How to use the Internet as a research tool

For many people the computer is a means of communication, utilizing e-mail and possibly an occasional venture into WebMD or a Web site heard on TV.

If this is how you wish to use your computer that's absolutely fine, but there are a myriad of things available on the InternetQ from quilting groups where you can learn about new techniques and meet new people who share you interests to finding the best healthy recipes to cook for your family.

I can hear you now, "But Mike, I have no idea how to get there." OK, let's take a look and see if we can unravel the mystery.

If you are an avid quilter and wish to meet new people in your area who share your passion, go to www.google.com and enter "quilting groups." Then press Enter on your keyboard. The first Web site displayed, http://quilting.meetup.com, click on the title and you will be asked to enter your ZIP code before you can join a quilting message board in your area. If you are concerned about spam, and who isn't, you may want to get a free e-mail address at www.hotmail.com, www.gmail.com or www.yahoo.com that you can use for all of your message boards in order to keep your main e-mail address as spam free as possible.

Go ahead. Your identity is confidential as long as you choose a nickname like quiltergirl2008 or something like that.

If cooking is more your thing, again, go to www.google.com, type in "healthy recipes" and press Enter. The second Web site displayed is the Mayo Clinic site that has a healthy cookbook. If you can't trust Mayo, who can you trust, right? The Web site is filled with healthy recipes to enhance your lifestyle and health.

By the way, there are tabs near the top where you can research your medications, symptoms, ask a specialist and many more options. Maybe a good Web site to put in your favorites. If you look down the Google result list, you may find other Web sites that can be beneficial to you as well.

Perhaps your universal remote needed batteries and you have forgotten what the code for the TV is. No problem! Go to the manufacturer's Web site and get the user manual. Again, go to www.google.com and type in "user manual for Panasonic Universal Remote" and press Enter. The first Web site is for www.universal-remote.net. You should be able to find the codes there and stop having to get up to change the channel. The same holds true for most household items' user manuals. Check the manufacture Web site. If you have a complaint about a product, there is a "Contact Us" link where you can air your grievance.

Finally, if you are fed up with the exorbitant prices we are paying for nearly everything and wish to tell George W. your thoughts, log on to www.google.com and type in "How to e-mail the president." Yes, there is a Web site that tells you how to go about doing that as well. Do not expect a reply from George himself, but you will be contacted. One word of caution when e-mailing the president: use the free e-mail address you got in the second paragraph to avoid any repercussions or guys in trench coats coming to your door.

The amount of information you can get on the Internet is limited only by your imagination. Those people at Google know everything, so use them.

Mike Smothers is president of Smothers Computer Services and lives in Ahwatukee Foothills. Send questions to mike@smotherscomputers.com or call (480) 753-7667.