Most people buy portable navigation devices for the step-by-step driving directions and forget that these gadgets contain thousands of points of interest (POIs) as well. A good set of POIs can quickly get you to nearby restaurants, gas stations, hotels, hospitals, and even tourist attractions. I've seen database sizes ranging from a skimpy 1.3 million entries up to a robust 12 million. Although all-inclusive location lists are certainly welcome, sometimes what you really need is some targeted local expertise. That's where a community-based Web site, such as POIfriend can make all the difference. With it you can create your own POIs, download them to your GPS unit, and share them with others site users and even with friends who aren't members. Best of all, it's free.