These are the links no IT support professional should be without. While this list is by no means a complete inventory of IT Web sites, it is a place to start when looking for drivers, updates, patches, or troubleshooting information. If your favorite IT support site isn't listed here, please e-mail us. We will periodically update this list with links to new sites and updates to current sites.
Product reviews, IT news, editorial columns,
how-to guides, etc.
|
|
|
CNET.com |
CNET is your best online resource for product reviews and pricing information. Find out who sells that new monitor your CEO wants at the lowest price. |
|
GameSpy's PlanetHardware |
Although this site is geared more toward gamers, it contains a lot of useful information on the latest PC hardware. |
|
HardwareCentral |
This site offers hardware information, including reviews, editorials, buying guides, and more. |
|
Hardware Extreme |
This is another site geared toward serious IT hobbyists and gamers, but it has plenty of hardware reviews. |
|
Slashdot |
Here, you'll find a one-stop shop for all things open source, including articles, discussions, and journals. |
|
Tom's Hardware Guide |
This site is a great source for reviews and guides about the latest computer hardware. |
|
ZDNet |
A great place for technology news, product reviews, IT commentary, and more. This site offers anything and everything for the IT professional. |
|
Programming, Web development,
scripts, etc. |
|
|
4GuysFromRolla.com |
If you're looking for the most current information on ASP, this Web site is for you. |
|
HotScripts.com |
This site is geared toward Web masters and programmers. It compiles Web programming-related information on topics such as ASP, C, Java, XML, PHP, and Perl. |
|
jGuru.com |
Here, you'll find forums, articles, FAQs, and more, all focused on Java. |
|
O'Reilly Perl.com |
Perl, Perl, Perl, and nothing but Perl. If you're a Perl programmer, this site should be on your Favorites list. |
|
Programmers Heaven |
Although this site is mainly a link database to other sites, it compiles links to some of the most useful programming and development sites on the Web, all in one place. |
|
ScriptSearch.com |
This is another great resource for programmers and developers, with information on various languages and technologies, including ASP, C, CFML, PHP, XML, Visual Basic, and Java. |
|
Downloads, utilities,
drivers, etc. |
|
|
Bootdisk.com |
When was the last time you needed a Windows 95 boot disk but didn't have a Windows 95 machine lying around? Bootdisk.com offers tips, tweaks, files, boot disks, instructions, utilities, links, patches, and updates for advanced DOS and Windows users. |
|
BovisTech |
This site is another good resource for boot disks, drivers, Windows/DOS utilities, Config.sys files, and the like. |
|
Download.com |
This handy site from CNET offers access to more than 20,000 Windows, Macintosh, DOS, Linux, Palm OS, Windows CE, and BeOS software downloads. |
|
Driverzone.com |
Go here to find drivers for everything from printers and scanners to video cards and modems. |
|
Moochers.com |
Moochers.com has tons of software and freeware for Windows and Linux. You'll find applications, tools, utilities, fonts, icons, etc. |
|
PC Drivers HeadQuarters |
This site that provides links to device manufacturer Web sites. |
|
WinDrivers |
Go here to locate hard-to-find drivers. |
Manufacturer support |
|
|
Compaq Support |
If you support Compaq equipment, this link is a must have on your Favorites list. |
|
Dell Support |
For those who support Dell equipment, make sure to put this on your Favorites list. |
|
Gateway Support |
There's no better place for Gateway-specific information. |
|
Hewlett-Packard Product Support |
If you're troubleshooting an HP device, start with HP's site for products support and customer care. |
|
MicronPC Technical Support |
Whether you're looking for information on a Millennia, ClientPro, or GoBook system, Micron's technical support site has the info you need. |
|
Microsoft Knowledge Base |
This is the best place to start when troubleshooting a Microsoft product. |
|
Microsoft Windows |
Go here to find Microsoft's official site for all things Windows related. |
General technology |
|
|
AllExperts.com |
This Web site allows you to ask questions of IT experts who have experience in a variety of IT disciplines, including hardware, software, operating systems, programming, and more. |
|
Marshall Brain's HowStuffWorks |
Go here to find detailed descriptions of how mechanical devices work, how holidays developed, how the human body works, and much more. |
|
Whatis.com |
If you need a quick definition of an IT acronym, file extension, or term, this is the site to use. It's easy, quick, and accurate. (Read TechRepublic's review of Whatis.com here.) |
|
Training and certification |
|
|
Brainbench |
You'll find tons of online certifications for a variety of IT and business topics, including Windows, general help desk support, network technical support, Java, C, and Visual Basic to name just a few. A fee is required for some tests. |
|
CramSession |
This site offers a plethora of certification information, including downloadable study guides, online sample tests, and more. |
|
ExamCram.com |
If you're looking for IT certification study material, this site from Coriolis is for you. ExamCram has study guides, practice tests, and personal trainers for MCSE, CompTIA, and Cisco certifications. |
|
MCSEBraindumps.com |
This is a great site offering information on Windows 2000 MCSE, CompTIA, and Novell certifications. |
|
TESTFREE |
Check out the online practice exams for many MCSE and CNE certifications on this site. |
|
Antivirus and security |
|
|
Astalavista Group |
Don't let hackers, crackers, phone phreaks, or script kiddies catch you off guard. Find the latest news from the IT underground on this site. |
|
Church of the Swimming Elephant |
This Web site focuses on a variety of IT security issues. The site offers virus information, bug fixes, tools, and a whole lot more. |
|
Symantec Antivirus Research Center |
This site is a must-have for users of Norton Antivirus software. Even if you don't use Norton Antivirus, though, it's one of best sources of virus information on the Web. |
|
Vmyths.com |
Want to know if the latest virus scare is real? Vmyths.com offers straightforward info about computer virus myths, hoaxes, and urban legends. Read TechRepublic's review of Vmyths.com here. |
Note 1: TechRepublic, ZDNet, and Download.com are part of the CNET family of Web sites dedicated to educating and empowering those in the IT field.
Note 2: Although many of the Web sites mentioned above are free, some require you to sign up for an account before you can use their services. This normally requires you to provide the site with an e-mail address. Some sites also only allow you free access to a limited amount of information but require you to pay a fee for total access.