Awards Honor the Best Web 2.0 Sites, Services and Applications;

Deadline for Submission is 5:00 PM, PT on March 6, 2009

http://www.webware.com/100

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 18 - CNET.com (http://www.cnet.com/), where people go to discover the latest in tech and consumer electronics, today announced that Webware.com, a CNET site, is now accepting submissions for the third annual Webware 100 Awards.  The awards, based on the popular vote of CNET and Webware users with input from the CNET expert editorial team, recognize the best Web 2.0 sites, services and applications that are leading the next wave of software and online innovation. 

Webware.com (http://www.webware.com/) provides the latest information on Web 2.0 sites, services, and applications.  Its timely and relevant blog entries about hundreds of Web-based services, such as wikis, blogs, and social networking sites, help users determine the best products for them to use in their daily lives.  Webware is led by veteran tech journalist and CNET Editor-at-Large Rafe Needleman, with additional entries from the CNET editors.

Submission for the 2009 Webware 100 Awards is free and can be accessed through an online form at http://www.webware.com/100.  The deadline to submit is 5:00 PM, PT on Friday, March 6, 2009.  When public submissions close, CNET editors will review the entries and identify the top 30 finalists in each of the ten categories.  Sites, services and applications will be judged by their usefulness, design and/or ability to engage users.  Beginning at 12:00 PM, PT on Tuesday, March 31 through 12:00 PM, PT on Thursday, April 30, the public will be able to review these 300 finalists and participate in a voting poll, ultimately determining the 2009 Webware 100 winners. 

"Winning a Webware 100 award last year put us in front of hundreds of thousands of tech-savvy readers and ahead of all our competitors," said Aaron Patzer, Founder and CEO of Mint.com. "We were honored to be selected by people who have come to trust our site to help them successfully manage their personal finances."

"Webware readers know what's cool, and what's smart, and what makes their life easier and more productive and it was an honor to be chosen by this plugged-in group for a Webware 100 award last year," said Rich Barton, CEO and co-founder of Zillow.com. "We've also been thrilled with the recognition and new users that came as a result of winning."

"The Web 2.0 community has come to rely on our annual awards as a guide to the best sites, services, and applications," said Needleman.  "We're looking forward to reviewing creative and innovative new sites that will surely become favorites in the coming year."

Winners will be announced on Tuesday, May 19, 2009 and will be posted on Webware.com, as well as CNET.com.  Also, a special new category, Editors' awards, will include CNET editors' top picks for upcoming sites, services, and applications.  Nearly 1.9 million votes were cast in the 2008 Webware 100 Awards. Last year's winners can be seen here: http://www.webware.com/html/ww/100/2008/winners.html?tag=snav.

Companies have the choice of submitting their Web site, web service, or applications in one of the following award categories:

• Audio and music: Music streaming and download, podcasting, audio book services, recommendation systems
• Browsing: Tools to access online content, including browsers, start pages, RSS readers, widgets, and runtime engines
• Commerce: Retail, auctions, marketplaces, travel, event tickets, and real estate
• Communications: E-mail, chat, voice
• Infrastructure and storage: Web app platforms and tools; online storage and synchronization products
• Location-based services: Mapping, friend finders, business locators, geographic services
• Photo and video: Photo storage, sharing, and editing; video storage, playback, streaming, editing, and animation
• Productivity: Tools for work and organization
• Search and reference: Data and ways to find it; search tools and knowledge repositories like wikis
• Social networking and publishing: Social networking, shared online environments, content management, blogging, and micro-blogging

For a complete list of the award criteria and to access the online submission form, please visit:  http://webware.com/100.

About CNET

CNET (www.cnet.com) is where people go to discover the latest in tech and consumer electronics. Driven by a trusted voice and a passionate community, CNET creates an open environment for people to find and use the best products to fit their lifestyle. The powerful combination of CNET's award-winning news, lab-tested product reviews, safe and spyware-free downloads, and user-generated content give people information and inspiration to live and thrive in today's digital world.

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