Firefox only (Windows/Mac/Linux): Firefox extension SimilarWeb is a robust user-driven site suggestion and rating service. A single click from any site yields a list of related sites and data on other surfers’ impressions. Unlike previously reviewed Youlicit—also a user driven site-suggestion service—SimilarWeb allows you use the extension interface for both browsing and voting instead of being limited to a web-based directory. Once you have the extension installed, using it is as simple as clicking on the SW icon beside the address bar. You can rearrange the suggested order of sites, submit new sites, and vote a suggested site up or down based on relevance. The database is surprisingly extensive—thanks presumably to a very active user base—and not a single site I tested was devoid of relevant suggestions. The SimilarWeb interface can be run from a sidebar if you desire, but it should be noted that the thumbnail previews of the suggested sites displayed there do slow your browsing down. If a 2-3 second lag is unacceptable, stick to using it as a toolbar helper. SimilarWeb is free and works wherever Firefox does.
SimilarWeb [via Webware]The Windows system tray can be so much more than a parking lot for programs you don’t want cluttering up your task bar. Read on to see the five most popular tray tools readers can’t live without.
KidRex is a kid friendly front-end for Google searches that uses Google’s SafeSearch technology to filter out child-inappropriate content. It’s a hassle-free tool for masking the underbelly of the internet from young searchers. KidRex isn’t as robust a solution as setting up a completely stand-alone browser with a white list like KidZui or using OpenDNS as a parental filter, but it is effective and more than adequate for preventing childhood curiosity from exposing kids to inappropriate content. Basic keyword queries that would lead a kid to wonder exactly why that girl has so many boyfriends are blocked, and the user is redirected to search again. If your eight year old nephew a robust vocabulary, however, KidRex won’t be much of a challenge. Search for curvaceous and you—and Junior—will find out that there is an entire magazine devoted to the implications of the word. In any case, if you’d like to be able to help a young-in research for a school report about cougars without having a conversation about the birds, the bees, and the economy of southern California, KidRex will provide more than adequate filtering.
KidRex [via GeekSugar]
