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A Place to Learn How Any of it Works
Jeremy Skorochid
March 16, 2002
Have you ever wondered how something worked, but didn't know who to ask or where to go to get the information you needed?
Here is a solution to that dilemma: a web site covering everything from batteries to Bigfoot. How Stuff Works is the place to go to find out how anything works.
Simply log on to www.howstuffworks.com and get ready to learn.
The first time you visit, a pop-up window appears with helpful instructions for first-time visitors to the site. Next you will be taken to the main page where you can select one of the feature articles or choose one of the "Super Categories".
The feature categories are all of the most recent articles on the site, many on topics of current interest, all of which can be found also in the Super Categories.
Super Categories is where you would go to find a specific topic.
Select one that interests you and you will be taken to that Super Category main page. From there you can narrow your search down further by selecting a sub-category.
This is where you get to the good stuff.
Here you can choose a topic that interests you and read the article. Each article is divided into several sections that can be viewed individually. Once you have finished reading the article you can view related topics or link to another web site where you can find further information.
How Stuff Works has many unique and helpful features.
Some article have animation to help you understand how exactly what you are reading about works. You can watch the animation or control it step by step. This feature is great when you are having trouble understanding the theory. I found this feature particularly useful in my quest to find out how the rotary engine works.
Have you ever printed information from a web site and then ended up with annoying little advertisements at the top and a bunch of other junk you didn't want? Well that's not a problem here.
If you decide you would like to print a certain article, just click on the printable version button at the top of the page. The entire article will appear without the menus and ads so you can print off only the parts you want.
Searched the entire web site and you still can't find what you're looking for? Don't panic. You can submit your question and hopefully have it answered. Simply go back to the front page of the web site and scroll down to "Stuff of the Day" and click on "Question of the Day". Next click on "Ask a Question", and follow the instructions from there.
So the next time you wonder how digital picture frames or singing fish work, remember www.howstuffworks.com and you won't be disappointed.
Jeremy Skorochid is a Community Access Program Service Team member working from the Drumbo branch of the Oxford County Library.
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