With so much information out there on the Internet, sorting through it can be as daunting as an organic chemistry final. With new Web sites appearing each day, it can often be difficult to decide which ones will benefit you the most. Hence, after scouring the Web for years, I've found a few of the most useful sites:
Ask Jeeves
http://www.askjeeves.com
Ask Jeeves is a revolutionary new Web site that answers natural language questions. I'm sure you are all familiar with search engines such as Yahoo! and Altavista.
Ask Jeeves uses a similar technology, but will answer a plain-English question rather than having you type in a bunch of key words.
The site's databases cover a wide range of material. For example, if you and your friends want to party in New Orleans for Mardi Gras this year, you'll need a map of New Orleans. You can go to a normal search engine, and type in keywords such as "map New Orleans."
Or, you can go to Ask Jeeves, and type in the question "Where can I find a map of New Orleans?" Jeeves then interprets your question and finds the most relevant sites.
Ask Jeeves' new technology isn't perfect, though -- it can't answer your physics questions or relationship problems. When something that can do that is invented, I'll let you know.
WetFeet.com
http://www.wetfeet.com
Corporate recruiting got you down? Don't know where you want to work after you graduate? WetFeet.com is the perfect answer for you. The site says that "lots of people get wet feet, but entrepreneurs make boots," as L.L. Bean did to start his successful mail-order company.
Designed with college students in mind, WetFeet.com has the "inside scoop" on most of the large companies found throughout the country.
Learn about a company's dress code, average starting salary, and even fringe benefits (e.g. free massages as holiday bonuses for Beauty.com employees).
Started by Stanford business graduates, the site uses easy-to-understand language and information pertinent to college students.
They also sell hardcopy information on companies and industries if the online corporate insights aren't enough for you.
If you are looking into corporate recruiting, this Web site should be your first step in gathering information.
Travelocity.com
http://www.travelocity.com
The purpose of Travelocity.com is simple -- find the cheapest airplane ticket or rental car out there.
The easily navigable site merely requires you to enter the days that you'll be traveling, and then it returns a list of the companies that can accommodate your needs at the least expensive rate.
Also, Travelocity.com allows you to order tickets for the airlines directly through their site, streamlining the process.
The site is great for the starving Dartmouth student trying to get back to Hanover without spending too much money.
Be warned though, to get the lowest price, you may have to fly at less than desirable hours, for early morning flights are commonly first on Travelocity.com's search results.
Epinions.com
http://www.epinions.com
Do you like to consult with your friends before purchasing something? Wouldn't you rather consult with 500 or so of your friends before making a buying decision?
Epinions.com is a community where people can come and offer their opinions on products and services. It's a Consumer Reports for the Internet Age. The topics that people offer their opinions on range from automobiles to microbrews.
While some people's comments aren't especially helpful, the editors of the site try to make sure that the content is acceptable. You can contribute your own "Epinions," too.
So if you can't decide between a Ford Explorer and an Isuzu Rodeo, you might want to check out Epinions.com. Happy surfing.
