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I spend a lot of time online. I think it’s somewhere around 16-18 hours a day, really. Because of this, I also spend a lot of time looking things up, from directions to music lyrics to how to fix a computer. Today, I thought I’d share some of my favorite resources. While this list certainly isn’t complete, I think it represents some of the most useful sites on the Internet when it comes to finding things online.
Information
Google – As a developer, I’m constantly looking up functions, code examples, error messages, etc. and Google is the number one source for finding what I need quickly, be it code examples, recipes, what time it is in London, etc.
Tips: Try the advanced search and then watch what it puts in the search box when you submit. You’ll learn a lot of useful tips to refine your searches. Also, note the links at the bottom of the advanced search. When looking for a song you heard but only know some words to, type in a lyric phrase (in quotes) that includes a unique word for more precise results.
Bing – I’m a fan of Google and Microsoft is the company everybody loves to hate, but MS seems to have come out of the gate with a pretty solid offering this time around. There’s things I’d change about it, but Bing is definitely worth a look.
Tips: ToThePC.com has written 10 Bing Search tips & features for better searching.
Wolfram Alpha – WA was hyped for months because of it’s intelligent search features. Instead of a flexible, yet broad, search, they offer specific information presented in a report-like fashion. If you’re looking for a grouping of information about a person or company, this is a good place to start. It’s a bit like a mix of Google and Wikipedia
Tips: Try searching for a gadget by name or just type in a mathematical equation. Try entering a few stock symbols and see the comparisons.
Yahoo Answers – Yahoo has lost a lot of ground in search, but they’ve come out on top when it comes to the answers game. Yahoo Answers is a great source for personalized answers when you can’t find what you need at the above sites. Ask a question and people answer and even help you choose the best answer. Great system.
Tips: Be patient. You’ll need to wait for human interaction, unlike a Google search. See if your question already has an answer. Answer questions from others. It helps your karma and earns site points, too.
Music
GEMM – Over the years, I’ve had a few drinks bought for me because I found some obscure album hiding away in a small shop in the Netherlands for a friend. Every time, it was a result of searching GEMM. If it’s rare and you need it badly, this is the place to look.
Tips: If cost isn’t a factor but getting it now is, just search and buy, but you can also wait for another seller to have your item cheaper. Either way, be aware of seller feedback. I’ve never had a problem, but the feedback might be why.
CD Universe – CDU was the second site I ever found selling a wide variety of music online. Now offering movies and games, too, they are a great resource when you want the physical item and not just a digital download.
Tips: Watch for weekly deals and releases. Also watch for pre-orders so you can be assured to get that newest album as soon as it drops.
Software
Download.com – Usually, if I need commercial software, I run to Best Buy for it, but most times, I just need a video converter, chat program, or some other utility that can be found often for free or a low price at Download.com
Tips: Filter by your operating system from the start to save time. Sort by user rating and if you have to have free only, filter by license before you download something just to find it’ll cost $100 after 10 days.
Images
Google Image Search – I use Google to help me find images several times a week. It’s fast and (mostly) reliable for finding what I need.
Tips: Use advanced searching like web search. Filter by size to find wallpapers or icons.
Flickr – Flickr is a great way to quickly find more photos from the concert you went to or even royalty free images for your blog posts. Just last week, I searched for “Woodstock 94” and found lots of great photos that other people took. It was like I was there again.
Tips: Search groups or images and use the sorting options. You can refine your search by showing images where your search words match the tags only.
Directions
Google Maps – Always my favorite for any geographic search, Google Maps shows me as little or as much detail as I want. I can even use street view to see what a place looks like so I’ll recognize it when visiting for the first time.
Tips: Zoom in to the area you want to find a business in and then search to see all results in just that area. As mentioned above, use street view to see what you’re friend’s house looks like before dropping by for the first time. Wander around in street view some time. There’s some interesting things to see.
BONUS: Products
eBay – I was all set with my list of 10 sites, when I realize I couldn’t dare leave out my favorite product resource. eBay is my first stop when I want to find a product. Many times, I want something very specific and eBay seems to have the largest selection at varrying prices. If I’m looking to buy something, I can usually find it on eBay.
Tips: If there’s a lot of an item but also a lot of buyers driving the price up, look for it outside of the expected category or look for a misspelling in the title. You can often find something with little to no bidding competition this way and get in cheap.
I’m sure some of you, at this point, are thinking “What about… ?” If you have a good site in mind that you think should have made this list, please add it in the comments and don’t be shy about including tips. What sites do you used to find things online?
