Best of the Web

THANKS FOR SHARING

This is the new participatory Web: blogs, wikis, podcasts, social networks, forums. Behind-the-scenes upgrades have made it easier for ordinary people to take control of the Web, to broadcast their perspectives. Destinations like MySpace and YouTube prove the Internet is where you go to broadcast your life (and watch other people's). Read more.

And anyone who thinks the browser is just a tool for getting onto the Web and surfing around hasn't tried something called "tabbed browsing." Adding powerful efficiency to the traditional Web browser, tabs make it easier to organize the gobs of information that are scattered on the Internet. Read more.

30 BEST SITES

With their innovative technologies and features that are hard to resist, these sites show what the Web has to offer now and where it is going soon. U.S. News has provided a quick tour of the best sites in the categories listed below. Read more.

SHOPPING

Shopping: Bagging the Best Deals Online

Product finders, comparison tools, a personal shopping service, a "quick look" feature, free shipping and returns and never taking more than four clicks to get to checkout are just a few of the things you'll find among these sites.

PHOTO & VIDEO

Photo & Video: Four Great Sites for Sharing Pics

Send a file to a friend via E-mail, edit video on the Web, sharing photos in online albums, and getting the best deal for storage — these are just some of the offerings from the photo and video sites on our list.

TRAVEL

Travel: Because Planning a Vacation Shouldn't Be Work

These sites offer a bevy of useful features. You can find things from online films about destinations to interactive 3-D resort maps to a matchmaker of sorts for the jet set to a travel guide with a twist.

ENTERTAINMENT

Entertainment: Clicked In To Music, Movies, and Games

These sites provide a variety of ways to entertain. One provides British radio programs, while another offers unlimited movie downloads. One offers classic video games and yet another provides summaries of TV show episodes.

HEALTH

Health: Finding a Digital Diagnosis

There is a wealth of health information available online, and these sites make the short list. Features such as an online parenting encyclopedia, personalized advice, prescription information and articles on myriad topics help these sites stand out.