By LAUREN WALKER
There is more to do online than just check your e-mail. And more boomers than ever are realizing the rich resources the Web has to offer. In fact, 92 percent of boomers online are actively looking for information. From healthcare to homes to how-to information, these are just a few sites you might want to click around:
Social butterflies will like eons.com
You’ve heard about MySpace and Facebook. The founder of the job-search site Monster.com wanted a fun meeting place for people who are more about Bach and less about Britney. Membership is free, but you must be over 50. Only 49? You can sneak in as a guest until your birthday. It’s just one of many sites sprouting up for boomers. Others include boomtown.com, boomj.com, and redwoodage.com.
Networking pros like linkedin.com
This site puts six degrees of connection to work. Create your profile based on where you’ve worked throughout your career. You’ll quickly find others in the same industry — and even from the same office. Invite them to your network and watch things grow from there. It’s a great for job hunting, starting a second business, or finding old workmates. Membership is free, but upgrades start at $19.95 a month and include larger networks and added features.
House hunters like realtor.com
Ready to downsize? Looking for your country dream house? Search for real estate nationwide by price, location, or special features like a pool or work shed. Realtor.com only features houses that are listed on the MLS system. Homes for sale by owner won’t be included. For those, go to forsalebyowner.com
History buffs like geneology.com
If you like to trace your family tree, the Web can be a rich resource. But it’s not free. Both geneology.com and its sister site, ancestry.com, offer three levels of membership, ranging from $12.95 a month to $199.99 a year. It gives you access to census data, immigration records, and newspapers without even leaving home.
Health nuts like WebMD.com
While not specific to boomers, WebMD offers some cool tools, like an interactive symptom checker and a health scorecard for registered members. It is free, but there is a fair amount of advertising on the site to make up for that. As with most sites, you have an opt-out option to receiving e-mails from the site and its partners.
Market watchers like Yahoo Finance
You don’t have to have a Yahoo account to use this site, but it helps. Keep watch over your portfolio or just keep up with market perspectives. There are also message boards where other investors discuss the ups and downs of the bears and the bulls.
Bargain hunters like overstock.com
If you normally head right for the clearance section of a store, this site is for you. Inventory is limited, and overstock.com doesn’t let you forget it. But shipping prices make it worth your while, sometimes free and sometimes just $2 flat. You’ll find housewares, sporting goods, clothes, and electronics. But move fast. If you see something you like, chances are someone else likes it just as much.
Consumer researchers like epinions.com
Comparing digital cameras? Researching recent movies? This site is offers reviews from real people as well as price comparison from online retailers. You can even post your own reviews and comment on others by registering for free.
Do-it-yourselfers like diynetwork.com
The aptly named site is the Web version of the cable network channel, but offers a lot of helpful hints and how-tos, even if you never watch TV. From heavy-duty home improvement to holiday craft ideas, this sister site to HGTV.com is the handier of the two, with less emphasis on décor and more on demolition.
What sites do you have bookmarked? Or do you have wonders about using the Web? Send your recommendations and questions to vent@thrivenyc.com Gg
Lauren Walker sits in front of three computers at a time as Creative Director and technology consultant at walkerinteractive.com, a Web-design agency she runs with her husband. Ask her questions at ThriveGeeks@gmail.com.
