STEP 1 Using the Internet
The Internet has a wealth of information and resources available for personal and professional growth. The following are some resources to help you begin your path to self- discovery. There are many free on-line services and search engines which will guide you in defining and accomplishing your goals.Learning about the Internet
The Internet can be a confusing and frustrating place. Understanding how it works and what is available makes it a little friendlier.
LearnTheNet.com - This site provides comprehensive, user-friendly Internet training.
Free/Low Cost Internet Service Providers
These services will connect you to the Internet, once you have access to a computer with a modem.
- myBluelight.com - myBlueLight.com Internet Service features nationwide dialup access, free email, instant messaging and a customized homepage.
- Address.com - Asks for name, address and phone number on signup; provides Web-based e-mail.
- dotNow! - Has filed for a patent for methodology behind ad-supported Internet access. Mac version available; offers 20MB of Web space; provides Web-based e-mail.
- NetZero - The biggest player on the free ISP block also has one of the biggest ad banner window of the bunch. Asks for address and phone number on signup; provides POP-based e-mail.
Free E-Mail
These services will give you an e-mail address and the ability to send and receive electronic mail (e-mail).
Free Web File Storage Space
These sites allow you to store and access files from any computer with Internet access.
Free Web Space
If you need a place to store files on-line or create a web site, these services provide free space.
- Freeservers - Freeservers is one of the oldest free web hosts still offering free web space and a solid hosting platform.
- Yahoo GeoCities - Don't mind ads on your site? Then you can get started with a free GeoCities home page.
- Free Web Hosting Space Finder - A huge and growing directory of free webpage providers in which you can use to create webpages.
Research Tools
Search engines use a variety of methods to find web sites related to your research. Generally, you type in a phrase or sentence describing your topic, and the search engine finds web sites containing those topics.
- Infopeople.org - Chart of the best features of the best search tools.
- Altavista
- Ask.com - Smart enough to understand plain English (i.e. "where can I find ...?)
- Excite - Focus is on being your gateway to E-commerce, E-mail, and entertainment but still a useful search engine if you know where you want to go.
- Hotbot - A good place to start - uses one of the larger Internet databases and takes you to sites that have been useful to others who asked similar questions.
- Library of Congress - Explore the Internet - Learn about the internet, browse government resources, browse topical guides, internet search tips and tools.
- Mamma.com - The "Mother of all Search Engines" runs your request on several of the major search engines simultaneously and gives you the best links they find.
- Metacrawler - Searches other engines.
- Webcrawler
- Yahoo - A multi-function site which provides a gateway to E-commerce, E-mail, and entertainment. It is a useful search engine if you know where you want to go.