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Sortable

óè sortable.com

Sortable.com is a new website and decision engine that allows you to sort, compare and discuss the latest products and gadgets. Currently you can look at cameras, phones, tablets, laptops and TVs. With so many products, specs, features, prices, models and choices out there, Sortable helps you take out the guesswork, engage the hive mind by looking at crowdsourced reviews and allows you to ask questions of people who already might have the product.

The Big Internet Museum

óè thebiginternetmuseum.com

Remember when the web was all boxy websites that you viewed using Netscape, IRC was used to chat, webcams were a fascinating new way to see friends on the other side of the world, Geocities was one of the go-to-spots if you wanted to set up a free site and dial up modems ruled the day? Not everyone does, so if you need a history lesson on the development of web culture, like to reminisce about the early days of the Internet or want to show your kids what a dial up modem looked like, The Big Internet Museum is a fascinating collection that traces the growth of the web as we know it.

Instaport

óè instaport.me

When Facebook bought controlling interest in the photo sharing application Instagram, many early adopters were wondering how the web giant's influence was going to impact the growing community of dedicated users. They got their answer last week when a poorly worded change to the Terms of Service sent the Internet and devoted photo sharing enthusiasts into a frenzy. Many people believed the change meant that Instagram were claiming ownership of the photos and were going to start selling them or using them in third party ads. "It was interpreted by many that we were going to sell your photos to others without any compensation. This is not true and it is our mistake that this language is confusing," wrote Instagram CEO Kevin Systrom in a blog post meant to calm the nerves of anxious and angry users. "To be clear: it is not our intention to sell your photos. We are working on updated language in the terms to make sure this is clear." Even though Instagram plans to rewrite the controversial language of the new Terms of Service, many users are looking at other photo sharing options and are investigating ways to port their photos from Instagram. Systrom also wanted to clarify Instagram's position regarding the use of photos in ads. "The language we proposed also raised question (sic) about whether your photos can be part of an advertisement. We do not have plans for anything like this and because of that we're going to remove the language that raised the question."

If you are still concerned with the direction Instagram is heading as they look at ways to monetize the service, you can export your photos to other social web services or your own hard drive using Instaport.

Anthony Augustine is a freelance music, technology and pop culture writer who spends way too much time in front of a computer. Got a site you think he should see? Email him at anthony.siteunseen@gmail.com or follow him at twitter.com/anthonya.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition December 27, 2012 A1