Is my favorite Web site working today?

When a website crashes, the site risks losing revenue and return visitors. The NY Times covered a new type of website to see if the crash is just on your computer or for everyone:

...Mr. Payne created downforeveryoneorjustme.com, as in, “Down for everyone, or just me?” It lets visitors type in a Web address and see whether a site is generally inaccessible or whether the problem is with their own connection.

...About a month ago, a sudden surge of visitors to Mr. Payne’s site began asking about the normally impervious Amazon. That site was ultimately down for several hours over two business days, and Amazon, by some estimates, lost more than a million dollars an hour in sales.

Read the article here.

"Costly Cancer Drug Offers Hope, but Also a Dilemma"

Avastin is one of the most expensive drugs on the cancer market today. It can cost up to $100, 000 per year and despite its price, its popularity has increased. But is the drug worth its cost? Recent clinical reports show that Avastin might not increase life expectancy as much as the FDA thought, if it even helps at all. Read more about the drug here.

"A Primer for Young People Starting Their First Job"

Ron Lieber of the NY Times wrote a great article about financial advice for young people. Don't know what a W4 tax form is? Need to find out some options for health insurance for your first job? Is it too early to start a retirement 401(k) plan? Find out here.