How-To Sites

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100 Amazing How-To Sites to Teach Yourself Anything

Learning new skills and expanding your knowledge doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. There are loads of free resources on the Web that can help you find instructional videos, tutorials and classes to learn a wide variety of skills from fixing basic car problems to speaking another language. With 100 sites to choose from, you’re bound to find something here that will help you learn just about anything you could want.
General Tutorials
These sites offer a wide range of tutorials and videos.

1. Expert Village: One of the biggest how-to sites on the Web, this site is home to hundreds of thousands of videos on an infinitely broad spectrum of topics.
2. LearnThat.com: With categories like business, finance, home repair, and computers and tech, this site has plenty of classes for avid learners.
3. Koonji: With tutorials that are extremely easy to follow, this site will make it simple to learn just about anything.
4. SuTree: Whether you want to learn new skills or share some of your own, you can do both on this video how-to site.
5. VideoJug: With great videos on topics as diverse as doing well on the SAT and knitting a scarf, you’ll be able to find just what you’re looking for here.
6. FindTutorials.com: This huge collection of tutorials contains listings for education, hobbies and DIY projects around the house.
7. TrickLife: Want to make your life better? This site is home to numerous tutorials to help improve your home, your body and your personal well-being.
8. Instructables: This site offers a wide range of video tutorials where users can showcase all their valuable skills.
9. MyTutorials: Search through the tutorials on this site to find just what you’re looking to learn.
10. Tutorial Ninjas: From investing to getting healthy, you’ll find loads of tutorials here.
11. Hodder Education: Check out this site for a range of self-learning opportunities in sports, music, health and more.
12. Sofia: Promoting free sharing of intellectual assets, this site offers several free courses in programming, typography and geography.
13. I Can Learn Anything: Pay this site a visit to get access to a wide range of social learning resources.
14. Wikiversity: With over 10,000 free learning resources, you’ll find tons of great instructional materials here.

Around the House
Want to know how to fix that broken cabinet or hang up some great wallpaper? These sites are all about helping you learn how to fix things around the house, on your car or even learn a new hobby.

15. Make Magazine: If you’re looking to turn your old laptop into something cool, or find new and inventive ways to spruce up your home, you’ll find loads of ideas on this site.
16. What the Craft: With a little instruction from this site you can create hand-tailored clothes or great new pillows for your couch.
17. Skillvids: Save money on costly home repairs by learning how to do them yourself on this site.
18. Jonko Online Auto Repair: Here, you’ll find some instructional help on fixing all the little things that can go wrong with your car.
19. DoItYourself.com: Whether you’re trying to sell your home or manage your finances, you’ll find some helpful guidance here.
20. Fix Expert: Learn some of the basics of car maintenance and repair from this site.
21. Easy2DIY: Want to know how to lay carpet? Fix your leaky dishwasher? You’ll find that and more here.
22. Free DIY Tutorials: Visit this site to learn how to construct a range of sewing and crafting projects.
23. The Bicycle Tutor: Why pay someone to fix your bike when you can do it yourself? This site can teach you how.
24. Grovetech PC Repair and Maintenance: Check out this site to learn how to do some basic PC repairs like adding additional RAM and cleaning off all those nasty viruses.
25. ReadyMade: This site can help you learn to build things you never knew you could do on your own.
26. Hack a Day: Embrace your creative side with these hacks that help you learn to reuse the junk around your house in cool new ways.
27. Howtopedia: With loads of tips on how to make your DIY projects greener, this site will help you make your home and the earth a little better at the same time.

Business and Management
If you feel like you’re seriously lacking on business and management skills at work, no need to worry. These sites can help you learn the basics and get your career on track.

28. KnowThis?: Boost your marketing skills by taking one of the tutorials offered through this site.
29. Leadership Training Tutorials: Like the name suggests, these free tutorials are all about helping you bring out your leadership skills.
30. Laynetworks: Those who want to learn more about great management skills can find tutorials galore here.
31. Website 101: If you’re an entrepreneur who doesn’t know much about running a business online, this site is home to loads of tutorials that can help you understand what it takes to establish a great web presence.
32. Business Tutorials: Whether you want to start your own business or need a little guidance once you have, this site will provide all kinds of helpful tutorials.
33. Passion for Business Learning: Learn more about business skills from management to finance on this site.
34. Business Balls: While the name might be silly, the site offers some serious advice and information on improving management and business skills.
35. ComputerWeekly: Those in the IT field should take advantage of this site’s free weekly webinars to stay up-to-date on the latest information and developments.
36. TechOnline: Designed with electronics professionals in mind, this site has dozens of great tech-focused tutorials.
37. Change Management: Here you’ll find instructional materials to improve your skills in leadership and management.

Language and Writing
Those who want to learn a new language, improve their writing skills or just learn more about literature will be well-served by these instructional sites.

38. BBC Languages: With numerous languages to choose from, this site offers visitors some really valuable free language learning materials.
39. Project Gutenberg: Catch up on reading the classics with the free e-books offered here.
40. Teach Yourself Japanese: Whether you’re learning for business or pleasure, this site offers all kinds of resources for Japanese language learners.
41. Literature.org: The extensive library of free material on this site makes it cheap and easy to read up on just about any subject.
42. Bibliomania: With free books and study guides to go along with them, you’ll not only be able to read the classics but get help understanding them as well.
43. LookLex: Here you’ll be able to learn the basics of the Arabic language with free audio tutorials.
44. American Sign Language Browser: If you’ve ever wanted to learn ASL you’ll find a number of resources here that can get you started.
45. Learn Spanish: As one of the most widely-spoken languages in the world, there’s no better time than now to start learning Spanish.
46. Writer’s Resource Center: This site is home to loads of support and information on writing better fiction.
47. Paradigm Online Writing Assistant: Need some help writing? You’ll find instructional articles here.

Technology
These tech-focused sites offer help to both technophiles and beginners alike.

48. actDEN: Never learned how to use Microsoft Excel? Now you can with free tutorials on this site, offering education on a number of computer programs.
49. How-to Geek: From setting up to fixing problems, this site will help you learn to get your gadgets up and running.
50. W3Schools: Learn just about anything you could want to know about Web design and development from the large number of tutorials on this site.
51. KillerSites: Here you’ll find loads of free info on web design and hosting.
52. Productivity Portfolio: Are you really not good with technology? Here you’ll find tutorials designed just for you, with simple 5-minute lessons on the basics of programs like Outlook and Firefox.
53. Tweako: This site is home to numerous tutorials focused on technology, programming and the net.
54. Vista4Beginners: Many people find Vista hard to navigate, and if you’re one of them you can find help on this site, filled with great tutorials.
55. Digital Arts: From tips on using Photoshop to what it takes to make great web designs, this site will help you embrace the creative side of technology.
56. InPictures: With tutorials that come complete with visual representations of how to do everything, this site is perfect for the visual learner.
57. N Design Studio: This site is focused on Dreamweaver and Illustrator, providing a wide range of tutorials.
58. NetTuts: Check out this site if you’re in need of a little help with a web development project or want to learn more about programming on the internet.
59. Geekpedia: Here you’ll find tutorials on just about every programming language you could want to learn.
60. MuppetLabs: Programmers and aspiring geeks alike can find numerous tutorials here on languages like C++ and Perl.

Math
Many people struggle to understand mathematical concepts. These sites offer help and instruction no matter what level you’re on.

61. S.O.S. Mathematics: Check out this site to find tutorials and worksheets to help you learn more about math and get a little practice applying it.
62. MathVids: If you’d rather learn from videos, the instructional ones provided here will be helpful to you, offering explanation of a wide variety of math issues.
63. Math Cracker: Get a little help on math subjects from the basics of algebra to the intricacies of calculus with a variety of helpful tutorials.
64. Real World Math: Think your math teacher was full of it when he said you’d actually use the math you’re learning? This site applies all kinds of math to real situations, making it easier for many to see how it might be valuable.
65. Math for Morons Like Us: Even the smartest people can sometimes forget their multiplication tables, but if you feel especially weak in math you may want to check out this site. It breaks down even complicated ideas into easy to understand lessons.
66. Math.com: With some great tools and a variety of tutorials on algebra, geometry, trigonometry and more, this site has loads to offer learners.
67. MathTools: If you’re using MATLAB you can get some information on how to better use the program and understand what’s going on with these free tutorials.
68. Paul’s Online Math Notes: This professor wants to help you learn math, and offers notes, lessons and more.
69. Visual Calculus: The modules on this site are designed to help you see visually how calculus works, an easier way to learn for many who struggle to understand abstract concepts without illustration.
70. PurpleMath: Visit this site to find notes, tutorials and lessons on a variety of math subjects.

Science
Learn more about the amazing world around you from its chemical makeup to the processes going on in your own body with these helpful sites.

71. The Chem Team: Learn the basics of chemistry with the tutorials and lessons provided by this site.
72. Get Body Smart: With interactive animations and activities, this site makes it fun to learn about how the body works inside and out.
73. The Physics Zone: You can get a better grasp on concepts like magnetism and motion with this site that offers instruction on the theoretical and mathematical aspects of physics.
74. The Life Wire: Here you’ll find a number of animations and tutorials that are designed to help you learn more about biology, even the stuff that may have confused you before.
75. Geology Rocks: The earth may seem like a stable, static entity but it’s always changing and moving. Check out this site to learn more about these processes and the ground under your feet.
76. NASA: If Earth isn’t your thing, take to the heavens with videos, photos, articles and podcasts all about the stars, planets and what lies beyond.
77. Inner Body: Check out this site to learn a bit about the circulatory system and find out just how that cheeseburger is clogging your arteries.
78. Exploratorium: Also called the Museum of Science, Art and Human Perception, you’ll find lessons here on everything from how music works to the effects of global warming.
79. Science A-Go-Go: This site is a great place to learn about the latest and greatest scientific discoveries. You can take to the discussion forums as well if you’d like to debate any topic.
80. The Why Files: If you’ve ever wondered why or how a news story about science is true or want to learn more about everyday science, check out this site.

Creativity
These lesson-filled sites offer a chance to learn more about art, music and digital creativity.

81. Berklee Shares: Here you’ll get access to loads of free Strobist: Check out this blog and its tutorials to learn the basics of lighting in photography.
82. Teoria: On this site you’ll find a number of music-related tutorials and lessons to help you better understand music theory.
83. Digital Arts: Need a little creative inspiration? This site can help you out and help you better learn to use your digital art tools.
84. PSDTUTS: Whether you use PhotoShop to touch up your drawings or to make completely digital works of art, you’ll find helpful tutorials here.
85. Photography Mentor: Join this site to get educational videos for your computer or iPhone to learn more about digital photography.
86. E-Chords: The video tutorials on this site can help you learn to totally shred on the guitar or bass.
87. DrumBum: If drums are more your style, these tutorials and lessons will help you master a variety of types of music.
88. Music Theory: Ricci Adams teaches the basics of music theory and notation with lessons and tutorials on this site.
89. Computer Music Products: Want to make and distribute music right from your computer? This site can teach you how.
90. Duey’s Drawings: If you’ve always been envious of those who can draw and paint, give this instructional site a visit for lessons on how you can improve your skills.
91. Video-Tutes: Learn a number of useful things about shooting and editing videos from the instructional tutorials on this site.

History
Expand your knowledge of the past with these history sites that contain info, photos and lessons on numerous topics.

93. Archive.org: With links to information on the history of music, documents and even the Internet, this site is a one-stop-shop for learning.
94. Library of Congress: With numerous digitally archived photos, documents and manuscripts, as well as a few wholly online exhibits, you’ll find a wealth of great information on this site to help you learn about American history.
95. The Rosetta Project: No matter what language you want to learn about, still spoken or long dead, you’ll find its history and loads of information about it here.
96. Digital History: This online project offers users a wide range of digitized historical information to make learning easy and fun.
97. U.S. Census Bureau: Get the stats on just about everything you could want to know about Americans on this site.
98. Biography: Learn a little more about the people who have shaped the world we live in today with the information from Biography.
99. Artcyclopedia: Wanna know a little more about the history of art? You’ll find information, photos and resources galore here.
100. History Channel: Even if you don’t have cable you can watch videos, engage in interactive programs and read all about world history on this site.

Heralding Secure Builds

Here is how to leave a build out in Second Life so that it cannot be altered:

ANTI-TAMPERING

 The Second Life "default permissions" that you see when you rez a new prim to Second Life are a good starting place. 

in Edit Window General Tab:  

Not Shared with group
Not Allow any to move
Not For Sale

 You can alter these for various reasons, but then you need a secure build, one that cannot be tampered with, revert these settings to default for all prims and objects in the build.

 Next owner permission don't matter for objects not for sale, but best to leave them restricted until you decide to sell your build. If you do make your build "For Sale", make it a "copy" sale so the original stays in your possession and where it is.

in Edit Window Object Tab:

Not Physical
Not Locked

The one change that can make your build MORE secure than the default settings is Locked.  when an object is locked, you can not edit your object until you un-check "Locked" for that object.  If you gave edit permissions (more on this below) to friends or a group, they still cannot edit your locked build.

In your Friends Window, 

one last default is that none of your friends has modify rights on your objects.  You alone can give or remove this right for them. You can see who has this right on your friend list in most viewers.  It's a simple matter to de-select anyone who should not have that right.  Be stingy with with it.  Even if there is someone you want to have that right, you can LOCK any of your builds so that no one can modify your build: not you, not your friends, not your group members, not until you UNLOCK it.

BULK EDITING BUILDS

First, these setting help you edit much quickly, even with large builds with multiple objects and unlinked prims:

• Check "Select only my objects" in your Tools Menu so you can't select other people's objects. 
• Choose a draw distance large enough to make your whole build visible to you in you Preferences window Graphics tab.
• Un-check "Limit Select Distance" in your Advanced Menu so you can select any objects that you can see, even if they are more than 65m from you.

 How To Select Multiple Items video from http://vimeo.com/31667862

Open your edit window Crtl-3 and left-click hold and drag the yellow selection box over an area to select all the prims in the area.  This selects much faster and securely than shift-clicking them one by one. 

Now you should see an edit window reading "Multiple Selections" with owner named you.  Now, with just a singe click, you can set perms and many other parameters of the all the selected prims at the same time.

Revert to these secure settings named above: 
Un-check "Share with group", "Allow any to move" and "For sale"
Un-check "Physical"
Last, check "Locked" so that you yourself cannot change the build by accident.

Now close your edit box and check your work.  Get a clever friend to see if they can move your things.  Rejoice if they cannot.




Last, SL can fail you when regions go down, return times expire, parcels can change group permissions, or you can click something you didn't mean to, like "temporary" and you can lose your work.  The remedy:

Save often.  Back up often

• Save copy to your inventory.
• Give a full-perm (copy, modify, transfer permitted to next owner) copy to another account
• Use a back-up feature that some viewers offer to put builds on your own hard-drive.