Jim's Links to Reference Sites - General

 

These sites have given me good information. I keep them here so that I can find them again. 

  

Good Reference Sites

  1. Aerial relief maps of the world!
  2. Mushrooms - identification and encyclopedic reference
  3. Pictures of Peaks all over the world - a mountain climber's resource
  4. Pictures of Plants - quite authoritative, Cuyamaca College
  5. A place that links to strange resource sites.
  6. Pictures of the entire California coastline - Wow!
  7. Kelly Blue book - how much is your car worth? Click on "find blue books" and "history" for fun
  8. Library of Congress
  9. Maps over the web - Mapquest is the standard
  10. Consumer Info from the government
  11. Dermatology information
  12. The science behind the news 
  13. Political Claims - True or False
  14. World Time - Current time in all zones

Information about the Internet

  1. Wireless Hotspots all over the world
  2. An archive of the entire web: The Wayback Machine
  3. Protect Free Speech on the Internet, read some take down notices
  4. Host your own Blog
  5. Urban Legends
  6. Hoaxes Debunked
  7. Wikipedia - A cooperative encyclopedia - you can help out!
  8. The Computer History Museum (in Mt. View)
  9. ShieldsUp! PC security test - do it!
  10. The web hosting company I use is: WebSolo. I really like them.
  11. @usa.net Email forwarding service - they do a good job for me

Software that you need

  1. SpyBot Search and Destroy - finds and removes spy ware on your PC
  2. PopUp Stopper - keeps all those crappy pop ups off your PC
  3. Google Toolbar - is a wonderful addition to your browser

Good Products

  1. Linksys wireless access point
  2. Netgear firewall router

Sites that help you with investing

  1. My own step by step planning guide!
  2. Bonds - A site with an explanation of bond investing; they advise laddering
  3. Exchange Traded Funds - Links to some education about them.
  4. Basic Investment FAQs - You can add some of your own knowledge to this site
  5. Securities Exchange Commission - Insider trading and other cute info
  6. Dare To Be Dull talks about ways to construct a portfolio using low cost, tax efficient funds.

  7. The Skilled Investor has lots of articles on investing strategies. Run by an old friend of mine.
  8. Thornburg Investments has articles on spending down your investments in retirement.