By Ron VandenBoom
Ever wonder what the top 100 Web sites are in the United States?
Well, not surprisingly, most of the top sites are the better known search engines like Yahoo, Netscape, and Lycos. But examine the list more fully and you learn that no one type of site dominates the Internet for popularity.
It may not be the only list, but check out www.100hot.com/directory/100hot and see for yourself what is hot today.
Sitting at #19, for example, is www.collegeclub.com, a collection of information ranging from the ridiculous to the sublime that is geared almost exclusively toward the college age student.
Get the latest on what the college crowd thinks about a variety of subjects ranging from the arts to current political trends. There are also sections on love and relationships as well as money and technology.
Coming in at #30 on the list is www.snowball.com a collection of sites and information that is also geared for the young, but might also contain something for the older bunch, too. I cant put my finger on it, but Snowball is just kind of fun.
Click on Power Students and choose from a list of topics geared toward students. Chickclick takes you to subjects for little girls, young ladies, and hip moms. IGN gives you the lowdown on recent games and fun things to do while the Insiders Guide gives the inside scoop to young and old alike on any number of topics.
Check it out. Theres got to be a reason it made the list.
Coming in next to one another at 38 and 39 on the list are The World Wrestling Federation and the Weather Channel. I dont know that this necessarily means anything, since I personally find them equally dull. Well, I shouldnt really say that. The weather is slightly more exciting and a whole lot more believable.
Interestingly, the movie Matrix comes in at #40 on the list with what is really a typical movie Web site.
Having recently watched the movie on video, I can see why some might want to scope it out over the Internet especially before they go out and rent it. But Im intrigued, too, by the appeal it seems to have as a hot site.
The site itself is not that good.
Gamespot.com came in 51 on the top 100 list, offering news and reviews of all the latest computer games.
The site, not surprisingly, gives surfers a chance to download previews or demos of some of the latest games, but offers little in the way of free game downloads. The difference between the two becomes obvious when you try playing the limited versions offered and find the limits more frustrating than the games.
The site offers news, hints for winning games, forums, and events, but personally I think there are better sites out there for games.
Ranked #48 in popularity is www.shockwave.com.
Shockwave is a plugin tool you can use on the Internet to receive animations and other interactive downloads. It is a common plugin you will no doubt be asked to download sooner or later if you do much surfing at all. It is only about 400k and is easy to install and fun to use. I can see why this site made the list.
Next week I will continue with the list and cover the bottom half of the line-up.
