Netflix

Netflix is "the world's largest online DVD movie rental service offering more than two million members access to more than 35,000 titles."

For $17.99 a month members rent as many DVDs as they want and keep them as long as they want, with three movies out at a time. I have the original membership offer (from 1999) that allows for four movies out at a time.

"Members enjoy free and fast delivery. Through a nationwide network of distribution centers they are able to provide most members with delivery of their DVDs in about one business day, and they provide free, pre-paid return envelopes. With no commitments, members can cancel anytime. Netflix's 'no late fees, no due dates' program has eliminated the hassle involved in choosing, renting and returning movies."

Their selection "helps ensure members find everything from the latest big Hollywood releases to hard-to-locate documentaries and independent films."

"Netflix makes it easier for members to find and discover movies they will enjoy. When members rate movies, Netflix customizes its site based on a member's movie tastes, which makes their 35,000 movie titles more relevant and accessible to each member."

"Netflix launched its movie rental service in 1999 with the goal of using the DVD format and the Internet to make it easier for people to find and get movies they will enjoy. As a result, our members can reliably discover and enjoy lesser-known titles."

Google News

"Google News presents information culled from approximately 4,500 news sources worldwide and automatically arranged to present the most relevant news first. Topics are updated continuously throughout the day, so you will see new stories each time you check the page. Google has developed an automated grouping process for Google News that pulls together related headlines and photos from thousands of sources worldwide -- enabling you to see how different news organizations are reporting the same story. You pick the item that interests you, then go directly to the site which published the account you wish to read.

Google News is highly unusual in that it offers a news service compiled solely by computer algorithms without human intervention. While the sources of the news vary in perspective and editorial approach, their selection for inclusion is done without regard to political viewpoint or ideology. While this may lead to some occasionally unusual and contradictory groupings, it is exactly this variety that makes Google News a valuable source of information on the important issues of the day.

You can trace the history of a developing issue by clicking the "sort by date" function on the page containing all reports on a given topic. This will arrange the stories in chronological order, with the most recent report placed first. " Source: About Google News

Google News