Online Reference Resources
Computer Information

• Basics of Buying a Personal Computer System--a useful guide to what the components of the system are, and how much you need for various purposes. From the University of Oregon.
• Citizen Media Law Project -- "The guide is intended for use by citizen media creators with or without formal legal training, as well as others with an interest in these issues, and focuses on the wide range of legal issues online publishers are likely to face, including risks associated with publication, such as defamation and privacy torts; intellectual property; access to government information; newsgathering; and general legal issues involved in setting up a business."
• Computer Training Courses--with downloadable manuals and problem sets. These are zipped files, so you will need to use unzip software, but the vendor promises they are virus checked.
• Dave's Guide to Buying a Home Computer--Dave has been teaching a course in this at Michigan State U. since 1995, and he has some good advice.
• EasyDOS-- Web-based guide to DOS commands, with examples.
• File Extensions, Formats and Utilities -- various file formats and how to deal with them. For ex. how do I open a .sit file? Find out here!
• Finding Information on the Net--a Tutorial--a really well done presentation on how to analyze your information needs, phrase your search, select the search engine that will do what you need to do.
• Get Safe Online -- "will help you protect yourself against internet threats. The site is sponsored by government and leading businesses working together to provide a free, public service."
• Internet 101--this is a good, clearly written source for the basics of internet us. It includes illustrations.
• Internet Explorer -- download the latest version for free. Beware; only works on Windows 98 or above.
• Internet Navigator--one of the best tutorials on using the internet that netguru Carole Leita has ever seen.
• Mailstart.Com--check your e-mail free once a week from a Web Browser, good for travelers. The software's author assures me that your account name and password are not retained.
• OAIster  -- finding pearls of academic sites not easily found by using search engines. Searchable by keyword or subject and more.
• PC Guide--one of the most thorough introductions I've seen to how a computer and its component parts operate, how to set it up, add to the system, and recover from disaster.
• Podzinger - search engine for podcasts.
• Tech Support Guy-- will answer questions about PC software, including Windows2000, but also maintains an archive of previously answered questions..
• UCS Knowledge Base--a huge searchable collection of technical questions and answers about PCs and Macs. If your answer isn't here, e-mail them.
• Web Credibility Research -- From Stanford. Helpful for designing web sites.
• WebNovice.com-- a Webscape Communications E-zine for newer Internet users. It includes a "how-to" section and tutorials on many aspects and activities. Updated monthly.
• Webopedia--a dictionary/encyclopedia about personal computers.