Hot Spots
Internet Magazine – our favourite links...
Scott Parker – Web site editor
- Teamtalk.com
Even better than the back pages of the tabloids for football gossip. Not particularly well written and often proved to be inaccurate, but quick with all the latest news and rumours.
- CityComment
A stock trading advice site that has an excellent fantasy stock market game. If only the money was real...
- Multimap
Absolutely brilliant mapping site that I use regularly to find out where I'm going. You can get driving directions, aerial photos, tube maps and lots more. The best site ever.
- Freeola
A good ISP offering lots of other services including the Special Reserve Club for buying games and computer accessories. This is where I do much of my online shopping.
- Freeparking
This is where I go to register domain names. It's cheap and has a great online management system.
- Webmonkey
An excellent resource for Web developers with good step by step tutorials and downloadable examples.
- Railtrack Train Timetable
Very dull, but essential for someone that relies on trains. Useful WAP service too, and seems to be more reliable than the phone service.
- ECB.co.uk
The home of English cricket on the Internet, with up-to-the-minute live scorecards for all matches and lots of statistics.
- Easycottages.com
Hundreds of cottages to rent, all over the UK, Ireland and France. Usually much cheaper, not to mention nicer, than staying in a hotel or B&B.
- Film Four
Nice site, but the most useful feature is the cinema search, where you can find out what's showing in your area.
Steve Hill – News & Features Editor
- CNN.com
This is probably the site I have looked at most over the years. It was one of the first and remains one of the best breaking news sites.
- Smile
I bank with these guys, and look at this a lot to check my dwindling finances. Fantastic usability – much better than Egg.com.
- My Excite
Bit sad this! I've had the portal content personalised for years. It gives me easy access to IT headlines, important links and Web-based email. Not sure how long it will be around for.
- Stop Torture
I'm a long-standing member of Amnesty International. I feel guilty these days because I have little time to write, so this site allows me to register my protest easily and sign online petitions.
- UpMyStreet
I've liked this site since we named it Site of The Year back in 1999. Since moving flat I have used it to find plumbers, electricians, takeaways... and more.
- NewsNow
OK, so I'm biased! I knew the guy that co-founded it and a mate also has a major stake in it. It rips breaking headlines from all the online news sites, and is one for all you news junkies out there.
- TheTube.com
The journey planner is just so helpful. Tells you how to get from Archway to Hammersmith in easy steps. Crap for everyone outside London though.
- Find A Grave
Danny Kelly of 365 recommended this one to me years and years ago. Type the name of any famous dead person in to the search engine and it tells you where they're buried plus bizarre facts about how they died.
- Channel 4
I thought of including the Big Brother site, where I spent a lot of the past two summers. But Channel 4 does some other excellent standalone sites which are always highly interactive.
- Journalism.co.uk
A very old site, which helped me get my first job in publishing.
Dave Kelsall, Art editor
- Abebooks.com
Finds rare and out of print books in over 8,800 independent dealers worldwide. Save time and money tracking down your old favourites – they're all there – the best bit is finding a small store that has a cheap copy on
its shelves.
- eBay
Find and sell anything, anywhere, anytime to an audience of millions worldwide. There are at least five million live auctions on the site and over 650,000 new items every day. Not bad for a site that started as a way
for the founder to build her collection of Pez dispensers.
- Google Image Search
Trawls the Net for pictures of practically anything or anyone. Easy, quick and effective. Proof [if ever it was needed] that Web sites don't have to be complicated to be brilliant.
- Corbis
There are loads of excellent image libraries out there but Corbis has always been the most versatile. A lot of Internet Magazine's covers have come from Corbis before they're fiddled with.
- Yac
Yac gives you one free number for phone calls, faxes and voicemail. The fax service lets you receive faxes as email attachments – invaluable when our creaky old office machine decides not to work.
- Gamefaqs.com
Everything you ever wanted to know about games. Walkthroughs, translations of import titles, cheats and discussion boards – all from people who've played the games and know what they're talking about. My Japanese Gamecube wouldn't have been the same without it.
- NatWest
There are online banks with more features and nicer interfaces, but Natwest.com keeps things simple and makes managing your account online quick and easy.
- Apple
Search through the catalogue of over 18,000 Mac-specific products, diagnose and resolve problems via the omnipotent knowledge base and lively discussion boards, and log onto iTools, which gives you 20Mb of personal storage on Apple's servers. Has been known to keep Mac owners sane and looks great too!
- Popbitch
I found this celebrity gossip site by accident and now look forward to the regular newsletter as much as my favourite magazine.
- Netsounds
A useful site for tracking down rare and deleted music. The simple, if dull-looking interface scours the world's independent record shops for you when all else has failed. How else could I have found the soundtrack to Tron?
Kim Gilmour – Reporter
- Fotango
My efficient, personal photo processing lab! Send in your film and payment, receive your photo CD or glossy prints and view them online. Order reprints online or email low-res copies to friends.
- YesterdayLand
Whether you're 8 or 88, unearth your pop culture childhood here. My 'personal scrapbook' contains '80s gems like The Smurfs, Magna Doodle, View Master and Garfield.
- Green Plastic Radiohead
Packed with snippets of gossip to satisfy any angst-ridden Radiohead fan, this slickly-designed unofficial site is the best information source I've come across.
- Sorabji
New Yorker Mark Thomas has one hell of an eclectic site. Witness his weird, ever-changing mix of New York street photos, bizarre quotes and visitors' acts of randomness.
- Blogger
A free, self-publishing tool for anyone with a homepage and a love of writing. Easy to use, fully customisable and totally addictive.
- Reuters
Instead of visiting sites that use its wires, why not go straight to the source itself for quality news and content? Updated regularly.
- No Logo
Many of us have read Naomi Klein's compelling book on the power of branding. Recent events have altered the landscape of her
'anti-globalisation' movement, igniting much debate behind its current relevance. Engage in some healthy discussion here.
- MoMa
New York's Museum of Modern Art is the epitome of contemporary art, style and design. Although obviously not as good as the real thing, its extensive site will whet your appetite.
- Zagat Survey
This delicious online version of Zagat's famous restaurant lovers' survey doesn't just cover London and the US. It'll help you plan your nights out in Paris and Tokyo too.
- City of Sydney
My hometown of Sydney is a vibrant, cosmopolitan place, and this is one of its better guides. It features amazing panoramic visuals and a virtual tour of the Opera House.
Nick Funnell – Chief Sub-editor
- Webopedia
Part of Internet.com, this dead-useful dictionary of computer terminology always gives clear and concise explanations of those bits of technobabble and obscure acronyms that haven't yet found their way into my brain.
- The Framley Examiner
This spoof local newspaper is bang on target – full of stooped non-stories about cub scouts, old grannies, and school fetes, all with their fair share of typos, non-sequiturs, and strange quotes. The classified ads section alone is a work of unparalleled genius.
- The Internet Movie Database
Being something of a film geek, this is where I go when questions like 'Other than The Contender, what has Saul Rubinek been in?' are stopping me from sleeping. This monster resource lets you search the details of a quarter of a million films, including cast, crew, quotes, trivia, posters and more, more, more!
- TV Go Home
Finding any Web page that makes me laugh out loud is rare, but every update of this surreal piss-take of the Radio Times manages it.
- Arts & Letters Daily
This great site aggregates all the Web's current most thought-provoking reviews, articles and essays – I really ought to read some of them one day.
- E-street
Our Site of the Year for 2000 always comes in handy for finding pubs, clubs, restaurants, and shops in areas of London alien to me.
- Fark
There's lots of amusing/cool/darn weird stuff out there online, but it's often lost amid stacks of tedious twaddle. Helped by a loyal
community, the people at Fark sort the wheat from the chaff to produce a daily list of links to stuff that'll make you laugh, cry and coo.
- Salon.com
This e-zine offers intelligent and in-depth writing about current affairs, culture and technology that's often much better than the stuff in similar offline publications.
- SparkNotes
Lots of important works of literature, philosophy, science, history and more all summarised for you. Spend a weekend reading this site and come Monday morning you'll be sharper than Einstein after a strong cup of coffee.
- Apple QuickTime Movie Trailers
Lots of trailers, no trash. Hollywood knows the Web is a great place to whet audiences' appetites for its latest offerings. Here you can get a look-see of movies months before they even come out in the US.
Tanya Kreisky – Editor
- Hotwired
Excellent technology news and features, great animation, crash courses in site building and a peculiar art gallery that I barely understand. What more could you want from a Web site.
- Aloud
Never miss out on live music again. Find out who's playing, where and when, then buy the tickets online. Weekly email alert warns you when
popular tickets are going on sale.
- RyanAir
I spend more time on this site than I'd care to admit, trying to weasel the cheapest possible fare to Carcassonne out of it. So far my record is a £7.50 return. Makes booking flights online laughably simple.
- Play247
Sad to say, probably the first site I visit of a Monday morning, to check out the new releases. This place feeds my DVD/CD/PlayStation 2 habit, with some of the best prices around and free next-day delivery.
- Media Guardian
I check this site daily, both for its new media coverage and for its news and gossip from the magazine world. Great reporting and, should I ever need it, plenty on offer in the jobs section.
- Time Out
The London magazine has long been a favourite, and its transfer online has, if anything, made it better. Coverage has been extended across Europe, the US and further afield. The entertainment, food, accommodation and shopping advice is particularly good for city breaks, and the restaurant recommendations have always proved spot on.
- NASA
The site that, years ago, first made me realise the Internet could be really cool. Watching a live broadcast from the space shuttle while sitting in my bedroom seemed almost impossible at the time. Trawling through the amazing images in the photo library alone could take days.
- AMG (music)
AMG (movie)
Cheating slightly here, as this covers both the All Movie Guide and the All Music Guide. Both are exceptional databases, and the All Music Guide is the best in its league. Track down obscure songs, check out artists' discographies for your next shopping trip, and solve muso disputes once and for all.
- Crocus
I encountered this as part of the Yell Awards judging, and immediately voted it a winner. It's a gardening site that overcomes its potential to be dull and is instead a prime example of quality e-commerce. All the lovely
photos made me realise how crummy my garden's looking, and who knows, might yet inspire me to do something about it.
- Dean and Nigel
Their cheeky antics never fail to amuse. I keep thinking I might get tired of looking at two blokes imitating sorry-looking folk in a provincial town, but somehow it never seems to happen.
Tim Norman – Sub-editor
- Macromedia Exchange
Any users of Macromedia products, particularly Dreamweaver, should register here for all manner of freebies to extend the functionality of their Web-authoring software.
- Astalavista
Astalavista is the prime starting point for all hackers, phreakers and denizens of the dark site of the Internet. It is also a resource for programmers looking to protect their software against illegal activities.
- WinMX
For Windows users missing the mighty Napster, WinMX is a good alternative, as the interface is a slightly clunky interpretation of the Napster original. It's a decentralised peer networking protocol that accesses the OpenNap and Napster networks, and although results are far from instantaneous, there's always plenty of them.
- Phat Drum Loops
If you like funk, soul, rare groove and hip-hop, Phatso's is the place to go to hear and download the original break behind the latest hits, albeit in lo-res WAV or mp2 format. 552 classic funky breaks in a searchable
archive, amusingly annotated by Phatso, the Internet anorak of rare groove.
- NeedToKnow
It's geeky. It's often funny. It's always up to speed with tech-stuff and news. It's got one of the most frill-free designs on the Web.
- The Sonic Spot
For anyone using their computer to make music, this is one of the better places to look for well-organised content and clear, relevant reviews. Plenty of free and shareware music-making programs are available for
download too.
- 192.com
192.com has been gradually introducing premium services over the past year, but its free search still often produces better results than other
online directories.
- RocketSki
Whether you're a snowboarding dude or not, you've got to be impressed by the range of options and information available from this specialist online travel agency, and the way the site's been organised and presented, man.
- Momus
The impossibly narcissistic, somewhat obscure singer-songwriter Momus, aka Nick Currie, maintains his Web presence here. He codes from wherever he is in the World (currently NYC) pursuing his strange, vain art-projects and
recording career. It's a remarkable example of what HTML-fuelled enthusiasm can achieve without much Web design aptitude but plenty of intelligence.
- DriverGuide.com
Check you've got the most up to date device drivers for your hardware. Signup is unnecessary and lengthy, but the forums and the user-uploaded supplies of device drivers make for an invaluable resource.
Lance Concannon – Site Reviews Editor
- Advanced Financial Network
I use this service to keep track of my stock portfolio. This is the only financial site which provides live streaming stock market data free of charge. ADVFN is an invaluable resource for private investors.
- AMD Motherboards
As a complete tech geek, I like to make sure that my home PC is always up to date, but constantly cramming bleeding edge hardware into my system inevitably leads to the occasional problem. But you can guarantee that
somebody on AMDMB's discussion forums will know the answer, and there's great tech news as well.
- Computer Exchange
When you get through as much computer and games console stuff as I do, there's only one place to buy and sell it all – Tottenham Court Road's Computer Exchange. But getting served on a busy Saturday afternoon can be a stressful affair. Fortunately it has one of the best e-commerce sites on the Net, which is a far more civilised way of doing business.
- Monkeyboy Online
This site was featured in the Home Improvements section, and has rapidly become my preferred source of film reviews – they're always spot-on and never fail to make me giggle like a schoolgirl.
- Gamespot
Probably the best source of information for PC and console games in the UK. News, previews and downloadable demos are here in abundance.
- Kelkoo
Whenever I want to buy CDs or DVDs online I always use Kelkoo to find the best deal on price and delivery.
- Gifts for Birds
This site has got me out of trouble so many times. It's custom-designed for blokes – you just tell the site how much money you want to spend and it suggests a range of suitably girly presents which can be gift wrapped and delivered overnight.
- The Free Site
I built my first site using free online resources from here, and still think it's a useful place to find useful stuff for no money.
- Ticket Master
If I'm at a loose end I often browse through the gig listings at Ticket Master. The best thing is that you don't have to know exactly what you're looking for, you can just mooch around until you find something interesting.
- Cab Numbers
Need to find a local cab firm quickly? Use this site. It offers Web, WAP and SMS interfaces and lets you search by postcode or street name. See how many other people have said that they would or would not use a particular firm in future and leave your own recommendations.
Bill Thompson – Campaigns Editor
- Newshub Technology Index
This is my home page – a news aggregator site that tells me which stories are breaking and where to find them.
- CERT
The team at CERT monitor security breaches on the Internet and issue regular advisories.
- The Radio Times
I have a TV tuner card in my PC and if I'm working late I might want to watch TV – but I never know what's on. So I use the Radio Times.
- Genie
I often text my girlfriend and my daughter, but here I can do it easily and for free. Apart from the pop-ups it's a great site.
- Online Journalism Review
The Net is changing the way journalists work, and OJR is the best place to discuss the issues.
- LinguaMOO
This is a MOO for writers and I like to hang out there – and sometimes I teach my journalism class there instead of travelling to London.
- Easily Domain Registration
Like everyone else in the industry I have a load of domains that I've registered but never used – and I get them through Easily because it seems to work efficiently. And no, they didn't pay me to say this :).
- Planet Recruit
I don't want a real job, but it's useful to see what's happening in the industry and which skills are in demand. I tend to look here because it's easy to search and not just UK-based.
- Amazon
I've got an eight year old son who is a big Pokemon fan, and the new movies come out on DVD in the US long before they are in cinemas here. So we buy them from amazon.com.
- Cryptome
If a government has a document it doesn't want to be published, John Young will put it on his site and fight in the US courts to keep it there. This is a great place to find the things other people would rather you didn't
know.
Dave Wilby – Deputy Editor
- TV Cream
Comprehensive knowledge skip stacked with everything you've ever wanted to know about '70s and '80s British television. Mail your mates and categorically prove that Hartley Hare was the star of Pipkins, and that Dave Prowse did indeed use his dulcet west-country voice in a Green Cross Code advert.
- Africa Online
An exceptional portal for all things Africa. Whether you want to sort out your next holiday, swot up on regional politics, read the latest newspaper headlines, or just gaze at the wildlife Web cams, this site will take your head far from the office for a few blissful moments.
- H2G2
Douglas Adams may have thumbed a lift off this 'mostly harmless' planet last year, but many of his concepts and much of his humour lives on at H2G2. A regularly updated Web site to please the fan base of this author
and technology visionary.
- PADI
The world's a much better place underwater, and if you've never had a go at scuba diving, here's all the inspiration you need. This official site of the Professional Association of Diving Instructors is essential for all
divers needing to keep up with the latest developments, tips and travelogues.
- National Trust
The British Isles should never be underestimated as a location for adventures and weekends away. The National Trust is doing everything it can to keep all the nice bits nice, the nasty bits neatly tucked away, and
preserve all the historical fun bits for the next generation.
- Last Minute
For all the stick this site was given during throughout the dotcom boom and bust, it still remains the best place to visit for trips and great value vacations. I've booked great holidays with these people, as well as
bailing myself out on numerous occasions with last minute gifts for my folks. Long live LastMinute.
- The Onion
One of the original and best humour sites to be found online. I still remember snorting milk over my ex-boss while reading the adventures of Stephen Hawking and his robotic exoskeleton. Classic stuff, with an archive
to die for.
- Guinness
The official site for the boys from the black stuff! Find Guinness pubs near you, download screensavers and goodies, check out Guinness merchandise or just swot up on what makes this pint of perfection class in a glass.
- The West Ham Official Web Site
Ok, you might not be a Hammers fan yourself, but I am, and this is by far my favourite link. Catch up with all the latest news on the mighty Irons, indoctrinate your friends' kids by buying them romper suits and kit online, or watch high-res videos of this season's matches.
- Greenpeace
I'm a long-time supporter of Greenpeace, and am delighted that it has built a site to be proud of. Catch up on all the latest campaigns and see whether the issues tackled affect you and yours.
Carol Walrond – Editorial Assistant
- Friends Reunited
This site's a phenomenon, but I like it because it works. A school 'friend' responded within a few days. Her news was that she was now on her third marriage. I remember her as a pink-framed-national-health-spec wearer, who was very thin with a slightly hunched back!
- London Bus Page
Since I do not drive, I need to use this site for trips around London for exhibitions etc. It has information on bus routes and lots of links.
- Surprise.com
I've never bought anything from this site but it has some very good ideas for presents. Gift recommendations can be made according to person, occasion, or your lucky recipient's characteristics.
- Swarovski
I am a collector of Swarovski's beautiful crystal pieces and here I can find out what's new. There's a collectors area and forum, as well as a shop.
- Colored Reflections
Contributors to American Civil Rights over the last 50 or so years are celebrated here. It has lots of pictures and biographies, and features fascinating people I'd never heard of before I visited this site.
- Pete's Rum Pages
Peter Hlousek has an unusual interest/hobby, and after the initial creasing up with laughter at his Web site, you'll have to admit it works well and is packed with content.
- City-Gallery.com
I find old photographs fascinating. If I go to car boot sales and junk shops I always find abandoned photographs. I wonder about the people in them and the reasons the images were taken. On this site you can see
wonderful old photos and also submit photos to be viewed.
- Witness
An example of good use of the Internet. Witness campaigns for human rights, and uses video and technology to do so. View the videos and support its campaigns here.
- The Daguerreian Society
Another opportunity to indulge in my interest in old photos, and a great way to preserve these images so that we can all see them. Lots of galleries, resources and photo history.
Sonja Woolley – Publisher
- The Republic of Pemberley
A must for all Jane Austen saddies. Texts, message-boards, trivia and babble.
- FPDSavills
Posh property site. Nosey at great houses you can't afford.
- Multimap Aerial Photos
I know it's another mention for Multimap, but I just can't resist the aerial pics.
- Cambridge Dictionaries Online
Does exactly what it says on the tin – very well.
- Suessville
The Cat in the Hat, The Sneetches, Yertle The Turtle et al.
- Bilbiomania
Massive literature site. Free online books, with over 2,000 classic texts on offer.
- Hoovers
This business information service offers comprehensive company info – simply presented.
- NetDoctor.co.uk
Huge, independent and easy to navigate – a must-have health site.
- TechWeb Tech Encyclopedia
Handy reference for those of us surrounded by tech-heads.
- Garden State Community Network
One of the few sites left where you can put Mr Potato Head together online. Click on Just for Kids, then head into the virtual arcade. Bliss for all two year olds (and their parents!).
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