Web sites worth a click

Information Outlook, April, 2006 by Carolyn J. Sosnowski

Classical Net

www.classical.net

At least once a year, I start pining for new music. I've played the same favorite CDs for years, and a browse through my collection evokes more than a few "What was I thinking?" moments. This time around, I decided to focus on classical music. Bach's Brandenburg concertos? Been there. Beethoven's symphonies? Done that. Classical Net answers the question of where to start by offering a beginner's guide on exploring the genre, and a "basic repertoire list" of classical pieces, with fundamental works highlighted. The overview of musical periods helps users narrow their focus by time and explore lesser-known composers in eras shared with Mendelssohn or Rossini, for example. The site also features thousands of music and book reviews, plus composer trivia and a multitude of informational and commercial links. The main idea to take away from this site is the importance of listening to learn ... and enjoy.

Zillow

www.zillow.com

Searching for a house to buy in the U.S.? You don't have to rely on your real estate agent or dig through public records to determine a home's worth. Zillow's statisticians put various data points together (the exact formula is proprietary, but neighborhood transactions, comparable house features, and facts like square footage are a few of the bits of information that are considered) to produce a Zestimate of a home's value--just plug in an address and go! The site's creators recognize that their results may not be perfect, so valuations can be adjusted based on user information (corrections, additions), which may not be included in public records. The mapping tool plots addresses and uses both satellite imagery and street maps to create a cool visual. Each house record provides information on number of bedrooms, home age, and type of construction, and another click leads you to a list of comparables. Zillow is a powerful start to the daunting task of buying or selling a home.

Astronomy Picture of the Day

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html

The cold, dark universe is brought to light and understanding through Astronomy Picture of the Day. I discovered this site more than 10 years ago (in its infancy), and wanted to revisit it. APOD, brought to us by two astronomers, remains simple and informational ... and it's really fun to browse through the images of comets, supernovae, and our own nearby planets. Each photograph is annotated with extensive cross-references to archived images and external articles and Web sites. Images may be found through the chronological and subject indexes or through the search tool, and a brief glossary defines commonly used terms.

Roadtrip America

www.roadtripamerica.com

You don't have to be planning a road trip to enjoy this site, which is full of interesting (and sometimes historical) facts, funny signs, and recipes. Get advice about route planning, books and maps for your journey, and staying safe during your travels (courtesy is contagious!). The Roadtrip Forum allows site visitors to share experiences and tips. Travelers may also find deals and make reservations through the site, and take a compatibility quiz to determine if their travel companion will make the trip seem longer than it is in reality. The site founders offer ten lessons for road-trippers, which can also inspire us in our everyday lives.

RecipeSource

www.recipesource.com

It has been a few months since I've included a food-related site in this column. But now that I have a bit more time to cook I went searching for new inspiration. RecipeSource includes over 70,000 (!) recipes, which have been collected since 1993 by the site's creator, her friends, and cooks around the world. The beauty of this site (besides the delicious results in your kitchen) is its simplicity. Users may browse by cuisine or type of dish (stuffed vegetables, rubs, and trifles are a few of the more interesting categories). There is a section that addresses special dietary needs, such as gluten-free foods and recipes for diabetics, and you can even find a list of extra terrestrial and bizarre recipes (Vulcan Carrot Loaf, anyone?). The advanced search tool is fairly flexible, and permits phrase and "not" queries.

By Carolyn J. Sosnowski, MLIS

Carolyn J. Sosnowski, MLIS, is an information specialist at SLA.