An important part of fixing
anything is to first know how the thingy works. Now Marshall
Brain's How Stuff Works site tells you just that.The site features over 20 categories like engines, around the house, electronics, computers, cruise missiles, credit cards and even the weather. Each section has hundreds of cool articles on various gizmos, and is profusely illustrated. And if you think the info provided here is not enough, you can check out the links given for each article. The site is a veritable treasure trove for the curious, who want to ferret out info about the way things work.
Hometime
Dean Johnson and Robin Hartl
who run The Learning Channel on TV in the US have certainly
packed a wealth of how-to info at their Hometime Website. There
are 13 categories to chose from including plumbing, electricity,
bathroom fittings, kitchen, flooring, painting and gardening.
Here you get step-by-step instructions on going about the large
number of projects listed. Then there is the store from where you
can shop online for home improvement and repair videos and books,
as well as project and home plans, CD-ROMs, hardware items, and
Hometime wearables. Learn2
How do you survive a rainy day?
Being a mom or dad? Being on the road? For answers to these and
many more questions take a look at the Learn2 Survival Guides
which are collections of '2torials' designed to help you through
typical life events and situations. This is a site which promotes
itself as "The ability utility" and we think it is with
good reason. The '2torials' give step-by-step instructions that
cover a wide spectrum of skills, activities and tasks. 'Learnlines`
is a discussion forum for sharing info. Then check out 'Learnlets`
which is a collection of hundreds of helpful tips. So the next
time when you want to fix a leaky faucet, patch a hole in the
wall, repair a broken window, make basic origami, or just juggle
three balls, you know where to go.Ehow
The eHow site not only tells you how to
carry out tasks, but also offers you the source from where you
can procure the necessary tools and materials online. The diverse
categories in which help is available include automobiles,
computers, home electronics, garden, health, hobbies and travel.
Then there are special centres for collegians, gays and parents.
The site indeed keeps up to its claim of being the most
comprehensive source of information on how to do things. So if
you want to buy a CD player, unclog a sink, make crock-pot chili,
boil an egg, ask someone on a date or make strawberry shortcake
you have come to the right place for information. And if you need
more, you can ask an expert or check out the links to related
sites. If I Knew
How many times have you
exclaimed to yourself, "If I only knew?" Well, this
site takes it's title from just that phrase: If I Knew. The site
guides you through 'Life's biggest worries' like making decisions
in various situations, planning your career and selecting your
employer, parenting and communicating with children, going
through university, making judicious investments, and even how to
make wise buys on the Net. The site is contributory and for a 200-word
piece about your experience or advice on one of the topics listed
-- or even on a new topic -- you or a charity of your choice will
receive $30. And if you're a book-lover, do latch on to the links
to the Internet public library which offer thousands of books on
the internet that can be downloaded and printed free. So You Wanna...
So you wanna know how to do stuff? Just
check out the large number of full-length articles called SYWs at
this site. To begin with, you can browse the 'Top Tens' which
list "The ten biggest, smallest, richest, poorest,
whateverest..." But then, there's so much more for which you
can search by category or alphabetically. So you will learn about
avoiding common writing errors, becoming a vegan, making your own
beer, curing a hangover, fake being a wine expert, or holding a
seance. I must confess that I first learnt about Indie Rock here,
and now I'm doing a swell job being a fake Indie Rock fan. The
articles are all written in a funky, easy-going style, one which
is the best suited for Web publishing. Yes, and you are welcome
to contribute an SYW yourself.