Bored?

We thought so. Why else would you be reading this, right? Haha… *sob sob sob*. Anywho… what better place is there to go when you’re bored than the site named after it? Bored.com links you to some incredible things you never knew you needed until they showed you. Kinda like the Song Tapper that’ll tell you what song you’re thinking of if you can tap out its beat, which is really a great idea (when it works). There are links to everything you could ever need to stem the approaching tide of boredom. Flash games, music, video, yadda, yadda, yadda. You get the picture. Basically it’s just a portal to the rest of the interwebs, but it’s definitely got links to some fun stuff. Plus, I don’t think it’s possible to be bored enough to forget the name.

By Ryan Squires

Woot Off!! – Ladies and Gentlemen Get Ready for 72 Hours of Deals

I am sure most of you have heard about, or are addicted to Woot.com. Their mission is simple, to offer one item at an unbeatable price per day. Every day a different item. Or as their slogan goes, “One Day, One Deal.” Once in a while, they mix things up a little by throwing what’s known as a “Woot Off”. During this period of generally 24 to 48 hours, new deals are posted after the previous item sells out. It creates a frenzy of buying along with heated discussions on what might come next. The holy grail of Woot Offs, Bags of Crap, are sometimes placed in as the featured deal. Priced at only $1, these grab bags can contain worthless trinkets, or possibly items worth hundreds of dollars, even a Nintendo Wii! Woot Offs are a great marketing technique as it forces buyers to purchase on impulse, fearing that the offer will disappear. There are even websites dedicated solely to Woot tracking information and updates, such as trackwoot.com and bagsofcrap.com. Anyway you look at it Woot.com is a fun and unique take on online shopping. And just a little hint, a Woot Off is going on right now, so hurry on over before you miss out! I already got my first woot, an emergency roadside kit worth $80.00, for only 17 bucks.

By Joe Famularo

Take a peek into Pandora’s box…

It’s been a bit since I’ve read up on my Greek folklore (read: never), so bear with me if this is a bit off. Pandora’s box was the last gift that the gods gave the human race. No one was quite sure what it would be, until somebody opened it and got sentenced to being eaten by vultures for the rest of eternity. Or something like that. Look it up. What am I a friggin’ encylopedia? ANYWAYS, Pandora is a lot like a modern-day, non-pagan, Web 2.0 version of that. In fact it wins the splOOg seal of approval as “Quite possibly the coolest thing ever”. Type in any band or song that you love, and it will find endless songs that are similar, and therefore awesome. Thanks to the lawyers, you can just have it play any old song that you want it to, but you can get it to play a song from an artist you like if you type in their name. It’s definitely worth a look. Check it out. Now. Please? I’ll be your best friend!

By Ryan Squires

Mail Those Old CD’s Out for Some Fresh Ones With lala.com

Trading instead of buying/selling seems to be what’s hot in today’s internet marketplace. Last week I reviewed a website, swaptree.com, that let users trade their old CD’s, DVD’s, and games with others for only the cost of shipping. Now, lala.com brings its own flavor to online trading posts. Instead of all media, lala focuses solely on music. They also charge a flat fee of $1.75 per trade, shipping included. Once you sign up, the company sends you a welcome package with five CD cases and mailers. Then, just add your CD’s to your “have list” and choose others for your “want list”. Then you play the waiting game. Depending on how many CD’s are on your want list, you should receive one of your choices in the mail in a few weeks. Each CD you ship to another user gives you one point. One point, one CD, one dollar. And some change. Simple as that. After using both Lala and Swaptree, I’ve found that its easier to get rid of your CDs with lala.com. I recommend using both services in order to find the most choices. Lala is currently live, so no waiting for a public beta. If only there was a way to avoid typing in UPC codes for every CD. Audiophiles…looks like you’ve got a lot of late nights ahead.By Joe Famularo

Swaptree.com Shakes Up the Online Marketplace

Watch out eBay, there’s a new site in town, and it literally has a mind of its own. Swaptree.com allows you to trade your DVD’s, CD’s, video games, and books with others across the country. Not impressed? Well, Swaptree’s built in algorithms automatically find all the things people are willing to trade for your item, eliminating the endless searching and negotiating between users. Simply list what you have to trade along with a selection of titles you want and let Swaptree do the rest. The interface is very simple, just enter the UPC or ISBN, add a short description and watch the offers come pouring in. To top it off, all trading transactions are completely free, you only pay shipping. Free, intuitive trading sound too good to be true? For now, it pretty much is. Unless you’re lucky enough to receive an invite, Swaptree won’t open a public Beta until July 4th. Can’t wait? You could always try shooting them an email and plead for an invite…it worked for me! Looks like good old fashioned barter still has a place in the 21st century after all.

By Joe Famularo

Yesterland

There are a few things in this world that absolutely everyone loves. Food, water, money and Disneyland. There’s just something about that place that brings out everyone’s mouse-hugging inner child. Over the years, Disneyland has changed a lot. I distinctly remember flying over the park on the Skyway that passed through the Matterhorn (yes, I took that video), but, unfortunately, that ride was removed in 1994. Yesterland is a tribute to all of those great rides that have been removed from the Happiest Place on Earth for one reason or another since it’s opening in 1955. Everything from Conestoga Wagons to Rocket Rods can be found walking the halls of Disneyland’s Rest Home (as I like to call it… what? That’s not funny? Shut up, I thought it was clever). If you’re a Disneyland enthusiast, someone who hasn’t been there for a while or (God forbid) hasn’t ever been but has always wanted to, this site is sure to entertain. Yesterland: All the fun of Disneyland, without getting gum on your shoe.

By Ryan Squires