We are overloaded with media, both Web-based and hard copy. We need solid tools to help us sift through all of it, and to clue us in on the stuff that’s worth paying attention to. The following sites employ user communities and new Web tools to help us do just that–and also provide forums where we can offer our own opinions.
Metacritic: At this site you can read fresh criticism about new (mainstream) films, DVDs, music, TV, and games. The content selection is broad, and the reviews are well written and fair.
Pandora: Pandora is still one of the coolest music sites around, largely because of its uncanny ability to help you form a Web-radio playlist tailored to your tastes. Try it while you still can; the RIAA is doing its best to kill off sites like this.
Last.fm: This site is another example of a social network formed around something that people want to talk about: music. I’ve been hipped to several new bands (Battles, Iron and Wine) as a result of lurking on Last.fm. While Pandora may still have an edge at helping you discover new music, Last.fm really became a contender last January, when it began allowing users to stream full songs (not just low-quality samples) at its site.
Powell’s Books: Big, diffuse Amazon is fine, but Powell’s is the best online bookstore in America. Why? Powell’s focuses primarily on books and offers superior reviews of volumes new and old by super-bookish staffers and Powell’s customers alike. The site is easy to navigate and search, too.
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