FeaturesFebruary 15, 2000
CLICK AND DOUBLE CLICK: INTERNET'S TOP 10 LIST HAS FAMILIAR NAMES
Where do you go on the Internet? Chances are you go to many of the same sites each and every time you surf. You're not alone. Humans are creatures of habit, and the Internet won't change that. The fact there are so many Internet sites with thousands more every day has also put some surfers into an information overload...
Where do you go on the Internet? Chances are you go to many of the same sites each and every time you surf.
You're not alone. Humans are creatures of habit, and the Internet won't change that. The fact there are so many Internet sites with thousands more every day has also put some surfers into an information overload.
Today, I will look at the top 10 most popular Web sites among surfers. Next week, we'll take a look at the top news, information and entertainment sites. See if your Internet hangouts are on the list. If not, you might want to pay them a visit.
(An estimated 35.4 million unique visitors a month)
Yahoo is certainly an old familiar Web site. It's one of the first places I started hanging out at about four years ago.
Yahoo has certainly changed with the times. It has offered many more services, including free e-mail, messenger, auctions, calendar, news, maps you name it.
One new service is called Yahoo Companion. It's a personalized toolbar that gives you quick access to your favorite Yahoo features such as mail, stocks or bookmarks when you surf elsewhere. It will also alert you when you get mail.
Yahoo's kids section, Yahooligans, remains a great collection of the best sites.
2. www.aol.com
(An estimated 30.9 million unique visitors a month)
Once AOL was the place to go for Internet access. But when the market started segmenting, AOL built itself a gigantic and useful site for its users and guests.
My only complaint has been they don't offer a local access number. So people who sign up thinking they get 500 hours free get a nasty surprise on their phone bills. Yes, a 1-800 can cost you money 10 cents a minute at AOL.
However, the site itself still offers much for AOL clients and guests. There are nearly 20 Web centers, ranging from autos and entertainment to food and travel. You can send cards, chat, shop or build a free home page.
3. www.msn.com
(An estimated 30.9 million unique visitors a month)
It's no secret that the folks at Microsoft know plenty about the Web. That vast knowledge is evident at their main Web site.
It's a search engine, news source, entertainment center, shopping mecca and much more. You can get stock quotes, advice and greeting cards.
You can also watch four strangers co-exist on the new MSN Project. On Feb. 13, these four people moved into the house with the clothes on their backs and a computer connected to (surprise) MSN. It's an unlikely group.
(With an estimated 22.9 million unique visitors a month)
Again, it's Microsoft. But this site aims more at the technical side of Windows. You can search for product sites and services.
They wrote the book on deploying Windows 2000, and you can read it all online. You can also download a long list of products and patches from this site.
With an estimated 21.8 million unique visitors a month)
Geocities has been a popular online community for a number of years, specializing in home pages. It now bears the Yahoo name. Have you ever noticed how all these online companies are morphing into one?
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You can explore 41 neighborhoods created by the members. There are also cool home page add-ons available like animation, art, fun and games, Web counters and interactive forms.
If you were ever thinking about building a Web page but didn't know where to start, this might be a good place. Best of all, it's free.
(With an estimated 20.8 million unique visitors a month)
While Netscape may not have the market share of five years ago, it still has a popular Web site. This is also great site for business or leisure. You can see their top picks of the day, including downloads, online games, horoscopes or getting a Web site. You can get Netscape Radio with 10 channels and free music.
You can get their suggestion for cool sites in sports, business, arts & leisure, entertainment, games and more. You can get technical advice and downloads, along with much more.
7. www.go.com
(With an estimated 19.3 million unique visitors a month)
The Go Network has a lot of powerful partners: ABC, ESPN, Disney, Family.com and Mr. Showbiz. This site seems to be marketed primarily as a search engine and a link between the partners.
It's very clean and easy to use. And if you're a member at one site, that membership works for any of the partner's sites. You can also get free e-mail and the latest news from ABC.
There are also quick links to a dictionary, driving directions, phone books, downloads, horoscopes, TV times and weather. You can send e-cards or get a free home page. New to the site are guides, an organizer and a GO Remote that sites on your desktop and provides the latest headlines.
(With an estimated 14.8 million unique visitors a month)
This gigantic site has transformed into more than just a place to buy books. You can learn more about books, music, videos, software and more. You can get info on new releases with Amazon.com alerts.
You can read book reviews, meet well-known authors and experts and of course, shop.
(With an estimated 14.7 million unique visitors a month)
Interesting. Passport allows you to purchase products online. It's a division of Microsoft and it's free. There's a list of sites you can use it at now, and a bigger list of coming-soon places. It boasts of security and streamlined purchasing.
New in the spring will be a kids' passport that they say will help parents and Web sites protect children's privacy. With this passport, kids won't have to type in identifying information at sites.
10. www.hotmail.com
(With an estimated 14.6 million unique visitors a month)
Hotmail is a gigantic free e-mail service that, again, is tied to Microsoft. The advantage of an Internet-based service is you can access it from anywhere. It's also good to have a free account when signing up for contests or promotions on the Web. Save your personal account for family and close friends. You'll help limit the junk e-mail if you follow this rule of thumb.
It also may be good if you switch your Internet service providers often. This e-mail can remain the same.
Many companies are also discouraging personal e-mail at work. This is a good way to keep business and personal correspondence separate.
See you in Cyberspace.
Joni Adams is managing editor of the Southeast Missourian. You can e-mail her at click@semissourian.com.
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