CLICK & DOUBLE CLICK: THE SEARCH IS OVER FOR THOSE INCREDIBLY USEFUL SITES (COLUMN 141)

Yahoo Internet Life recently published its 50 most useful sites. A lot of these sites we use often, and we'd have to agree that they are incredibly useful. Today, we're going to visit some of the others to see if we agree.

Joni: First let's go to what's billed as the world's largest education information and services providers, Petersons.

www.petersons.com

Peggy: This education supersite can help you explore colleges and universities, search more than 35,000 graduate programs or find a private secondary school for your child.

Joni: They also have a database with more than 5,000 company profiles to help you find a job. You can also download test prep for many college entrance exams, including the SAT, GMAT, LSAT. It's free.

Peggy: You can also learn more about financing education and distance learning. They have lots of stuff on distance learning like study tips and how to actually earn a degree.

Joni: They have a database of more than 850,000 college scholarships, awards, grants and prizes. You need to register, but membership is free. It seems incredibly useful.

Peggy: Speaking of careers, you might want to know if your personality matches a career, whether you're looking for your first job or looking for a new job. AOL has an interesting site to help.

www.aol.personalogic.com/?product=career,aol

Joni: Basically, you go through the question and answer guide to find your ideal career. I did it earlier and found that a writer and editor ranked high on my list. Peggy, let's see what the computer says about you.

Peggy: It says I'm "The Motivator." Joni is "The Educator." Answer the questions. Wait for the report. No way. This is unbelievable! My dream job, drum roll please, is reporter. I scored 100 percent. I guess that makes me the perfect reporter, Joni.

Joni: Yes, but don't think of changing jobs. You'll be miserable. Need some information, please? Infoplease searches almanacs, encyclopedias and dictionaries.

www.infoplease.com

Peggy: If you want to know something, you can search by category or just put in something and let Infoplease find it. Let's learn about Flag Day.

Joni: It marks the adoption of the American flag in 1777. It's celebrated June 14, but it's not a legal holiday. Did you know the first flag of the United States was raised Jan. 2, 1776, by what famous American? George Washington.

Peggy: Let's ask about the state flower of Missouri. Here it is, the Hawthorn, adopted in 1923. You can also read their Today in History or Today's Birthdays.

Joni: Here's a word quiz: What does it mean? Perfidy. I guessed correctly. It means a deliberate breach of faith or trust; treachery.

Peggy: Here are some Did-You-Knows. Did you know the biggest earthquake occurred in Chile. Here's an Austin Power's quiz. I can't believe we got 7 of 10 right. I only saw the first movie once. Joni hasn't seen it at all. Neither of us have seen the new one.

Joni: Perhaps we should move on. It's time to start thinking of home improvements. Better Homes and Gardens Home Repair and Improvement Encyclopedia offers advise in five categories: plumbing, wiring, carpentry, decks, and masonry/concrete.

Peggy: You can search the whole site, or you can use their speciality items. Here's a project calculator to estimate how much paint, dry wall, wallpaper or concrete you need. Or there's a lumber price calculator.

Joni: You can also visit the glossary of terms and a tool encyclopedia, for those who need extra help. For example, what is a caulking gun? It shows a picture and gives you tips on using it.

Peggy: So if the instructions say get a cold chisel -- not the hot one -- you would be cutting metal bars or masonry.

Joni: Need to express you opinion, but no one's listening? You might want to pay a visit to Mr. Smith. Mr. Smith lets you email folks in Washington D.C. and the media. You can dash off a letter to the White House, the Senate or the House of Representatives. You can also send your thoughts to selected newspapers, magazines and TV networks.

Peggy: The site is named for the 1939 film "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," a Jimmy Stewart classic. Today you can do it via email.

Joni: It also gives you a precise time, in case you're concerned about the precise time.

Peggy: For more practical information, visit the Old Farmer's Almanac.

www.almanac.com

Joni: You can learn that only six days remain until the official start of summer. It gives you the same stuff you get in the printed Almanac, weather in history, advice, and questions of the day.

Peggy: You can read what they predict for the summer season. For our area, near normal temperatures and normal rainfall. Sounds uneventful. They are also asking people to tell them how they predict the summer weather. Share weather folklore. like corn blades twisting is a sign of approaching rain.

Joni: Now is the time to make sure that car air conditioner works or to get a car with working air. Believe me, I know. For information on buying cars, check out Edmunds.

www.edmunds.com

Peggy: You can learn about new vehicle prices and reviews, and used vehicle prices and reviews. They give advice on road tests and talk about incentives and rebates. You can save money if you know the current deal.

Joni: The deals are listed by maker, so when you walk in you know the buyer incentives and dealer incentives.

Peggy: Under consumer advice, they have a new car buying tutorial, 10 steps car buyers should follow on what to pay, and how to calculate your own lease. They have similar advice on buying used cars, including realistic scenarios.

Joni: They also have a free lemon check for your vehicle. You need your 17-character Vehicle Identification Number from the dashboard and your ZIP code.

What site do you consider the most useful? E-mail us at click@semissourian.com

See you in Cyberspace.

Joni Adams and Peggy Scott are members of the Southeast Missourian online staff.