Some of these websites sound very interesting, others not on my radar, but I thought I would post 5 or 6 each day and maybe one or two might be interesting to you.
1. GAS BUDDY - Where's the cheapest gas? GASBUDDY can tell you. The site collects real-time prices from some 750,000 volunteer price "spotters," who send in daily updates from their local stations. With prices varying by up to 50 cents from one station to the next in some cities, it pays to stay informed. A heat map displays where prices are currently the highest (California) and lowest (Wyoming).
2. Howcast - There's a reason no one ever reads the instruction manual. That's why the video how-to site Howcast is such a gem, and it injects a necessary dose of humor. Come here to learn "how to make a move on a girl while watching a movie on a couch" and "how to become a saint." Each video is rated — often by thousands of members — so you won't waste bandwidth on the boring ones.
3. iliketotallyloveit.com - Social shopping is a buzz phrase you'll be hearing a lot about soon. To see it in action, head to iliketotallyloveit.com. Shoppers post photos of items they like, then solicit opinions and comments from others. The most popular items bubble to the top, serving as a way to spot trends early. Recent faves have included a pair of limited-edition sunglasses worn by rapper Kanye West and a really cool spork (a spoon/fork).
4. Omiru - Focused on "real style for real people," Omiru doesn't just tell you what the fashion trends are — it helps you figure out what actually looks good on you. High-waisted pants aren't flattering on most people (in fact, 70% of people polled by Omiru won't be wearing them this year, even though they're back in style), but horizontal stripes can be (they don't make you look fat if they're narrow). The site recommends dresses for curvy petites and accessories for your little black dress.
5. PsychCentral - It's hard for many people to talk openly about their mental-health concerns, so it's especially important to have online resources to rely on. PsychCentral is a good place to start. Visitors can take simple quizzes to get a general sense of whether they might have a problem, then check the "Ask the Therapist" section for answers to questions about all kinds of topics, ranging from borderline personality disorder to infidelity. There's even a section in which members can rate their personal experiences with prescription drugs.
6. TripKick - Ever spent top dollar on a hotel, only to get stuck in a crummy room? TripKick, which launched in May 2008, solves this dilemma by telling you which floors are best and which rooms to avoid. When we searched for the Hilton Las Vegas, for example, TripKick told us not only which rooms had the best view, but also which were too close to the elevators and noisy vending machines. Travelers can also add their own room ratings. For now, TripKick covers 250 hotels in 12 U.S. cities — and it's adding a new city each month.
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