We know what you're thinking: Where's Amazon? Where's Yahoo? Rather than waste ink telling you about the sites you're already familiar with, we decided to ferret out the terrific websites that aren't yet household names. Our master list covers everything from Animated Shorts to 'Zines, including some new sites and a few overlooked ones. And we didn't completely snub the better-known greats--you'll find a string of them along the bottom. Even Amazon.
--ANIMATED SHORTS ICEBOX www.icebox.com/icebox/new_showcase.html Reopened for business and ready to dish out some good anime. Creators of shows like The Simpsons offer cartoons such as The Elvis and Jack Nicklaus Mysteries (the King and Golden Bear as a crime-fighting duo). First episodes are free; 25[cents] to 40[cents] a pop after that.
--BANKING BANKRATE.COM www.bankrate.com Comparison shop for certificates of deposit, atm fees, home and car loans, and more. The site collects financial data, which it sorts geographically, so you can find the best and most accessible deals.
--BASEBALL BASEBALL PRIMER baseballprimer.com/clutch A lively weblog devoted to the national pastime. Posts the latest news (from trade rumors to think pieces on Jason Giambi's hitting philosophy). Visitors pitch in with their comments.
--CAR SHOPPING CARSDIRECT.COM www.carsdirect.com The end game of most car-buying sites is to push you into the arms of a dealer. But at CarsDirect.com you can select a make and model, compare rebates and incentives, configure vehicle specifications, arrange financing and make a payment, all in one fell click.
--CIVIC GUIDE GOVSPOT.COM www.govspot.com Excellent gateway to a host of useful government and civic sites. Check your Social Security benefits. Find out how much your neighbor paid for that house five years ago. Learn how to change your name. Remove yourself from junk-mail lists. E-file your taxes.
--CONSUMERS' REPORT EPINIONS www.epinions.com Magazine reviews are fine, but sometimes it's helpful to read the opinions of everyday people who have to deal with the products every day. Epinions' buyer reviews offer you just that--from the mouths of complete strangers.
--DOING GOOD NETWORK FOR GOOD www.networkforgood.org Finding a way to be of service can be a full-time job, but thanks to this site's Volunteer Search, you can easily connect with a nonprofit that's near you and needs your skills. A special section highlights timely crisis-relief efforts.
--DVD RENTALS NETFLIX www.netflix.com Rent movies by mail for a flat monthly fee ($20). Keep flicks as long as you want before returning them in postage-paid envelopes. The site lets you watch trailers and read reviews before you add titles to your wish list.
--EVENINGS OUT CULTUREFINDER.COM www.culturefinder.com Useful for planning evening entertainment when you're out of town. Get listings and program schedules for theater, dance, classical music and opera events in more than 1,500 U.S. and Canadian cities. You can purchase tickets via telephone with a credit card.
--FANTASY LEAGUES SPORTSLINE.COM fantasy.sportsline.com A robust set of tools for fantasy-sports players is what separates this from the rest of the sports-sites pack. Join a league to match managerial wits with other webbies, or host a private, customized competition.