Stuff Recommendations
Stuff I recommend:
http://www.collectorz.com/
If you have a lot of movies, books, CDs or games then the software from these guys is invaluable for cataloging it and, if you like lending out your stuff, you can even keep track of who borrowed it. I have the Music Collector and the Book Collector software.
http://www.abebooks.co.uk
If you're looking for a book and can't find it anywhere... it will probably be on here. Second hand, rare books, out-of-print books, first editions, signed copies... you can find all sorts. I've found some real beauties. (I've linked to the UK site but they also have US, French and German sites)
http://www.powertraveller.co.uk/
I'm going to be honest upfront and admit that this is our MD's brother company but that's not why I'm plugging it (honest!). I used to work in the same building as these guys, so I've seen first hand their committment to providing great stuff. I've even suggested items that they should stock. It's computer gadget heaven, especially if you have an iPod (solar charger anyone?) or a PSP.
http://www.directusbstore.co.uk/
More gadgets! If it plugs into a USB slot, you can find it here. From the sensible (external hard drives for backing up files) to the ridiculous (car-shaped USB ashtray).
http://www.savastore.com/
One of the best sites for computer stuff. The prices are brilliant.
http://www.interfax.net/en/
Send and receive faxes straight to your email. I set this up because I needed a way to communicate with my dad (deaf and a bit too old to really "get" text messaging). It's not free but it's reasonable and the service is excellent.
http://www.abel-cole.co.uk/
Organic fruit, veg and meat supplied to your home (UK-only). Having tried this out for a couple of weeks now, I've got to recommend it. Smooth service, easy to use website, flexible and good for the soul. Oddly, it was the quality of the broccoli that blew me away... and the potatoes! I didn't know potatoes could have that much flavour.
http://www.treasurebox.co.uk/
Oh mama, the pretty pretty things! Jewellery at prices to suit any pocket and wonderful sales when you can get the really nice stuff at unbelievable prices. I found this site ages ago and then didn't visit for a while, but when I did I found that they'd opened up their first bricks and mortar shop only a couple of miles from my front door... and that I'd walked right past it one day thinking "how odd, that shop has the same name and color scheme as that website I really liked".
https://www.feedburner.com/
If you have a paid Livejournal and a website, then Feedburner is a service you might want to check out. Your LJ gives you an RSS feed which shows your LJ entries in XML format (e.g. http://erykah101.livejournal.com/data/rss/). This format allows the entries to be read by applications called, unsurprisingly, feed readers. You set up that feed with the Feedburner website and it gives you tools for putting your feed content (your LJ entries) onto your website or into your messageboard/email signitures. It gives people another way of subscribing to your content (e.g. http://feeds.feedburner.com/PoisonousSheep). It also lets you add your Flickr and Furl account/s into your feed.
http://www.newsgator.com/
Talking of feed readers, I recommend this one as an online reader. (free in the basic version)
http://www.rssreader.com/
Or this one as a PC application. (free)
http://www.newmoonoccultshop.com/
Discovered these people in a Dealers Room at a convention about 4 years ago. Occult supplies, clothing, jewellery, etc. Not the best laid out website but worth the effort.
http://shop.joke.co.uk/
The best fancy dress shop I've found in the UK. They have everything worth having.
http://glassesdirect.co.uk/
Glasses. For £15. Frames AND lenses. For £15. Let me say it again. Frames AND lenses for £15. Stuff spending hundreds and having only one or two pairs at any time. For these prices you can get loads and choose your glasses in the morning to go with your mood or your outfit. How cool is this?! The prices do go up if you want bendable frames, rimless or DKNY ones but the maximum price I've seen on the site is £55. Extras (like tinting) do cost a bit more but still never reach the bank breaking costs of the high street. You just need your prescription.
http://www.mojolondon.co.uk/dept.php?category=17
Moleskine pocket notebooks. Love them. Can't live without them. I have many many ruled and plain ones but the storyboard one is my favourite. It's the perfect for roughly sketching out web site designs when the inspiration hits me. They also have the large ones and the diaries.
http://www.frappr.com/
Online community mapping application. These have been around for ages now but this one is especially nice. It uses GoogleMaps, which makes it slick. You can sign a map once or sign up with the site and join many maps (e.g. http://www.frappr.com/?a=myfrappr&id=369918).
http://www.streetcards.co.uk/
Funky business cards for everyone. Choose from the designs online or upload your own. I've been using these guys for years now and anyone who's ended up with one of my cards at a convention will know that the quality of them is really rather nice. Their basic deal is £9.95 for 25 cards.
http://www.flexwindow.com/
This is cool. It lets you put a "window" onto your site that - once the page containing it is uploaded - you can update by sending an email from anywhere. Use HTML emails and you can even do some fancy stuff. There is a free version and it's drop dead simple to use.