The new Google Viewer and the Google WebQuotes are two outstanding new sites I'd never have known about without the subscription of an online newsletter called "Tourbus" with Bob Rankin and Randal Patrick Crispen as editors. They recently toured the HQ and found these two beta sites, which I am now spreading the word on:

1. Google Viewer The site presents web pages in addition to the links returned in a search. You may elect to have the pages run slower or faster, you may pause and fast forward or reverse. This is amazing - what a great way to surf and to find truly useful and fun sites you may not have even looked at while you were so busy looking only at the link blurbs!

2. Google WebQuotes Go on, just type in a person's name, or a few connected words and phrases on any topic: You will now see at least 3 quote links where the search topic is being discussed online. Well, that is, if you are specific about what you enter for search terms. I had quite a jolt when I entered my name and that of my partner - I found immediate linking into the sites and blogs where I had posted within the last year! Time to regroup and rethink about how to post information that I would believe 'confidential'. Now I feel a bit like James Bond to be able to look up anyone or anything in this manner!

Hey, I'd love to hear any comments from readers about these sites...oh, and best wishes to all for our new year of '03!