Really useful sites for really busy people: 50 timesaving sites that deliver top-notch information, support, and services. (Cover Story).

SURE, THE WEB HAS ALL the info you could want. Whether it's time-sensitive data like flight-delay reports or stock quotes, tech-related updates like the latest hardware drivers, or trivia like Tom Glavine's career ERA, everything's waiting for you on the Internet. There's only one catch: Who has time to search for all that information?

Much of the Web's best data is buried deep in a site or hidden on pages cluttered with links or distracting, flashing ads. The true value of the Net comes when you can get the information you want fast -- preferably in less than a minute.

We dug deep into Web sites to uncover 50 destinations that help you get things done and that can provide important information quickly (including some PDA applications and cell phone services). So you want info fast? Read on.

TECHNOLOGY TIPS & TRICKS

Decipher Computer Terminology

Ever wonder about the meaning of all those error messages you get while accessing Web pages? Webopedia takes the mystery out of the messages in its Quick Reference section. You can also find out to which country a particular domain extension belongs or learn the function of TCP port numbers--and much else. Additionally, the site's general search engine pulls up definitions for any tech term. www.webopedia.com/quick_ref

Shop for a Web Host

Web hosting companies come and go daily. So how do you know your host will still be in business the next time a prospective employer tries to access your online resume? The Web Host Magazine and Buyer's Guide site reviews hosts in the free, budget, and premium categories, and includes tips to help you avoid getting tipped off www.webhostmagazine.com

Start a Discussion Mailing List

It really is a small world when you can bond with people on any continent. Yahoo Groups offers numerous groups for membership, or you can create your own and invite others to join. Read postings via individual e-mail messages or daily e-mail digests, or view them at the Yahoo site. groups.yahoo.com

Take a Poll for Your Group Events

Evite, which has been around for a while, is still the easiest and cheapest way (it's free) to organize a social or club event and send out e-mail invitations. But it also lets you conduct an online poll. Group members can vote anonymously, and results are tallied and e-mailed to you after the dosing date. www.evite.com/polling

Update Your Drivers

Drivers are essential to the smooth operation of your PC and peripherals, but companies are updating them all the time, often rendering the new devices you purchase inoperable without the latest versions installed. Drivers Headquarters' $30 Driver Detective (see find.pcworld. com/32444) inventories the drivers already installed on your machine and downloads updates when vendors make them available. www.drivershq.com.

Search Google in a Flash

Download and install the Google Toolbar, and you can run searches through your Internet Explorer browser without going to the Google page first. The Google Toolbar not only lets you search the Web, but it also helps you search the page you're currently viewing, highlight and unhighlight your search terms on that page, or pull up Google's cached version of the current page. It even translates foreign-language pages. toolbar.google.com

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