How To… Do Anything!

One of the greatest things about the Internet is the ability to share knowledge among all the world’s people. 

In the days prior to the Internet, if we needed to know how to do something we could go to the library and do some research or ask someone skilled in the task to help us. 

The Internet gives us access to information that was previously unavailable, or would take days to compile and digest.  Now, we’re only a few clicks away from the answers to almost any question.

A good online resource for general information is Ehow.com, which covers subjects from "how to set your clock to daylight savings time” to “how to keep kids happy on a road trip”.  This web site also features a few videos which range from helpful to amusing.  If you need to learn how to tie a tie, this is the website for you.

Another fun “how to” web site is Howto.Wired.com which can show you how to fly through Airport Security or make a suit of chainmail armor from soda can tabs.  More practical tidbits from the site are how to speed up Windows Vista or setup your HDTV.

One of my favorite sites for all things technology is Cnet.  At Help.Cnet.com, you will find help with digital photography, home audio/video, PC troubleshooting, car gadgets, mobile phones, and much more.  I find the reviews of software and high-tech items invaluable.

Howstuffworks.com offers more in-depth information than most of these sites while covering a wide breadth of subjects.  For example, in the health category under diseases and conditions, there are hundreds of links to pages with information on health related issues.

I daresay the best site for technology addicts is Lifehacker.com which touts itself as a site for “tech tricks, tips and downloads for getting things done”.  The premise behind this website is that there are ways to optimize everyday tasks so that you can spend more time doing what you want to do.  Many of these tips and tricks involve using technology, or more appropriately, improving the way you use technology to optimize just about any process.  Be forewarned however, that once you enter this website you may become addicted.

An overlooked method of finding out how to do something is to simply go to google.com and in the search box type in “how to” followed by the subject of your interest.

For a more hands on approach, search YouTube.com for videos related to your how to project.  It often helps to watch someone else actually performing a task to gain better understanding.  I search YouTube when I need help with Photoshop or other software.  Use the word "tutorial" for better results.

Of course, if you’re old fashioned like I am, you can ask real people and get a real answers at AllExperts.com.

About the Author:
Ken Ivey is a veteran technology addict, consultant, author, web designer, and President of MidTN Technology, a marketing and web design firm.  His website is http://www.KenIvey.com