Notes from Computer Shopper

Let me start by saying that I'm now on Blogger because the Friendster blogging software failed me one too many times... and I'll stop there before I start ranting...

Alright, onto my Computer Shopper Notes

October, 2006

Fun and Practical Web 2.0 Sites
-Clipmarks (www.clipmarks.com): clip a piece of a web page the way you'd tear an article from a magazine, then tag, store, organize and share your clips.
-Dropcash (www.dropcash.com): helps you organize and manage your fundraiser. You'll need a Paypal account to receive funds.
-43 Things (www.43things.com): list your goals, share your progress, solicit advice and encouragement from others trying to accomplish the same goals, and browse other aspirations.
-Gliffy (www.gliffy.com): for your diagramming needs, like MS Visio. Lets you build flow charts, floor plans, network diagrams or just about any type of drafting you need.
-Google Page Creator (pages.google.com): not for blogging or sharing photos, but for bare-bones Web pages containing text, images, and links.
-Goowy (www.goowy.com): blurs the lines between Web browser and desktop, it's a Web-based operating environment.
-Imeem (www.imeem.com): online community using client-side software that allows sharing of messages, files, photos, music, and video.
-JotSpot Family Site (familysite.jotspot.com): social-networking site catering specifically to families.
-Lala (www.lala.com): allows users to trade CDs for a $1 charge and 75 cents for shipping.
-Meebo (www.meebo.com): browser-based IM access to AIM, Gtalk, ICQ, Jabber, MSN or Yahoo.
-Mozy (www.mozy.com): backup data with wizard-driven utility that automatically scans your hard drive for data it thinks you'll want to back up (Word, photos, MP3s), with 2GB free storage.
-Pandora (www.pandora.com): like your personal DJ, streams music from selected artist, then others like him/her/them.
-PeerTrainer (www.peertrainer.com): helps you get fit and trim by logging your meals and workouts, while connecting you with a peer group.
-Shadows (www.shadows.com): tag, store, organize, and share your bookmarks like del.icio.us, but with a different interface and more-compelling community features.
-Sportsvite (www.sportsvite.com): connects you with players and teams in your area.
-Ta-da List (www.tadalist.com): to-do list on the web, where you can manage multiple lists, share them with friends, and even track them via RSS.
-Windows Live Local (local.live.com): maps, virtual pushpins to mark out routes, driving directions, business addresses and phone numbers, and traffic conditions.
-Yahoo Answers (answers.yahoo.com): everyday users share info, advice, and opinions.
-Zillow (www.zillow.com): research tool with meticulous details on houses.
-Zoho Writer (www.zohowriter.com): Web-based word processor.

November, 2006

Price-Comparison Sites
-Froogle (www.froogle.com): Pro: incorporates local brick-and-mortar price searching with Google Maps. Cons: results are difficult to digest, no way to compare totals with tax and shipping fees.
-MySimon (www.mysimon.com): Pro: plenty of buying guides and expert shopping advice. Cons: home page is cluttered, buying advice isn't integrated into price searches.
-NexTag (www.nextag.com): Pros: Lots of filtering options, price history featuring graphs past pricing, downloadable toolbar. Cons: no buying guides or expert reviews, doesn't remove sellers with lots of negative user feedback.
-PriceGrabber (www.pricegrabber.com): Pros: easily searchable merchant info, member protection policy protects buyers from fraudulent sellers. Con: no buying guides.
-Shopping (www.shopping.com): Pros: plenty of filtering options, stringent trusted store criteria. Con: eBay listings could be better integrated into pricing results.
-ShopWiki (www.shopwiki.com): Pros: innovative feature offerings, plenty of user-submitted buying advice. Cons: innovative features are poorly executed, indigestible, often inaccurate price results.
-Shopzilla (www.shopzilla.com): Pros: large number of merchants, good integration of buying tools into pricing pages. Con: cluttered launch page.
-Smarter.com (www.smarter.com): Pros: predictive text searches, SMS pricing tool, downloadable toolbar. Con: rebate and coupon information not integrated into pricing results.


May, 2007

The Best Free Software: (http://computershopper.com/feature/200704_the_best_free_software)