Riverside Public Library

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Internet start page

Use this page of helpful websites and tools as your portal to the Web, including free email, instant messaging tools, typing tutors and more. Visit our Web guides page for recommended Web sites by topics such as Career & Job Listings and Consumer Resources.

All-around Favorites

Alibris Used Books
The place to compare prices for over 60 million books, Alibris includes both new and used books along with information about their condition and source.

Amazon.com
World’s largest online bookstore, with new books and a network of sellers providing used books. Amazon also has many other diverse products for sale.

AskART
Authoritative source about American artists including auction prices: some information is free, and other information requires membership. Also includes sources for purchasing artwork from artists, dealers and galleries.

Disability Insurance
Disability insurance information and claims provided through the state of California.

Employment Development Department
The Employment Development Department (EDD) is one of the largest state departments, with hundreds of service locations throughout the state. Disability insurance and Unemployment claims can be filed at this site. Other information, including a job and resume bank, is also available.

Fact Monster
Free student resource with homework help on thousands of subjects, geared toward the 6-14 age group. FactMonster has educational games, timelines, polls and “Today in History.”

Franchise Tax Board Homepage
Income tax forms and electronic filing information for the state of California. The site also includes information for tax professionals.

Health Finder
This award-winning site from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides reliable and easy-to-understand consumer health information, including quick-reference health guides, personalized health recommendations, tutorials and interactive tools like menu planners, calorie counters, videos and online checkups. Here you'll find printable information on specific disease prevention topics that you can take to the doctor. There are also links to information from more than 1,600 government and nonprofit organizations and tools to locate health care providers including federally funded health centers that care for patients, even if they do not have health insurance.

HowStuffWorks
Find out about the operation of electronics, autos, computers, finances, entertainment, etc. The site also includes instructions about how to draw among other topics.

Nolo Law Books
The site of the foremost publisher of self-help legal books in plain English, on a variety of topics.

The Internet Movie Database (IMDb)
At this site you’ll find summaries and production data for movies, along with merchandise and trivia. In addition you can get movie showtimes, watch trailers and see what new films are being released on DVD.

THOMAS (Library of Congress)
Managed by the Library of Congress, this site provides legislative information. Also on the site are past resolutions and bills, plus a link to search the U.S. Code.

Search

Bing
Bing helps you turn information into action, making it faster and easier to go from searching to doing.

Google
The world’s largest and most recognizable web search engine with a unique search algorithm. Has additional tools and customization, including Gmail, Google toolbar and many other products and communities.

Yahoo!
A Web staple among search engines, Yahoo also includes a tools and search retrieval from the Web, news, blogs and other social networking.

Ask.com
Internet search engine with a unique search algorithm, finding web info, images, video, and news, among other retrievals. Formerly called Ask Jeeves.

Dogpile
A meta-search engine, Dogpile displays combined search retrieval results from Google, Yahoo and MSN.

Email

AOL Mail
MSN Hotmail
Gmail
Yahoo! Mail

Local Links

2-1-1 Riverside County
Dial 2-1-1 from anywhere in the county 24 hours a day 7 days per week for info and referrals to social services.

City of Riverside, California
The official website of the city of Riverside California.

Business

American FactFinder
The site has census info about population, housing, economical and geographical data in the U.S, from the national level to local communities. The site also has some historical data as well as a Population Clock showing the current U.S. population.

Better Business Bureau
Information about businesses and charities for informed decision making, it also contains consumer information about finances, and a dispute resolution forum for automobile warranties. You can also register a complaint about a business if you feel you’ve been treated unfairly.

BizStats.com
With business statistics, financial ratios and benchmarks for industries, the site also includes data on selected small businesses.

Bureau of Labor Statistics
The U.S. government’s data about wages, unemployment, and the economy, the BLS is your source for the national workforce’s statistics.

California Secretary of State Business Portal
Find companies doing business in the state with company officers, representatives, date of incorporation, etc. The site includes companies no longer in operation and information about tax status.

Free Economic Data
Economic and demographic data provided by a leading independent business source (Moody’s Economic), with both free and priced information. Both U.S. and international data can be found to help business, governments and investors make planning and other decisions.

OANDA
The source for real-time currency rates, foreign exchange data and services. Used by travelers, traders and brokers, you can also use the site to find historical currency rates and trading tools.

SuperPages.com
The site is composed of nationwide yellow page listings, but includes maps, directions, City guides, and more in both English and Spanish.

Thousands of newspapers on the Net
An Australian site with access to international newspapers, including Nigerian, Pakistani, Philippines, Indian, Egyptian, and Lebanese Publications (primarily non-English.)

Yahoo! Finance
Stock market news, currency rates, stock quotes, financial news for consumers, etc., including a currency converter.

Typing Tutors

Dance Mat Typing
A touch typing course from the BBC, aimed at children ages 7-11. The site includes segmented levels to advance skills, with song and dance for learning enjoyment.

FreeTypingGame
Free typing games, lessons and tests.

GoodTyping
A Web-based course in typing from easy to advanced levels, the site includes both free and registered versions.

Peter's Online Typing Course
typing course, no registration required, for beginning to advanced learners.

PowerTyping
Free online course for children and adults, with games, music and timed tests.