1. The purpose of this web site is to provide useful and timely consumer information on businesses and services in the Washington Metropolitan Area. The emphasis is on identifying individuals who have a reputation of knowledge, ability and integrity.

This page thus differs from other consumer oriented sites in that it makes specific recommendations in lieu of publishing volumes of survey data and ratings. Survey data and ratings can be helpful (although both are somewhat arbitrary), but it is felt that this page helps consumers by going beyond the data and ratings to actually recommending specific names and phone numbers.

In addition, the information on this site is constantly reviewed and updated. Much of the information in consumer magazines and on other consumer sites is dated by months and even years.

The web site was launched on January 6, 1997. If you do not see a category that you were looking for, check back soon; the site is being updated daily.

2. Most of the recommended companies are in Northern Virginia, but companies in the surrounding counties and the District of Columbia will be listed as soon as possible.

3. Not all businesses have been evaluated. There are certainly businesses of superior quality that are not currently listed, but may be "corraled" soon. We are adding to the site daily.

4. The recommendations are based on as many factors as possible. They include, but are not limited to, actual consumption of the businesses' products or services, interviews with customers and references, research into local associations, and of course, input from web site visitors.

5. Input from web site visitors is highly valued, but not blindly trusted. All input is checked out for truthfulness and honesty.

6. All consumer rating services are by nature subjective. Thus, this web site does not attempt to construct arbitrary rating structures. The business or individual is either recommended and listed, or it is not on the site. The value of this web site is dependent solely on the reputation earned by the quality of the businesses and individuals listed.

7. However competent, knowledgeable, and motivated an individual or business may be, mistakes do occur. There is no guarantee that your experience with any business will be perfect, and this site does not warrant that you will be 100% satisfied all the time.

The page was originally conceived as the ultimate internet library. But there were so many library sites available at the time that this page is now an organizer of internet library or research sites.

This page is expected to change quickly over time as new and improved internet sites replace the old ones.

Oh, by the way, you can eat and drink all you want while you are in these library sites, and you do not have to be quiet!