To wrap up the year, I thought it would be interesting to look back through the logs and book marks and figure out what sites I used the most in 2009. Here are the unscientific results. This list does not include application based sites such as gmail, google calendars, etc.

1. Facebook
2. Netvibes – RSS Reader
3. Metacritic – consolidated movie/games/DVD reviews
4. Gamespot – Video Game News and Reviews
5. Sherdog – all things MMA/UFC
6. Flickr – picture storage and community
7. ESPN
8. Hulu – catching up on Hell’s Kitchen, and many others
9. Rotten Tomatoes – consolidated movie reviews

The UFC Octagon

How Stuff Works is a great site. They have well written and well researched articles on subjects from all spectrums. They also have an excellent general subject podcast available on iTunes, including my favorite, “Stuff you Missed in History Class.”

The particular article I’d like to draw attention to tonight is “How the Ultimate Fighting Championship Works.” This article covers the basics including:

• The Octagon
• Fighting Styles
• How to win
• UFC Rules
• UFC today

Each section gives a broad overview of the sport and what to watch for in a pay-per-view, Fight Night or The Ultimate Fighter show. Unfortunately, there is no one in the UFC named “John Wilson.” However, when you put “John Wilson +UFC” into Google, my website is on top.

Other Resources for basic MMA
If you’re interested in learning more about MMA (mixed martial arts) or the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) research the following search terms:

• Jiu-Jitsu
• Muay-Tai Boxing
• Judo
• Freestyle Wrestling
• Official UFC Website
• Sherdog.com – news site
• MMA Mania – blog site
• Unofficial UFC rankings

I hate to check bags. I never think they’ll make it to my destination, I’ve heard the horror stories from friends and coworkers. All I imagine is some TSA agent shuffling through my underwear. I especially dislike the buzz-kill that is arriving at a fun new location and standing around for 30 minutes waiting on your bag.

This week’s site is great for frequent travelers and those of us who pack way too much. One Bag.com is about “the art and science of packing light.” Written and maintained by Doug Dyment, the site is primarily about packing for any trip using only one bag. Doug’s introduction lists the following purposes of the site:

1. What To Pack, avoiding the temptation of lugging around too much stuff;
2. What To Pack It In, understanding what to look for in efficient & effective luggage; and
3. How To Pack It, particularly the management of clothing so that it doesn’t get wrinkled.

The site has numerous awards and has been featured on Expedia.com, PC Magazine, Britannica’s Internet Guide and several others.

If you only have time for one page of the site, check out the One Page Checklist.

If you’re the curious type, check out the interesting folding method the site offers. I’m looking forward to my next plane trip to see if I can get away with just the things listed.

Though text heavy at times, this site is definitely worth your time if you are a frequent traveler who hates to check luggage.

The SEM/Web 2.0 site of the week is NameCHK.com.

With a one click you can determine if your favorite user or brand name is available on over 120 Web 2.0 sites across the Internet. With Social Media moving from a fun diversion to a serious (diversion) marketing and customer service tactic, having a consistent user name is crucial to moving up the search engine ladder.

Check out your favorite user name, and the user names of others, like “JohnWilson” at NameCHK.com.