CLICK AND DOUBLE CLICK: BUSY SITES OFFER INFO, NEWS, GAMES AT FINGERTIPS

Last week we visited the most popular sites among Web surfers. These sites averaged between 14.6 million and 35.4 million different visitors every month. Not bad.

This week, let's take a spin through some of the most-visited news, information and entertainment sites. The numbers aren't quite as impressive, but they still average between 8.6 million and 3.8 million different visitors every month.

1. www.about.com, with 8.6 million different visitors a month

This bills itself as the "network of sites led by expert guides." This is a very organized site, with information neatly categorized by subject. You can get news, stock quotes, free e-mail or personal Web page, take a poll or chat in the book club or many other forums. They also have a good section on tips and tutorials on the Internet.

2. www.cnet.com, with 8.4 million different visitors a month

CNET lives up to its promise of being a source for computers and technology. It's a great place to read breaking technology news or reviews of the latest software or hardware. You can also find advice on Web building and lots of help on a range of topics from computer games to installing software. It's also a great one-stop shop for free downloads and games.

3. www.zdnet.com, with 7.6 million different visitors a month

This is another great technology site, where you can find the latest tech news, product views or free downloads. You can also get help with games and advice for writing Web pages. ZDNet offers free e-mail and other services, including online tutorials. You can read articles from such ZD publications as PC Magazine, PC Computing, PC Week, Family PC, Macworld, etc. These guys know what they're talking about.

4. www.msnbc.com, with 7 million different visitors a month

You can personalize this site linked to NBC news with your ZIP code. Then the news, sports and weather will be linked to your region, but St. Louis and Paducah are the closest towns. You can check into such categories as news, business, sports, health, technology, travel and opinions. They also offer Webcasts, which is likely a stop on the presidential campaign trail.

5. www.disney.com, with 6.1 million different visitors a month

This remains one of my family's favorite Internet sites. There's lots to do on this site, including lots of interactive games for kids. You can also learn more about Disney TV shows, movies and videos. "Pets and Animals" and "Fun for Families" are other great places to visit along with Zeether or Zoogdisney for kids and teens.

6. www.espn.com, with 5.3 million different visitors a month

Sports fans unite. This is the place to get all the latest sports scores and stories, from golf to basketball, baseball to NASCAR. You can also view video and audio highlights, take a poll or play fantasy sports games. There are also chat rooms, message boards and arcade games. Perhaps it's time to study up for the office March Madness pool.

7. www.sony.com, with 5 million different visitors a month

This main page will link you off to Sony music, movies and TV shows, electronics, PlayStation and online games. You can check out PlayStation new releases or link with other addicted gamers in the message boards. At Sony's "The Station," you can play single or multi-player Jeopardy online, Wheel of Fortune, Trivial Pursuit or other popular challenges.

8. www.warnerbrothers.com, with 5 million different visitors a month

What's up, doc? The homepage for Warner Brothers has lots to offer on TV, movies, video, music, DC comics and a place just for kids. You can take a VIP tour of the Virtual Lot and get to know your favorite rock stars at the Hard Rock Life. You can play dress up with Drew and Mimi or build a Wonder Woman homepage. Did I mention you can sign up for Rosie O'Donnell's weekly newsletter? There's also chat, fan pages and message boards.

9. www.weather.com, with 4.7 million different visitors a month

Perhaps this site's popularity stems from the fact it's one of the easiest site names to remember. Check weather headlines or weather for skiing, holidays, travel, driving, golf, home and garden or health. There's even a school-day forecast. You can bookmark Cape Girardeau weather, which includes a seven-day forecast, Doppler radar and regional satellite photos. You can also chat with weather fans, submit a photo or learn more about the weather.

10. abc.go.com, with 4.7 million different visitors a month

The homepage for ABC features all its favorite programs including "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire." You can play the Millionaire game online for fun. You need a PC and Flash 4. Prize tally to date: $10.6 million. You can also link over to message boards, newsletter, local stations and ABC sports.

11. www.time.com, with 4.5 million different visitors a month

Learn more about Time magazine here. You can also view photo essays, participate in online polls or check out TIME for Kids. Test your current events IQ with a news-related word puzzle. While the magazine is weekly, the news changes daily at this site.

12. www.digitalcity.com, with 4.1 million different visitors a month

American Online's Digital City bills itself as the nation's largest locally focused online network, delivering locally relevant news, community resources, entertainment and commerce to 60 cities. St. Louis and Kansas City would be the only two in Missouri, but it would be good fodder for travelers. For example, you can link up to Digital Mardi Gras.

13. www.cnn.com, with 4 million different visitors a month

Certainly this is one of the most comprehensive news sites on the Web that is updated around the clock. It combines stories, audio and video. You can search the site or comb the categories. You can take the news quiz, peruse the daily almanac or chat in the forums.

14. www.go2net.com, with 3.9 million different visitors a month

This comprehensive search site is powered by Metacrawler. It also offers lots of resources like phonebooks, horoscopes, maps, weather, etc. There's news, chat, weather and finance.

15. www.gamesville.com, with 3.8 million different visitors a month

Lycos brings you Gamesville with a large assortment of online games. Total members number more than 3.5 million, who have won more than $1.1 million. I like the part: Total Minutes Wasted: More than 1.2 billion. The games are free, but you must join to receive prizes. You can also chat about the games in the forums.

What's your favorite news, information or entertainment Web site?

See you in Cyberspace.

Joni Adams is managing editor of the Southeast Missourian. You can e-mail her at click@semissourian.com.