wallpaper that you can touch and feel. |
43 |
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SpotLight GPS Pet Locator
We are now a world of GPS junkies. We use it to navigate our way from Poughkeepsie to Peoria just as much as we use it to search out the closest latte lounge with a free WiFi connection. So why not harness the power of the technology to track down man’s best friend? SpotLight is doing just that. Just attach the device to Rover’s collar and designate online the “SafeSpots.” When your pooch goes a wandering, you get a text message and/or email with instructions on where he’s landed or headed. |
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Squidoo
Everyone’s an expert on something – at least in their own mind. Squidoo is the place to flaunt it. Register for free and then write your best tips for dealing with curly hair, investing in real estate, finding the perfect laptop bag, or whatever it is that you’re an expert at. You can even earn royalties, apparently. Go forth and spread your knowledge! |
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StopForwarding
We all have friends, coworkers and family members who use email not as an effective tool of communication, but as an effective tool of annoyance. They persistently send out emails to everyone in their address book about everything from urban legends to political mudslinging to offensive jokes. If you just can’t take it anymore but are unsure how to handle it, then this site is for you. With StopForwarding, you can now send a polite, anonymous email to these violators of the Email Code of Ethics. (I don’t think that code actually exists, by the way, but we can dream.) |
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Sunday
Don’t spend your quiet Sunday catching up on all those errands and tasks. Instead use Sunday, your 24/7 personal assistant – available by phone or internet to handle everything from travel booking to wake up calls and more. |
505 |
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SwipeGood
In a hectic, consumer-driven world, it’s nice to have an easy option for doing good. Just like you can enroll your credit or debit cards in rewards programs to rack up airline miles, SwipeGood allows you to enroll your plastic so that you can automatically donate change to your favorite charitable organization. How easy is that? |
102 |
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Switchboard
Tired of all those heavy phonebooks taking up space in your studio apartment? Ditch ‘em and go digital with Switchboard.com! Use it to find a business by name or by category (“Al’s Pizza” or just “Pizza”). Or find out who your stalker is and where they’re calling from with the Reverse phone number lookup and Area Code lookup features. You can even find the nearest ATM or next movie times on this all-in-one site. Add it to your Favorites list or download the Switchboard Toolbar so it’s handy all the time. |
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Technorati
Their tag line sums it up well: “Who’s saying what. Right now.” Technorati tracks over 63.2 million blogs. Use this site to search for any blog posts about, hmmm, let’s say, “chintz”. Too many blogs to search through? Search only “blogs with authority” – meaning those that have been linked to the most. You can also track all your favorite blogs in one place. Or post your blog here, add some tags and be part of the searchable blog universe that is Technorati. |
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TeuxDeux
Linda Merrill, one of our Facebook Friends, recently touted this website as one of her new favorites, so we had to take a peek. Teux Deux acts as your very own virtual “to-do list” that not only looks good, but makes you feel good when you cross something off, albeit electronically. Its jazzy features may not sway the pencil-n-paper crowd, but it’s sure to hook the digitally addicted. |
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The Artchive
All sorts of fine art images, text and articles for educational and research purposes. Kept free by sponsor Barewalls.com, a place to buy fine art posters. |
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The Creativity Workshop
Based in New York City but taught in several locations around the globe, The Creativity Workshop is dedicated to instructing individuals and groups to hone their creative processes. Instructors generate an atmosphere conducive to unearthing the creative powers unique to each client, who come from the corporate world, academia, and government. Besides business professionals, they also focus on programs for educators, writers and creative artists. |
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The Home Depot Improver Club
More and more women are living single these days, and these Do-It-Herself workshops are especially great for those of us who want to learn new skills and tackle home improvement projects. The workshops are held each in Home Depot stores and taught by associates at The Home Depot who offer hands-on, step-by-step instructions. From building decks and patching concrete to gardening and painting, there’s probably a class for what you want to learn how to do. |
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The Winner's Edge
My cousin and Life Coach, Kate Winner, started this site to “redefine the role of older women in our culture to that of Revered Wise Individuals who are valued for their life experience, knowledge, perseverance, and strength; and to make aging an anticipated aspect of life, rather than a fearful prospect.” You go, girl! |
359 |
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ThinnerView
For those who struggle with weight, it’s often hard to imagine your future thinner self. However, researchers and self-help gurus tout the importance of visualization to reach weight-loss and fitness goals. If your brain is throwing up a roadblock to thoughts of a slimmer you, then allow ThinnerView to do the heavy lifting and make the intangible tangible. Ideal for dieters seeking the shedding of anywhere from five to 105 pounds, their team will remind you why “less is more.” |
240 |
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This One Next
Ever wish you had friends who shared your taste in movies, books, and music? Ones that you could trust to recommend something great based on what you already love, not something entirely different and bizarre (thanks Aunt Tilly!)? Check out ThisOneNext.com – type in a movie, book, or CD that you love and it will analyze its database to recommend others in that same vein. Register for free and you can make recommendations, too! By the way, if you ever used the “What Shoud I Read Next?” site, this is the same site. Just a new name. And better. |
367 |
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TinyPay.me
Do you have something to sell? Want to do it online but not on eBay and without the hassle of hiring a web coder to build some complicated online store? Then check out tinypay.me. For “real” items, you can manage inventory, orders, and shipping. For digital items, you can offer files up to 1GB. Receive payment via your PayPal account and promote on Facebook and Twitter. How easy is that? Now get selling! |
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Toggl
When you charge by the hour (not THAT way!), you’ve simply got to track your time accurately. Enter Toggl. It’s easy to use and lets you get your time down accurately using multiple methods. |
341 |
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Traveler’s Joy
With more and more people getting married later in life, sometimes the typical wedding registry doesn’t hit the spot. That’s why I love the concept of Traveler’s Joy. For those couples who don’t need new towels or a blender, they can create a “registry” of travel experiences – think guidebooks, meals, entrance fees to museums – to help them fund a wonderful trip that they will remember forever. |
66 |
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Trip Advisor
Reviews are the name of the game here: restaurants, hotels, travel packages, etc. Anywhere is fair game. And, guess what? YOU and people just like you get to write them. SOME people we know (who will remain nameless) are addicted to writing restaurant reviews. Don’t let that happen to you. |
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Tungle.Me
Trying to schedule meetings and conference calls with a multitude of people can turn into a comedy of errors that isn’t really that funny. Everyone’s schedules are packed, and trying to find a brief moment in time when everyone is available is next to impossible. That’s where Tungle.me comes to the rescue. For free, you can visually designate times that work for you, invite others to do the same, and find a mutually workable block of time without getting pelted with a barrage of emails. |
26 |
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Turn Here
So you want to get the feel of a city before you book a trip there? Not a bad idea – kind of a try-before-you-book? It’s not that you have commitment issues, you just want to know if a city is really for you before you take the plane ticket/hotel reservation plunge. View mini-films here that are created by local filmmakers to capture the essence of their cities. You can even license the film to run it on your site. Definitely worth a look. |
307 |
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Universal Packing List
For all you ADD types who can’t be trusted to remember to pack everything you need for your next camping trip to Namibia or shopping excursion to NYC, here’s a handy little helper. Just type in the length of trip, your activities while you’re there, how you’ll travel and a few other tidbits and this site will show you and/or email you a handy list. There’s also a nifty list of things to remember to do before you leave on a trip. |
521 |
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USPS - Zip Code Look Up
Pretty self-explanatory, and much easier than calling up the Post Office. Who has an hour to stay on hold? |
363 |
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VistaPrint
Need some biz cards cheap? Don't want to make the commitment for 1000 cards? Have a business idea that you want to get going quickly and need business cards ASAP? Then check out this site. |
358 |
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Vocation Vacation
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a meteorologist or a wedding coordinator? Do you have a dream job in mind but are too scared to dive in because you aren’t sure if it would actually suit your skill set or your desired lifestyle? If you are thinking about getting out of the corporate maze and changing careers, then you need to check out Vocation Vacation. According to their website, they offer the chance to test-drive over 125 unique careers through almost 300 expert mentors, and they are adding on every month. Here’s your chance to test the waters without the risk of drowning. |
122 |
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We Transfer
No matter what field you’re in, creating, handling and sharing large computer files is here to stay. Several online services offer up remote FTP sites for free or very little cash, but why do they have to be so ugly? Enter We Transfer, who – instead of using typical, boring banner ads to offer up free usage – sells “wallpaper advertising,” which appeals to us more creative types. In other words, We Transfer = Pretty File Sharing. |
129 |
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Weather.com
Allows all of you Weather Channel junkies (and you know who you are) to get your fix if you're away from the TV. |
392 |
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Websnapr
Need to grab a screen-shot from the Web in one easy step? Try WebSnapr.com’s nifty tool to do just that. Not sure how big you need your screen shot to be? WebSnapr offers 4 handy sizes. Pop an image from your blog into a document or show a preview image of a website when you hover over a text link with the Preview Bubble app. Check it out and have some fun! |
494 |
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Wi-Fi Free Spot
Cut the cord, baby. This site offers a state-by-state director of Wi-Fi locations that offer FREE wireless internet access. If you're jet-setting, they offer other regions of the world as well. |
520 |
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WiFinder
Same kind of concept as the Wi-Fi Free Spot, but they list ALL hotspots, and not all of them are free. They also list stuff like protocol, SSID and networks (all the stuff we don't really understand). You can also rate hotspots if you're into that. |
526 |
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Withings
Having a little trouble staying on track with your New Year’s resolution to fit into your favorite suit – business, bathing or otherwise? Consider Withings, the body scale connected to the Internet. It’s a tracking system that makes you accountable – especially if you share your progress with family and friends. Short explanation: Buy scale, step on scale, and scale transmits your latest weight-loss stats to the Withings database, which then produces graphs showing where you are in relation to your fitness goals. We have a friend who posts his progress reports on Facebook, which is akin to regularly weighing himself in front of the rest of the world. If that kind of pressure won’t keep you from sneaking a donut, we don’t know what will. |
171 |
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Women Entrepreneur
How have we not seen this site before?? It’s jam-packed with all the stuff (including legal issues & horror stories) any female who wants to start & run or already owns her own business. If you’re serious about being an entrepreneur this is a must read for blogs, recommended books, resources and on and on and on! |
589 |
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World Wide Words
For you lovers of language out there, author and Englishman Michael Quinion knows how to titillate. Subscribe to his weekly text-only newsletter, and every Saturday you’ll find satisfaction (of the word variety, that is) in your Inbox. |
484 |
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Your Dictionary
Yes, there are lots of ads on this site, but it’s still a good source for definitions, synonyms, translations, industry specific jargon, etc. |
293 |
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Zamzar
Zamzar – an online file-conversion site with some interesting applications. Love that YouTube video of the wedding reception Thriller dance? Have Zamzar convert it to a file format you want and download it. Need a tiff image converted to a png, but don’t have Photoshop? Use Zamzar! |
455 |
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Zwillow
This comprehensive site culls information about home values and real estate, allowing you to search through out the United States. It’s not always completely accurate, but it gets pretty close. A good tool if you are looking to move, buy, or sell. |
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