Business Credit Cards

By Christina Laun

Researching family history used to mean spending hours pouring through archives in libraries and public records. With the growing power of the Internet, however, now you may not even have to leave your home to find the information you need about your family. There are loads of sites dedicated to helping people build their family histories, find records and even learn the origins of their family names. Here are a few sites where you can start your search to build a bigger, better family tree.

Websites

These major sites can be a great starting points for your genealogical research.

1. Ancestry.com: Ancestry.com is one of the largest genealogy sites on the Web, with billions of names that you can search through to find your relatives as well as gain access to historical records, genealogy communities, family tree makers and much more.
2. RootsWeb: Unlike many of the online genealogy sites, RootsWeb is free to use, and you do not need to pay a monthly or yearly fee for access. Users can browse through searchable databases of historical and genealogical information as well as create online family trees to display their findings.
3. Geneaology.com: This membership-based site will allow you to search through information, build online family trees, subscribe to certain types of information, and even look at celebrity family trees.
4. SurnameWeb: This online genealogy project is based solely on the history of your surname. Simply enter in your last name and you’ll get access to loads of resources that can help you trace your name’s history and find others with the same name.
5. Family Tree Maker Online: Get access to more features online with the website for this popular software choice. Owners of Family Tree Maker can meet and talk to others with the program, read a blog about new features and learn more about genealogy.
6. US GenWeb Project: This project is dedicated to keeping genealogy research free of charge. It compiles loads of free resources and archives by state as well as providing access to special projects the group works on.
7. Cyndi’s List: Don’t waste your time scouring the Web looking for genealogy resources. This site organizes just about anything you could need into one large comprehensive guide to the best of genealogy on the Web.
8. Lost Cousins: Find your long lost cousins with this site. Enter in your family history and the program will put you in touch with anyone else out there who shares the same ancestors.
9. WeRelate: This wiki project is sponsored by the Foundation for On-Line Genealogy and has grown to become the largest genealogy wiki out there. You can add your own family history to the site and look at the information provided by millions of others.
10. FamilySearch: This site is home to one of the largest collections of genealogical research tools available. Even better, it’s free, so you don’t have to pay to look through their records.
11. GeneaNet: Go international with this multi-lingual genealogy site. You’ll be able to search through information, chat with others and build your own family tree online.
12. Genealogy Today: Here, researchers will find both pay and free databases for their use as well as access to loads of informative articles, guides and helpful information.

Archives and Records

Get access to all kinds of historical records through these online archives.

13. Library of Congress Local History and Genealogy Reading Room: Take advantage of one of the largest libraries in the United States through this website. You’ll gain access to any genealogical resources the library has and learn a little more about researching family histories.
14. National Archives and Records Administration: While not always the easiest information to peruse, the National Archives are full of records that can be a big help in your quest for information about relatives.
15. Social Security Death Index: If you’re looking for more recent relatives, the Social Security Death Index can be a great way to find them. Records go back to 1937 and cover any relatives who were given a Social Security number.
16. Internment.net: Search through thousands of cemeteries nationwide for the graves of your relatives. You can find out birth and death information as well as additional information about family connections through this site.
17. Access Genealogy: This free online resource is full of archives you can use. It covers everything from Census records to genealogical records for African Americans.
18. Footnote: Footnote is an original and innovative site that lets users from all over the world upload original documents and photographs. You may even be able to find some that belonged to your relatives. It’s a great way to learn about your own history as well as that of others.
19. Genealogy Bank: You’ll be able to search through the archives on this site to find information on your family history. Perhaps one of the best features, however, is the timeline creator which lets you build a timeline of important events in a family member’s life.
20. Find a Grave: Learn where even your most distant relatives were laid to rest with this tool. If you have photographs you can upload them to the site as well as obituaries and other death information.
21. DocumentsOnline: Those doing research on relatives from the UK can take advantage of this large archive of records that has been digitized and is available through the website for researchers.
22. JewishGen: If you are of Jewish heritage you may be able to find information about your ancestors through this site. You can search through records from a number of countries and get in touch with others keeping records of their family history.
23. Global Gazetteer: Find the homes and resting places of your family members using this site. It has satellite images of locations all over the world to give you an idea of where you’re from.
24. Census Links: Census records can be tedious to go through, but this site combines many links to sites all over the world to make it just a little less painful to research.
25. The Records Room: This site combines links to records like birth certificates, census reports, marriage and divorce papers, and much more to make finding the information you need easier.
26. Vital Rec: Here you’ll find vital records on births, deaths and marriages across the US as well as information on how you can request copies of this information.

Crests and Coats of Arms

Find out what coat of arms represents your family name with these helpful resources.

27. House of Names: Memorialize your family crest with merchandise from this site. You can get high quality print outs or even mouse pads with your family logo.
28. All Family Crests: Here you’ll find a simple search tool to help you find a crest, if there is one, that matches up with your family name and you can print it out for free.
29. Coats of Arms and Family Crests: Find simple renditions of your coat of arms with this easy-to-use site.

Charts and Forms

Keep your family tree information organized and accessible with these tools for charting relationships online and off.

30. OurTimeLines.com: Here you’ll be able to generate interesting webpages that can give you some insight to the lives of your ancestors. It shows how your life or the lives of anyone in your family fits into major events in history.
31. Online Family Tree Maker: This free software allows you to connect with others who may already have parts of your family tree online or to start your own. People can then search through your tree for information and you can do the same with theirs.
32. Geni.com: This sleek and easy-to-use site gives you access to an online family tree maker. It’s private, so only people in your family will have access to the information.
33. Genealogy Forms and Charts: Get all the charts and forms that professional genealogists use through this site. They’re free to download, print and use at your discretion.
34. My Family Health Portrait: Chart your family’s medical history with this site. You’ll be able to see where certain risks for illnesses may have come from and create a more comprehensive family health history.
35. SharedTree: This open source site allows users to create free online family trees and to share their information with other researchers.

Networking

Meet others looking to find out more about their family histories on these sites. Who knows, you might even find a distant relative!

36. CousinConnect: On this site you’ll be able to submit questions about family members you’re looking for or search through other peoples’ queries to see if you can answer any of their questions.
37. GenCircles: Here you’ll be able to upload your family tree and share it over the Web. You’ll also be able to talk with others using the program and exchange information and ask questions.
38. Past Connect: Looking for long lost family heirlooms, photos and documents? You may be able to find them on this site, which collects and lists loads of information floating around out there and can put you in touch with the current owners.
39. National Genealogical Society: Meet and greet thousands of people nationwide who are into researching family histories with this site.
40. GenSwap: This feature of Family Reunion.com allows users to exchange their information for help or information from other users out there.
41. Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness: This organization is dedicated to helping members get the information they need through exchange. One member will do work in their neck of the woods in exchange for help doing research for another member.

Web Tools

These tools can help inform you and make your research a little easier.

42. Diigo: This Web highlighter and sticky notes app can help you keep track of all the information you’re finding on different websites all over and keep it organized and easier to reference.
43. Roots Television: This site is entirely dedicated to genealogy and features a number of informative videos that can help educate you on how to improve your search techniques.
44. One Step Webpages: Steve Morse has taken the work out of accessing loads of online records. Here you’ll find records like those from Ellis Island broken down and ordered so that they’re much easier to look through.
45. WorldCat: This resource will make it easy to find books, movies, articles and more at a library near you, or let you know where the nearest location of these items is. There is a Firefox plug-in for this site as well.
46. Family Tree DNA: Take genealogy to the next level by tracking not only records but the actual DNA of your family as well. This site provides the largest resource of DNA records to date.
47. PAF 5.2: The Church of Latter Day Saints has put together this great research tool. It’s free to download and use, and can help you organize and find loads of information.
48. Pedigree Soft: Organize your family history with this free software. You can also share it with the world by uploading it to the web.
49. Clooz: This database program makes it much easier to keep track of all your genealogical information with loads of templates for storing records as well as convenient reports you can print out.
50. Bygones: Take advantage of this freeware program which is designed to help researchers take and keep together their notes from genealogical research.

By Jessica Hupp

Even in its short history, the Internet has gone through serious growth, often shedding old content for new developments. The Wayback Machine offers an archive of what used to be, and the results of searches on the machine are often quite fun. Here are our suggestions for amusing and useful ways to use the machine for yourself.

1. Find old friends: Reconnect with old chat buddies from your early days online.
2. Find a manual for your obsolete product: Have you bought a discontinued item on eBay? Get the manual from the manufacturer’s old website.
3. Take a look at your own site’s growth: Enjoy a trip down memory lane as you track how your site has grown over time.
4. Create a scavenger hunt: Design a fun hunting game that uses the Wayback Machine to find quirky bits from yesterday’s Internet.
5. Track the commercialization of the Internet: Marvel at how the Internet has become a great tool for marketing and sales.
6. Check out your site’s history: If you bought your domain name from someone, see what it looked like before you got your hands on it.
7. Research a website you’d like to buy: The Wayback Machine is an excellent domainer research tool. Find out if a seller is yanking your chain about any statistics and history by plugging it into the archive.
8. Find old school photos: Check out your old school’s online newsletter to find dorky photos of yourself.
9. Save a lost site: If your hosting company dropped off the face of the earth, use the Wayback Machine to recover some of your work.
10. Reminisce about your old resume: Find your old online resume and enjoy a look back at old jobs.
11. Create an Internet timeline: Track the Internet’s history, or your own, complete with screenshots.
12. Review the history of Internet porn: Take a look at how online porn has evolved over the years.
13. Research conspiracy theories: Sites may be taken down, but with the archive, you can still see what others may not have wanted you to find.
14. Clear your name: If someone accuses you of stealing information, prove to them you had it online first.
15. Find old crappy GIFs: Remember when the Internet was full of stupid smiley animations? Check out the Wayback Machine to snag a few and harass people with them.
16. View a suspended site: Did you go to check out a cool site, only to find out the owner didn’t pay their bill, or overloaded the server? Use the Wayback Machine to pull it up.
17. Show punk kids how cool you used to be: Know a kid who thinks MySpace is about the coolest thing the Internet has ever done? Let them take a look at some of your old favorite sites.
18. Settle a bet about who’s been online longer: Show your buddy that you found the Internet 4 months before he did by finding old forum posts.
19. Create a PDF copy of an old ezine: Retrieve old issues, and preserve them for later reading.
20. Learn from bad design: Take a look at sites from the early Internet to learn about what not to do.
21. Reminisce about your old dotcom job: Visit your dot-com’s defunct site and think about the way things used to be.
22. Compare historical prices: Find out how much a seller paid for the item you’re buying today.
23. Compare page versions: Analyze how a page has changed by comparing two versions side by side.
24. Retrive lost content: Find your old resume, papers, and more.
25. Check out stock prices: See how stock prices have risen and fallen in the past decade or so.
26. Nail a content thief: Prove that you published content before a thief did, and you’ve got a rock solid case against them.
27. Make fun of old predictions that never came true: Find sites that predicted the sky would fall on a certain day, and laugh when you realize that day was 5 years ago.
28. Enjoy pre-coverage of Y2K: Read press releases and worried postings about how Y2K was supposed to screw everything up.
29. Figure out why you dropped in search engine rankings: Take a look at old stuff that used to work to your advantage, and figure out what you need to bring back.
30. Take a look at past elections: Revisit the hype of now-forgotten candidates of elections past.
31. Marvel at the early years of the Internet: In the Web Pioneers collection, you can see some of the sites that shaped the Internet.
32. Blackmail: This one’s easy. Just find something embarassing on your friend, and screenshot it for future blackmailing.
33. Check out old promotional sites: See how sites like McDonald’s and Pepsi jumped on the Internet in the early years.
34. See how generic domain names have evolved: Take a look at the way sites like Porn.com and Milk.com have changed over the years.
35. Find embarassing old photos: Get photos that have been long taken down, and use them to torture friends and family.
36. See ads for old cars: Remember what your car looked like when it was brand new.
37. Research historical prices: See how the cost of software and more has gone up through the years.
38. Research potential employees: Before you hire someone, see if you can dig up any dirt on them with the machine.
39. Find deleted LiveJournal entries: Did someone delete a particularly juicy entry? Find it with the Wayback Machine.
40. Check out pre-”404″ pages: Satisfy your curiosity and find out what existed before a page went bad.
41. Laugh at failed business plans: Check out past business plans of corporations that failed.
42. Find the goofy website your boss built: Discover your boss’ old crappy website devoted to cats.
43. Research the past of political candidates: See what political candidates were saying a few years ago.
44. Check out wedding websites of divorced couples: See the calm before the storm, and look for signs of impending doom.
45. Research religious wackos: Find out what crazy ideas cults and other strange religious groups have published in the past.
46. Find out how long your competitor has been established: Figure out whether or not your “first on the web” claim stands up.
47. Preserve old sites for nostalgia’s sake: If you miss old communities, save your own copy of them with the machine.
48. Find old news stories: Check out breaking news coverage now that it’s not so “breaking” anymore.
49. See how big name web sites used to look amateur: Check out sites that have become large, but started out very small.
50. Check out dot-com casualties in their heyday: See what failed sites like Pets.com used to look like.

By Laura Milligan

Shuffling through the thousands of WordPress add-ons and widgets takes up way more time than most bloggers have. To give you a jump start on improving your blog on everything from understanding how to market to your readers to learning new formatting tricks, we’ve generated this list of the 100 most useful WordPress add-ons available so that you can stop searching and start blogging.

Publishing and Formatting

Make your blog easy to read and manage with these super smart formatting hacks.

1. Post Thumb Revisited: Turn your posts into thumbnails for easy display and organization.
2. Exec-PHP: This plugin adds the php code into your posts and widgets.
3. WP Post Icon: To make designing your blog less complicated, use this add-on to pick certain topic icons and images which will be automatically inserted when you write a post.
4. DJ E-mail Publish: This app sends your new post to all of your other blogs via e-mail.
5. Mowser WordPress Mobile: Accommodate your iPhone and BlackBerry readers by installing this plugin, which redirects them to Mowser.com, a site that displays blogs in a mobile friendly format.
6. WP Widget Changer: Set up different widgets for each page without having to change the anchor widget’s code.
7. Collapsible Elements: Use Collapsible Elements to add a button to create a code for multiple collapsible elements.
8. WP CSS Text Stroke: Make your pages easy to read even when text appears ” on a non-uniform coloured background.” Text will show up as black letters on a white background.
9. Raw HTML: Bloggers wanting more control over formatting can use this plugin to any coding method, including raw HTML when writing posts.
10. Google (XML) Sitemaps Generator: If you want a sitemap that works with Google and your WordPress blog, as well as Yahoo! and MSN Search.
11. Advanced Excerpt: Publish excerpts without ruining HTML markup or messing up your formatting.
12. WP-Table: Create functional tables for your WordPress blog with this app without having to manually write in plain text mode or risk messing up your formatting.

Comments and Reader Communication

From feeds to comments, keep in touch with your readers by taking advantage of these applications.

13. Get Recent Comments: Easily view your most recent comments with this app.
14. Add to Any Subscribe Button: Readers using any feed reader will be able to subscribe to your blog easily with this plugin.
15. DeCat: If you want to leave out a post or category from your RSS feeds, hide it with this app.
16. DMS Guestbook: This customizable guest book lets bloggers set hidden text like IP addresses, design their own language templates, set up mandatory fields in the guest book and more.
17. SimplePie 2.1: Manage your feeds by setting up multiple templates, accessing support for several different feeds, automatic set up of cache folders and more.
18. RSS Image Widget: Display images from your posts in RSS feeds with this widget. The SimplePie plugin is required.
19. Top Commentators Widget: Originally designed as the Show Top Commentators plugin at the Personal Financial Advice site, this app has been adapted for all WordPress blogs. You’ll be able to display your blog’s top commentators, which advertises archived posts, encourages readers to comment and more.
20. Comment Sorter: More effectively manage and organize your comments with this add-on.
21. Contact Form 7: This contact form works with AJAX and features spam security from Akismet. Bloggers can also set up multiple contact forms with this app.
22. Vote It Up: Let users vote for or against your posts with this simple add-on.
23. Ajax Comment Posting: This user-friendly Ajax comment app lets readers post comments without having to refresh the page. It also double checks reader’s comments to make sure they filled out the form correctly.
24. Easy Gravatars: Give your readers the opportunity to leave a more personal impression when they comment on your blog. This app allows gravatars to be displayed when readers comment on your posts.
25. Quick SMS: Readers can now get in touch with you via your cell phone when you install this app. Messages are sent directly to your registered mobile device via supported networks all over the world, including the UK, India, Japan, the Netherlands, South Africa, the U.S. and more.

Understanding Statistics

Get to know your readers and revamp your marketing techniques when you use these apps that collect information about visitor demographics.

26. Official StatCounter Plugin: Features that come with this plugin include an invisible counter option, a configurable counter, search engine wars, keyword analysis and statistical information found on popular entry and exit pages.
27. Feed Master: Feed Master is another app that lets you understand your reader demographics.
28. StatPress: Designed just for WordPress, this app displays information about your readers, so you know which kinds of Web surfers you’re attracting.
29. FeedStats: Find out exactly who your readers are by researching their stats with this button.
30. Googmonify: This marketing tool allows bloggers to add Google AdSense units into your posts as well as give you “accurate” information about your readers’ statistics.
31. WassUp: This real-time plugin features a current visitors online display system and a visitor details view that lets you analyze reader data and stats.
32. Counterize II: This statistics counting add-on has no external libraries, “and can display total hits, unique hits and other statistics in WordPress webpages.”
33. GeneralStats: This plugin “counts the number of users, categories, posts, comments, pages, links, tags, link-categories, words in posts, words in comments and words in pages,” giving bloggers an inclusive look at their reader demographics and an analysis of the blog itself.

Connecting with the Outside Online Community

From photo sites to Facebook, use these add-ons to connect with the outside online community via your WordPress blog.

34. Fu4ny’s Blogroll Widget: Organize your blogroll in XHTML with this widget.
35. Your WordPress Is In My FaceBook: Start blogging through Facebook with this app.
36. WordPress Fotolog Widget: Fotolog users can use this unique widget to display thumbnails of recently added Fotolog photos.
37. Amazon Showcase: Whether you’re selling items on Amazon.com or just want to highlight a particular product, use this widget to display items clearly.
38. MyTwitter: Twitter users can show readers their recent “tweets” on their WordPress blogs with this app.
39. Link Harvest: This smart tool “will go through all of your posts and pages and compile a list of all external links. Then it will create a live updating linkroll for you, based on your actual linking activity.”
40. Blogroll Autolinker: Turn names from your blogroll into links that appear when you write about or refer to the selected author.
41. Sociable: This very simple tool adds links to your posts which connect readers to sites like Facebook, Digg and StumbleUpon.
42. Slashdigglicious: Make it easy for your readers to submit their favorite posts to social bookmarking sites when you install this app.
43. FlickrFaves: Recruit new readers by publishing your favorite Flickr photos on your WordPress blog.
44. jPic WordPress Widget: Use this widget to link to photos you find on the Web.
45. Facebook Comments: Sync up your Facebook comments with your WordPress blog using this plugin.
46. Wordbook: Update your Facebook friends with your most recent WordPress posts. Bloggers can also add posts via Facebook Mini-Feed.

Marketing Add-ons

Use these tools to spread the word about your blog in general or about each of your posts.

47. Digg This: Many bloggers already have this button at the end or beginning of each of their posts. The code for adding it to your blog can be found here.
48. Reddit for WordPress Plugin: Don’t limit your readers to just Digg-ing you; add this Reddit button to improve your ranking on other sites too.
49. Gregarious: Gregarious lets bloggers easily add buttons for different social bookmarking sites like Digg and Reddit. Bloggers can choose to customize the buttons’ designs and play around with the Share This plugin.
50. Del.icio.us Bookmark This!: Encourage your readers to vote for your posts on Del.icio.us by adding this app.
51. Live Space Sync: WordPress bloggers and Live Spaces users can connect their accounts to update posts on both sites.
52. Bookmarkify: This app is able to connect readers to over 50 social bookmarking sites where they can add your posts and improve your ranking.
53. Email+ from Grouptivity: Get the word out about your blog by adding an “Email this” button after each post.
54. LiveJournal Crossposter: This app automatically updates users’ LiveJournal profiles with their newest WordPress blog posts.
55. Last.FM Events: If you’ve got a gig coming up on Last.FM, advertise to your readers with this widget.
56. WP Tags to Technorati: If you’re tired of coming up with new tags for every bookmarking site and blog directory, use this add-on to automatically create Technorati tags from your posts.

Moneymaking Apps

Monetize your blog by making the most of programs like AdSense and Kontera. These widgets and add-ons will make it easier to manage your funds.

57. AdSense Manager: Add a flexible AdSense widget to your WordPress blog with this plugin. You can easily manage ads and show all your readers that you’re open to displaying their logos and messages…for a price.
58. Kontera Ad Wrap: Manage which pages and parts of your blog display your Kontera ContentLink ads with this app.
59. All in One Adsense and YPN: This open source plugin “is able to automatically insert Google AdSense ads or Yahoo Publisher Network (YPN) ads into your posts on the fly.”
60. AdSense Revenue Sharing 1.1: If your blog is run by or written by several different people, use this app to divide up revenue from AdSense profits.
61. Are PayPal: Use PayPal to monetize your blog with this app.
62. Who Sees Ads?: Control which readers can see your ads by using this add-on.
63. AdServe: As WordPress’ official advertising server, AdServe lets users set up banner campaigns and easily track statistics.

Adding Style and Customizable Plugins

Personalize your blog with these simple plugins and widgets that give your pages a fun but sleek look.

64. Countdown Timer: This feature is especially attractive for bloggers tracking weight loss progress or budgeting goals. You can add several different dates to which you’re counting down.
65. bSuite: This set of apps gives bloggers more control over designing their pages “and leverage[s] WP as an application platform.”
66. Image Caption: Titled images will be displayed as a caption when you install this application. Image Caption also supports MyCSS, custom CSS, and automatically formats captions so that they are displayed in the appropriate width and height on your blog.
67. Add Your Own Headers: Design your own headers by background, text, image, and other options. Bloggers can also add tags to the headers with this plugin.
68. Feed Styler: Create a different design for your feeds with this app.
69. File Icons: This add-on displays icons by CSS before links that appear on your blog.
70. WP Vivitiger Image Resizer: Cut and crop images so that they fit into your blog more cohesively.
71. WP Vault: Use this tool to “upload and store any type of files” you want. The Vault also lets bloggers browse files with Ajax, resize images to make them load faster, organize files with tags and more.
72. p2p Converter: Convert posts to pages with this simple add-on.
73. Extension Manager: Manage your blog’s themes and add-ons with this valuable tool. Admins can also easily search their account for different plugins.

Organization

Make the most of WordPress features like categories and archives by supplementing them with the following tools.

74. Extended Live Archive: Organize your past posts with this in-the-works plugin.
75. AddThis Sidebar Widget: Clean up your pages by adding this widget, which “adds the feed subscription and/or social bookmarking buttons from AddThis to your sidebar.”
76. Advanced Category Excluder: Implement CMS-like functionality into your WordPress blog and regain full control over your page organization and category listings.
77. Flexi Pages Widget: This “highly configurable WordPress sidebar widget” lists pages and sub-pages, allowing for easy navigation and organization.
78. Admin Links Widget: Add links to certain administrative functions on your sidebar.
79. No Widget Category Cloud: Organize your categories in a cloud-like format without installing a widget.
80. Cleaner Dashboard: Tidy up your dashboard with this tool, which removes WordPress Nws and gives your sidebar four columns.
81. Smarter Archives: Use a template tag to organize your archives page. Bloggers will see a row for each year and then a link to each month in the above year.
82. Flexo Archives Widget: This expandable archive display lets bloggers display the number of posts written each month and saves room on the page.

Multimedia

Have fun sharing videos, songs and other multimedia favorites with your readers by implementing these add-ons.

83. WordPress Video Plugin: This add-on makes it easy to add videos from sites like YouTube, Google Video, Yahoo! Video, SlideShare, Metacafe and more.
84. IM Online: This add-on shows readers when you’re online so that they can reach you via instant messaging on AOL, MSN, Yahoo!, Jabber, Skype and more.
85. 1 Bit Audio Player: 1 Bit Audio Player is touted as a “very simple and lightweight Adobe Flash MP3 player with automatic JavaScript insertion.” Readers can listen to previews of music files that you link to in posts.
86. Inline mp3 Player: Connect links to mp3 files to media players that let your readers listen to music easily.
87. XHTML Video Embed: Add Flash content to your blog with this plugin.
88. EasyTube: This add-on “allows Wordpress users to easily embed YouTube and Google Videos using one simple tag.”
89. Viper’s Video Quicktags: This popular add-on makes adding videos from YouTube, Google Video, IFILM, Metacafe, MySpace and Vimeo extremely easy. Users just have to paste the video’s URL into a prompt box.

Security and Spam

Protect your blog from copyright infringement and spammers by installing these WordPress add-ons.

90. ©Feed: Add this plugin to your blog to protect yourself from copyright infringement. You can also search online for writers ripping off your content.
91. Feed Footer: This app lets you add copyright to your feed, HTML to your footer and display ads under blog posts in your RSS feed.
92. Tinfoil Hat: More effectively control how much of your information is sent over the Internet by WordPress.
93. Math Comment Spam Protection: Require your readers to answer a simple math problem in order to ward off comment spammers.
94. Simple Trackback Validation: This security add-on “performs a simple but very effective test on all incoming trackbacks in order to stop trackback spam.”
95. WP-Spam Free: This popular add-on is advertised as “one of the most effective anti-spam plugins for WordPress.” It protects bloggers against automated spam bots without prompting readers to solve math problems or enter in keywords.
96. Chap Secure Login: This privacy application encrypts your admin password when you work over an insecure network.

Miscellaneous

From automatic updates to creative navigation systems, here are more WordPress plugins that will make managing your blog simple and improve reader usability.

97. Plugin Updater: This plugin adds an “update now” button so that you can instantly update all of your WordPress add-ons easily.
98. Redirection: Keep track of 404 errors and maintain “full logs for all redirected URLs.”
99. WordPress Automatic Upgrade: Automatically upgrade your WordPress installation by adding on this tool, which also backs up your database and files.
100. Random Posts Widget: The Random Posts Widget “displays a list of random posts on your widgetized sidebar,” giving your readers a fun way to “channel surf” your blog.

By Laura Milligan

New communication and data storage technologies like VoIP and USB drives allow us to easily manage, share and transport large amounts of information without being tied down to a single location or clunky desktop. The ability to connect with friends, family, and business associates has made remote access a necessity in today’s world, but with that demand comes increased vulnerability to hackers, theft and privacy breaches. To make sure all of your data remains safe and secure, from private (and possibly incriminating) photos, e-mails and conversations to standard files on your computer’s hardware, we encourage you to research the following software programs, downloads and articles to better understand how data encryption can benefit your lifestyle.

Open Source Computer Software

Feel free to tool around with the encryption software in this list: if the version you download doesn’t work just right for your computer, add some new features and then post your version online for others to share.

1. TrueCrypt: This open source disk encryption software works with Windows Vista and XP, as well as Mac OS X and Linux operating systems. The software can encrypt USB drives as well as files and features a hidden volume security solution, which “cannot be distinguished from random data.”
2. AxCrypt: AxCrypt is a file encryption program for Windows operating systems that can be modified and redistributed by any developer.
3. GnuPG: This software is currently undergoing some revisions, but advanced developers may want to contribute to the updating process. Visit this site to learn about the latest news, controversy and installation guides surrounding GnuPG.
4. SWF Encrypt 4.0: Amayeta’s encryption tool SWF Encrypt 4.0 gives open source developers the protection they need to for Adobe Flash SWF files. The program works on PCs, Macs and C++ systems.
5. FreeOTFE: FreOTFE works on PCs by creating virtual disks that encrypt your files before copying them to the hard drive.
6. CrossCrypt 0.4.3: This “on the fly and offline encryption” solution works with Linux systems, Windows 2000, and Windows XP.
7. Cypherix: Cypherix uses the open source program Blowfish to carry out its commitment to “strong encryption.” The program works on all Windows operating systems.

Portable Storage Encryption

Portable storage devices like USB drives make it easy to move information from one computer to another; however, these little tools are also way too easy to lose. Make sure your data is protected even if your portable storage device is lost or stolen.

8. Thumbdrive Encryption: Watch this video from CNET TV to set up a thumbdrive encryption system.
9. CMG External Media Shield: This program, issued by CREDANT Technologies, aims to secure the data stored on devices like USB drives, iPods and external hard drives. Features include user-transparent encryption, policy-based intelligent encryption and more.
10. Pointsec Device Protector: Designed by Pointsec Mobile Technologies, the Pointsec Device Protector “can separately control the two-way flow of data between a PC or laptop and” portable devices like USB drives. The tool is highly customizable, allowing owners to list which storage devices and programs can be opened and which cannot.
11. Portable Storage Device Security: This article from ITtoolbox Blogs lists different ways to amp up security on portable storage devices.
12. ID Vault: GuardID’s ID Vault “provides multi factor authentication in the form of a USB security token with an embedded smart card chip,” according to About.com reporter Ryan Groom. This means that users can securely store password and sign-on information on the device and protect themselves from identity theft.
13. The Pros and Cons of Portable Storage: Before loading up your USB drive with confidential information read this article from SearchStorage.com to evaluate the risks associated with portable storage. The article also reviews different encryption software programs.
14. CruzerLock 2: This application can encrypt and decrypt folders and files on PCs and flash drives. Users can also share files via e-mail, copy-to-hard-drive-capabilities, on CDs and DVDs, and through network drives.
15. Thumb Drives are Too Often the Victims of Convenience: Read this article to find reviews of encryption software and to learn about the different ways USB encryption operates.
16. GuardianEdge Removable Storage Encryption: By supporting USB, FireWire, Floppy, CD and DVDs, the GuardianEdge Removable Storage Encryption features either 256- or 128-bit AES encryption of stored data and helps businesses avoid property loss and theft and other security threats.
17. SecurFlash: Issued by Encrypt, a BeCompliant Company, SecurFlash encrypts all types of files being stored on USB flash drives and removable hard drives.
18. KanguruMicro Drive AES: This device “is the only USB flash drive that meets federal requirements for insuring the confidentiality of sensitive dta and information accessed by portable flash drives.” The tool comes with an encrypted virtual disk that is password protected.
19. DeviceWall: This tool provides USB encryption, “simple and secure administration,” and access to a free data leakage prevention guide. The website also has information about portable storage security, USB lockdown and more.

Phone/VoIP Encryption

Whether you’re on your cell phone, landline or VoIP connection, your phone line probably isn’t as secure as you think it is. Try out these encryption devices and applications to tie up the loose ends and give eavesdroppers the boot.

20. Zfone: This popular product lets users encrypt their VoIP phone calls for private discussions.
21. Fast Guide: VoIP Encryption: New VoIP users can check out this beginner’s guide to understanding VoIP security issues.
22. How to Encrypt Your VoIP: Lifehacker provides this tutorial for VoIP users who want to make their calls more secure.
23. CryptoPhone 200/G10: Individuals and companies requiring ultimate wiretapping protection can benefit from this phone from Navastream. The phone features AES256 protection, an encryption key that is destroyed after each call and secure talk time for up to 3 1/2 hours.
24. Videoconference Encryption Service: Also a Navastream product, this service ensures secure, private videoconferencing communications.
25. PhoneCrypt: This product claims to provide “military grade encryption” capabilities. The product works on Windows-based Smartphones and encrypts conversations in real time.
26. Nokia E61 Encrypted Cell Phone: This phone comes with a hefty price tag, but individuals wanting serious security will want the 256 bits random key feature and BlackBerry Connect compatibility.
27. Babylon nG: Babylon nG is an application that “runs on a switch network which allows private communication to take place between users.” It also features a 256-bit algorithm for solid encryption.

Images

Whether you want to use an image to hide certain information or just keep others from accessing personal photos, check out this list to see how images can be used for encryption purposes.

28. FreeCrypt: This software program encrypts all kinds of files, including personal photos and digital archives.
29. EyeMage IIE: This free software encrypts files in bitmap images. Users can even “hide photos in photos” and share secure files.
30. HIP Hide in Picture 2.1: Hide files in bitmaps and GIF formats to keep them safe.
31. Androsa File Protector: Androsa File Protector is a free-to-use program that encrypts all kinds of files, including images and file videos.

Computer Encryption

Keep your personal and professional files safe by implementing these security solutions into your computer. You still be able to share files with clients and friends, but outside parties won’t be able to spy on your documents.

32. Advanced File Lock 5: Encrypt all of your files, including images and movie files, with the Advanced File Lock.
33. Kryptos 2: This user-friendly system encrypts and decrypts files on PCs and portable storage devices. It also comes with a file shredding feature for ultimate security.
34. RoboForm 6.9: Secure your password information with this program, which automatically remembers and fills in password forms for you on Web sites.
35. AutoKrypt: Use AutoKrypt to perform encryption and decryption tasks on all of your files. The system also features a key store to help you manage keys, as well as zipping, unzipping, synchronizing and file monitoring capabilities.
36. Folder Lock 5.8.2: Quickly “password-protect, lock, hide and encrypt any number of files, folders, drives, pictures and documents” with this version of Folder Lock. You can use the program on USB drives, CD-RWs, disks, hard disks and more.
37. WinXAR 1.1: This encryption software also lets users share folders and files. The program works on Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP and 2003.
38. Crypt4Free 4.6.16: This download relies on Blowfish, DESX and “Quick Wipe” to protect all kinds of files and medium, including zip drives.
39. Cryptmage: Download Cryptmage here to access simple file encryption capabilities and a “proprietary algorithm to secure your files from preying eyes.”
40. HandyBits EasyCrypto Deluxe: This software’s Version 5.5 is free to download, and users will be able to encrypt files and folders, as well as self-extracting zip archives.
41. Kryptel: Version 5.45 of Kryptel is compatible with Windows 95,98, ME, NT 4.0, 2000, XP and Vista. Users can encrypt files and entire folders, including their Documents folder.
42. Omziff: Encrypt textual data using Omziff by splitting files, creating random passwords, and utilizing algorithms like Blowfish and Twofish.
43. NOYBcription (1): Mac OS X users will benefit from this software program, which stands for None Of Your Business. The program encrypts individual files as well as entire folders, which can be sent securely over e-mail or saved on a flash drive.

Wi-Fi and E-mail

Close up open Wi-Fi and e-mail connections by downloading one of these software programs. You’ll be able to securely send e-mail attachments and log on to censored sites without anyone spying on you.

44. Hotspot Shield 1.01: Hotspot Shield “ensures anonymous and censor-free internet usage” by encrypting information that goes in and out of your computer. This version is currently free of charge.
45. SecureZIP: This product makes your e-mail messages and attachments secure against hackers. SecureZIP is compatible with Microsoft Outlook.
46. Iron Key: Send encrypted files over the Internet when you use Iron Key. Version 1.3 works with Windows operating systems and can delete files after they’ve been encrypted.
47. CryptoHeaven: This software program allows Mac users to “send and receive secure and anonymous email,” instant messages, information on message boards, document folders and more.
48. Email Encryption for the Lazy: Follow this guide to safely encrypt your email messages and attachments according to PGP.
49. MessageGuard: This app works with Outlook, Outlook Express and Network Solutions email accounts. Users only have to click on the “Send Secure” button to have their messages sent as encrypted emails.
50. PGP: Find different versions of the infamous PGP freeware here.

By Jessica Hupp

DIY offers a great way to take on personal projects and make things your own. Although often DIY focuses primarily on home improvement, the DIY ethic expands out to arts, technology, and so much more. Check out these categories and more in our list of DIY sites that’s sure to get you inspired to get up and make something yourself.

Home Improvement

In these sites, you’ll find fun and useful projects to take on at home.

1. DoItYourself: Check out this site’s featured projects for detailed DIY instructions.
2. Mike Holigan’s How-To Library: On this site, you’ll find loads of information for home building and remodeling.
3. DIY Homes: Learn about home improvement, repair and more from this site.
4. Acme How to: Learn how to do just about anything in your home, from plumbing to pest control.
5. HammerZone: Learn the art of handymanlyness on HammerZone.
6. DIY Fix It: On this site, you’ll get access to loads of guides and answers to your DIY questions.
7. HGTV: This site offers a great source for home improvement inspiration.
8. Home Improvement: Learn how to buy materials, save money, and more with this site.
9. Home Tips: Check out DIY projects for health and safety, plumbing, and so much more on Home Tips.
10. Home Doctor: Find DIY tips and projects on this home improvement site.
11. Hometime: Get step-by-step guides and more on this site.
12. Ask the Builder: On this site, you’ll get tips from home improvement guru Tim Carter.
13. HomeImprove: Find tips and ideas for home repair, remodeling, and more on this site.
14. Easy2DIY: Check out this site for animated tutorials that walk you through each project.
15. Bob Vila: Get DIY help from the master himself.
16. Curbly: Find cool design ideas in this DIY design community.
17. DIYnot: This DIY site is complete with a wiki, forum, and books.
18. Ikea Hacker: Ikea Hacker offers great ideas for getting more out of your Ikea furniture.
19. DIYonline: This site makes it easy to create your own design online.
20. DIY Ideas: Get inspiration for your home and garden with this site.

Arts & Crafts

Whether you want to learn how to make your own macro lens, or just find a knitting pattern, these sites will have what you’re looking for.

21. DIY Photography: Learn how to achieve looks and create your own studio gear with this site.
22. Love You Deer: Check out DIY clothing, arts, and crafts on this site.
23. Max is Now: Max is Now offers a great source for arts and DIY.
24. DIY Design It Yourself: Use this site to design your own books, Tshirts, and more.
25. Photojojo: Check out Photojojo to find fun photography hacks and DIY projects.
26. We Make Money Not Art: Check out DIY art projects and much more on this site.
27. Craftster: Find out what other crafters are up to in these forums.
28. Craftform: Showcase your work and check out what others have done on Craftform.
29. I-Craft: On this site, you can find your favorite crafts and save them in your craft box.
30. wiseNeedle: Get yarn reviews, advice, and more for knitters here.
31. Crafter’s Community: Find seasonal crafts, resources, and lots more on this site.
32. Get Crafty: Get Crafty features forums, how-tos, guides, and more cool crafty stuff.
33. Make Stuff: The crafts and projects on Make Stuff range from seasonal projects to gardening.
34. Craftown: Visit this crafters resource center for loads of projects and illustrated lessons.
35. Knitty: Check out Knitty for “little purls of wisdom.”
36. Craftzine: Figure out what to do with leftover Easter Peeps, plastic bags, and more.
37. Chic Knits: This site offers knitting patterns for clothes that don’t look anything like your Grandma’s wardrobe.
38. My Craft Book: Find easy and fun crafts on this site.

Tech

Find everything you want to know about hacking gadgets, electronics, and more from these sites.

39. Makezine: Learn how to make your own fun electronic and tech toys with this site.
40. Freedom to Tinker: Check out this site to learn how to modify and repair tech devices.
41. Hack This Site!: Test your hacking skills on the challenges presented in this site.
42. Popular Mechanics: This online magazine offers information on everything from green living to buying a car.
43. I-Hacked: Find new and exciting ways to make technology work for you with I-Hacked.
44. Gadget Hacks: Check out this site to get connected with all sorts of sites that offer hacking projects.
45. Layada: Visit this site to find all sorts of fun tech hacks.
46. Console Hacks: This site lists some of the best published hacks for consoles.
47. Hacked Gadgets: Visit Hacked Gadgets to learn how to get more out of your gadgets.
48. Inventgeek: This site celebrates reinvention, offering loads of fun and useful DIY projects.
49. DIY:Happy: Hack gadgets, software and more with DIY:happy’s guides.
50. Wired How-To Wiki: On this collaborative site, you’ll find tech projects, hacks, tricks, and tips.
51. Hack a Day: This site features a new hack every day.
52. MakeUseOf: Check out web apps, tools, and more on this DIY site.
53. DIY Live: Learn how to create and do things with technology using DIY Live.
54. Hack N Mod: Take on these awesome hacks, mods, and projects.
55. Zedomax: Find super-cool DIYs, hacks, and more on Zedomax.

Lifehacking

These sites present great ways to apply the DIY principle to everyday life.

56. Lifehackery: Check out Lifehackery to turn everyday objects into useful things.
57. DIY Planner: This community likes to take productivity into their own hands.
58. Productivity 101: Increase your personal productivity using tips and tools from this site.
59. Instigator Blog: Make more out of your ideas with the help of this blog.
60. 43 Folders: This blog, created by Merlin Mann, focuses on organization, productivity, and getting things done.
61. Life Optimizer: Become more successful and productive with this site.
62. Lifehacker: The Lifehacker blog offers lots of technology and productivity hacks designed to make your life easier.
63. Ririan Project: Check out this personal development blog to find out how you can apply DIY principles to your life.
64. Dumb Little Man: Here you’ll find loads of tips for productivity, projects, frugality, and more.
65. Aim for Awesome!: Find tips for awesome personal development on this site.
66. FlyLady: Aimed at housewives, FlyLady aims to help you get control of your home.
67. Business Hackers: Here you’ll find loads of information on how you can get work done quickly.
68. LifeDev: Take a DIY approach to life development using this site.
69. The Next 45 Years: Visit The Next 45 Years to learn about Lifehacking for the future.
70. HackCollege: HackCollege features all of the hacks a college student might want to know about-from “college drinking games to study skills.”
71. Get Rich Slowly: JD at Get Rich Slowly has lots of great ideas and advice for DIY frugality.
72. The Optimized Life: Use the tips you’ll find on this site to make your life the best it can be.
73. Frugal Hacks: This site turns DIY into frugality.
74. Zen Habits: Hack your life to zen with this site.
75. LifeClever: This site is always helpful, whether they’re teaching you to organize your workspace or just find cheap gas.
76. Mind Hacks: Get a look at what’s going on inside your mind, and take it to the next level with this site.
77. Write to Done: Learn how to hack writing with this incredibly helpful blog.
78. Wise Bread: Follow this site for great tips on DIY frugality.
79. Biz Plan Hacks: Use the tips from this site to make life as a business owner easier.
80. Christian Lifehacking: This blog features lifehack tips and tools focused on Christianity.
81. Lifehack: Lifehack’s posts focus on organization, inspiration, and productivity.
82. Study Hacks: This site offers lifehack advice for students.

General

Check out these sites to find anything and everything DIY.

83. DIY Life: Check out DIY Life for projects ranging from tech to home improvement.
84. wikiHow: Visit wikiHow to make use of the world’s largest collaborative how-to manual.
85. Instructables: Find out how to do projects from your peers on Instructables.
86. Hackszine: On Hackszine, you’ll find everything from Facebook to food.
87. Hints-n-Tips: Check out this site to find practical information for just about every topic out there.
88. SoYouWanna: Learn what you want to do on this advice site.
89. ReadyMade: On ReadyMade, you’ll learn how to make items for your home and more.
90. Daily DIY: Make and modify everyday items to create something great on this site.
91. Do It 101: Check out this site to learn about gardening, technology, health, and more.
92. ElephantStaircase: ElephantStaircase boasts a wiki as well as a number of different project pages.
93. How To Do Things: Learn how to do things ranging from raising earthworms to how to buy sod.
94. DIY Chatroom: Although this forum primarily focuses on home improvement, you’ll find great tips for computer repairs and upgrades as well as automotive repairs.
95. The Do-It-Yourself Channel: Visit Propeller’s DIY channel to find instructional information from around the web.
96. How2pointoh: Check out this blog for projects ranging from magnetic potholders to time lapsing.
97. Wikia DIY Culture: Find arts, crafts, games, and lots more in this source.
98. DIY Network: Find products, advice, and more for DIY projects through this network.
99. HowStuffWorks: Although it’s not exclusively a how-to site, HowStuffWorks will give you the insight you need to complete your DIY projects.
100. eHow: On this site, you’ll find out how to do nearly anything you can imagine.

By Jessica Hupp

The environment in which you work can have a profound effect on your level of motivation. Everything from the color of your walls to the way you position your desk can make an impact. Follow these 50 tips to improve your workspace, and you’ll be taking steps toward more productivity and motivation.

Feng Shui

Follow this ancient Chinese practice of arranging objects to create harmony.

1. Sit in a commanding position: In feng shui, the commanding position is one where you’re supported from behind and open from the front, so this means you’ll work facing the entrance to your work area.
2. Incorporate water into your office: Water features will keep you in tune with your desires and help you better become motivated to meet your goals.
3. Keep your doorway clear: Make sure you don’t obstruct your doorway, or you’ll block the flow of positive energy.
4. Look to inspiration: Don’t arrange your workspace so that you’re looking at clutter or unnecessary objects.
5. Define your personal area: Use a door or alert bell to make a clear definition of where your workspace begins and ends.
6. Rearrange your office frequently: Frequent changes in your work environment will keep you alert and on the ball.
7. Draw attention to your achievements