6 Amazingly Useful Websites You Never Knew Existed

useful-websites The Internet is full of fascinating information. Some is useful. Some is just fun. Some is really silly. It will cause you to lose track of time and get lost on the information superhighway. Joining sites like StumbleUpon and following the stumbles just to see where they lead can consume huge chunks of time. While getting lost can sometimes be entertaining, most people still prefer somewhat guided surfing excursions. Buzzfeed recently listed 33 sites that they consider amazingly useful. Having perused them and lost more than three hours of my day, I did manage to find six of them that?will be useful to me. NameGenerator

1. Fake Name Generator

My favorite was the Fake Name Generator. This site allows you to generate a fake name randomly, complete with an address and other vital statistics that may or may not be attached to a real person. As a writer, I will find this helpful when writing fiction. By using the random name generator,?you can set a few parameters, or allow it to be totally random, and?make a name for any occasion, complete with a physical description. Some folks might find other useful applications for this site, but I like to think that people won’t abuse the free service. (Warning ? if you click to validate whether or not your SSN is online, you will get a surprise.)

MailboxFinder2. Mailbox Locator

By far the most useful in my opinion was the Mailbox Locator. This site allows you to punch in your ZIP code and it produces a map of all post office mailboxes within your vicinity. For people that travel and actually still write home, this can be a handy tool to have in your favorites list.

3. The Online Etymology Dictionary

For budding Spelling Bee contestants, The Online Etymology Dictionary is a definite must have site. On the landing page you learn that ?Etymologies are not definitions; they’re explanations of what our words meant and how they sounded 600 or 2,000 years ago.? The site offers usage, roots, and other information that the Scripps Spelling Bee contestants memorize. For me it’s just a fun way to see how our language evolved from ?You will enjoy this tour? to ?Ya?ll gonna love this next thang.?

4. Screenr

Screenr?is a very useful site for anyone that needs to create a remote, computer-based lesson. The online recording studio allows you to record what is displayed on your screen, explain it verbally, add pointers or emphasize specific things on the screen. The site is totally free and the videos can be uploaded to YouTube for your HR department or your friends or saved as MP4 files. The software works on MACs, PCs, phones and iPads so there are no platform discrepancies to worry about. Easy to use and clear, understandable instructions guide you through recordings.

PrintFriendly5. Print Friendly

If you are an ink-miser you will love Print Friendly which allows you to make any web page print-friendly. It reduces the amount of ink you expend printing unwanted photos, ads, and comments that you don’t need. It removes that last page with one line of text (usually the site links) that always seems to print out. All you have to do is copy the url of the page you wish to print into the appropriate line on the landing page. The print preview allows you to remove all or just some of the images, print, save the page as a pdf, or send it via email.

6. Manual Lib

Manuals Lib claims to be the ultimate manuals library. They maintain an inventory of ?more than 1348175 pdf files? that grows each day. They encourage people to upload manuals that are not in their inventory in order to help them expand. The files are easily searchable and easily downloadable. I quickly found the 136 page manual for my wireless router and downloaded it for my computer geek friend who maintains my system. They catalog manuals for appliances, computers, computer hardware, televisions ? pretty much all things the plug into the wall. Those are my favorites. Check out the entire list compiled at Buzzfeed (but make sure you have time to spare or set an alarm so you don’t get lost).

martyMarty Townsend is an activist at heart. A lifelong writer, she concentrates her journalistic efforts on human interest, liberal politics, Michigan, educational and environmental issues. She is an active volunteer with the PTA, currently serving as Secretary of her local District PTA Council. She also stays busy volunteering as a youth softball coach for the summer league in her community and participates in Relay for Life. Marty frequently sports a near-shaved head?as a way to?support of all women experiencing hair loss for any reason. Find her on Twitter and Facebook.

? edited by tw