Some Cool sites I use constantly- and little known Google features

Hello and good day to all my AR friends! I am often asked what websites I use for what. In my office and my local RE community I am the resident computer geek. Not a title I am proud of until I can pass on some of the rewards of that. So I have decided to compile a list of my favorite websites and what they do. If you could take a few minutes out of your day to check some of these out, I'm sure you will find something new that you really like.

1.  Pandora.com -Possibly one of my favorite websites of all time. Pandora unravels the mystery of why we like what music we like, in such an intuitive way that shortly after beginning to create your own radio stations you will be hearing songs you didn't know you liked, and songs you forgot you loved. The way it works is you start by entering one song or artist that you like. Now it will play music that has similar traits to the song or artist you chose, and you simply vote thumbs up or down like Ebert and Roper and before you know it Pandora has figured you out. Oh yeah, it helps if Pandora plays a song you despise, if you click the up arrow and tell it"I don't like this song, it's not what this station should play. You can build 100 radio stations for free based on different music, name them what you like and even share them after getting them perfect to show off to your friends how refined your taste in music has become. Well worth every second as the returns are endless!
2. Google.com - I use Google for so much. The list of services provided for free by Google grows everyday. Not only that but their new tools keep me looking forward to possible applications of new technologies. The first thing I use Google for is GMAIL. Gmail is one of the best free email programs! I love it, you can talk between friends/contacts on your web cam, you can use Gmail with another feature called Gspace which allows you to store documents in your available free space in your Gmail account allowing you to have documents centrally available. I usually keep all of my MLS forms, and listing flyers in my Gspace for quick access from wherever I am. Analytics seams to be more accurate with statistical data having to do with web traffic than my Advanced Access statistics. Not to mention the beautiful GUI that is sure to give you the comprehensive presentation of your web stats. Google MAPS is no secret on this planet. A well used tool, I use this constantly, and it replaced mapquest a long time ago for me due to all the added features that surpass mapquest, such as the ability to search locally for businesses like a phone directory, and allowing you to get directions, as well as links to business websites and allowing you to search by category within an area within the attractive GUI. Another feature of Google Maps is the new traffic feature for Metro users who actually have to confront traffic this would be useful, but does not apply to the Eugene, OR area! Images search capabilities are awesome to find that perfect picture in seconds to add the punchline to that inner-office gag-email. Be careful with this feature not to reuse any pictures that are copyrighted for commercial purposes (AR posts). Amateur photos uploaded to the net for public display tend to not have the same level of protection. See the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 for more information on avoided copyright infringement. Google's new baby Blogspot.com just came out of Beta, and is what I use for my free blogging. Sure you have the name blogspot.com in your URL, but you would be amazed how well Google indexes these sites. You want to see some quick gains in search results, some careful blogging with attention towards your keywords will have you ranking in the top 10 with just a few moths of effort. Google also has a really cool mobile phone app for GMAIL that allows you to check you email through your phone quickly without entering any login information. This is essential to me to stay connected when I do not own a PDA or BlackBerry. I rely strictly on my Laptop and Cell phone. With the right phone you don't need a PDA or Blackberry. Look into Google GMAIL Mobile.    Google Video Search is awesome if you saw something on the news or heard about something and want to find it. I can find a story on any topic through Google Video. Heavily indexes YouTube since Google's acquisition of it. RSS feed Aggregator built into your home page! I use this daily as well. I keep all of the real estate news feeds on my main page, and all of my feeds on a separate page, then I have widgets on a third page with all of my favorite tools, like a live dictionary, Clock, Horoscope!, Local Weather forecast, Local Gas Station Prices with a search feature that allows you to put in your location and find the nearest-cheapest gas,. I also use GOOGLE BASE,  another online classified site, but this one allows you to place up to 20MB of content with the add. I can post virtual tours up here, have my Home Buyer's handbook available for download, have links to all of my websites and web commercials etc. Cool stuff!
3. Homefeedback.com If you haven't got on board with this product yet, you might want to consider it. There slogan is so true, once you have a homefeedback system automated you can remove yourself from any of the blame for not getting feedback after a showing. Not to mention sometimes you will get those comments you really need that another Realtor might not say over the phone or in person, such as, house stinks, outside is in poor condition. We have had many successes with Homefeedback, and the nice graphs it makes of our feedback results are great to show your sellers during the listing and after the close. "look, I showed your property to 25 people in 2 weeks, and got feedback from 20 of them, and 85% thought it was priced to high, now Mr. seller, they are right and we need to lower the price."
4. Lycos.oodle.com - Another great online classified posting site that is free. We are focused on advertising with zero overhead cost and high returns.
   
5. Craigslist.com - No secret here, but what you may not be using CL for is reverse prospecting. When and if, I find myself with some free time, I will get on CL and see who is looking for a home, and send them an email reply to their post offering them free information on purchasing a home. I have closed deals from this method. Have any of You?? Beware sending spam. If their post says not ok to reply to this ad with professional services then you might want to avoid that one. Also, place an ad in the professional services area that says you are the best agent in your area. CL is heavily indexed site, your results will end up pushing you up in your Google rating.
6. MYSPACE.COM TV - I'm sure you already know about Myspace, if not, you should come back to the planet now, or pull your head out from under the rock you've been hiding under. What many do not know though, is how many websites allow you to watch HD tv over the net. MYSPACE has joined these ranks with a slew of FOX TV on demand virtually commercial free. I use this to catch up on Prison Break, 24, The War At Home, etc. Check it Out!
   
7. AOLVideo - Though i still have hard feelings towards AOL for a billing problem we had back in Dial up days (they would not stop billing me after cancelling!) I will never pay them a dime for any service, so its a good thing they are giving something away with this video site. You can find ABC tv shows like Lost available, as well as many more videos. Cool Site.
8. Wolfgangsvault.com - Becoming popular quick, this site allows you to play several famous and even infamous concerts from stars like Jimi Hendrix, Fleetwood Mac, The Band, The Allman Brothers. Registration is free, and these classic performances are preserved, available at your fingertips for all of time. No more dusting off the records.
9. Wiki.com -When you want some quick encyclopedic type information, this site will search all of the indexed wikis for your information.
10. GODUCKS.COM - I am a long time U of O Ducks fan being that the University is right here in Eugene, OR. This site keeps me informed as to how well my Ducks are doing in each sport.
    
11. Less worth mentioning are these often used more popular sites; Trulia.com, Zillow.com, Windows live Expo, Facebook, Wannanetwork, Linkedin, and openoffice.org for your free open source office software.