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Teach Yourself...

...To Build a PC

Dude, you're gettin' a...bunch of parts, and you're going to build your own PC! The good news: Literally hundreds of sites are ready to show you how to turn that pile of electronics into a state-of-the-art computing machine. The bad news: Many of these sites are badly out-of-date, so watch out for old information. My favorite advice site is Mysuperpc.com, which offers step-by-step instructions and is constantly updated with recommendations about specific parts and where to buy them. Other good guides of generally high quality and timeliness include PC Mechanic, which offers a 27-step guide to getting the job done, but no pictures; Buildpc.net, which has a few videos; and Waterwheel.com, which displays tons of photos. For something a little off the beaten path, check out Hardcoreware, which takes you step-by-step through building a completely silent PC.

...To Install Linux

You may not know your grep from your gruff, but that doesn't mean you can't learn the commands to install Linux like a pro with a little help from the Web. The first stop for any novice should be Linux Online, which offers detailed tutorials for almost every Linux distribution plus additional tips on getting the OS to work. Another great resource--designed for experts but with plenty for newcomers too--is The Linux Documentation Project. Geeks help geeks by answering specific questions at LinuxQuestions.org and on Google Groups at comp.os.linux. Just visit the appropriate category (hardware, setup, security, and so on), and some kind soul will probably throw a little charity your way.

...To Speak Italian

Parlo un po' d'italiano. That means "I speak a little Italian." And you'll certainly pick up a little Italian (and most other languages) on the Web, if you want to learn for free. None of the freebies will make you a master, but a few of them will at least get you started: Fodors.com has tons of travelers' translations (with audio) for common phrases, but no real instruction. MyLanguageExchange.com pairs up members in a sort of buddy system, each looking to learn the other's language. It's free, but it requires a partner with an equal level of motivation. Italian.about.com is another good resource, with essential phrases for travelers, an audio lab, and dozens of common Italian hand gestures explained. (No, polite ones.)

...To Create Origami

Ever attended an enormous cocktail party and found yourself so bored you were folding the napkins into, well, folded-up napkins? Turn your downtime into a creative endeavor by learning the ancient art of origami. Your first stop has to be Origami.com, which includes comprehensive how-to instructions for hundreds of classic and modern designs. Origami Heaven and Paperfolding.com are targeted at beginners and more-advanced levels; the truly lost should check out the animated Flash tutorials to find their feet.

...To Write a Business Plan

Sick of working for The Man? Get back at him by writing a business plan for your own start-up--say, while you're on company time! The Small Business Administration makes a good first stop, with a comprehensive list of things to think about in putting together your plan. Businessplans.org has great example plans along with helpful advice, and NASA actually has a good outline (even for non-space-oriented businesses). The free sample plan at Bulletproofbizplans.com is incredibly detailed and highly worth cribbing from. To download sample plans based on industry (manufacturer, retailer, and service provider), try the CCH Business Owner's Toolkit.

--Christopher Null