Center for Women and Information Technology
http://www.umbc.edu/cwit/
The Center for Women and Information Technology (CWIT), located at the University of Maryland Baltimore County, was named "the best resource on women and technology on the Web" by ABCNews.com. The center's primary goal is to promote women's involvement in the IT industry. CWIT's Web site provides a wealth of information for women, ranging from learning the basics of computers to IT training and certification. Women considering IT as a field of study will also find information on financial aid and the CWIT Scholars Program. There is a list of books and many links to news articles about women and IT that are both interesting and insightful. This site is also reviewed in the March 1, 2002 Scout Report. [CL]
[Back to Contents]

Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
http://www.cbbt.com/
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is a 20 mile long series of bridges and tunnels that connect Virginia Beach/Norfolk to Virginia's Eastern Shore. The project is an engineering marvel; besides supporting vehicular traffic, the tunnels allow sea-going vessels passage into and out of the bay. A great deal of information is given on the project's home page, including a map of the surrounding area, historical perspectives, interesting facts, tourist attractions, and frequently asked questions. There are also a few pictures scattered throughout the site that show the enormity of the bridge-tunnel. [CL]
[Back to Contents]

Eureka County, Nevada: Nuclear Waste Page
http://www.yuccamountain.org/
Yucca Mountain in south central Nevada is the site of a governmental project for long-term storage of radioactive waste. Although it is a highly controversial subject, the project, if approved and completed, will certainly be an engineering marvel. A tunnel to a massive repository deep under the mountain is expected to take several years and cost billions of dollars. The Nuclear Waste Page of Eureka County has continually updated reports about the status of the project, pictures and maps of the surrounding area, and information about federal and state legislation. A detailed timeline shows the history of the issue and even continues until 2033 with future plans for Yucca Mountain. This Web site is an excellent resource for people to learn about the project and the many factors involved in nuclear waste storage. [CL]
[Back to Contents]

Support for Engineering Examinees
http://ppi2pass.com/Support/support.html
Support for Engineering Examinees is a good source of information for anyone planning to take any of the major tests for engineering, land surveying, architecture, or interior design. Although the site is operated by Professional Publications, who offer many books and study guides for these exams, there is also a lot of free material available. A very popular section is the Exam Forum, where fellow test-takers can exchange ideas and ask questions. Other useful areas include Exam FAQ's, Advice from Those Who've Been There, Qualifying to Take the Licensing Exams, and an exam checklist. People can send email questions to Michael Lindeburg, PE, who has over 25 years of experience. [CL]
[Back to Contents]

iSixSigma
http://www.isixsigma.com/
Six Sigma is a term often defined as "a measure of quality that strives for near perfection." In today's increasingly competitive corporate marketplace, this is a concept with growing importance. iSixSigma is a free source of information that helps businesses implement procedures that maximize quality and efficiency. While any organization can benefit from this site, the technology and manufacturing industries might have the most to gain. iSixSigma fosters open communication and idea exchange between businesses through an impartial source. Its Web site offers tools, calculators, methodologies, discussion forums, and much more to help any business achieve Six Sigma. [CL]
[Back to Contents]

Aladdin Matrix and Finite Element Environment
http://www.isr.umd.edu/~austin/aladdin.html
"Aladdin is a computational toolkit for the interactive matrix and finite element analysis of large engineering structures." It is being developed at the University of Maryland Institute for Systems Research and is funded by the National Science Foundation and Federal Highway Administration. Aladdin has numerous functions, including matrix arithmetic, structural analysis, and mechanics of finite elements. The software is excellent for use by both student and professional engineers. Extensive information and publications are given on the Web site, providing a good overview of the package. The Aladdin source code is available for download after a free registration. It can be compiled under UNIX operating systems, and special instructions are given for use in Windows. [CL]
[Back to Contents]

The Universal Troubleshooting Process
http://www.troubleshooters.com/tuni.htm
The Universal Troubleshooting Process (UTP) is an abbreviated version of the book Troubleshooting Techniques of the Successful Technologist by Steve Litt. UTP consists of ten steps designed to help modern workers diagnose the system in question and ultimately repair it. The process is very general and can be applied to virtually any well-defined system. Each step of the process is carefully outlined and can be easily followed. The Web site also has links to applicable articles from Steve Litt's online Troubleshooting Professional Magazine. UTP is a clever and original approach to troubleshooting technical systems. [CL]
[Back to Contents]

The Glossary of Mathematical Mistakes
http://www.mathmistakes.com/
Each month, the Glossary of Mathematical Mistakes examines a common fallacy that is frequently made by the media, politicians, and "many non-math people." The site has won awards from Scientific American, Britannica.com, and several others. Besides the monthly addition, there is an archive that includes mistakes that date back one year, plus many more that are just too classic to remove. Readers have the opportunity to email suggestions for mistakes that they would like people to know about. Another section called Puzzles and Problems poses many fun, thought-provoking math questions that involve arithmetic, geometry, algebra, and logic. [CL]
[Back to Contents]