REFERENCE SOURCES ONLINE
Acronym Finder
Searchable database containing common acronyms and abbreviations about all subjects, with a focus on computers, technology, telecommunications, and the military.
BBC News: Country Profiles
Profiles provide an instant guide to flags, history, politics, and economic background of countries with audio and video clips from the BBC archives.
The Britannica Concise
This free short-entry encyclopedia does not have as much content as the full Encyclopaedia Britannica (it's based on the one-volume printed Merriam-Webster Collegiate Encylopedia, but it does offer a searchable and browsable collection of more than 25,000 entries on a variety of topics. Plus, it's free!
calculator.com
Directory of free online calculators.
Catholic Encyclopedia
Proposing to give its readers authoritative information on the cycle of Catholic interests, action, and doctrine.
Consumer.gov
One-stop link to a broad range of federal information resources for consumers.
Dietary Guidelines for Americans
Joint publication of the Departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture.
eHow
eHow.com is the most comprehensive source of information on how to do things, offering thousands of specific project instructions...With 14 categories featuring 120 subcategories, eHow offers staff-written, reviewed and edited step-by-step solutions."
Elements of Style
By William Strunk, Jr. Contains the full text of the 1918 edition.
Encarta World English Dictionary
"All of Encarta World English Dictionary has been written in the last four years ... Its vocabulary has been newly selected from sources showing how modern English is used internationally, in print and on broadcasts and over the Internet. ... You will find here every kind of language information. Wondering how to pronounce a word? Audio recordings will tell you--aloud. Wondering how to use a word? Usage essays and synonym essays provide detailed discussion and advice. Curious where words and meanings come from? Etymologies and word origin essays show you: peaches from Persia, bungalows from Bengal, jeans from Genoa."
Encyclopedia Mythica
Online encyclopedia of mythology and folklore from around the world. Includes definitions and images of many heroes, legendary creatures, gods and goddesses, and related news articles.
Encyclopedia Smithsonian
"The Smithsonian Institution receives a great many public inquiries covering a wide range of topics. Therefore, the following responses have been compiled to answer frequently asked questions or to provide guidance in finding the requested information. New information will be added continually." Topics covered: Armed Forces History, Anthropology, Mineral Sciences, Musical History, Physical Sciences, Services, Textiles Conservation, Trasportation History, and Vertebrate Zoology.
Eric Weisstein's World of Science
Comprehensive online encyclopedias of astronomy, math, physics, scientific biographies, and scientific books, with many equations and formulas.
The 50 States of the
This site on the fifty states (and the U.S. commonwealths and territories) has information such as: location (latitude and longitude), birds, colleges and universities, constitutions, flowers, genealogical resources, geological formations, geographical features, mottos, national forests and parks, newspapers, nicknames, nonprofit organizations, populations, state and federal representatives, songs, and the date of entry into the union. All facts are linked to over 1529 governmental or authoritative webpages.
Flags of the World
Devoted to vexillology and featuring a gallery of worldwide flags.
Guinness World Records
Official site of Guinness World Records, chronicling all kinds of strange and extreme talents, feats, and accomplishments. Find records and statistics about the human body, nature, technology, travel, sports, and other areas.
Healthfinder
Provides consumers with easy access to online, accurate health information. From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Hoover's - The Business Information Authority
Hoover's, Inc., delivers comprehensive company, industry, and market intelligence that drives business growth.
Infoplease: All the Knowledge You Need
Online version of the popular annual Time Almanac. You can browse by topic or search. All-in-one encyclopedia, almanac, dictionary, thesaurus, atlas, and biography reference! Includes the Random
RxList - The Internet Drug Index for prescription drugs and medications
Drug information resource with scientific facts and medicine descriptions for both the consumer and the medical professional.
Son of Citation Machine
Interactive web tool which helps teachers and students produce reference citations. Includes MLA and APA formats.
Statistical Abstract of the United States
Contains a collection of statistics (over 1400 tables and graphs!) on social, economic, and international subjects. In addition, the Abstract is your guide to sources of other data from the Census Bureau, other Federal agencies, and private organizations. Web source contains statistics in brief and frequently requested tables.
Techterms.org: Computer and Technology Defined and Explained
"The Tech Terms Dictionary is a constantly growing collection of computer and technology terms. Each definition is written in a way that is easy for the reader to understand and serves to explain the term, not just define it."
Thesaurus.com: Roget's Thesaurus
Online version of Roget's Thesaurus. Find synonyms, antonyms, related words, and one-word definitions of English words and phrases.
U.S. State Department: Country Profiles
Provides statistics and history of geographic entities and international organizations.
The Weather Channel
The Weather Channel and weather.com provide a national and local weather forecast for cities worldwide, as well as weather radar, map and report.
www.weather.com
Who2
Searchable database of celebrities, historical figures, and other famous people. Includes brief biographies, related links, and vital statistics.
Wikipedia in English
English-language version of Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia built and edited by users. Find encyclopedia entries on almost any topic, or click for a random Wikipedia article.
World Flag Database
Includes drawings from the Flag Institute. Includes pictures of flags from around the world.
Zip-Code-Database.Org
Find ZIP codes and postal information for all 50 U.S. States. Includes ZIP code search by city and by area code.