The lifelong surfer

T+D, March, 2003 by William Powell

Sometimes I don't appreciate the Web as much as I should, but recently my enthusiasm has been renewed. I started my annual project of building up a bicycle from a pile of parts. This time, however, I ran into a bit of trouble. Though I could have walked the block to my local bike shop for help, I turned instead to the Web. Specifically, the impressive Website created by bicycle tool manufacturer Park Tool www.parktool.com. Companies could learn from the way Park supports its products. An extensive repair and maintenance section provides thorough descriptions of all repair procedures and the proper use of each tool. Future sales are encouraged by the "Typical Tools and Supplies Needed" paragraph that begins each repair procedure, but visitors aren't asked to register or purchase tools before using the site. The information is just there for anyone who's curious about bike repair. In a time of increased pay-per-use, it's refreshing to see a company building community and brand loyalty by offering information fo r free.

Maybe cycling isn't your hobby of choice, but there are a number of Websites out there that provide a wealth of how-to information. Here's a handful that I've found useful.

eHow.com www.ehow.com

Whether you want to learn how to set an upper-arm fracture or improve your credit rating, this site has something for anyone with a how-to question.

One of this Website's strongest features is the additional tips provided from users. EHow must cull suggestions, because I rarely find fault with them, even with advice on topics on which I consider myself well versed.

You don't have to break an arm to find eHow useful, but just in case, as with all topics, there are detailed directions to help you set it right.

HowThingsWork.com

howthingswork.com

This is another Website for the constantly curious. Do you want to know how your PC, a slot machine, or a venus flytrap works? HowThingsWork.com offers an in-depth explanation.

Visitors can choose from a list of Super Categories, jump to a top-10 list of questions and articles, or search for whatever topic has them stumped. Articles are thorough, often with more information than the casual reader requires. One of the more useful features that accompany the articles is the extensive list of links to supporting information on other Websites. I can't think of a better resource for the lifelong learner.

Webopedia.com webopedia.com If, like me, you find it nearly impossible to keep up with the various acronyms and initializations of the latest technologies, try Webopedia.com. This online glossary provides definitions for everything from ANSI to XML.

Occasionally definitions can be just as challenging as the original term, but you can get the gist, and key terms are linked to their own definitions.

If you're searching for a learning-specific term, try Learning Circuits's glossary www.learningcircuits.org/glossary.html. It provides hundreds of definitions for when the conversation turns to e-learning.

Froogle.com froogle.com

Froogle is a spin-off of Google that uses the search engine's "spidering" software to search for products. The site is still in beta, but it's worth checking out. Users type in a product name just as they would for a search in Google, and Froogle delivers a list of results, including a product image, description, and price.

But Froogle doesn't have a shopping cart feature. It's strictly for "research."