By Jessica Hupp

Whether you’re looking for a child’s laptop, or just want a cheap piece of hardware to play with, the sub-$300 laptop category has a lot to offer. With a field full of open source plaforms and rugged designs, you’re sure to find something you’ll like. Here we’ll take a look at 5 of the best.

1. Classmate PC: Intel’s Classmate PC is an education-centric subnotebook designed for children in the developing world. Although it doesn’t have the cute factor that the OLPC XO has, it seems to be more sturdy. This machine is designed to be used on the move, as it comes fully equipped with a handle and leather case for transporting from school to home. Some of the drawbacks include limited hard-drive space of 2GB, and a low screen resolution that’s to be expected with laptops of this size. It’s reported that the hardware can run on either Windows or Linux, and storage is handled by flash memory, making this a very flexible machine.
2. OLPC XO: The OLPC is the flagship of subnotebooks, with a glowing review from David Pogue and just about everyone else. People, especially children, seem to just love this little laptop, not just because of its low price, but for its innovation. Designed for children in poor countries, the OLPC is an efficient, stripped-down version of the laptops most people use, with a Linux operating system, no CD/DVD drive, hard drive, or bloatware, and interesting power methods. Perhaps the most appealing part of this machine is its look, with shiny green and white plastic and toylike antennas. Plus, the screen boasts one of the brightest and clearest resolutions, and is easy to view even in the sunlight. However, it is not without its problems, primarily its slow processing, and an unclear battery capacity. This laptop is best reserved for the children it was designed for, or those who want to tinker around with an innovative machine.
3. Elonex ONE: Soon, the subnotebook industry will have a new kid in town, called the Elonex One. The $195 device will be unveiled at The Education Show in Birmingham. It’s aimed at consumers, but they’ll donate a machine to an underprivileged child for each 100 that are sold. The One’s main appeal is price, but that’s not all it has to offer. Its battery life clocks in at 3 hours, and it has a flash-based hard drive. Like its competitors, it has a rugged case to facilitate mobile use. The hardware runs Linux, a choice made both for financial and political reasons. The One is not much to look at, with retro-IBM stylings, but current buzz suggests that it will be one to watch.
4. Zonbu: Zonbu presents a low-cost Windows alternative, with a custom operating system that offers built-in programs like Open Office and the Banshee music player. It’s definitely a lot larger than its competitors, coming in with a 15.4 inch widescreen, 60GB hard drive, and a CD-RW/DVD drive. It offers quiet operation, an easy wireless connection, and pretty flawless operation right out of the box. One drawback of the Zonbu is that you have to buy a monthly plan, or buy the device for much more than $279. However, this notebook offers a very positive user experience overall, and ongoing support that makes it easier to use than any of its competitors.
5. Asus Eee PC 2G Surf: The Asus Eee PC 2G Surf is the little sister of the Asus Eee PC with a price to match, coming in just under $300. It offers ease of use in a tiny package. It’s just a bit larger than a DVD case, so it’s easy to take out just about anywhere. Just like its brethren, this notebook is durable, although perhaps not as rugged as the OLPC or Classmate. Some reviewers found the device to be a but sluggish, most likely due to its lowered caching ability. This notebook is seemingly designed with road warriors in mind, offering a microphone, speakers, and pre-installed Skype software. You can even upgrade to get a webcam. Battery life is not as impressive as others, clocking in at about 2 hours. One major drawback is that this fairly limited device has a soldered-on back, so upgrading would be difficult. It is, however, visually appealing with a variety of pastel colors. Overall, it’s a neat little device, but you’d probably do better going with the larger 4G or 8G version.

In the sub-$300 category, you’ll definitely get what you pay for, but that’s not to say that it won’t be enough. Armed with efficiency, open source software, and durable design, these devices have a lot to offer. Children, road warriors, and curious gadget freaks would love any one of these laptops.

By Jessica Hupp

These days, it’s easier than ever to build your computer. There are so many places to buy and comparison shop for individual computer parts that you almost have to try not to get a good deal on a homebuilt PC. Even better, there are a number of resources out there that offer step by step instructions, buying guides, and support, so you’ve got help every step of the way, even if you’re a beginner. We’ve compiled 100 of these resources, as well as some of the things you’ll need to get the job done.

Tools & Components

These tools aren’t online resources. Rather, they’re the essential bits and pieces you’ll need both in your computer and the tools to put it all together.

1. PC Case: This is the piece of hardware that everything will live in.
2. Phillips head screwdriver: Most PCs use a Phillips head screwdriver.
3. Hard drive: This one’s essential, as just about everything in your computer will live in the hard drive.
4. Screw extractor: If you drop a screw into your PC’s body, this tool will make it easy to get it out.
5. CD-ROM drive: You’ll almost certainly want a CD drive, even if it’s just for installing new software.
6. Cable ties: Tidy up your cables with these ties to help increase airflow.
7. Keyboard: You can’t get by without attaching this input device.
8. Mouse: Another important input device, the mouse is just as essential as the keyboard, unless you want to learn a lot of keyboard shortcuts.
9. Monitor: Although media PCs may not need it, most PCs can’t get by without a window into the way it’s working.
10. Flashlight: Get a good look at what you’re working on by using a flashlight.
11. Lint-free cloth: Get rid of accumulated dust with a lint-free cloth.
12. Processor: A processor will interpret instructions in your computer.
13. Processor cooling fan: Keep the processor cool and efficient with a built-in fan.
14. Tweezers: These are helpful for picking up and installing various bits and pieces. Needlenose pliers will work as well.
15. Motherboard: The motherboard provides the connections other components will need to work together.
16. Motherboard spacers: Although spacers generally come with the motherboard, you may need to buy some to space your motherboard off of your mounting plate.
17. Memory: Without memory, your computer would only be able to perform a fixed operation and immediately output the result, like a calculator. With memory, your PC becomes a multifunctional device like the computers you’re likely used to.
18. Floppy disk drive: If you want to be able to use floppies, don’t forget this drive.
19. Power supply: Without juice, your computer won’t run.
20. Video card: A video card will generate an output image on your display. This is especially important for gaming computers.
21. Drive cables: Although they may be included with components, be sure you have the cables you need to hook everything up.
22. LAN card: This card can be used to connect computers together and form a network. Your motherboard may already have a LAN port, so check before you buy this.
23. Screws: PC cases generally provide all of the screws you need, but just in case, make sure you’re covered.
24. Sound card: The sound card translates digital signals into analog audio. This is essential if you want to play games or run multimedia applications.
25. Spare parts container: Store small parts while you’re working to keep everything handy and safe. This can be anything from an old coffee can to something you pick up at the hardware store.
26. Anti-static wrist band: Computer components are sensitive to static electricity. Make sure you’re wearing an anti-static wrist band to protect them.
27. Grounding strap: Just like an anti-static wrist band, a grounding strap with help mitigate static electricity.
28. System disk: This disk should have all of your system and setup files on it.
29. Device drivers: Although they usually come with hardware, you’ll need to ensure that you’ve got all of the right device drivers to do the job.
30. Operating system: This software will manage your computer and give you a way to interact with it.
31. Fdisk and Format: These utilities configure PC hard drives for use. You’ll also learn about hard drive partitioning and formatting from this resource.

Buying Guides

Get help finding the best parts for the best price with these guides.

32. How to Choose a Good CPU For Your Computer: Read this article to get the lowdown on picking up a processor.
33. A Guide to Choosing Computer Motherboards: Check out this guide for valuable information on choosing this all-important component.
34. 3 Cheap Gaming Computers That You Can Build: This article lists the components for three different gaming computer rigs.
35. Budget PC Guide: Check out the parts of a budget PC here.
36. Choosing a Motherboard, PC Case and PSU: This guide offers reputable brands and advice on buying these three important components.
37. 5 Essential Things to Know About Buying a Computer Power Supply: Read this article before you buy a power supply device for your computer.
38. A Guide to Buying Computer Monitors for Displaying Graphics: Learn about monitors from CRT to LCD and the factors to consider when choosing one.
39. Some Information on Choosing a Good CD, DVD, or Hard Drive: If you’re building your computer from scratch, you’re probably going to buy one or all of these components. Find the right hardware for your needs using this guide.
40. A Guide to Choosing the Best Desktop Computer System: Buy parts that meet your needs by using this guide.
41. Selecting and Buying a Good Sound Card for Audio Output: Learn the ins and outs that come with buying a sound card here.
42. A Guide to Buying a Computer Video Card for Displaying Graphics: Find the right video card for your PC using this guide.
43. Looking For a Computer Part? An Online Store May Have a Good Deal: This article recommends good PC shopping sites and provides advice for making the shopping experience a little easier.
44. Learn How to Choose Computer Parts That Suit Your Needs: Get the ultimate in customization using this guide.
45. My Cheap Computer Tool Kits Suggestions: Read about one computer builder’s must-have tools.

Guides

Learn how to build your PC through these tutorials that range from all-inclusive guides to specific task instructions.

46. Anti-Static: Learn how static works against your PC components and what you can do about it.
47. CPU Cooling: Read this resource to learn why CPUs get hot and what you can do about it.
48. PC Building Precautions: Read this guide to stay safe and avoid damage when building your PC.
49. Build Your Own Computer: PC Mechanic offers this 23-step tutorial that takes you from materials to tidying up.
50. IDE Configuration: Use this resource to set up multiple IDE hard drives and CD/DVD drives in your PC.
51. Installing an Operating System: Get installation guides for a number of operating systems here.
52. Courseware: Build Your Own PC: Watch PC Mechanic’s tutorial in video action.
53. Build a Hackintosh Mac for Under $800: Check out Lifehacker’s tutorial for building a Mac from scratch.
54. The Basics of Personal Computer Hardware: Learn about hardware essentials in this article.
55. Installing a CPU Onto Your Computer’s Motherboard: Find out about the details behind installing a CPU.
56. Building a Low Cost PC: This article offers a 6-part tutorial for building a highly customized PC on the cheap.
57. Build Your Own G4: Learn how to build an Apple G4 with this tutorial.
58. Installing a Motherboard is Easy: This guide breaks motherboard installation down into four easy steps.
59. How to Format a Hard Drive: Once you’ve got your components in, format your hard drive to get started.
60. My Super PC: Learn how to build an affordable, quality computer with this guide.
61. Building the $200 OSx86 Mac: Get your hands on a super cheap Mac using this tutorial.
62. How to Install a Power Supply for Your Computer: Get the juice to your PC using this installation guide.
63. How to Install a Primary Hard Drive: Install a hard drive with this four-step guide.
64. Install RAM Memory in Your PC: Find out how to install this component and give your PC some speed.
65. How to Open a Computer Case: Follow this guide to learn how to open a case properly.
66. Build Your Own PC: This tutorial takes you through many steps of building your own computer from purchasing components to installing the OS and drivers.
67. Hard Drive, Floppy & CD Drive Install: Read this guide to learn how to install a hard, floppy, or CD drive.
68. Install PCI Cards on Your Desktop Computer: Get the details and troubleshooting information on this easy install.
69. Learn to Build a Computer: This ten step tutorial takes you through everything you’ll need to build a computer.
70. Installing a Dual Boot Operating System: Learn how to put both Red Hat Linux 9 and Windows XP on your computer with this tutorial.
71. Learn What Lies Inside a Computer: This article details the many parts of a computer.
72. Top 5 Tips for Disassembling a Computer: If you’re scrapping an old PC for parts, be sure to check out this guide.
73. Learn How to Install a Motherboard: This article details the installation of a motherboard.

Media Center and Gaming Resources

If you’re going to build your own PC, why not take it a step further and build a media or gaming machine while you’re at it? These guides and resources will help you get the job done.

74. Free TiVo: Build a Better DVR out of an Old PC: Check out this tutorial to learn how to build a DVR on your computer.
75. The $500 Gaming Rig: Read this guide to learn how to build a cheap gaming computer that works great.
76. How to Build a Gaming PC for Just $1,000: Build a gaming PC on the cheap using this guide.
77. How To Build the Ultimate Windows Media Center on a Budget: This tutorial lays out the details of building a Windows Media Center of your own.
78. Build Your Own Vista Gaming PC for Under $1,000: Get the details and price list for building a Vista gaming PC here.
79. The Linux HTPC How-to-Basic and Advanced Media Center Build Tips: Check out this how-to to find out how to build a media center on Linux.
80. Build Your Own Budget Gaming PC: Computer Shopper details the components, installation, and upgrades that go along with building a gaming PC on a budget.
81. Build It: A Homemade Media Center PC: PC Magazine offers a guide for creating a homebrewed media center.
82. How to Build Your Own Media Center PC with Gaming Capability: Terri Stratton discusses building a media center PC with gaming capabilities with a small business system builder.
83. Introduction to Building Custom Gaming Computers: Get introduced to the world of custom gaming computers and learn about their advantages.
84. MythTV: MythTV offers all-in-one software to get TV on your computer.
85. Custom Gaming Computers: Why Build Your Own?: Find out about the perks that come with building a gaming computer on your own.
86. FreeCodecs.com: Load your PC up with all of the essential audio and video codecs with FreeCodecs.
87. Building a Cheap Gaming Computer: Tips to Save Money: Build your computer on a tight budget with these tips.

Support

You’re not alone in your homebrewed PC adventure. Get tips, support, and more from these communities and services.

88. PC Mechanic Forums: These forums have advice and support for building your own PC as well as general computer questions.
89. Hardware Zone: Check out Hardware Zone’s Hardware Clinic for help with technical issues.
90. Taming The Beast Hardware Training: This training section has a plethora of information about specific pieces of PC hardware as well as troubleshooting.
91. Hardware Central: Hardware Central’s forums offer peer support on everything from motherboards to overclocking.
92. Glossary: If you’re confused about PC building terms, check out this growing glossary for some insight.
93. CyberTechHelp: Get free help and support from this online community.
94. Build Your Own PC Forums: Find hardware discussions and help on these forums.
95. My Super PC Forums: Get help from first boot problems to assembly on these forums.
96. PC Troubleshooting Plus: This resource has loads of troubleshooting help for homebuilt PCs.
97. 10 Tips for Maintaining Your PC: Follow these tips to protect your hard work and investment on an ongoing basis.
98. HardwareCentral Forums: These forums offer support and discussion of the technology behind home PC building.
99. alt.comp.hardware: This discussion forum on Google Groups offers lots of hardware help.
100. alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt: Homebuilt PC users can share information and help each other using this group.

The open source revolution calls for a free, unregulated Internet that allows the public free access to design, develop and share software programs and information. These 80 charities and nonprofit organizations foster the open source spirit through education programs, fundraising practices and promotional techniques in order to transform the Internet into a more democratic entity.

Most Popular

These organizations are some of the most popular open source nonprofits on the Web.

1. Wikipedia: Most non-techies don’t realize it, but Wikipedia is actually an open source charity. Based on a system of free information sharing, anyone can edit posts, submit images and create articles.
2. SourceForge.net: Users of SourceForge.net are encouraged to “create, participate [and] evaluate.” Ongoing projects are categorized by clustering, desktop, financial, games networking, security, and more.
3. Open Source Initiative: This nonprofit organization was “formed to educate about and advocate for the benefits of open source and to build bridges among different constituencies in the open-source community.” Use their website to learn more about open source, make a donation or get involved with different projects.
4. Open Source with Christopher Lydon : Readers and members of this popular web community help produce a daily radio show about everything from world politics to literature to entertainment.
5. The Open Group: This “vendor-neutral and technology-neutral consortium” aims to connect global enterprises through the free, uninterrupted flow of shared information.
6. Calgary Open Source Group: This online social network also supports open source software technology, spreading the word about its unique culture.
7. The Utah Open Source Collective: The Utah Open Source Collective is a nonprofit organization that relies on volunteers to maintain an organization that works towards improving technology, sharing information and spreading the word about open source.
8. .netTiers: Download free code generation templates from this open source organization.
9. Software in the Public Interest: SPI promotes open source by helping organizations develop open hardware and software for their businesses.
10. The Apache Software Foundation: Apache users can find support for software programs and projects at The Apache Software Foundation, an online “community of developers and users.”
11. XFree86 Project: Volunteers involved in the XFree86 Project produce the XFree86, which is widely used “freely redistributable open source implementation of the X Window System.”
12. OpenSourceCommunity.org: This community strives to “make the world a “little” better place.” Become a member (don’t worry, it’s free!) and find yourself part of an online networking system which focuses on information sharing and technology.

Education Programs

The more we educate children about technology and the Internet, the more computer proficient individuals continue to revolutionize open source software and communities. These education programs are devoted to broadening the world’s understanding of how computers and the Internet impact society.

13. Internet Society: The Internet Society sponsors all kinds of workshops and training programs to help communities, including those in underprivileged nations, better utilize the Internet.
14. CyberSmart!: CyberSmart! provides free curriculum to teachers in grades K-8 to help their students learn “to use the Internet safely, responsibly and effectively.”
15. The Internet and Your Child: This program helps parents teach Internet safety to their children.
16. Apple Learning Interchange: This social network connects teachers who want to discover new methods and tools for educating their students on computer technology.
17. West Virginia Tools for Schools Elementary: This successful program brings computers and the Internet into the classrooms of West Virginia.
18. Education Program for Gifted Youth: Stanford University’s EPGY invites gifted students from around the world to participate in an “individualized educational experience” that offers courses in subjects like computer science.
19. Help the Afghan Children: This nonprofit organization sponsors a computer education program to help Afghans catch up with the “global information technology revolution” and contribute to the computer industry.
20. One Laptop Per Child: This admirable organization lists as its mission to “provide children around the world with new opportunities to explore, experiment and express themselves.”
21. ERIC: ERIC, or the Education Resources Information Center, is a government-sponsored online library full of educational resources for teachers. Lesson plans and ideas for computer exercises are also available.
22. Education World Technology Integration: This website provides teachers with all kinds of computer resources for implementing technology in the classroom, including the Internet, typing, and more.
23. Steve Wozniak’s Los Gatos School District Adoption: Macintosh founder Steve Wozniak has donated technology equipment to California’s Los Gatos School District to help introduce children to the world of computers.

Design and Development Groups

Below you will find nonprofit organizations dedicated to the improvement of open source standards and software development.

24. Open Source Web Design: This nonprofit allows visitors to download free web design templates. Search by designer or keyword to find new favorites.
25. GNU: The GNU Operating system is a Unix-based os that features free software. Users have the freedom to run the program study, learn how the program works, redistribute copies and discover new ways to improve the program.
26. Open Source Applications Foundation: The OSAF works with the Chandler Project to design open source software for small group collaboration. Applications include a Desktop application, a server and the Chandler Hub Sharing Service, which provides PIM services online for free.
27. Open Source Geospatial Foundation: This foundation helps support Web-based community projects like the development of its own open source geospatial software. Designers and developers are encouraged to share plans and ideas for the benefit of the foundation and their own projects.
28. XMPP Standards Foundation: Instant messaging is another part of the Internet that open source advocates try to protect against privatization and corporate exploitation. The XMPP Standards Foundation works to “define open protocols” for instant messaging programs and encourages free information sharing between designers, developers and programmers.
29. The Free BSD Foundation: The Unix-based BSD operating system relies on this foundation to fund its research and developments so that the public may continue to use its services.
30. TuxPhone: The TuxPhone project aims to create a totally open source cell phone in order to create new applications for phones.
31. Blender: This “free open source 3D content creation suite” recently produced the world’s first open source movie, Elephant Dreams.
32. openEHR: The openEHR Foundation promotes “future-proof and flexible EHR specifications” for the health care industry.

Lobbying Charities

These charities are proactive about sharing news and information about open source with the government and the public.

33. The Free Software Foundation: The FSF “is dedicated to promoting computer users’ rights to use, study, copy, modify, and redistribute computer programs.” Get involved with current campaigns like Defective By Design, which plans to eliminate DRM, or the appeal to various governments to utilize OpenDocument.
34. Oasis: The Oasis organization is a nonprofit group that aims to improve the development and use of open source technologies around the world. Visit their website to find out how you can participate, or to gain additional information about the various Oasis committees, including ones which tackle issues in security, law and government or computing management.
35. Creative Commons: This nonprofit combines the idealistic views of pure information sharing with secure but privatized creative data. Creative Commons uses “private rights to create public goods” by allowing designers, developers and artists to license their work while making it accessible to the public.
36. Electronic Frontier Foundation: The EFF is a nonprofit organization that actively defends the public’s “digital rights” like free speech and privacy.
37. Hawaii Open Source Education Foundation: HOSEF “promotes and sustains” open source ideas and software through volunteer programs, advocacy, and recycling.
38. International Free and Open Source Software Foundation: The iFOSSF lobbies for open source software in order to improve the economic and social standards of disadvantaged communities by encouraging and supporting the growth of new businesses.
39. XorgFoundation: This “scientific charity” provides “worldwide stewardship of the X Window System technology and standards.” Anyone can become a member to support their cause.
40. The Mifos Initiative: This open source software company pledges its support of the world’s poorest communities by improving the “microfinance industry’s information management challenge.” The Mifos project aims to make this information technology more accessible to microfinance companies so that they can help the poor more effectively.
41. World Wide Web Consortium: This organization is dedicated to “leading the Web to its full potential” by developing open source tools, software and communities. According to The Open Source Community, the W3C supports over 350 member organizations around the world.

Communities

These online communities connect open source advocates from all over the world.

42. MIT Open Source Research Community: Free/open source enthusiasts share research, network and contribute papers and abstracts on this MIT-sponsored site.
43. The Linux Foundation: The Linux foundation was created to protect and promote the open source concepts and developments of Linux. As a nonprofit organization, The Linux Foundation also provides legal services, standardizes Linux software and provides “a neutral forum for collaboration and promotion.”
44. Xiph.org: This nonprofit promotes an unprivatized Internet by “supporting and developing” open software and other tools that the public can access freely. visit their website to find out how you can donate to the cause or participate in new projects.
45. Eclipse: This program fosters “an open source community whose “projects are focused on building an open development platform” that supports tools for developing software. In addition to its online forum, Eclipse also sponsors various summits and DemoCamps each year.
46. Sakai: This Web-based community promotes a “collaboration and learning environment” where users may research, edit, consult and teach issues and documents related to technology.
47. Java-Source.net: Java-Source.net is home to a rich community of programmers and developers who constantly work towards promoting and improving open source technologies. Use the website to check out ongoing projects or to suggest one of your own.
48. Open Web Application Security Project: The OWASP is a “worldwide free and open community focused on improving the security of application software.” Anyone can make suggestions, submit theories and utilize the organization’s resources free of charge.

Miscellaneous Nonprofits

Check this list for open source and open access nonprofits.

49. The Open Source Education Foundation: Children are also encouraged to become proponents of open source technology. This group has been approved by the IRS to educate students in grades K-12 about open source.
50. Free and Open Source Software Foundation of Pakistan: This group is becoming so popular that it is temporarily unable to maintain its own website. To help them get back on their feet, FOSSFP requests that “the international community” continues to support its hosting system, as well as free and open source software technologies.
51. Open Bioinformatics Foundation: The OBF provides free administrative support and open source programming services to the bioinformatics community, which uses computer technology to help solve biological problems.
52. OpenLDAP Foundation: This foundation is a nonprofit organization that receives and manages donations made to benefit the OpenLDAP Project, which develops open source software and Web hosting services.
53. The Foundation of P2P Alternatives: This foundation studies “the impact of Peer to Peer technology and thought on society.” By studying open source networks and communities, the P2P Foundation explores the culture and social progressions of these innovative communities.
54. Free Beer: This popular organization doesn’t pass out frothy pints via your computer screen, but it doesn’t provide free recipe and branding elements which anyone can use or alter.
55. Nonprofit Open Source Initiative: This successful organization pledges “to facilitate and encourage the use of open source software in the nonprofit sector, and to bring nonprofits and open source developers and projects together.”

Free Open Source Software

These groups provide open source software and tools to the public free of charge.

56. civiCRM: Comprehensive CRM packages are often too expensive for small businesses. civiCRM hosts several programs including contact databases, online event registration forms and online fundraising management tools that nonprofit and advocacy groups can download for free.
57. The Mambo Foundation: Mambo provides free CRM downloads to the public on its website. The Mambo Foundation protects the developments of the Mambo company and its online community of supporters, designers and programmers.
58. The Mozilla Foundation: The Mozilla Foundation protects open source software like Firefox so that its accessibility to the public is never compromised.
59. TrueCrypt: TrueCrypt provides “free open source disk encryption software for Windows Vista/XP/200 and Linux.”
60. Participatory Culture Foundation: The Internet isn’t the only form of media that is subject to privatization and censorship: TV can also be threatened. The PCF is the organization that develops Miro, a “free open-source desktop video application that is designed to make mass media more open and accessible for everyone.”
61. Plone Foundation: Plone is a completely free open source content management service that is available to the public on the Web. The Plone Foundation supports Plone to ensure that it can and will always remain a public service.
62. Firebird: Firebird software is a relational database that is free to download from the organization’s website. Users are encouraged to modify the software to create their own versions which should also be shared with the online community.
63. OpenGL: Accessing free online games and virtual reality technologies is possible because of the OpenGL organization, which claims to be “the industry standard for high performance graphics.”
64. Kuali Foundation: This nonprofit helps colleges, schools, businesses and other organizations maximize their open source networks and software programs.
65. The RadioActive Foundation: The RadioActive Foundation works to fund and promote the open source software developed under the RFID project, which plans to revolutionize the Internet by creating a new “reference group of applications” for the public.
66. Python Software Foundation: The goal of the PSF is to “promote, protect, and advance the Python programming language, and to support and facilitate the growth of the international community of Python programmers.” Users, developers and donors can all connect at their website.
67. XOOPS: The XOOPS organization is “powered by you.” Support the design program by participating in the forums, making a donation or just spreading the word.
68. Tax Code Software Foundation: Also known as “the Linux of tax software,” Tax Code Software aids U.S. taxpayers in their regular tax organization and preparation.
69. OpenCyc: OpenCyc “is the open source version of the Cyc technology, the world’s largest and most complete general knowledge base and commonsense reasoning engine.” Download software or participate in ongoing discussions on their website to support open source technologies.
70. Open Channel Foundation: Academic communities use Open Channel publishing software to publicize and organize research and teaching documents.
71. Dojo: The Dojo Toolkit is an open source software program that is supported by the Dojo Foundation. By encouraging the program’s adoption, discouraging political contention, encouraging the collaboration and integration with other projects, and remaining a transparent, free access system, the foundation manages to continue providing services to the public.

Social and Political Groups

These social and political groups are also supporters of a free and open Internet.

72. Ron Paul: 2008 presidential candidate Ron Paul strongly believes in the concept of a free Internet, saying, “we should never interfere with the Internet.”
73. Barack Obama: 2008 Democratic candidate Barack Obama is another supporter of net neutrality and a free, unregulated Internet.
74. eLGG: This open source social networking platform fosters a community of designers, programmers, donors and fundraisers who advocate open source technologies.
75. Technology and Social Action Wiki: This wiki creates awareness about how technology impacts social action projects. Social activists can collaborate using this online portal to discuss fundraising issues and more.
76. Really Simple Social Action: Link up with other social activists with this open source community.
77. Politics 2.0: This concept is based on the idea “that social networking and e-participation technologies will revolutionize our ability to follow, support, and influence political campaigns.”
78. Open Source Politics: This article discusses the effects of open source tactics on British government.
79. Open Source Politics Taps Facebook for Myanmar Protests: Learn how political activists are instantly mobilized with the help of open source technologies.
80. Open Source Political Manifesto: In an online experiment, Halfbakery challenges users to create political manifestos based on open source concepts. Readers will continue to vote on their favorite manifestos, creating a “public forum for non-mainstream political ideas.”

By Christina Laun

Many Web employees work from the comfort of their own home and don’t even have to get out of their comfy PJs to go to work if they don’t feel like it. But that doesn’t mean working on the Web isn’t stressful from time to time. Online projects pile up and deadlines loom just like they do for those working in an office. They’ve also got the added stress of sometimes unreliable Web hosting and no IT department to fix a troublesome PC. So how can you beat the stress of day-to-day Web work? The following are 50 ways you can become happier and healthier by reducing the stress in your life.

1. Get organized. Nothing will stress you out faster than having to sort through mounds of paperwork or hundreds of emails to find important documents and files. The few hours you spend getting things in order will protect you from those gray hairs when you can’t find key information.
2. Respect your internal rhythms. Everyone has high and low productivity points of the day. If you force yourself to work through your worst parts of the day you may become frustrated when you’re not moving as fast as you’d like to be. Try to save your hardest and most demanding work for your highest productivity points of the day so you can breeze through it.
3. Don’t worry about the what-ifs. Like anything in life, with work there are tons of things that can go wrong at any point. You’ll only make yourself crazy imagining all the possible outcomes. Simply do your best, and deal with the eventualities when they arrive.
4. Invest in your health. A half hour of exercise a day may not seem like much, but it could be enough to prevent you from having some serious health problems. Not only that, but exercise is also a great stress reliever. So when you’re feeling bogged down, take a trip to the gym and work out that stress.
5. Take breaks. It may seem counterintuitive, but taking regular breaks can actually help you get more work done. By giving your mind, body and eyes a rest from sitting at the computer you’ll be refreshed and ready to come back when you return and can look at things with fresh eyes.
6. Eat right. The only saying is true, we really are what we eat. Cramming frozen pizza and chips into your mouth might be the quickest way to accomplish eating a meal, but you’ll get much more out of eating a balanced diet and have more energy and focus to concentrate on what you’ve got to get done. Try out whole grains, blueberries and even chocolate for some great stress busting.
7. Rest your eyes.Staring at a computer screen all day can take quite a toll on your eyes day after day. Make sure to give your eyes a break every now and again so they won’t get as stressed out as the rest of you.
8. Schedule your time. Keep your stress in check by planning out your day in advance. Schedule time for projects, breaks, household chores and anything else that might come up throughout the day so that you’ll never have to wonder what you need to tend to next.
9. Minimize interruptions. Constantly being interrupted by a ringing phone or IMs can destroy your concentration not to mention ride your last nerve making the stress of your impending deadline even worse. Turn off your instant messenger and unplug your phone for a few hours a day so you can get some real work done.
10. Stay positive. With so much to do it can be hard to maintain a positive outlook on getting everything done. Do you best to keep your chin up and a smile on your face. Even in your worst moments, take a break to find something funny or give yourself a treat so you won’t be tempted to wallow.
11. Simplify. Often there are things we feel like we must get done that in reality aren’t that important. Evaluate your tasks and see if there aren’t a few less important ones that you can eliminate from your task list.
12. Take time to disconnect. The Internet can be a tempting and demanding mistress. Make sure you’re not letting it rule your life, even if it is your job. Don’t spend your break time on the Internet or too much of your off-time.
13. Make lists. Don’t let important tasks slip your mind. Create small lists of different types of tasks that you need to get done or jot ideas down as you think of them so you won’t forget about them later. Try an online list maker like Ta-Da List.
14. Stop and think. Sometimes work, whether it’s online or in an office, can be so overwhelming that we forget to stop and think and even take a breath. Take a step back from your work to reevaluate what’s really important and whether or not it’s worth being so stressed over.
15. Say no. While it can be difficult to turn down great projects or fun side work, there comes a time when you really just have to say no to maintain your sanity. If you’ve already got too much on your plate, don’t try to take on anything more, even if others try to guilt you into it.
16. Take it one step at a time. When you look at the amount of work that you have to do it can seem to be incredibly overwhelming. Breaking it up into smaller chunks and taking it one part at a time can help it seem like less of an obstacle and more like something that you can actually do.
17. Delegate. For some Web workers, delegating isn’t really an option. But if you do have others you’re working with, don’t be afraid to ask for help if you really need it. You can also ask family and friends to help pick up the slack around the house as well, until you get through your next big project.
18. Renegotiate. If you find yourself feeling stressed out more often than not then perhaps it’s time to renegotiate your priorities. Owning your own Internet based business or working for one can be time consuming, but make sure that that is how your time is best being spent.
19. Spend time with family and pets. One easy way to reduce stress is to spend some time with the people and animals that matter most to you. Watch a movie with a friend, take a walk with your dog, or just spend some time with a loved one. A little time connecting goes a long way in reducing stress, and will get your butt off of the Internet.
20. Reward yourself. If you’ve just completed a project ahead of schedule or gotten some great feedback from clients make sure to reward yourself. After all, all that hard work shouldn’t be for nothing and if nothing else taking a little break for some ice cream or to play a new video game will help you to relax.
21. Incorporate home tasks. Managing to take care of both work and home tasks can be difficult when they are one in the same. Work often takes over and household chores can pile up, surrounding you with clutter which can be visually distracting and stressful. Make sure to leave yourself a few minutes each day to work in some of these tasks so that they don’t get out of hand and you get a chance to do something other than sit in your desk chair.
22. Limit work hours. When you work at home, work hours tend to blend into personal time as there is no definitive transition between the two. Reduce your on the job stress by making setting hours when you’ll be at work and when you won’t. Even if you have to work overtime to finish a project, make sure you’re keeping a balance otherwise you’ll be headed for a burnout.
23. Make your personal life a priority. While things like grabbing a drink with your friends or seeing a movie may not seem like big priorities when you have work that needs to get done, in reality you should try to put just as much value on your personal life as you do work. After all, if you have no personal life, what is all that work good for?
24. Define your daily tasks. One way to overcome the stress of having too much to do is by creating a list of three or four things that you must get done every day. By only putting a few things on your list and clearly defining that these must get done, you’ll have a better chance of checking them off of your list and maybe even have time to get to something you hadn’t planned on.
25. Do the hard work first. Everyone knows what it’s like to have that one totally unpleasant task hanging over your head. It can even cause you to extend other projects just to avoid facing it. If you just get it out of the way you’ll eliminate the stress of worrying about it altogether and feel better for the rest of the day.
26. Slow down. It might seem to make sense to speed up to get more work done, but the faster you go the more likely you are to make errors which will cost you more time in the long run. So, take your time, slow down, and make sure you get it right the first time around. You’ll save yourself loads of stress later on.
27. Be firm. Remember that your time is just as important as anyone else’s, and that when you say no, it means no. Set firm limits on your time and how much you’re willing to take on so you won’t get overworked in the first place .
28. Block out your time. One method of time management is to schedule blocks of time for each kind of task every day. You will then know that part of your day is dedicated to working on certain parts of projects, part for management and so on.
29. Brainstorm. Often, stress can be a result of a creative blockage. It’s hard to move forward on designing a webpage when you haven’t got the foggiest idea of where to begin. Luckily there are loads of resources on the internet that can help you to work on brainstorming and drawing all those great ideas out of hiding.
30. Take care of email. Email can be a great friend but it can also very quickly turn into a monster if you let it get out of control. Set aside some time each day to tend to responding and filing your email so that it never gets a chance to overwhelm you. If you need a free program to manage your email try out Thunderbird.
31. Review what you’ve done. Feel like you aren’t accomplishing a thing? Take a look back at all the things you’ve gotten done each day. It will help you put everything in perspective and see that you are actually making progress, however slowly it may be.
32. Streamline. There are many tasks that we do every day that take much longer than they should. Take a look at what you’re doing and see if you can’t automate or pare down the steps it takes to get something done. A few minutes each day may not seem like much, but over the course of the week they add up.
33. Create clear agendas. One of the biggest wasters of time is phone calls and meetings that are entered into without a clear agenda at the outset. Make sure you know what you want to accomplish when you enter into either of these so that you won’t be stuck rolling your eyes as things spiral out of control.
34. Decide what’s important. So you’ve got a million things to get done today, how do you know where to start? You can begin by prioritizing your tasks. Focus on those things that are the most important and give yourself some slack on the others.
35. Be flexible. Not everything has to be done the way you first planned it and sometimes a little compromise is completely acceptable if it makes your life considerably easier.
36. Learn to focus. It’s easy to become distracted when you work at home or on the Internet, both are full of things that are likely a lot more fun that what you’re supposed to be working on. Figure out what it takes to get you focused, whether it’s listening to music, shutting the door to your office or unplugging your computer from the Internet and work on making it happen on a daily basis. You might find out you can get a lot more done in a lot less time than you thought.
37. Keep communications succinct. Unless you have a reason to have a lengthy phone or email conversation, try to limit the length of your conversations. It isn’t meant to be rude, just to save you time which you could be used to get more pressing things done.
38. Have clear boundaries. Whether it’s clients or family, some people just don’t respect boundaries and will bother you regardless of what you’re doing. Eliminate the stress of constantly having to multitask or switch between modes by setting clear boundaries of when you’re available for personal and business matters and sticking to them.
39. Ask yourself why. If you find yourself with far too much on your plate, take a step back and ask yourself why you’re doing what you’re doing. If you can’t answer or don’t really have a good reason, perhaps it isn’t as important as you at first thought.
40. Create a routine. Routines aren’t just for cubicle jockeys, they can work well for those working on the Web as well. Try to stick to times when you get up and start working and when you will stop each day. This will help you figure out how much work you need to get done in a given day and space out big projects, making them considerably less stressful in the long run.
41. Get some sleep. Not sleeping might allow you more time to work on projects, but you won’t be at your best. A few nights without adequate sleep can start to add up and really take a toll on your health. You’ll be better able to cope with your workload, clients, and everyone else when you’re not cranky from lack of sleep.
42. Personalize your workspace. Make your workspace a much more cheerful place to be in with a little personalization. Hang up a photo of your beloved pet, get a plant, or paper it in photos of your favorite celebrities; whatever makes you feel most at home and happy.
43. Create a not to do list. While to-do lists are important, it can be equally important to create a not to do list. It can include such distractions as updating your Netflix queue or doing the laundry, whatever you want to prevent yourself from doing or that could help you procrastinate and increase your stress. Best of all, you won’t even have to check anything off because you won’t be doing it.
44. Get outside. Taking a break to get outside can be just the boost you need to help reduce your stress levels. Sunlight can help raise levels of vitamin D which in turn boost levels of the mood enhancing serotonin
45. Put it in perspective. Chances are pretty good that it won’t be the end of the world if you don’t get everything done you had set to get done in a day. Remember this the next time you feel too stressed by what you’ve got going on.
46. Take it out. Everyone gets stressed, the key is to find a healthy way to release that stress, and preferably away from the Internet. Take a kickboxing class, take a shower, do a bit of painting, or whatever helps you calm down after a stressful day.
47. Find humor. Even the worst and most disparaging situations have a lighter side. When you reach your wit’s end try stepping back and having a laugh at it all. Chances are, it isn’t nearly as bad as you thought.
48. Be realistic. There are some things that just don’t need to be done perfectly and some that just aren’t going to get done no matter how much sleep you lose. Be realistic in your expectations of yourself and you’ll find it much easier to relax.
49. Stop procrastinating. It’s easier said than done, but procrastination is one of the biggest creators of stress. With so much fun stuff on the Internet it’s incredibly tempting to surf the Web instead of sticking to your work schedule. If you can’t do it on your own, try using a program like MeeTimer to curb your surfing urges and force yourself to get to work.
50. Don’t put up with things that don’t work right. Whether it’s an alarm clock, a blog host, or an email system, don’t put up with systems and objects that don’t work right. These add to stress and slow you down.

If you’ve had an e-mail account for more than a couple of years, or even just a couple of months, you’ve probably received an e-mail hoax promising you the opportunity to make millions working from home, asking you to donate money to a fraudulent fund, or just passing along a fascinating (but false) story to elicit a widespread response from the public. While many, truly damaging scams are designed to covertly steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from innocent people, this list is mostly comprised of those hoaxes that are just downright ridiculous.

1. Lonelygirl15: One of the most popular Internet hoaxes in recent years, the lonelygirl15 teenager named Bree turned out to be nothing more than an actress named Jessica Rose. The YouTube sensation assuredly broke many lonely hearts who thought they shared a special connection with the web cam princess, the show is still going strong with an average of 70 million viewers, all of whom (hopefully) now know that lonelygirl15 isn’t real.
2. Disney Hoax: Could you imagine receiving a real live e-mail from Walt Disney, Jr. himself? Well, we couldn’t either, but enough people did to make this Disney hoax a real problem. The fraudluent e-mail claims to work with Bill Gates and Microsoft to try out a new e-mail tracing program. The e-mail asks people to forward the e-mail to as many people as possible, and “if it reaches 13,000 people, 1,300 of the people on the list will receive $5,000, and the rest will receive a free trip for two to Disney World for one week during the summer of 1999 at our expense.” We wish.
3. Show Your Bum Joke: According to Hoax-Slayer.com, this hoax “warns that a man supposedly conducting a survey may come to your door and ask to see your bum.” While this hoax is more of a spoof of a hoax, we just had to include it on our list.
4. Internet Wedding Scam: Irish and Scottish folk singer Marc Gunn posts on his website a warning for other musicians about the Internet Wedding scam. A person claiming to be a soon-to-be married man named Pitt Andre wanted to book Gunn’s band at their wedding. Agreeing to pay the 50% deposit upfront, the scammer instead sent a check for nearly double the amount, and then asked for a refund making up the difference. A couple of days later, the man e-mailed Gunn to tell him the wedding was off, and that he wanted all of the money back. According to Gunn, the first check “seemed to have cleared” after three days, and his group sent back the $2500. Of course, the original check inevitably bounced, leaving Gunn and his group “miserable…and $2500 poorer.”
5. Citibank Scam: This scam is pretty tricky. Online banking sites often promise tight security settings and password-protected account access, but even top companies aren’t immune to Internet scams. In 2003, the Citibank website was under siege from a scam artist that designed a pop-up, which “appears to be a Citibank page” and “comes up and asks you to verify your information,” which then “goes to a server in Russia that has nothing to do with Citibank.”
6. Nikki Leotardo: When the immensely popular HBO series The Sopranos planned its final episode during the summer of 2007, there was much speculation as to how America’s favorite mobsters would end their run on television. After the finale, viewers were left hanging, scratching their heads over what could have happened during the blackout from several suspicious characters looming over the Sopranos’ family dinner. A rumor started circulating on the Internet that the man standing at the counter was Nikki Leotardo, Phil’s nephew who had been on the show before and who could have been out to kill Tony. As it turns out, the whole thing was just a joke, and Sopranos fans are still left in the dark about how the show really ended.
7. Killer Bananas: In 2000, an Internet hoax about imported bananas containting flesh eating bacteria that “spread faster than the flu,” according to Kathy Means, vice-president of the Produce Marketing Association. Despite efforts to squash the rumor, people panicked, inciting investigative stories in the LA Times and from the Knight Ridder news service.
8. Neiman Marcus Cookie Hoax: Would you pay $250 for a cookie recipe? What if it came from Neiman Marcus? We hope that you answered no to both of those questions, but one woman claims to have been tricked into paying the absurd amount and then seeks revenge by sending the recipe out in an e-mail blast. As it turns out, Neiman Marcus never put its cookie recipe up for sale and now publishes the recipe on its website, free of charge of course.
9. Money-at-Home.com: How great would it be to manage your own company from home by turning your computer “into a money-making machine?” Unfortunately, the scammers are the only ones making money with this system. An e-mail invites people to send them money so that they can receive “instructions on where to go and what to download and install on your computer” so that you can run the business and start making lots of money. Even if the instructions actually come, you also have to give the scammers access to your PayPal account, where they can control your online funds.
10. Deodorant Causes Breast Cancer: Several years ago, a popular e-mail chain circulated the Internet claiming that antiperspirants caused breast cancer. Thankfully, experts debunked the ugly rumor, and women felt comfortable enough to continue using their deodorant.
11. Don’t Pump Gas on May 15: In May of 2007, an e-mail hoax pleaded with American drivers, “Don’t pump gas on May 15!” The hope was that large oil companies would suffer great financial losses if millions of people refused to fuel up on one single day. An article on CNN reveals that “the chain e-mail urging the gas boycott has been around for several years, surfacing most years in the springtime” and that “many of the numbers in the e-mail are either misleading or flat out wrong.”
12. Bill Gates Hoax: Poor Bill Gates has found himself involved in another e-mail scam, this time with AOL. As with the Disney hoax, people are rewarded for passing along the chain e-mail in $5.00, $3.00, and $1.00 increments. No Disney vacation included in this one, though.
13. ATM Security Hoax: Who needs 911 when you’ve got your trusty PIN number? This scam reports that if you need to call the police at an ATM machine, you can subtlely make the call by typing in your PIN number backwards. The website Hoax-Slayer.com reports that the scam “stated that this method of calling the police is very seldom used because people don’t know it exists,” and assures customers that “the machine will still give you the monies you requested,” despite having typed in your code backwards. Um, we don’t think so.
14. KFC Hoax: Despite what this Internet hoax wants you to believe, the Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise does not genetically engineer chicken-related organisms to maximize the amount of meat collected from each creature. This disgusting scam attempt to explain why Kentucky Fried Chicken is now referred to as just KFC, “because they can not use the word chicken anymore. Why? KFC does not use real chickens.”
15. Internet Auctions: Internet auctioning is a legal business, but it can also be a breeding ground for clever scams and identity theft. The Federal Trade Commission cautions people against phishing e-mails which attempt to steal important passwords and banking information.
16. The Helius Project: This popular scam is still believed by many people to be concrete evidence that intelligent aliens do exist. The Helius Project pretends to originate from “an alien species” trying to reach out to humans via the Internet. Where are Mulder and Scully when you need them to debunk your online alien rumors?
17. “Send An Email Ad to 10,000 Opt-in Subscribers”: Number 7 on the “Top 10 Internet Marketing Scams” list from the Real Estate Marketing Tools blog involves a scam that tries to convince innocent people to engage in illegal marketing tactics by sending advertisements to allegedly opt-in e-mail clients. Instead of falling for one of these scams, the author advises readers to start an e-mail campaign themselves, because “that way, you will know for sure that they are opt-in, and you will be able to manage the results.”
18. 419 Scam: This infamous network of scams is also known as the Nigerian Scam because of its West African origins. About.com reports that “in every variation” of the hoaxes, “the scammer is promising obscenely large payments for small unskilled tasks,” like paying legal and transfer fees out of your own pocket.
19. Snowball the Monster Cat: You wouldn’t believe a photo of an oversized cat if it was published on the front cover of National Enquirer, would you? If that’s the case, we’re wondering why so many people believed the picture of an 87-pound monster cat that surfaced on the Internet. Unbelievably, the photo was even talked about on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Good Morning America. Supposedly, the cat’s mother was rescued after being found “abandoned near a Canadian nuclear lab” in Canada; however, the cat’s owner admitted to doctoring the photo and starting the hoax.
20. Dead Fairy Hoax: “If you believe in fairies, then clap your hands!” As with Tinker Bell, clapping your hands won’t bring these little garden fairies back to life, probably because they never existed. An Englishman created and photographed small models of dead and mummified fairies to trick people into believing that fairies once existed. After e-mailing the pictures to friends as an April Fools’ joke, fairy lovers all over the world continue to believe that the photos are real, “even though [the] creator has long since admitted to the hoax,” according to Snopes.com.

If you suspect an e-mail of trying to solicit money or personal information from you, delete it immediately or report it to the Internet Crime Complaint Center, which is a federal organization comprised of a joint partnership with the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center. While some of these hoaxes seem altogether ridiculous, Internet scamming is no joke.

By Laura Milligan

Personalizing your own Web space to show the world snapshots of your lifestyle has become ever more popular thanks to digital cameras and the increasing number of social networking sites, online photo albums and blogs. Stuffing a dusty photo album with the pictures from your last vacation or family blowout will no longer do. Your adventures deserve a broader audience than the lucky few who drop by your house, and the Internet is the perfect place to showcase your life. Read below for our list of over 100 places to post and share your photos online.

Most Popular

The following sites feature some of the most sought after photo sharing programs online.

1. MyPhotoAlbum.com: This website offers users features that will help you create “online photo albums as unique as you are.” Once you’ve uploaded your photos, turn them into cards, e-mails invitations and more.
2. Snapfish: Store and share your photos online for free when you use Snapfish, a company that also lets you create novelty items like mugs and other gifts.
3. Kodak Gallery: Invite friends and family to browse through your uploaded photos on this site, leaving comments and listening to an audio slideshow as they click through your albums.
4. Picasa: Google sponsors this Web-based photo album program, which allows users to post and share their own photos as well as “view and save…friends’ photos.”
5. Photobucket: This popular site features free photo and video sharing and image hosting.
6. Shutterfly: This free online photo sharing system lets you, as well as friends and family, order prints and create calendars from the photos you upload.
7. AlbumPost: The motto for this purist site is “No ads. Just your pictures.” Sign up for a 10-day free trial.
8. PhotoBox: Keep your albums private, or allow them to be seen by public viewers. PhotoBox also lets users create posters and calendars from their photos.
9. PixyShare: Check out this basic online photo album to share pictures with family and friends.
10. Fotopic: Receive your own Web address when you create a photo album with Fotopic.
11. Album Town: Album Town features free online photo sharing and allows users to create an unlimited number of albums.
12. PixMatrix: This “free photo album software “helps users design personalized photo albums to share and store digital images online.”
13. Hello: Say hello with a photograph. With this program, “you get to see your photographs together with your friends online” without having to bother with attachments or slow loading times.
14. Webshots: This immensely popular site sponsors “photo sharing, free wallpaper and free screensavers.” Sign up for free to start sharing your images with family and friends.

Networking Sites

These sites feature add-ons and accessories for photo hosting sites like Facebook and support their own networking communities for photo lovers.

15. Fotop: Create an online photo blog using the features provided by fotop. Members also connect with other photographers to form a “fast growing online photo sharing community.”
16. Photo Chart: Vote on other users’ photos and albums or create your own network to share images and connect with photographers around the world.
17. BytePhoto: Become a member of the BytePhoto community to set up a free online photo album, submit images for regular contests and get feedback from other photographers about your work.
18. Rock You: Rock You works in conjunction with popular networking sites like Facebook and MySpace to create custom designed photo slideshows of your uploaded digital images.
19. Ovao: Join this network to post your photos and videos online for everyone to see.
20. Amiglia: This family tree-plus-photo album site connects families through its networking and photo sharing capabilities.
21. Mashable: Submit your photos to the social networking news site Mashable, and see if they end up in the top ranked, most viewed, or most discussed categories.
22. Zooomr: Zooomr is “universally the best way to share, search, store, sort and sell your photos online.” Members from all over connect to form an international photography community.
23. ImageShack: Create an account with ImageShack to create an album or manage photos on Facebook.
24. Tabblo: This community-based photo sharing and management site offers “rich content-creation tools for both online and print.” Set up an online album, or design personalized products inspired by your favorite images.
25. Twango: Twango is a “free and fun place to share your photos, videos and audio.” Join the other members to discuss and rate submissions, leave comments and more.
26. Photo.net: Photo.net is a website devoted to all things photography. Post your photos to find out what others think of your artistic style, or have fun rating other members’ images.

Privacy Features

If you want top-notch security protection when you post your photos on the Web, try using one of these programs to keep your images private.

27. SmugMug: Post your photos onto this site, and you’ll be looking at your life in a whole new light. High quality images and a promise for “safe and secure” membership make SmugMug a top site.
28. RitzPix: Only you get to decide which people can view the photos you upload on RitzPix.
29. PhotoZig: PhotoZig allows you to easily access and control your digital images online with photo albums, slideshow software and other helpful tools.
30. KoffeePhoto: Try out this free photo sharing program that comes with an ultra secure backup system to keep your pictures safe.
31. Pickle: This fun site comes with strict privacy settings that let users control who they want to view their photos and videos.
32. PixVillage: Known as “the Kazaa of photography,” PixVillage is an online photo sharing system that provides secure privacy features to its members.
33. PhotoApe: Sign up with PhotoApe to receive your own URL and start sharing photos with family and friends via a secure login system.
34. Thumbnail Cafe: Thumbnail Cafe offers “a smarter way to organize and share your photos.” Start a free trial subscription to try out the excellent security features.
35. KeepandShare: This Web-based file sharing community also supports private photo sharing capabilities within private group websites.
36. Photagious: This inexpensive photo sharing software program has a backup system, member privacy features and beautiful Flash slideshows.
37. EnjoyMyMedia: This system is a “safe, simple” option for the “free sharing of personal media,” including photos.
38. Crypto Heaven: Crypto Heaven supports secure e-mail, chat services, online storage and file sharing systems for your most private documents and photos.

Community and Forums

Meet up with other members to discuss photography and your favorite images on the forums and message boards on these websites.

39. Picturetrail: Picturetrail is “photo sharing made easy.” Design a flipbook to share with friends and the online Picturetrail community.
40. Magix Online Album: This interactive online photo album offers “high quality Flash designs, breathtaking transitions, mixed albums, [an] audio player with an equalizer and other great features.”
41. Pixagogo: Share your photos by directly linking to individual images, posting your album’s URL, displaying a slideshow or creating and sending e-cards.
42. AJAX ASP Photo Gallery: This system “is a powerful, easy to install and customize ASP/ASP.NET based photo album software, created for those people who want to have their pictures up and running in 5 minutes, without databases or configuration hassles.”
43. MSN Spaces: Join the Windows community by registering on MSN Spaces. Create your own photo album to share pictures with your new friends.
44. Phanfare: Upload and manage videos and photo slideshows that you can share with friends and family. Phanfare’s forum connects members for program updates and general photo discussion groups.
45. ParentShack: This network of family websites and photo albums lets proud parents share journals, images and announcements with relatives and friends.
46. CrewPixM: Ever want to know what it would be like to work on a movie set? Visit this site to view photos posted from crew members on commercials, music videos and movies.
47. The Knot: This popular wedding planning community features an online photo sharing option for newlyweds. The wedding party can work with any photographer they choose to set up and organize online albums.
48. Flickr: Make new friends by making connections through Flickr’s community-based photo sharing website. Users can also organize their various albums, make cards and other items and browse other members’ images.

Travel

Adventure junkies will love the photo sharing culture of the following websites, where members upload images and swap stories about all things travel.

49. Ball of Dirt: This network of travel blogs and online photo albums “lets anyone share their travel photos, stories and experiences on the web for free.”
50. Travel Photo Sharing: This online photo sharing gallery caters to the world traveler. Browse albums from Russia, Taiwan, or Brazil, or create one of your own.
51. Worldisround: Worldisround is a “global community for sharing photos and exploring the world.” Currently boasting more than 650,000 images from around the world, this site also features travel-related articles.
52. Your Shot Photo Sharing: The “Your Shot” feature on the Travel Channel’s website allows everyday travelers to send in their favorite images from adventures around the world.
53. Cruise Reviews Photo Sharing: The popular Cruise Reviews website also hosts travel photo albums for travelers to upload their digital images from cruise vacations.
54. PhotoTraces: Experienced travel photographers can write articles for the blogs on PhotoTraces.com, “an effective promotional tool for photographers publishing articles” and who wish to gain more exposure.
55. FotoTrekn: FotoTrekn is “where great photo treks begin.” Upload your travel pictures, browse public and members only galleries, meet up with other travelers on the forums, or start blogging about your trip on this terrific site.
56. TravelBlog: TravelBlog members send in photos from their trips all over the globe. Check out the featured photos, which change every 30 minutes, or set up your own album through your travel journal.
57. Travelpod: Travelpod is another online travelogue that lets travelers post blog entries and share photos with family, friends, and other adventurers.
58. BootsnAll: This international travelers’ community hosts forums that frequently advertise photography contests, discussions and image sharing.
59. TravBuddy: This social community made up of enthusiastic travelers lets users share photos, reviews, experiences, blog entries and more.

Members Only

Sign up with these photo sharing systems to enter an exclusive online community.

60. Freewebs: Sign up with Freewebs to share pictures and videos online.
61. My Photo Tube: Try out this bright, easy-to-use photo sharing site to browse others’ photo albums or create one of your own.
62. Web-a-photo: Web-a-photo is an easy, free service that helps you view “your photos online.” Post pictures from your digital camera or cell phone, view images on your TiVo, or design, print and order personalized gifts.
63. e-Memories: Share your favorite memories online by creating an online photo album with this easy-to-use system.
64. Winkflast: This Web-based digital photo center organizes your photos so that you can enjoy “free sharing” and “unlimited storage.” Check out their site to order your favorite prints and cards.
65. myimagebox: This simplistic yet attractive photo sharing system “provides you with all the tools you’ll need to get your photos online today, and create your own online photo album.” Myimagebox also comes with a 14-day free trial.
66. MyOtherDrive.com: MyOtherDrive.com boasts free video, image and file sharing and features a backup disaster recovery system so that you won’t lose your favorite albums.
67. Sharpcast: The Sharpcast photo sharing system is “pure magic.” Edit, upload, view and chat about your photos from any online connection, and the automatic backup system makes sure your images are always safe.
68. Photovations: Photovations is a free online image hosting system that supports your images for projects like “auctions, bulletin boards, blogs, online stores, personal websites, safe image storage or for any other photo hosting need you might have.”

Social Media Sites

Facebook, MySpace and other social media sites support photo sharing to connect members.

69. Facebook: Anyone with an e-mail address can become a member of Facebook, a social networking community that lets users create profiles and upload photos.
70. MySpace: One of the original social media communities, MySpace is another site where members can personalize their pages with their own images.
71. Friendster: Post your photos on Friendster, and see if they end up in the Featured Photos or Most Discussed categories.
72. LiveJournal: According to the website, “you can use LiveJournal in many different ways: as a private journal, a blog, a discussion forum, a social network, and more.” Members often post photos to share with friends or create profiles.
73. Xanga: Members post photos, weblogs, videos and more to connect with friends and make new contacts on Xanga.
74. Reunion: Searching for friends and family members on Reunion is the ultimate way to get back in touch. Upload photos or look through the galleries already on Reunion to find people from your past.
75. imeem: This social media site “is an online community where millions of fans and artists discover new music, videos, and photos, and share their tastes with friends.”

Software and Downloads

Check out these software programs and special downloads to access superior photo management and photo sharing tools.

76. Magic Gallery: This software program “includes tools to resize photos and create online web albums.” Learn how to touch up images, create an album and publish photos online.
77. Extreme Thumbnail Generator: Download this professional photo gallery for office appropriate images and slideshows.
78. Web Album Maker: The Web Album Maker “is a web photo album generator that creates online photo slideshow from your digital photos using unique and highly professional Flash or HTML theme templates.” Download a free trial or buy the software package by visiting the site.
79. inAlbum 3.0: Use inAlbum to “help you turn your digital photos and videos into stunning photo albums.” Choose from more then 100 templates, features and videos to customize your album.
80. Web Gallery Wizard: Web Gallery Wizard claims to be the “world’s best online photo album software.”
81. PhotoOnWeb: The PhotoOnWeb software helps users design custom photo albums in which to showcase their digital images online.
82. EZ Thumbnail Builder: The EZ Thumbnail Builder “supports 20+ popular image formats,” making it a popular, effective tool for creating online photo albums.
83. Concentric: Concentric account holders obtain free domain names for online photo sharing.
84. Diino: Diino’s Internet desktop comes with a more-than-capable online photo sharing system that can be accessed from any computer via a Diino account.
85. Shaw Photo Share 2.0: If you use Shaw’s e-mail services, you can create a your own online photo album supported by the same system.
86. Online Photo Filer: This software program “gives you an online photo album site for sharing photos, as well as easy-to-use editing tools to make sure your photos look their very best.” Once you’ve set up the account, visitors to your photo site can click through the galleries without having to log in or sign up.

Miscellaneous

From pets to parties, these sites keep photo sharing fun.

87. Angelfire: Sign up for free to learn how to set up your own Angelfire photo albums that allow you to share and store thousands of images.
88. Shokase: This Windows-compatible online photo album is just a download away!
89. Tamron photo sharing: Tamron USA encourages photographers to post and share their favorite pictures taken with Tamron lenses.
90. Bravenet: Bravenet’s free web tools and web hosting site also sponsors free photo albums, where users can “store view and share” digital photos.
91. Web Album Generator: Check out this free online photo album generator from ornj.net to create your own unique photo sharing space.
92. ImageStation: This popular site is closing soon, so if you’re already a member, download, transfer or order images from this Sony-sponsored site.
93. Tripod: Tripod Tutorials teaches visitors how to make their own Tripod-sponsored online photo album using just a few easy tricks.
94. Photocast: This brilliant photo hosting and sharing site provides editing and management tools for photographers who want to easily and effectively make the most of their digital images.
95. BubbleShare: BubbleShare awards its users with unlimited storage space. Play around with the clipart and audio and video captions to jazz up your images.
96. Dogphoria: Tagged as “the world’s cutest social network,” Dogphoria posts adorable and hilarious photos of dogs daily.
97. PartyPop: Consider enlisting the services of PartyPop to showcase your wedding, anniversary or party photos online.
98. PBase: PBase Magazine also has an online site for photographers to upload and share pictures from all over the world.
99. 23: This attractive site lets users easily upload an unlimited number of photos and then e-mail them out to friends and family, who can view your images without having to sign up for their own account.
100. Slide: Create slideshows and decorate your digital images with clipart, YouTube clips and various skins to share your photos with friends in a clever new way.
101. ZingFu: Online photo sharing gets a new twist with the zany features on this site. Upload your images, and then tack on funny (or creepy) backgrounds to give pictures a little more edge.
102. Fotki: Fotki provides free, unlimited photo hosting for blogs, regular photo contests and online photo galleries and albums.

By Christina Laun

Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a master of your domains, you can benefit from the advice of other domainers. Or, you can just see what others are up to. We’ve compiled a list of 100 of the best blog posts on the subject of domaining to help educate, inform, and maybe even entertain you.

Parking

Domains used for parking can be a good way to generate a little extra revenue or to direct visitors to your more profitable domain names. Either way, these blog posts can help you make the most of domain parking.

1. The Death of Domain Parking and the Birth of a New Vertical Web 2.0 Empire: This article from Daily Domainer discusses how domain parking may be a thing of the past and what’s coming next for domainers.
2. Registrars Parking Your Sub-Domain for You: Is your registrar taking advantage of your subdomain names to place ads? Read this article from Domain Editorial on the practice.
3. Domain Parking Shortcomings: Content: This posting from DomainNameNews talks about how many sites are not looking at the potential for revenue in fully developed sites and are instead taking a short term look at domaining.
4. Why Isn’t There a Parking Market Leader?: Domain parking is a fairly unique business but despite this there doesn’t seem to be any single company that stands out in the crowd. Find out why this is in this posting from Whizzbang.
5. Avoiding Domain Parking Accidents: Laugh at the mistakes of others in this article from DotSauce all about poorly parked domains and learn how to avoid making the same mistakes yourself.
6. Is Domain Parking Worthwhile?: While it likely won’t be your main source of income as a domainer, domain parking can bring in some steady revenue. But is all the trouble worth it? Douglas Karr explains his experiences in this blog.
7. Domain Parking: Standards Please, Sir: Getting the same information from parking companies can be an almost impossible task. This blog on Whizzbang discusses the needs for standards for web parking companies.
8. Google Domain Parking: Search or Content: Unsure how your Google domain parking is functioning? Read this short blog post from Andrew Johnson about how Google AdWords are syndicated through parked domains.
9. Domain Parking 101: Don’t know a thing about domain parking but tired of letting your unused domains sit around and do nothing? Check out this guide from NetBusinessBlog to learn all about domain parking and companies you can use to get started.

Buying and Selling

Buying and selling domains is what being a domainer is all about. Use some of the advice in these blog posts to maximize your profits and make better investments.

10. Only 30% Of Top Domains Sold In 2006 Actually In Use: This posting from DailyDomainer discusses the reasons behind the lack of use of domain names that were bought or sold last year.
11. Domain Investing: What You Can Learn From the Stock Market: Investing in domain names is not much different than investing in anything else, so learn what you can apply from other types of investing to domaining in this post from DomainNameNews.
12. Selling Domain Names is Back- The Future of Domaining Meets the Past: Should you sell your domain names instead of developing them? This article from Frank Schilling discusses how domaining is becoming a seller’s market.