Computeractive's top 50 websites

Having a choice is great, but there can be too much to choose from. We've trawled the web to come up with our 50 most useful and entertaining sites

These days the internet is a serious business. Regardless of whether you want to buy a car, sell household items, run a business or glean hard-to-find information on the most obscure subject, a few taps on the keyboard and it's yours on a plate.

This, of course, is splendid but the internet is just as important for entertainment. We don't mean the kind you have to pay for, like music downloads or the soon-to-come movies on demand. We want fun but we don't want to have to pay for it. With this in mind, the Computeractive team had a brainstorm about some of the websites that we like.

Some are pure fun and mischief, while others relate to common hobbies. All are suitable for both dial-up and broadband users. We hope to have dug up something for everyone but it is a completely arbitrary list of some of our web faves. So, without any further ado, here are 50 websites that we find helpful and entertaining.

HELP AT HAND

Wikipedia
www.wikipedia.org
An online encyclopaedia with a twist: anyone can edit entries. Not only can you correct text, but sounds and images can be added to embellish entries. It's not as authoritative as other encyclopaedias, but has much that is offbeat and makes interesting reading.

How Stuff Works
www.howstuffworks.com
Choose from 10 categories in this fascinating site, such as Computer Stuff, which uncovers how technologies such as graphics cards actually work.

Help
www.help.com
If you're stuck for an answer try Help.com. If you don't have time to go through the forums, there's a free weekly newsletter with the most popular queries.

Gizmodo
www.gizmodo.com
This US-based blog charts the progress of gadgets from concept to retail. There's a good mix of fact and opinion, with serious items offset by the weird and wonderful.

Crossword Buddy
www.loquax.co.uk/puzzles
Any crossword fans who have got stuck on clues will appreciate this site. Enter the letters you have and get a list of words that could fit. Simple and satisfying.

GAME FOR A LAUGH

Office Humour
www.office-humour.co.uk
If your boss is away and the office could do with a laugh, this lot will turn up the corners of bored mouths. The hilarious movie clips and newspaper clippings from around the world will make the day go faster.

The Onion
www.theonion.com
Another US-based site that does for the news what Monty Python did for spam. Irreverent is not the word.

JibJab
www.jibjab.com
JibJab is proof that the web provides work for idle hands. A rich vein of satire runs through the site with its comical selection of animated songs and e-cards.

My Cat Hates You
www.mycathatesyou.com
We may be a nation of animal lovers, but this site proves that some of our feline friends don't return the compliment. A giggle for friends and foes of cats alike.

FUN AND GAMES

Miniclip
www.miniclip.com
Here's a wide range of fun online games. Over 100 games are free while others require you to sign up with a credit card. The upside is that you can play against others for real money.

Yetisports
www.yetisports.org
We reviewed the CD-ROM before Christmas and it posed a serious threat to the production of the magazine. Now this addictive game is free to play online.

Download.com
www.download.com
A round-up of some of the best free games on the web, with categories such as role-playing, action and adventure to choose from. A new release section will keep you up to date.

Tech News
www.technews.co.uk
More for keen gamers than casual players, this site has all the news from the gaming world. There are reviews, a radio station, and plenty of free downloads.

Guardian Games
http://sport.guardian.co.uk/thegear
Simple but addictive sporting games. They cover the gamut from football to darts, and prove that playability, not fancy graphics, is what makes a really good game.

MOVIE BUFFS

Future Movies
www.futuremovies.co.uk
Future Movies adds interviews with major industry figures to its collection of round-ups, previews and reviews. This site can be set to display minimal graphics, ideal for dial-up users and those with disabilities.

Apple Trailers
www.apple.com/trailers
Apple has carved a niche as a stylish and fun company. This part of its site has free movie trailers. Dial-up users will have to wait a while for files to download.

BBC Collective
www.bbc.co.uk/collective
This site covers all the arts and discusses current and future releases with a critical eye sometimes missing in newspaper reviews. Sign up for email updates.

Fantasy News
www.fantasynews.co.uk
This site brandishes its love of sci-fi with pride. There's news about and links to upcoming movies and plenty of info on the best sci-fi TV shows.

TOP OF THE POPS

All Music
www.allmusic.com
As you might expect, this is a guide to music from classical to techno, rockabilly to hip-hop. Find listings of genres, singers, producers and bands, with reviews, biographies and discographies.

Kiss this guy
www.kissthisguy.com
Misheard lyrics can be a huge source of fun; just ask the owner of this site who heard 'Excuse me, while I kiss this guy' instead of 'kiss the sky' in Jimi Hendrix's Purple Haze. There are thousands more examples here.

NME
www.nme.com
If you're after news, reviews or information on the latest hot new thing, the NME site is the place to be. You can also see listings and buy tickets for concerts.

Amazon
www.amazon.co.uk
It started off as a bookseller, but it's now one of the best places to buy music on the web. Pick up CDs at low prices and get free delivery if your order is over £19.

Wartime songs
www.jilldaniels.com
This site contains lots of links to lyrics, songs and information about the role of music during World War II.

SPORTING HEROES

BBC Sport
www.bbc.co.uk/sport
The BBC might be losing some of its TV coverage to premium channels, but in free online coverage it is unchallenged. The sporting fixtures calendar will ensure you don't miss the start of your favourite event. Like Sportal, you can stream video and audio for certain events.

Sportal
www.sportal.com
The latest news on sporting events, with results and odds for those who fancy a flutter. Updates available in audio and video format.

Football 365
www.football365.com
Football news as seen from the stands. The reports and team news follow the template of the usual football news sites but the tone is tongue in cheek.

Eurosport
www.eurosport.co.uk
European it may be, but this site actually covers sport from around the world, including new sports such as snowboarding. There's some free video too.

Radio Now
www.radio-now.co.uk
Streamed or live radio broadcasts are perfect for all web users, especially when it comes to sports commentaries. Radio Now has links to online broadcasts from around the country.

CLEAR HORIZONS

Lonely Planet
www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations
The interactive map is the star here - click on the continent, country, region and city you're interested in for a summary of Lonely Planet's guidebook entry for that place. Essential facts and figures for travellers.

Palin's Travels
www.palinstravels.co.uk
The ex-Python star has an infectious enthusiasm for travel that will shift even the laziest backside off the sofa and down to the nearest travel agent.

Exodus
www.exodus.co.uk
Fed up with lying on the beach? Exodus has plenty of ideas for those who want a bit more adventure in their life.

Times Online
travel.timesonline.co.uk
Nothing here for the Club 18-30 crowd - here you will find travel tips for families, winter sports and cruises.

Opodo
www.opodo.co.uk
We like the simple interface and clear information here. With a few mouse clicks, the countdown to your next break from drudgery starts here.

HOBBIES

Carry On Gardening
www.carryongardening.org.uk
This site goes back to basics, with advice on all the best tools and plants and an ideas section for those seeking inspiration.

Celebrity Zone
www.celebrityzone.co.uk
Celebrity Zone has all the gossip on your favourite stars and even some of the more photogenic sports people.

BBC DIY
www.bbc.co.uk/homes
Excellent advice from the Beeb on how to improve your home without demolishing it or moving.

Fishing
www.fishing.co.uk
If sitting on a river bank staring at a float is your idea of heaven, drift over to Fishing. A good mix of news, and advice about where to fish and lots of fisherman's tales.

Female First
www.femalefirst.co.uk/celebrity
Gossip aplenty and tips on the latest styles. You can even check out what some celebs have been wearing.

COOKING

Food Geeks
www.foodgeeks.com
Food Geeks has over 7,000 recipes organised into categories. Register to add recipes to your own cookbook on the site. There is also a useful scaling option that updates recipes for different servings.

Passionate About Food
www.passionateaboutfood.net
As well as recipes there are tips on cooking techniques and getting the best from ingredients here. It also has a discussion forum.

Just Recipes
www.melborponsti.com
Just Recipes has a basic design but makes up for this with a huge range of recipes - more than 40,000. In the unlikely event that you can't find an appropriate recipe there are links to specialist sites.

Delia Smith
www.deliaonline.com
No cookery section would be complete without Delia Smith. The cookery school tells you how to get started in the kitchen and you can sign up for a fortnightly newsletter. There are recommendations on what to buy online as well.

Soil Association
www.soilassociation.org
If you are concerned about the production methods used for you food or want to support local farms, the Soil Association can point you in the right direction.

BITS AND BOBS

Blogs
blogs.guardian.co.uk/news
Blogs have become an established part of the media scene and The Guardian brings together an eclectic mix.

Senior Citizens
www.seniority.co.uk
A window onto the online world for those taking their first steps, it offers information on money, travel and entertainment for retired people.

Kids
www.e-parents.org
This site from the Family and Parenting Institute provides helpful advice without too much blurb from companies trying to sell you nappies and dummies.

Family Trees
www.freebmd.org.uk
Run by volunteers, FreeBMD is proof that a free site can be better than paid-for alternatives if the organisation is correct. If you're tracing a family tree, start here.

Home Sweet Home
www.computeractive.co.uk
Last but not least, we've got all the downloads you'll ever need, and thousands of experts in our forums mean your hobby of home computing will be as easy as it should be.