- Easy Access to US, UK Streaming Services From Anywhere - August 18, 2012
- 5 Fresh Android Games Released in 2012 - July 5, 2012
- Google Chrome Explodes On To iOS, Puts Desktop Experience In Your Pocket - June 30, 2012
Way back in the wilds of 2009, Evan wrote a post naming his top five tech sites for every geek. But 2009 is ancient history in the world of the web — that was way back before I even started writing for 40Tech! My kid was only barely a one year old, and Twitter was still a novelty that allowed people to talk about their lunch. Ancient times, I tell you!
This vast expanse of time and change got me to wondering: what are your top tech sites in this new — and obviously technologically superior — decade? Where do you go these days for all of your tech-related news, reviews, and tips? I’m looking for a top 10 here, ordered or not, so hit the comments, Twitter, Facebook or email, and get the word out!
Here’s my list to get us started:
Lifehacker – These guys cover everything, even things I had no idea I could be interested in. Their feature posts are helpful and informative, and their short posts have lead me to some other very cool blogs.
Mashable – I’m a nut about the social web, both due to my work and my geeky curiosity and need to consume new techy info. I’m also fascinated by the way Mashable has managed to infiltrate and influence mainstream news, including local, national, and even worldwide television stories.
ReadWriteWeb – Some of the topics on this site can be a bit heady or politically charged, but the quality of the work and the range of interesting topics keep me coming back. I’ve found a lot of really great information here, some of which I’ve linked to from 40Tech.
Make Magazine – This site continuously blows me away with the stuff people cobble together. Some crazy DIY and experimental tech (and other things) here!
Twitter – Specifically, my Twitter account (@bobby_travis). This may seem like an odd choice, but I get a lot of my tech news and info from here. Some of it is from the sites in this list — but I get it from Twitter before I ever hit the site — and much of it is from other sites that are linked in the posts of those I follow and retweet or otherwise share.
40Tech – Yeah, I know, I’m biased because I write here, but this site remains one of my most frequent reads — and not due to vanity. The fact is, I was a reader, like you, before I started contributing to the site. The information I get from Evan and our commenters, not to mention guest posters, is, and always has been of the best quality.
MakeUseOf – I like MakeUseOf because of the huge amount of how-to posts, general tips, and guides that I’ve found there. It’s a great place to find everything from how to build your own PC, to how to jailbreak your iPhone, and find out how to shop better online. Something for everybody, really.
Joystiq – This is probably where I get most of my gaming info. I could have said Facebook, I suppose, because that’s where I often start before I get to the site, but that is only because I liked their page and have been interested enough that I haven’t muted them.
Web.AppStorm – In a world focused on/obsessed with cloud computing, getting all the goods on the new and fancy web apps is a necessity. WebAppStorm is one of the best places to learn all that you could ever want to know and more, and there are several other AppStorm sites attached to it. It’s not bad to look at either. Downright pretty, even!
Digitizd – Formerly known as The 2.0 Life, Digitizd is the baby and brainchild of David Pierce (Assistant Editor of PC Mag Digital Networks and 40Tech reader). The site broadcasts thoughts, tips, news, and neatness related to the digital world and living in it, and is an all around good read.
There are several other sites that I read regularly which are also tech-related, such as a multitude of other gaming sites, social media and business sites, and more, but these are the ones that I probably end up at the most.
Now it’s your turn!
Hopefully, this conversation will bring out a few gems people have never heard of, as well as a sense of what our world in general finds to be the cream of the geeky crop. And please don’t feel pressured to rank 40Tech up high on your list. We are very much aware of and comfortable with our smallish stature among the tech-site juggernauts. We still know we’re awesome — because you all keep telling us so! Thanks for that, by the way… You’re awesome too! :D
Daryl says:
Lifehacker. Getting less useful though I have to say since Gina left, but still in my Top 10.
HowToGeek (www.howtogeek.com) Gradually seems to be overtaking Lifehacker for me. Especially since Jason Fitzpatrick moved over there from Lifehacker.
Digital Inspiration (www.labnol.org). Less frequent posts certainly than LH and H2G but of good quality.
Techcrunch.
Productivity501. Not just tech but has some good tech tips.
WebWorkerDaily.
UsefulTools.com
TinyHacker.com
Techrepublic.com
Evernote: If you’re going to allow yourself Twitter, then I must be allowed Evernote! Every tip I like and feel that may come in handy in the future, is stuffed into EN, so if I do need it later I can find it easily due to EN’s great search ability – and I only have to look for it in one place rather than in any one of 10/15 likely sites/blogs!.
40Tech. Of course!
April 15, 2011 — 9:28 am
Bobby Travis says:
Nice list, Daryl!
I totally missed HowToGeek! And I had no idea that Jason Fitzpatrick had gone that way. It’s too bad Gina left Lifehacker — I still like what I find there, though. I do -not- like that a link to a specific article often redirects to a page of articles that I then have to sift through, however…
Evernote is totally allowed — on your premise, I probably should have included both that and Springpad.
I was previously unfamiliar with TinyHacker, and WebWorkerDaily. Thanks for that! And for the 40Tech love!
April 15, 2011 — 8:48 pm
Anthony Russo says:
Adding in:
Engadget
Android (about 6 of the android sites around)
Giveawayoftheday.com
Freewware Genius
io9 (more science but some tech too)
PC Gamer
April 15, 2011 — 10:03 am
Bobby Travis says:
Thanks Anthony!
I like Engadget, as well. Great place for details on things that I want to own — but in many cases never will. But I can window shop!
I’m going to have to check out Freeware Genius and io9.
April 15, 2011 — 8:50 pm
techandlife says:
You’ve covered most of my go-to tech sites but I’d add:
ghacks.net
Techie Buzz
Digital Inspiration
April 15, 2011 — 10:16 am
Bobby Travis says:
Awesome! A new one in every comment today! ghacks.net and I shall become acquainted soon — Thanks techandlife. :D
April 15, 2011 — 8:53 pm
Evan Kline says:
I still visit, or subscribe to, the sites that were listed in my initial article, with one exception. Earlier this week I unsubscribed to Tech Crunch. I finally got tired of the link bait titles, unreliable reporting, etc., and there were so many stories each day I just didn’t have time to weed out the bad from the good stuff.
I think I’ve visited most of the sites that the other commenters here mentioned, but the tech-related sites that I go to often (several Mac sites as I try to get up to speed on OS X) are:
Cult of Mac
Daring Fireball (although John Gruber is getting harder to take seriously)
TUAW
Futurelawyer
XDA Developers (good source for Android ROMs, etc.)
MakeUseOf
AddictiveTips
April 15, 2011 — 10:59 am
Bobby Travis says:
Thanks Evan!
I hear you on Daring Fireball. It’s a bit hit or miss with me. AddictiveTips is one I missed, and I love XDA Developers — haven’t hung out there since I got rid of my Windows phone, though.
April 15, 2011 — 8:56 pm
miguel_a says:
My Favorites (alphabetic order):
– 40Tech
– AllThingsD
– ARS Technica
– Boy Genius Report
– CNET
– Engadget
– Gizmodo
– Lifehacker
– MakeUseOf
– TechCrunch
– Wired
Apple Related:
– Cult of Mac
– MacMagazine (Brazilian blog in my primary
language: Portuguese).
– Mac Stories
– MacWorld
– Mac|Life
– Smoking Apples
– TUAW
April 16, 2011 — 6:55 am
Bobby Travis says:
Some great ones in there, Miguel. Thanks! I often find Ars Technica a bit too involving, if that makes sense, but I do visit them in occasion.
April 16, 2011 — 1:18 pm
Bryann says:
Labnol and HTG are my biggest ones. I had to axe lifehacker’s RSS feed because I was getting overwhelmed, but for now that’s OK since people on Twitter circulate the sames stories. Helps condense my news sources a bit.
40tech is up there too especially with the in-depth productivity tool reviews.
April 16, 2011 — 10:11 am
Bobby Travis says:
Thanks Bryann! I’ll have to check out Labnol — hadn’t heard of it before. Glad you enjoy the productivity app posts! :D
April 16, 2011 — 1:16 pm