The Internet is a great tool. Occasionally, it's an unpleasant or even harmful tool, but nonetheless, the Internet remains multifaceted. Here are some things you didn't know you can do on the internet, things that are safe, sanitary and productive. You may even save some cash.
Get a ring size
Web sites like FindMyRingSize.com make figuring out your ring size - or somebody else's - quite easy. Using a ring for comparison and a card the size of a driver's license or charge card and the website shows you the best way to discern the size. If you do not have a ring handy, there's a virtual ruler.
Figure out what glasses you need
The distance between your pupils is almost never listed on your prescription, also called pupillary distance. It is nice to already have a prescription, but it can be hard to buy eyewear without the pupillary distance. You can use a webcam, car and piece of paper to help you determine the distance with online eye ware retailer Warby Parker.
Flying in the right seat
If finding a picture of your exact seat on an airline flight is essential to you, sites like SeatGuru provide the seat maps. Pick the exact seat you need and purchase it if it's accessible. If there's an issue with a particular seat, SeatGuru's user community can flag it on the site, benefiting their fellow travelers.
3-D fun with kids
If you want to do a 3-D craft, head to Shapeways, i.Materialise and other websites. They will help you print off your design to be able to produce it.
Get an assistant
You can get somebody else to do small jobs for you such as pet-sitting and gift-shopping while you are too busy with TaskRabbit. A personal assistant is already pre-screened for the job and can help you out.
Things you didn't know you could do on the internet No. 6 - Make a police sketch
You can go to online websites such as Ultimate Flash Face if something goes wrong and you also need to create a quick police sketch of the assailant.
MIT course at no cost to you
Totally free, the MIT Department of Physics supplies video lectures, notes, assignments and solutions via Open Courseware. Mechanics, astrophysics and more can be yours, without the degree to show for it.
Things you didn't know you can do online No. 8 - Find your Congressperson's voting record
Not sure whether you want to vote your local Congressperson's carcass back into office? Web sites like OpenCongress enable you to go straight into their voting record to see if they are in tune with your political leanings on the issues. How they vote on bills, issues and policies are all there. If you are not sure who your senator or representative is, you can enter your ZIP code into OpenCongress and it will tell you.
Get a ring size
Web sites like FindMyRingSize.com make figuring out your ring size - or somebody else's - quite easy. Using a ring for comparison and a card the size of a driver's license or charge card and the website shows you the best way to discern the size. If you do not have a ring handy, there's a virtual ruler.
Figure out what glasses you need
The distance between your pupils is almost never listed on your prescription, also called pupillary distance. It is nice to already have a prescription, but it can be hard to buy eyewear without the pupillary distance. You can use a webcam, car and piece of paper to help you determine the distance with online eye ware retailer Warby Parker.
Flying in the right seat
If finding a picture of your exact seat on an airline flight is essential to you, sites like SeatGuru provide the seat maps. Pick the exact seat you need and purchase it if it's accessible. If there's an issue with a particular seat, SeatGuru's user community can flag it on the site, benefiting their fellow travelers.
3-D fun with kids
If you want to do a 3-D craft, head to Shapeways, i.Materialise and other websites. They will help you print off your design to be able to produce it.
Get an assistant
You can get somebody else to do small jobs for you such as pet-sitting and gift-shopping while you are too busy with TaskRabbit. A personal assistant is already pre-screened for the job and can help you out.
Things you didn't know you could do on the internet No. 6 - Make a police sketch
You can go to online websites such as Ultimate Flash Face if something goes wrong and you also need to create a quick police sketch of the assailant.
MIT course at no cost to you
Totally free, the MIT Department of Physics supplies video lectures, notes, assignments and solutions via Open Courseware. Mechanics, astrophysics and more can be yours, without the degree to show for it.
Things you didn't know you can do online No. 8 - Find your Congressperson's voting record
Not sure whether you want to vote your local Congressperson's carcass back into office? Web sites like OpenCongress enable you to go straight into their voting record to see if they are in tune with your political leanings on the issues. How they vote on bills, issues and policies are all there. If you are not sure who your senator or representative is, you can enter your ZIP code into OpenCongress and it will tell you.