Search, Reference & Portals
About.comExperts and enthusiasts teach you about almost anything.
Bartleby.comWhether you seek classic works of literature, a quote from your favorite author, or even just how to spell a word, this online library's got you covered. Enter the word "comprehensive" on one of Bartleby.com's three thesauri, and you'll get at least seven entries with lists of synonyms for each. It's no wonder the site boasts it's one of the most extensive reference databases on the Web.
Dictionary.comAt Dictionary.com, word definitions and synonyms are just the beginning. Use its handy language resources section to find out the difference between affect and effect, or how to avoid the use of the passive voice. Expand your vocabulary with a new word each day and test your verbal skills with challenging puzzles. Plunk down $19.95 for a year of premium content, crossword help, and freedom from pop-up ads.
Encyclopedia MythicaWho'd win a fight: Maman Brigitte or Mama Quilla? Well, you might not find that answer, but you will find thousands of short but useful of articles on gods, goddesses, spirits, heroes, folklore, and mythical beasts from around the world. There's even a PDA version, if you think you'll need to know on the go.
GoogleSearching the Web is so last year; if you want to learn about a topic, you Google it. The ubiquitous tool is branching out into shopping (Froogle.com), newsgroups, and even Web development tools. And Google's not just about typing terms in a box, either. Click on more>> to access additional features and advanced techniques, and you'll be burning up the Internet like a pro.
National GeographicOne of the great magazines of our time also has a great Web site. In addition to the great articles and photography that introduced many of us to the wider world, National Geographic's site has some outstanding multimedia content, tie-ins to NG video projects, and a treasure trove of children's content.
The Memory HoleThe government pulled records on mailman training and suspended munitions out of public circulation. The Memory Hole wants you to know about it. Brought to you by Russ Kick, author of You Are Being Lied To and The Disinformation Book of Lists, the site is privy to all sorts of censored and subversive photos and tidbits.
WebMDIn an age where most doctors don't make house calls in the middle of the night, WebMD is the place to browse for info on myriad symptoms. It certainly shouldn't take the place of an actual trip to the doctor, but it's a great resource for reading up on various conditions and possible treatment options that you can discuss with your health-care provider.
WikipediaWikipedia is a free encyclopedia written—and continually rewritten—by its readers. Nearly 350,000 entries cover a breathtaking spectrum of human knowledge. Surprisingly, coming away misinformed isn't a major danger—not being able to break away is, though. This seductively fascinating compendium is guaranteed to destroy productivity.
Yahoo!While Google might be the most popular search engine, Yahoo! still has plenty of features that make it a site worth visiting. Their categories and directories allow you to narrow search results to a particular category or browse all the entries for that category. Mail, games, finance, shopping, and more are included throughout the site, and the myYahoo! portal lets you personalize content.
BeerAdvocate.comThe #1 beer community and beer resource in the world!
iFriendsThe largest and most popular interactive, multimedia-enabled expression and communication platform on Planet Earth.
Packetnews.comThe ultimate IRC Search Engine!
SearchIRCThe most advanced IRC search engine. Featuring thousands of IRC chat rooms.
FileSearchingSearch for files on FTP servers worldwide.
