The Internet - Web Sites by Subject

The Internet

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Library cardholders can access online databases for articles on specific subjects!

Good Starting Points

Computer and Internet Tutorials
Using Your Browser
Using Your Mouse

Blogs
Creating Web Sites

HTML Tutorials
Graphics, Sound and Video
Web Authoring Tutorials
Web Editor Tutorials

Evaluating Web Sites
Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

Choosing an ISP
Wi-Fi (Wireless Internet)

Online Communication

Chat and Instant Messaging
Free E-mail Services
Newsgroups, Discussion Groups and Mailing Lists
Social Networking
VoIP (Internet Phone)

Online Media
Online Security
Podcasts
RSS
Search Tools and Techniques
Spam and Advertising
Video

See also the library's links to Child Safety on the Web, Electronic Commerce, News and Online Media, Privacy, Shopping Online and Technology Programs at the Library.

Good Starting Points

For additional resources in this subject area, see the library's list of online databases covering Computers.

Computer and Internet Tutorials

Learn the Net
Tutorials for beginners and more experienced Internet users.
Online Tutorials

Using Your Browser

Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer 7 Accessibility Tutorials
Step-by-step instructions for making your browser more accessible, by changing text size, colors and more.
Internet Explorer Tutorial
Internet Explorer Tutorials For Windows
A "how to" for many features in Internet Explorer 7.

Introduction to Mozilla Firefox
A tutorial for Mozilla's Firefox browser, including tabbed browsing and the download manager.

Using Your Mouse

Mousing Around
A great tutorial to help those new to computers learn to use a mouse.

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Blogs

For lists of blogs to read, see the blog links on the News and Online Media page.
See also RSS.

Blogs are online journals, often discussing political commentary, or specific topics of interest to the writer.

Blog Hosting
Create your own blog at one of these many sites.
Legal Guide for Bloggers
Blog without getting into legal trouble for what you post.
What are Weblogs?
An easy-to-understand definition of blogs.

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Creating Web Sites

HTML Tutorials
Graphics, Sound and Video
Web Authoring Tutorials
Web Editor Tutorials

HTML Tutorials

HTML Tutorials from HTML Goodies
If you're an absolute beginner, these tutorials will walk you through creating a Web page step-by-step.
HTML with Style Tutorials
For those who need a little less hand-holding. Further lessons include cascading style sheets, graphics, audio, Javascript and more.

Graphics, Sound and Video

Animation, Graphics and Sound Tutorials
Graphics
Sound
Video

Animation, Graphics and Sound Tutorials

Audio for the World Wide Web
This article explains the basics of adding sound to a Web site, discusses the pros and cons of various formats, and takes a look ahead at some things to come.
Finding Images on the Web
Explains how to find images, download them and add them to Web pages. Also includes information on copyright.
Pictures on my Web Site — How?
A basic primer, including transparent and interlaced GIFs, JPGs, image tags and optimizing graphics for the Web.

Graphics

For additional resources in this subject area, see the library's list of online databases containing Pictures.

Alta Vista Image Search
Find photographs, graphics, buttons and banners. Alta Vista's "advanced image search" even lets you search for color or black and white images.
Ditto.com
Browse pictures by category, or search by term. Thumbnail images let you see the picture, and brief descriptions give the Web site it came from and the image's dimensions.
Google Image Search
Google's "advanced image search" feature allows you to search by keyword, file type, size of image and more.
Librarians' Internet Index — Computer Graphics
Several great sites for finding pictures on the Web.
Web Clip Art
A great place to find clip art, arranged by topic.

Sound

To find a list of portable MP3 players that will work with the library's digital audiobooks, see Overdrive's Resource Center or Plays for Sure for use with NetLibrary/Recorded Books.

Find Sounds
All kinds of sound effects, from animal sounds to vehicles noises.
Free Sound Effects
From Videomaker magazine.

Music

To find music to listen to or download, see the music links on the News and Online Media page.

CNET's Music Center
Buying guides, tutorials for novice and advanced music users, and reviews of MP3 players and audio jukeboxes for your computer.

Video

To find videos to watch or download, see the video links on the News and Online Media page.

Web Authoring Tutorials
For those who are more advanced.

DHTML Tutorial
DHTML combines HTML, CSS and JavaScript to create dynamic and interactive Web pages. This tutorial has great examples that will allow you to edit and view the changes immediately.
Guide to Cascading Style Sheets
From the Web Design Group, an introduction to style sheets as well as their structure and properties.
JavaScript Tutorial
Intended for those needing a refresher as well as those who are just starting out.
JavaScript Tutorial for the Total Non-Programmer
An easy-to-understand introduction to JavaScript for beginners.
TechTutorials
If you still haven't found the tutorial you want, check this list of many computer and programming tutorials.
WDVL: Cascading Style Sheets
A group of tutorials designed to answer all your questions about style sheets, from the Web Developer's Virtual Library.

Web Editor Tutorials
For those who'd rather not create a Web page from scratch.

Web Design Tutorial Using Netscape Composer
If you use Netscape 4.5 or higher, you may already have Netscape Composer.
FrontPage 2000 Tutorial
Download this Microsoft FrontPage tutorial.

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Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

Choosing an ISP
Wi-Fi (Wireless Internet)

Choosing an ISP

Broadband Reports
Reviews of DSL, cable, fiber optic and satellite Internet providers.
Choosing an ISP
If you don't know what you're looking for in an ISP, this site provides tools to help you choose wisely.
Criteria for Selecting an ISP Provider
Use this detailed worksheet from Wayne State University to compare the features offered by different ISP providers.
Find an ISP
Enter the area code and the first three digits of your telephone number to find ISPs that serve your neighborhood. The "advanced search" allows you to specify features that you're looking for in an Internet provider.
Yahoo! Directory of Internet Service Providers
This site lists Internet Service Providers serving the DC area in addition to ISPs with nationwide service areas.

Wi-Fi (Wireless Internet)
- How WiFi Works
  HowStuffWorks.com provides an overview of wireless technology, and links to articles on related topics.
- JiWire
  Shows paid and free Wi-Fi hotspots, along with the service providers and network names. Locations available on a sortable list or on a map.
- Wi-Fi FreeSpot Directory
  Places that offer Free Wireless Internet Access utilizing 802.11 technology.

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Online Communication

Chat and Instant Messaging
Free e-Mail Services
Newsgroups, Discussion Groups and Mailing Lists
VoIP (Internet Phone)
Social Networking

Chat and Instant Messaging

Chat 101
The basics (and more) of chat: choosing your nickname, chat etiquette and chatspeak.
Chat-o-Rama Acronyms
Discover what AFAIK, L8R and all those other acronyms mean.
Google Directory: Chat
More than 1,000 sites, including chat rooms, chat software and even archived chat transcripts.
How Stuff Works: Instant Messaging
An overview of chat and instant messaging.
Internet Relay Chat Help
Information for beginners and experts.
Instant Messaging & Chat
Everything about Instant Messaging.

Free E-mail Services

About Free E-mail Services
An overview of the different types of services, and links to sites which can help you select one.
Types of Free E-mail
Locate a Free E-mail Service

Newsgroups, Discussion Groups and Mailing Lists

Google Groups
Searchable archives of more than 20,000 newsgroups.
Mailing Lists and Discussion Groups
To find a group discussing your favorite topic, try one of these sites: Big Boards, CataList, Tile.net, Topica, or Yahoo Groups.
What are "Newsgroups" and why should you care?
A good explanation of newsgroups.

Social Networking

List of Social Networking Web Sites
A sortable list outlining each site's focus or description, number of users and registration requirements.

VoIP (Internet Phone)

Internet Phone Service
This nontechnical site explains what VoIP is, how to choose a provider and helps you choose a service plan.
Voice over Internet Protocol
Basic information on how to use your computer to make local and long-distance phone calls from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission.
VoIP: Finally Worth a Look
This August, 2004 article from PC Magazine compares three VoIP services.

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Online Security

For additional resources in this subject area, see the library's list of online databases covering Computers.

Hoax Busters
There are many real computer viruses out there, but this page lists some of the virus hoaxes that you may not have been warned about.
Home Computer Security
A good explanation of why and how to protect your computer using firewalls, patches, anti-virus programs and more.
Home PC Firewall Guide
Reviews of some of the best security programs for your computer, including quite a few that are free.
How Firewalls Work
A detailed description of how firewalls protect your computer.
How Not to Get Hooked by a "Phishing" Scam
Scam artists go "phishing" for your credit card numbers and other account information by sending e-mails that appear to come from companies with which you already do business.
Inside Spyware: A Guide to Finding, Removing and Preventing Online Pests
How to recognize and remove spyware, adware and viruses, as well as tips to prevent them from infecting your computer.
Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
Created by the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center, this Web site allows you to file a complaint if you feel you've been the victim of an Internet crime. Your complaint will be reviewed and, if appropriate, forwarded to local or federal law enforcement agencies. Be sure to look at their Internet crime prevention tips and their descriptions of typical Internet crime schemes.
Security Fix
The Washington Post's Brian Krebs keeps you up to date with the latest information on viruses, hoaxes and other security holes in your computer.
United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team
Information to help you prepare for and respond to computer threats, from the Department of Homeland Security.
Wireless Security Recommendations
Although written for staff at Rutgers University, this article gives good security information for anyone setting up a wireless network.

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Podcasts

To find lists of podcasts to listen to or download, see the podcast links on the News and Online Media page.

Podcasts are similar to radio shows on the Internet, which you can download and listen to at your convenience on your computer or MP3 player. For technical information on subscribing and listening to podcasts, try the following links:

Four Minutes About Podcasting
A short film that introduces podcasting and shows you how to automatically download them to your computer or portable MP3 player.
Podcast Alley
Software to download podcasts to your computer or portable device, and software to allow you to create your own podcasts.
Podcasting 101
Written for school librarians, this article explains "Just What is a Podcast?" and shows you how to create your own.

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