This is a list of 5 things that you probably have never heard of. Okay, maybe you have heard of them, but never really looked into what they were. Here's your chance!

1) RSS
One of my favorite tools that hardly anyone fully utilizes. RSS (sometimes called a 'feed') is basically a way to keep up to date on your favorite blogs. You can usually subscribe to someone's RSS feed by clicking a link on their site. From there you click: 'subscribe', and if you have the appropriate toolbar for your browser (Firefox has one built in), you will have a cutesy drop down menu of the titles of all their blog posts. Drop it down everday, and when a new title appears you can click it and you'll automatically be taken to that entry. Want to integrate RSS into your site? Wordpress, Fanupdate, and Cutenews are three content management systems that I know of that have 'easy to install' RSS feeds.

2) Etsy.com
No, it's not eBay, but it is similar. It's a place to buy and sell things all handmade. Want to start the new school year with clothes that no one could possibly own? Etsy.com is your place. They have tons of unique vendors, and anything for sale from cupcakes to dresses, from handmade guitars to cross stitch patterns. They also have a tool called Alchemy, where you can even hire a personal seamstress to create clothing for you as low as $20 a piece. What's the difference between etsy.com and ebay.com? Everything on etsy.com is handmade (that means no junky toasters or Playstations), and usually eco-friendly. My favorite thing about etsy.com? They accept Paypal!

3) Wired - The Magazine
Possibly the best technology related magazine I have read thus far. It contains amazing covers, high quality page layouts, and mind blowing content. They cover gadgets, music, internet, web design, technological advances, and cool facts. It also has a very cheap yearly subscription price. I included this since hardly anyone I know actually knows of this magazine. Want to learn more? Wired.com.

4) RIAA
One of the most controversial, despised, and loved groups. The RIAA is the Recording Industry Association of America. They are the people that monitor illegal downloading of music and media, and put hefty fines on such acts. They are associated with recording studios, record labels, and basically the entire music industry. The reason some people dislike them is because they are irrational with fines and penalties associated with the usage of music. Some believe they simply see it as a way to make money off of artists and their material. Regardless of your views of the RIAA, think next time you illegally download music (see our article here)! If you don't live in the US, try researching organizations like the RIAA in your country.

5) Open Office
The free alternative to Microsoft Office. It includes programs the resemble Excel, Word, and Power Point. In my opinion, it's bettter than Microsoft's programs... and did I mention it's free? The file types are compatible with Microsoft programs, so if you need to do a presentation for school but don't have the $500 (plus)Microsoft programs, then this is a great solution. It saved me many times! Download it at openoffice.org,