TIME's 50 Best Websites for 2008

This is my next post, a sequel to the last one. Every year, or rather I should say, everyday, so many new websites come into existence in cyberspace. Some survive, some don't. Out of the few which survive, a handful are considered to be the best in some aspect. And it's not just about the site design, cool flashy looks, those catchy flash applications etc., it is about their content and its usefulness to its audience. And then, not everyone is able to see all those useful websites. This is where TIME's 50 Best Websites for 2008 comes handy.

I suggest you to go over this list and I am sure you will some new useful website, which you haven't heard of. There were some in this list, which were a pleasant surprise for me. After all, there is only a limited I spend online everyday (Those who know me know that I am kidding).

No.1 on the list is GasBuddy. Even though MapQuest was first to bring Gas Prices link on their website, GasBuddy scored over them by bringing a more comprehensive and real-time update of prices, updated by their users.

Below are my favorites from this list:

2. Howcast: A video how-to site with a Wiki section for users to contribute.
6. Tripkick: Get inside information of various hotels. Which rooms are best, have best views, and which ones to be avoided. Now, you can make a specific booking request while making hotel reservations.
7. WikiTravel: Tradition of Wiki continues with best, concise up-to-date travel & tourist information.
10.Afrigadget:"a site dedicated to simple, sustainable inventions in Africa" per TIME.
16. RateMyProfessors: Yes, now students can anonymously rate their professors.
20.MapJack: A fantastic alternative to Google Maps. High-res photos of cities and very easy to
navigate.

TIME's Best Inventions of 2008

It is that time of year again. The end of the year, when you start seeing those lists, such as, best inventions, best websites, best moments, best pictures etc. And I am always waiting for these lists. No matter how much I read articles, blogs, books, etc. I am always surprised to see the new items in these lists.

This time, the surprising items were in the list: TIME's Best Inventions of 2008. Click here to see the list. Here is a preview of the list:

1. Peek Email Device
2. T-Mobile G1
3. MacBook
4. iPod Touch
5. Eye-Fi SD Card.

G1 certainly came as a surprise to me. Maybe, mainly because I am a loyal iPhone user. Actually, when I started using iPhone, I was amazed at the device's capabilities and functions. Maybe G1 has something in it to make it to this list.

My favorite was the No.5. A SD card capable of uploading your pictures directly online to any photo service? A SD Card which directly beam images to your hard-drive? A SD card which can geo-tag the pictures, right where they ar taken. Come on!!! you must be kidding me.

But then, this is purely an invention. And the bsuiness apportunity is huge here. Think about all those camera owners, who don't to buy a new camera equipped with bluetooth or wi-fi, but still want all these features. I am such a photographer and I'd love to have this card..asap!