focused on longer term travel rather than a week or so.

best way is to stay is to find some hostels that you like,
than search in forums for lists of hostel recommendations from others
that include the ones you like.  Find hostel recommendations from people with similar tastes.



hostel sites:

http://hostelz.com/
http://hostelworld.com/ (shared data with hostels.com)
http://www.bugeurope.com/

??

www.hostelbookers.com
worldhostelguide.com [booking engine]


how the commissions work with online hostel sites:
10% deposit = 10% commission,
the hostel absorbs this in their cost
many hostels resent this charge and need hostelworld for the 
sometimes they will try and charge you this extra 10%
here
minimum bookings
- weekends
- boats

hostel booking fees / membership
- a scam

cancellation insurance
- good if you often make mistakes with dates
- booking for a long trip over many months, this can easily happen (easy to get the month wrong)

reading descriptions:
  my tips:
  - laundry facilities
  - if they provide their own guide book


reading reviews
- older locals tend to be better at providing options
- party hostels
- negative reviews tell you more
- fake reviews / removed reviews.
- reviews that mention other hostels.


good features


wherever possible pay in the native currency rather than your local currency.
why?
because bank conversion charges are typically around 2c/$, while hostel conversion
charges are around 5%.