Here's the scenario: you try to access one of your favorite sites (maybe one of the sites you're addicted to), and the darn thing won't load for you. You try, over and over again, and STILL no joy. You know that it really should be coming up, so you type the URL into your favorite search engine to see if there's anyone else having the same problem. Unfortunately, search engines just don't index result quite that fast (yet), so it seems as if you're the only person having the problem, and you're just going to have to wait it out. Bummer!
That's where Down For Everyone Or Just Me comes in. This is an ingenious site, and here's how it works: simply type in the name of the site that's not cooperating with you, and within seconds you'll see if this mysterious downtime is a more widespread problem (or if it's really JUST YOU). This is an easy way to troubleshoot where the connectivity problem might be happening.
More great Web tools
- The Most Useful Web Tools: If you're looking for a list of the most useful Web tools, you've come to the right place. Here are my picks for the best tools on the Web for anyone who is looking to boost their productivity.
- Remember the Milk: If you're looking for a dead simple way to manage your to-do lists, reminders, and basic stuff you gotta get done, then you need to check out Remember the Milk, a deceptively simple Web service that helps you organize yourself.
- The Top Ten Most Useful Google Services: Here are my picks for the top ten most useful Google services: the products that consistently help people achieve the ultimate productivity, demonstrate ease of use, and are viable for the long term.
Google has a few search options that many people are not aware of. First, Search Options, a collection of tools you can use to filter your searches: by type (reviews, videos, images, etc.), by time (most recent, a week ago, etc.), related searches that you can use to expand your query, and more. You can access these expanded search options by first typing in your initial query, then clicking on the Search Options link. My favorite? Finding images from the text on the page that your search results are on. Next, the well-named Wonder Wheel!
Millions of people all over the world watched the Oscars last night, but if you weren't one of them (I wasn't), there are plenty of places you can pick up the list of Oscar winners online. Here we go: