I thought it might be good to have a thread for basic reference sites. I totally ganked most of this from The Straight Dope (http://www.straightdope.com), but I'll be adding more to it later.
Search Engines
Google (http://www.google.com/): The de facto standard in search engines
dmoz Open Directory (http://dmoz.org/): Human-edited Internet directory which removes the chaff
Board Reader (http://www.boardreader.com): Search message boards
Search Systems (http://www.searchsystems.net): Largest public records database
Every Rule (http://www.everyrule.com/): Contains rules for sports, games, etiquette, etc.
General Information and Reference
Reference Desk (http://www.refdesk.com/): Links to multiple reference sites
Library Spot (http://www.libraryspot.com/): More links to more reference sites
Internet Public Library (http://www.ipl.org/): Reference center laid out like a library
Librarian's Index to the Internet (http://lii.org/): Another library reference center
Britannica Online (http://www.britannica.com/): A complete online encyclopedia
Information Please (http://www.infoplease.com/): Online encyclopedia and almanac
Notes and Queries (http://www.guardian.co.uk/notesandqueries/index.html): General Q&A of a wide range of topics
Internet FAQ Consortium (http://www.faqs.org/): Links to Usenet FAQs of all types
Hitchhiker's Guide to our World (http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/dontpanic-tour): Based on the books, created by users
Urban Legends
Snopes (http://www.snopes.com/): Comprehensive searchable list of urban legends
Urban Legends (http://www.urbanlegends.com/): alt.folklore.urban and urban legend archive
English Words, Language, and Literature
Bartleby (http://www.bartleby.com/): All things books
Questia (http://www.questia.com/): World's largest online library. Charges a fee, but they have 2 free books a week
Dictionary.com (http://www.dictionary.com): Dictionary and Thesaurus
Merriam-Webster Dictionary and Thesaurus (http://www.m-w.com/): Word spelling, usage, and origins
alt.usage.english FAQ (http://alt-usage-english.org/fast_faq.shtml): info on usage and word origins
Pseudodictionary (http://www.pseudodictionary.com/): Slang and colloquialisms
Origin of English Sayings (http://www.briggs13.fsnet.co.uk/idioms%20list.htm): Where English idioms and sayings come from
Word Oddities and Trivia (http://members.aol.com/gulfhigh2/words.html): All sorts of odd and interesting word facts
Puzzle Depot (http://www.puzzledepot.com/wordfinder2/): Anagrams, puzzles, and wordplay
Anagram Engine (http://www.easypeasy.com/anagrams): Create anagrams, solve crosswords, etc.
Searchable Plays of Shakespeare (http://www.it.usyd.edu.au/~matty/Shakespeare/test.html): Search the works of the Bard
Quotations Page (http://www.quotationspage.com/): Searchable quotations
Project Gutenburg (http://promo.net/pg): Complete texts of non-copyrighted books
Bibliomania (http://www.bibliomania.com/): Free online literature
Babelfish translations (http://babelfish.altavista.com/): Back-and-forth translations among major world languages
The Perseus Site (http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/): For classical Greek and Latin Literature
The Dictionary Page (http://www.yourdictionary.com/languages.html): Dictionaries for over 260 languages
Urban Dictionary (http://www.urbandictionary.com): Dictionary for all those terms you can't ask your mother about
Latin Translator (http://lysy2.archives.nd.edu/cgi-bin/words.exe): A translator for beginners
Medicine and Health
Centers for Disease Control (http://www.cdc.gov/): Public health news and statistics
WebMD (http://www.webmd.com/): Info on health and diseases
Go Ask Alice (http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/): Medical information and advice
PubMed Medline (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed): Medical journals database
Science and Technology
Public Library of Science (http://publiclibraryofscience.org/): Just getting started, but they make Scientific and Medical literature publicly available
The Last Word (http://www.newscientist.com/lastword/): Questions and answers on everyday science phenomena
Ask a Scientist (http://newton.dep.anl.gov/archive.htm): Search real answers to real science questions
How Stuff Works (http://www.howstuffworks.com/): Find out how all sorts of gadgets and processes really work
Mad Science Network (http://www.madsci.org/): Online labs, science Q&A, and science info
Conversion of Units (http://www.digitaldutch.com/unitconverter/): Automatic unit converter
International System of Units (http://physics.nist.gov/cuu/Units/index.html): Introduction and information on SI units
Physical Constants (http://physics.nist.gov/cuu/Constants/index.html?/codata86.html): Numerous physical constant values & uncertainty
Web Elements (http://www.webelements.com/): All about the elements
Bad Science (http://www.ems.psu.edu/~fraser/BadScience.html): Debunking scientific fallacies
Bad Astronomy (http://www.badastronomy.com/): Debunking astronomical fallacies
Heavens Above (http://www.heavens-above.com/): Satellites and star charts
Hubble Telescope (http://hubble.stsci.edu/): Pictures from Hubble
Animal Diversity Web (http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/): All about animals
Mathematics
Eric Weisstein's World of Mathematics (http://mathworld.wolfram.com/): Tons of information all about mathematics
The Pi-Search Page (http://www.angio.net/pi/piquery): Search for a string in Pi + links to download billions of digits
The Integrator (http://www.integrals.com/): Online integrator from the makers of Mathematica
Numbers in Over 4500 Languages (http://www.zompist.com/numbers.shtml): Count in any language you want
Online Calculators (http://www-sci.lib.uci.edu/HSG/RefCalculators.html): Not just for mathematics: calculations in numerous subject areas
Entertainment
Internet Movie Database (http://www.imdb.com/search): Everything you wanted to know about the movies
Ultimate Band List (http://www.ubl.com/): Search for all kinds of music
Moby Games (http://www.mobygames.com/): Game documentation and review
Songtitle (http://www.songtitle.info/): Music from every TV commercial
Big Cartoon Database (http://www.bcdb.com/bcdb/page.cgi?g=&d=1): Searchable database of cartoons
Simpsons FAQ (http://http://www.snpp.com/guides/lisa.html): FAQ of alt.tv.simpsons
Television Without Pity (http://www.mightybigtv.com/): Irreverent reviews of popular US television shows
The Baseball Archive (http://www.baseball1.com/): Stats and history of baseball
Rotten Tomatos (http://www.rottentomatos.com): Movie Reviews
Roller Coaster Database (http://www.rcdb.com/): Information on every roller coaster and amusment park in the world
Religion
Catholic Encyclopedia (http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm): Information on Catholic teachings
Judaism 101 (http://www.jewfaq.org/): Information on Judaism
King James Bible (http://www.hti.umich.edu/k/kjv/): Searchable KJV Bible
Online Bibles (http://bible.com/bibles.html): Links to multiple Bible versions
Debate
Logic and Fallacies (http://www.infidels.org/news/atheism/logic.html): Intro to arguments and logical fallacies
Government, Politics, and Law
Gov Spot (http://www.govspot.com/): Links to hundreds of government entities
Vote Smart (http://www.vote-smart.org/): Find out information about USA elected officials
UK Government Online (http://www.open.gov.uk): Links to all British government sites
Federal Government Central Directory (http://www.fedstats.gov/): statistics gathered by USA government
US National Archives (http://www.archives.gov/index.html): Archives and records from all branches of the US government
Statistical Abstract of the US (http://www.census.gov/statab/www/): USA Population census
Internet Guide to Law and Politics (http://www.lpig.org/): Informative and current law-related Internet resources
Find Law (http://www.findlaw.com/): Law and legal resources
World Legal Information Institute (http://www.worldlii.org/): Legal precendents from around the world
Places and Maps
CIA World Fact Book (http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/): Information on numerous countries
Find a Grave (http://www.findagrave.com/): Find graves for all sorts of people
Map Quest (http://www.mapquest.com/): Maps from all over
Terraserver (http://terraserver.homeadvisor.msn.com/default.aspx): USGS satellite imagery and topographical maps
Historical Atlas of the Twentieth Century (http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/20centry.htm)
holy crap and a half! :shock:
Holy Crap indeed!
You missed a few, how I don't know in that list :roll: :D
Drugs (http://www.erowid.org)
Erowid has all kinds of info on drugs, both licit and illicit. Including stories from actual people. I have never come close to reading everything on the site, but everything I have read is accurate.
Hoaxes (http://hoaxbusters.ciac.org)
Another one for hoaxes and urban legends.
PDR (http://www.pdrhealth.com)
Physician's Desk Reference - This is the online version, free to use for non-professionals.
Beakman (//www.beakman.com)
I think this is the same as the cartoon. He explains things in a way the kids can understand. The TV show was hilarious. I miss it.
I think that is all I have to add. I will try to go through my favorites folder to see if there is anything else. I had to actually read Hoshi's long list, most of the stuff I would have put in here was already there. Thanks again Hoshi. And once again, I am so glad to not have to be the smartest :wink: We should start a Velma club. Or, the smart girls with nice sweaters cabal. Or something. Have a nice weekend :D without me :cry:
Thanks and two-quarters!
American Civil Liberties Union
http://www.aclu.org/safeandfree/
www.oldversion.com
Because new is not always better......here're the original versions of many downloadable programs.
WTF
NEVER, EVER FORGET wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org)
Can we get a sticky on this?
Done!
Good idea, CG.
For those of you who want to watch the watchmen, there's FAIR - Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting (http://www.fair.org/index.php)
Quote from: SssBella, Oracle of DoomDone!
Good idea, CG.
Believe it or not I have them from time to time.
or if I include this I have them from time.
Quote from: ChaosGraves:AgentOfErisQuote from: SssBella, Oracle of DoomDone!
Good idea, CG.
Believe it or not I have them from time to time.
or if I include this I have them from time.
Actually, I do believe it.
http://symbols.com/graphicsearch.html
Meh I'll sign up tomorrow or the next day. I think...ehh...whatever...
www.langmaker.com
A language reference site, dedicated to conlanging, new word making, new typeface making, reviews, and a general sense of insanity sometimes.
Y'all forgot about the magic.
Quote from: Irreverend Hugh, KSCY'all forgot about the magic.
www.mcdonalds.com ?
Physics Hit Parade
www.physicssongs.org
Biochemist's Songbook
http://members.tripod.com/~sunybgrad/biochem-songs.htm
Science Karaoke
http://www.africangreyparrott.com/downloads.html
Chemistry, The Songs of Our Lives
http://skynet.oir.ucf.edu/~mschell/Chemistry/
Mathmatics Related Songs
http://math.bu.edu/INDIVIDUAL/jeffs/songs.html
Ye gods!
What about Chaos Matrix and Chaos Magic and Cantrap and others?
:shock: :shock: :shock:
WWW.Principiadiscordia.com
Some sites that have been coming in handy lately-
Google Maps (http://maps.google.com/)- Highly zoomable maps
Find Your Spot (http://www.findyourspot.com/)- Search for your ideal city
Google Earth (http://earth.google.com/)- Detailed satellite images of anywhere on Earth.
GovTrack (http://www.govtrack.us/)- Monitor and track legislature and representatives
Quote from: Hoshiko
GovTrack (http://www.govtrack.us/)- Monitor and track legislature and representatives
Oh, how much I wished this was a GPS system for politicians...
Prelinger Archives (http://www.archive.org/details/prelinger)
Lots of old propaganda here
QuotePrelinger Archives was founded in 1983 by Rick Prelinger in New York City. Over the next twenty years, it grew into a collection of over 48,000 "ephemeral" (advertising, educational, industrial, and amateur) films. In 2002, the film collection was acquired by the Library of Congress, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division. Prelinger Archives remains in existence, holding approximately 4,000 titles on videotape and a smaller collection of film materials acquired subsequent to the Library of Congress transaction. Its goal remains to collect, preserve, and facilitate access to films of historic significance that haven't been collected elsewhere. Included are films produced by and for many hundreds of important US corporations, nonprofit organizations, trade associations, community and interest groups, and educational institutions. Getty Images represents the collection for stock footage sale, and some 2,000 key titles are available here. The collection currently contains over 10% of the total production of ephemeral films between 1927 and 1987, and it may be the most complete and varied collection in existence of films from these poorly preserved genres.
Something Religious -=> Skeptics Annotated Bible (http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/)
Quote from: unlike_someoneSomething Religious -=> Skeptics Annotated Bible (http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/)
That's been posted before, but thanks...it's an all-time classic.
I didn't see it posted in the collection... lack of sleep must be making me hallucinate.
Quote from: unlike_someoneI didn't see it posted in the collection... lack of sleep must be making me hallucinate.
Naw...it had a thread of its own, a while back. Still and all, it's easier to find here.
http://www.readprint.com/
An online collection of thousands of books for you to read and/or print.
http://www.gutenberg.org/
More of the same
Oooohhhhh...... :twisted:
THIS IS TO SAY HELLO AND WELCOME TO LAST YEAR AS THE GIGGLING JAYPEHGUH IS TO SAY! PLEASE TO REMAIN INFORMED ON THE COOL WEBNETS!
Philosophy Comix
http://members.aol.com/lshauser/phlcomix.html
http://www.metmuseum.org/
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Complete online version of the Tao te Ching
http://www.nokama.com/tao/index.cfm?fuseaction=main
"The Invisible Library is a collection of books that only appear in other books. Within the library's catalog you will find imaginary books, pseudobiblia, artifictions, fabled tomes, libris phantastica, and all manner of books unwritten, unread, unpublished, and unfound."
http://www.invisiblelibrary.com/
http://www.pagebypagebooks.com/
Page by Page a collection of books that you can read online.
It looks like they have a pretty good selection on this site.
the devil's own dictionary
http://www.alcyone.com/max/lit/devils/
Quote from: doubtless incidentthe devil's own dictionary
http://www.alcyone.com/max/lit/devils/
The devil's dictionary doesn't have fuck :twisted: :lol: :twisted: :evil:
well fuck
Here's a place to buy and sell anything handmade:
http://etsy.com/
That's a fascinating website, Bella. I will bookmark that for possible gifting. As someone who occasionally dabbles in crafty stuff, it'd be cool to support other people doing it.
It's all about ME!
http://www.gallifreyone.com
8)
Quote from: DJRubberduckyThat's a fascinating website, Bella. I will bookmark that for possible gifting. As someone who occasionally dabbles in crafty stuff, it'd be cool to support other people doing it.
Yeah, that's what I was thinking, too.
I like to buy handmade stuff when I can.
Quote from: The DoctorIt's all about ME!
http://www.gallifreyone.com
8)
Yay, you!
http://www.sourcetext.com/
"A home for specialized, reason-provoking texts
that appeal to the eternally curious and
to those who value wit and character."
Such as: "Complete texts of writings that refer to Shakespeare's
knowledge of law and the history of opposing arguments."
Wow. That site will come in handy for the next pointless LJ debate...
LMNO
-Sometimes enjoys pointless LJ debates.
Used, new, and hard to find books, movies, etc.
They carry a lot of out of print books.
http://www.alibris.com/help/gettingstarted.cfm?S=R
GIGGLES! HELLO!
More free e-books to download:
http://www.baen.com/library/
umm books.free.
Yeah.......it's almost like heaven, isn't it?
Another reference site, with links to specific reference areas.
http://library.rider.edu/scholarly/rlackie/Invisible/Inv_Web.html
Free books always taste better.
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/faid/
Library of Congress finding aids
http://www.the-athenaeum.org/
The Athenaeum - A set of online tools for studying the Humanities.
The American Buddha Online Library....
I found this site, and fell in love...books, whole movies, articles, you name it...including an (almost) complete book by Timothy Leary, whole novels by Phillip K. Dick, and more free whole albums than I could ever possibly listen to in just one month's time...including a Goth tribute album to the Doors, which I found rather random indeed...
There's a short sign up, but all they ask for is yer zip/post code, no biggie. No $$$ involved or nothin' for signing up...
http://www.american-buddha.com/viva.htm
Enjoy!
http://bugmenot.com Avoid having to register for free sites that require registration.
http://www.hermetics.org/ebooks.html Hermetics library of occult and magical e-texts.
http://www.stumbleupon.com/ Visit random sites other users have flagged, rate them, and it sends you to places you're likely to like based on what you like. Like?
www.sacred-texts.com
Great resource for researching Religion, Mythology, Esoterica, and the Occult. Virtually every Holy Book known to modern man can be found there!
www.esotericarchives.com
Best website on Magic and the Occult that I know of, and it's all primary sources!
Quote from: Hoshiko on June 29, 2005, 11:03:36 AM
GovTrack (http://www.govtrack.us/)- Monitor and track legislature and representatives
This site is brilliant. I actually use it for work every day. Opencongress.org looks like a useful sister site, too.
Did I just miss it or did the first post omit All Music Guide? Probably top 3 online reference sites for me.