" /> Sites and Soundbytes: July 2007 Archives

« June 2007 | Main | August 2007 »

July 30, 2007

MMOG Center



MMOG Center is a new site that features information on Massively Multiplayer Online Games.  They have news, forums, lists of games, videos, and blogs.  Nicely, the have a list of free MMOGs for people as well.  What is even better are the free trials for the commercial games that can be found on the site.  They are a great way to see if any new game may be the right one for you.  Play on!

Ustream



Usteam.tv is a site that offers links to vlogs or video blogs.  The site offers a welcoming buffet of different videos to view, including those that are most popular.  You can also do a keyword search to find specific videos you are interested in. 

July 27, 2007

Keegy

Keegy is a site that offers connects to the top Web 2.0 posts and articles online.  It is a pure Web 2.0 website itself filled with RSS, tags, personalization, and ranking.  The just arrived section is constantly updating, filling your view with new and interesting posts.  If you are looking for an easy crossroads to visit to discover Web 2.0 information, this is it.

Fichey



Oh dear!  I am completely fascinated by Fichey.  No login, no registration, just a fast way to see the top sites of the day.

Browse through the most popular sites of del.icio.us, Digg, Downfly, Reddit or StumbleUpon.  Click forward very quickly, only interacting with sites you are interested in.  Look over sites from days before, which is very helpful for those of us who find time in bursts to look online at new places. 

I can see this allowing me to view so many more links each day.  The interface is easy to use, it adds the image above to the sites and allows you to move backward or forward through the top sites.  Just try it!

July 26, 2007

They're Watching You!

Think you are anonymous as you surf around the web?  Think again!  ProjectIP offers an easy way for you to see exactly what a webserver can find out about you.  If you are prone to paranoia, I'd recommend just turning and walking away.

Scrapblog



Scrapblog is a site that offers an amazing interface for creating multimedia scrapbooks.  You can start with one of many themes or a blank page.  Then add photographs either by uploading or from several popular photo sites like Flickr, add music and videos, and then share with family and friends. 

The real joy of this site is in the ease of use.  No registration is necessary, which starts you out in the right way.  The best part is the editing page where you will be amazed by what you can create in a short period of time.  I would recommend this site for novices because it will give them a great sense of accomplishment almost immediately.

July 25, 2007

Teen Podcasters



Teen Podcasters is a site that offers links to teen podcasters, giving them a community where they can share podcasts, thoughts and ideas.  They have about 15 member podcasts right now, but also serve as great inspiration for other teens who want to podcast. 

History Site



History...It's Happening is a site from EBSCO that lets you explore history topics online.  You can browse topics that include national icons, explorers, pioneers of science, inventors and peacemakers.   You can also read documents or watch videos, plus explore links to other history sites. 

July 24, 2007

WikiFido



WikiFido is a wiki dedicated to dogs.  They have information on all sorts of topics, including dog breeds, dog rescue, care, celebrities and their dogs, and dog-related blogs.  Remember, the great thing about wikis is that you can sign up and add content as well.  This is a great place to interact with other dog lovers online.

Wowio



Wowio is a site that offers free ebooks available for download.  There are the many classics that one would expect to find, but you will also see books from the last few years included in the collection.  The best place to find the newest titles is by clicking on Latest Releases.  But the collection can also be searched by title, author, ISBN and keyword.  Additionally, you can browse by categories which are wide-ranging and interesting.

I also appreciate the site's attention to detail and feel.  It has a modern vibe, photos of the book covers, and features like top download lists that make it feel both welcoming and trendy. 

July 23, 2007

CampusExplorer



CampusExplorer is a website that lets you discover what colleges and universities you should be considering.  You can search by the field you are interested in, by location, or by the degree.  The interface is very friendly.  Using it, you will find you can refine your search by incorporating the other searches into yours, as well as adding tuition discounts and school settings.  Nicely, the results show the average school cost right up front, before you fall in love with the campus.

eSnailer



eSnailer is an online service that lets you send snail mail letters via the Web - for free!  Just type in your address, the address you are mailing to, and then the letter.  eSnailer prints it, puts it in an envelope, stamps and mails it. 

Seafood Watch



Seafood Watch offers information on how you can make the best choices when you select seafood.  And the choices are weighted not only for mercury content, but especially for the health of the oceans themselves.  The site offers information on how your choices impact the environment, what you can do to help the health of the oceans, and a handy printable guide for you to carry with you when selecting or ordering seafood.

July 20, 2007

Hostelz



Hostelz is a website that reviews hostels around the world.  The site is very large with almost 23,000 hostels in over 6400 cities.  You can search by city, country or hostel name or browse by an area.  Once you are looking at a specific hostel's entry, you will find you can book it online, get directions, read a description from the hostel itself, view the official Hostelz review, and also read multiple reviews from people who have stayed there.

July 19, 2007

Science Videos



ScienceHack offers videos on a wide variety of scientific subjects.  You can specific categories like physics, chemistry, biology, space, green energy and mathematics.  Or you can enter a keyword search.  If you pick a category, you can browse the videos within it.  Each video in the collection has been looked at by a scientist to make sure it is accurate. 

July 18, 2007

DIY Life



DIY Life is a site that offers the best DIY projects on all sorts of subjects and for all skill levels.  The projects include hobbies, crafts, home improvement, home, family and tech.  I also appreciate that it is not just physical projects but also offers tips and secrets on a wide variety of topics. 

July 17, 2007

ServiceBeacon

ServiceBeacon is a site that offers a very handy reminder program for car maintenance and service. Register for the site and you will receive reminders when your car is due for oil changes, tire rotations, brake service, new timing belts and tune ups. If you prefer a different schedule for maintenance, you can adjust it to meet your own preferences rather than the ones recommended by the manufacturer.

The Next Big Thing

Tech Consumer has an article that predicts what will be the next big thing after Web 2.0.  The article believes that the next trend will be towards mobile access of information with a local flavor.  Nice.

But really what the prediction truly speaks about is organization so that links are built offering connections between different sources of information.  And who does that sort of information gathering, sorting and cataloging best?  Well, that would be us librarians wouldn't it?  All the more reason that we need to stay abreast of the newest technologies so that we are poised and ready when this trend emerges. 

What a perfect trend for us to take advantage of!  I can really see this as a way to get those who are not excited by blogs and wikis on the bandwagon for new tech in libraries!  Now let's just hope the prediction turns out to be correct.

July 16, 2007

Perfect Calendars of Events



TeachersCorner has all sorts of lesson plans, thematic units, bulletin board ideas, resources for teachers, worksheets, etc.  It is chock full of great ideas and materials.  But today I was looking for something special.  I wanted to create a list of some pop culture ideas for displays for the upcoming months.  Well, TeachersCorner has the best monthly calendars I have found anywhere.  Unlike the other places that mention events, this site lists them by month so I can take a look at the entire month at one time rather than clicking again and again.  It also has a wide variety of subjects included.  So now I have lots of options for displays in October.  Do I want to do World Space Week?  Computer Learning Month?  National Magic Week?  Or celebrate the 50th anniversary of American Bandstand?  Choices, choices, choices.

Veggie Buying Guide



Local farmer's markets and grocery stores in the summer offer a cornucopia of fresh vegetables.  But how do you know what is at its peak of freshness?  Here is a website that offers a buying guide for vegetables.  May the fresh be with you!

July 13, 2007

Religion and Podcasting



This site offers a large collection of religious podcasts from a wide variety of denominations.  Podcasts are listed by denomination and there are also more general categories such as religious news, spiritual podcasts, youth religious podcasts, and sermons. 

Citizenship Easy



Citizenship Easy is a site that offers information on becoming a U.S. citizen.  You can print out the new application for citizenship, learn about the test, and even study online for the test with sample questions.  I do think that it would be helpful to have the site offered in multiple languages, especially Spanish, but perhaps that is planned for the future.

July 12, 2007

Recycling Site



The Recycling Center is a site filled with recycling information.  Find a recycling center near you, learn about shopping green and visit their collection of recycling resources. 

The Pioneer Woman Cooks



The Pioneer Woman Cooks! is a blog that takes traditional country recipes and illustrates them with step by step photographs.  The photos are crisp, clear and wonderfully illustrative of the steps.  You will be inspired to try making Peach Crisp with Maple Cream Sauce and Roasted Beef Tenderloin with your own two hands.  Saddle up, click the mouse, and savor the flavor!

July 11, 2007

Vegetarian Lunchbox



Vegetarian Lunchbox is a collection of recipes that you can take with you for lunch.  You can find sandwich fillings, breads, salads, and soups.  The site has a blog, kid-friendly recipes, and even smoothies. 

Sketchfu



Sketchfu is a website that allows you to draw online and share your art.  While my work looks like someone with a shaky hand and large crayon, some of the art in the gallery is fabulous. 

July 10, 2007

360 Cities



360 Cities is a site that offers 360 degree photos of cities around the world.  Immerse yourself in Syria, Prague, Moscow, Venice, Vienna, LA, or Belgrade.  More cities are being added as well.  The site can be slow to load, so be patient.  The crisp, clear quality of the 360 degree photos are worth the wait.  You will be able to rotate around, look high and low, and really get a feel for the space. 

Eventful



Eventful is a site that lets you learn about a wide variety of events happening in your community or elsewhere.  You can search by what you are interested in, limit it to a certain city or state, and then decide on specific dates.  Or you can browse by category of events that include animals, art, books, music, performing arts, movies, business, and politics.  You can also see popular venues and find out what is happening there.  To top it all off, events can be exported to your calendar if you are using Outlook, Yahoo! or Google.  Sweet!

July 9, 2007

WisMoms



WisMoms.com is a new site for Wisconsin mothers to connect.  It offers local news, blogs, events, posts, and much more.  You can share pictures, thoughts, ideas, concerns, and use this to really meet other mothers with similar interests and issues.