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    • How Hackers Work
      How Hackers Work

      It was announced last week that hackers intercepted a conference call between the FBI and Scotland Yard. Hackers have gotten a bad reputation as criminals of the computer age, but are they all foes?

    • Is global warming irreversible?
      Is global warming irreversible?

      An iceberg the size of New York City is poised to break away from a glacier in Antarctica that’s melting quickly as the region’s climate warms. Are we past the point of no return when it comes to global warming, or can our efforts still make a difference?

    • What's a uranium centrifuge?
      What's a uranium centrifuge?

      Iran is threatening to retaliate as the U.S. and Europe continue imposing sanctions against the Middle Eastern country. As concerns grow over Iran developing a nuclear weapon, find out how uranium centrifuge machines are at the core of it all.

    • 10 Biggest Snowstorms of All Time
      10 Biggest Snowstorms of All Time

      Today is the anniversary of the Blizzard of 1978, one of the strongest storms on record. Heavy snowfall is just one mark of a bad storm, but the biggest snowstorms of all time also brought strong winds and cold air.

    • Google Plus 101
      Google Plus 101

      If at first you don't succeed, launch a new online social network. Google's Orkut failed to hit the big time on the world stage, but could Google Plus challenge Facebook for the title of King of Social Media?

    • Is cyberwar coming?
      Is cyberwar coming?

      U.S. intelligence officials met this week on Capitol Hill to determine what sort of threat Al Quaeda continues to pose. At the top of the list: cyberattacks. Is it only a matter of time before countries attack one another's computers? Or have they already started?

    • Why is winter not happening?
      Why is winter not happening?

      Many folks in the Northern Hemisphere are still waiting for their full-blown snowman invasion to hit. Is Frosty ever going to come this winter?

    • 5 Tips for Picking the Right Smartphone
      5 Tips for Picking the Right Smartphone

      An unverified image of the new BlackBerry smartphone has leaked to the Web, and there’s no keyboard in sight. With so many phones on the market, here are some tips to figure out what you want and what you can do without.

    • Top 10 Inventions by African-Americans
      Top 10 Inventions by African-Americans

      During February, the United States celebrates African American History Month. Here, take a look at 10 notable inventions credited to African-American innovators that you might not know about.

    • How Riots Work
      How Riots Work

      A riot after a soccer game in Egypt on Wednesday has left more than 70 people dead. Riots may garner attention for people who feel frustrated and oppressed, but are they really effective?

    • Top 5 Richest Internet Entrepreneurs
      Top 5 Richest Internet Entrepreneurs

      Facebook filed for an initial public offering Wednesday, which could create a few millionaires when the stock shares go public. See how hard work has paid off for this list of Internet entrepreneurs in ways the rest of us can barely imagine.

    • How to Survive a Sinking Ship
      How to Survive a Sinking Ship

      Hundreds of people were rescued on Thursday after a ferry off the coast of Papua New Guinea sank, and the search continues for additional survivors. Do you know what to do when a ship goes down?

    • 10 Signs the Economy Is Improving
      10 Signs the Economy Is Improving

      Last week, claims for initial unemployment benefits dropped. According to some economists, the most recent U.S. recession ended in June 2009, but not everyone can see the difference. It may surprise you to learn that the economy is showing signs of life, and here are 10 of the most vital.

    • iPod Pictures
      iPod Pictures

      Rumors are circulating that the new iPod Nano will feature a camera. Take a look Apple's current products and see how the models have changed throughout the years.

    • 5 Things LEGO Blocks Can Teach You About Structural Engineering
      5 Things LEGO Blocks Can Teach You About Structural Engineering

      Playing with LEGOs isn't just child's play. In fact, two Canadian teens recently sent a LEGO man into space with a weather balloon. Take a look at what LEGO can teach us about structural engineering.

    • How Human Reproduction Works
      How Human Reproduction Works

      Pfizer is recalling 1 million packets of birth control pills due to packaging errors that may increase the likelihood of pregnancy. What's the biology behind getting pregnant?

    • What is the universe made of?
      What is the universe made of?

      For the first time, a NASA probe has detected matter outside of our solar system. It wasn't so long ago that astronomers thought the universe contained normal matter, or baryonic matter, the base unit of which is the atom. But when it comes to the cosmos, there's always more than meets the eye. What else is hanging out in space?

    • Top 10 Things You Should Not Share on Social Networks
      Top 10 Things You Should Not Share on Social Networks

      Recently, two British citizens were detained upon arriving in the United States and sent back home after tweeting about destroying America. Bad idea. See what else you shouldn't share online.

    • What will the Earth look like in 500 years?
      What will the Earth look like in 500 years?

      Researchers have just determined that volcanic eruptions caused the Little Ice Age approximately 500 years ago. A lot has changed since then. What might be in store for us 500 years from now?

    • 10 of the Biggest Lies in History
      10 of the Biggest Lies in History

      On Jan. 26, 1998, U.S. President Bill Clinton denied having sexual relations with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky, only to later admit to the affair. Lots of us lie, but what are the biggest fibs ever told?

    • Quiz: The World’s Most Stunning Sites
      Quiz: The World’s Most Stunning Sites

      Whether it's a natural world wonder or the site of a historic event, millions of people each year travel from all over the world to visit these interesting places. Test your knowledge on the landmarks that draw the world's biggest crowds.

    • History Buff: Civil War Quiz
      History Buff: Civil War Quiz

      Although it ended more than a century ago, the scars of the Civil War are still with Americans today. Think you know more than the average Billy Yank or Johnny Reb about the blood and politics behind the war? Find out by taking our Civil War quiz.

    • Amazing Animals: Dinosaur Quiz
      Amazing Animals: Dinosaur Quiz

      About 60 million years ago, something happened to wipe dinosaurs off the face of the Earth. These creatures dominated the landscape far longer than humans have been around, but many mysteries remain about their appearance, physiology and eventual extinction. So which of today's animals evolved from dinosaurs?

    • What does it take to get hotel and airline upgrades?
      What does it take to get hotel and airline upgrades?

      Everyone loves getting bumped up to first class or a room with a view and a hot tub, but these upgrades can be hard to come by. Do you know how to get hotel and airline upgrades? Take this quiz and find out!

    • Car Smarts: Motorcycles
      Car Smarts: Motorcycles

      From Grand Prix dirt bikes to high-end models with built-in navigation systems, motorcycles appeal to a wide range of folks. All you easy riders rev up your engines and test your knowledge with the motorcycle quiz.

    • Quiz: When is the cheapest time to fly?
      Quiz: When is the cheapest time to fly?

      The cost of airfare shouldn’t keep you home-bound. Do you know how to time your travels to save cash on your adventures?

    • Car Smarts: Engines
      Car Smarts: Engines

      Unless a vehicle is entirely electric, a combustion engine is under the hood of every car, truck and SUV, but how many people really know how one works? Do you know a spark plug from a fuel injector? Test your knowledge in our engine quiz.

    • Stuff You Should Know's James Bond Quiz
      Stuff You Should Know's James Bond Quiz

      James Bond is about as iconic as a movie (and book) character can be. Agent 007 sure has plenty of fans who seem to know a lot about him, so let's see how you do here on the ultimate Bond quiz.

    • Tech Talk: Internet Quiz
      Tech Talk: Internet Quiz

      Since its popularization during the 1990s, the Internet has become a big part of many of our lives. But it's changed a good deal since then -- has your Internet savvy kept up with its evolution?

    • Do you know how to stay wired in the wild?
      Do you know how to stay wired in the wild?

      If you love to camp out but can't stand the thought of being away from the Internet for any length of time, this quiz is for you. Test yourself to see how much you know about finding mobile hotspots, boosting your wireless signal and using equipment that will keep you connected, even in the most remote regions.

    • The Ultimate Superhero Quiz
      The Ultimate Superhero Quiz

      This quiz is able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. Bullets ricochet off its chest (although it ducks when the emptied gun is thrown at it). That makes this a superhero quiz! Test your knowledge of superhuman ability while we stretch your brain to the limits. Pow! Kunk! Whap!

    • Travel the World: World Geography
      Travel the World: World Geography

      There's no need to do any globetrotting to explore the regions of the Earth and to test your knowledge about the far corners of the world: You can do it with our geography quiz.

    • Who Said It: Bush or Obama?
      Who Said It: Bush or Obama?

      George W. Bush and Barack Obama obviously have strong differences of opinions about many, many things. But check out these quotes about economic matters -- could it be that these two aren't as far apart as we think?

    • Stuff You Should Know's Spam Quiz
      Stuff You Should Know's Spam Quiz

      If you've ever eaten food, then there's a chance you might have tried Spam. We're not talking about the e-mail version. We're talking canned meat. Take our Spam quiz to see where you rate on canned pork knowledge.

    • Planning for a Perfect Retirement
      Planning for a Perfect Retirement

      No matter what your financial situation, it's important to start saving for retirement if you haven't already. On top of savings, retirement means your Social Security and Medicare benefits kick in, and you'll most likely want to take full advantage of those. Think you're hip to everything there is to know about retirement? Take this quiz to test your retirement savings know-how.

    • Car Smarts: Diesel
      Car Smarts: Diesel

      While diesel earned itself a bad reputation for spewing soot in the early days, improvements have made it much cleaner. Test your knowledge of all things diesel with this quiz.

    • Drills, Sanders and Reciprocating Saws: Tool Savvy Challenge
      Drills, Sanders and Reciprocating Saws: Tool Savvy Challenge

      So, you think you know your power tools? You would never confuse a disc sander with a random orbit sander, right? Show your stuff. Read our descriptions of these power tools and see if you can figure out what we're talking about.

    • Classic TV Challenge
      Classic TV Challenge

      When TV sets made their way into American homes in the 1940s, it marked a cultural transformation. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Americans spend more than half their leisure time watching television. So what have we been watching all these years?

    • A Fool and His Money Are Soon Parted
      A Fool and His Money Are Soon Parted

      In tough economic times, we all start to look at trimming our expenses. Take the budgeting quiz to find out how savvy you are with your money and get a few money-saving tips along the way.

    • Fact or Fiction: Apple
      Fact or Fiction: Apple

      Apple Inc. is no mere computer company, thank you. It's a way of life. If you consider yourself a true "Apple person," take this quiz and find out how much you really know.

    • 10 Gadgets for Your Next Road Trip
      10 Gadgets for Your Next Road Trip

      Thanks to a booming technology industry that caters to people on the go, the comforts of home may soon take a backseat to their travel alternatives. What gadgets should you bring on your next road trip?

    • 10 Ways to Bug-proof Your Home
      10 Ways to Bug-proof Your Home

      Whether you're frightened or fascinated by insects, you can probably agree they don't belong in your home. But how can you keep something so small from worming its way into your walls?

    • Top 10 Rare Books
      Top 10 Rare Books

      Three things make books rare and valuable: supply, demand and condition. Most book collectors seek out works like the ones on this list because of their associations with famous authors, events and historical periods. Of course, some book lovers want them because they're really, really old.

    • 10 Most Dangerous Places You Should Definitely Visit
      10 Most Dangerous Places You Should Definitely Visit

      It isn't necessarily advisable to visit any of these areas. But then again, if you're willing to take the risk, you'll see places most people will never have the guts to visit.

    • 5 Tools That Are a Must for a Builder's Toolbox
      5 Tools That Are a Must for a Builder's Toolbox

      There are many tools that builders find useful, but only a few of them are absolutely critical. What tools are essential to get most common jobs done?

    • 10 Things You Didn't Know About the U.S. Constitution
      10 Things You Didn't Know About the U.S. Constitution

      Each September, Americans remember the document that Revolutionary War general and national assemblyman Marquis de Lafayette called "little short of a miracle." But what don't you know about the U.S. Constitution?

    • 10 Cool Engineering Tricks the Romans Taught Us
      10 Cool Engineering Tricks the Romans Taught Us

      When it came to building or improving things, the ancient Romans really knew their stuff. Which cool engineering tricks did they pass along to us?

    • 5 Most Expensive Presidential Perks
      5 Most Expensive Presidential Perks

      The U.S. president rakes in a salary of $400,000 and lives in a 132-room mansion. With a full-time pastry chef and private cinema at his or her disposal, the leader of the free world wants for nothing. Which of the perks are the priciest?

    • Top 5 Countries the U.S. Owes Money To
      Top 5 Countries the U.S. Owes Money To

      The United States spends a sizable chunk of its national paycheck on debt obligations. Where is all that money going?

    • Top 10 Structurally Amazing Bridges
      Top 10 Structurally Amazing Bridges

      Bridges carry cars, trains, bikes and people across areas they couldn't otherwise traverse. These 10 may even move your soul with their engineering ingenuity and beauty. So which 10 make the cut?

    • Top 10 Countries in the Red
      Top 10 Countries in the Red

      Countries around the world, collectively, have run up at least $40 trillion in debt, but some are worse off than others. Which nations have the largest slices of that massive debt pie?

    • 10 Completely Wrong Ways to Use Commas
      10 Completely Wrong Ways to Use Commas

      Commas are notoriously tricky punctuation marks, and with good reason. So how can you know if you're using them correctly? It comes down to one question: Is it essential?

    • 10 of the Biggest Lies in History
      10 of the Biggest Lies in History

      You don't look fat in those pants. I didn't copy off his paper. She's a natural blonde. I am not a crook. Lots of us lie, but what are the biggest fibs ever told?

    • Top 10 'Star Trek' Technologies that Actually Came True
      Top 10 'Star Trek' Technologies that Actually Came True

      The characters in "Star Trek" get to wield all kinds of high-tech gadgetry. Some of these gizmos are purely science fiction. What technologies have actually come to pass?

    • 10 Expensive Restorations
      10 Expensive Restorations

      Over the centuries, some of the most breathtaking buildings on Earth have been restored many times. Whether repairs were needed, designs were updated or needs changed, big bucks were spent to make them happen.

    • 10 Types of Computers
      10 Types of Computers

      Do you know the different types of computers? Take a look at our list of 10 types of computers and learn about laptops, wearable PCs and more.

    • 10 Games that Take Minutes to Learn and a Lifetime to Master
      10 Games that Take Minutes to Learn and a Lifetime to Master

      Games like chess and checkers have been around for centuries for a reason: They're very easy to learn, but difficult to master. What other games make the cut for this list?

    • Top 10 Worst-case Scenario Medical Conditions
      Top 10 Worst-case Scenario Medical Conditions

      If you're the lone survivor of a plane crash on a deserted island or if your car breaks down on the way to grandma's, what scary medical conditions could come your way?

    • 10 Mobile Apps for Bookworms
      10 Mobile Apps for Bookworms

      Thanks to the digital age, people who love the written word have more options than ever. Which apps should book lovers download to get their literary fix?

    • 10 Foods to Buy by the Side of the Road
      10 Foods to Buy by the Side of the Road

      Whether you're discovering the big city on foot and need a bite from the taco stand, or you've driven 300 miles and crave a good diner, we’ve got 10 foods made for the side of the road.

  • Social Stuff from the HowStuffWorks writers and editors

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    • Memory Matrix
      Memory Matrix

      Quick, take a mental snapshot! Can you recall and reproduce the pattern that you just saw? The Memory Matrix game will put your attention span and intelligence to the test. Exercise your mind and play Memory Matrix!

    • Jigsaw: Intermediate
      Jigsaw: Intermediate

      With these free jigsaw puzzle games, you won't have to worry about losing a piece under the dining room table.

    • Mahjongg Dark Dimensions
      Mahjongg Dark Dimensions

      The new puzzle classic returns with yet another twist!

    • Cradle of Rome 2
      Cradle of Rome 2

      With extra Blitz and Tourney modes, 28 trophies, medals, achievement cups and three difficulty settings, becoming Emperor of Rome will lavish you with exhilarating rewards.

    • Volcano Explorer
      Volcano Explorer

      Volcanoes are pressure valves that release energy from deep within Earth. Learn about different types of volcanoes and create your own virtual volcano with the Volcano Explorer.

    • Dreamsdwell Stories
      Dreamsdwell Stories

      Build a colorful fantasy world by gathering magic orbs in Dreamsdwell Stories, a fun match-three game with a twist.

    • Farm Frenzy 3 -- American Pie
      Farm Frenzy 3 -- American Pie

      Save the family farm in Farm Frenzy 3 -- American Pie, and ranch your way through the American heartland!

    • Youda Safari
      Youda Safari

      As head of safari parks around the world, it's your job to show visitors the time of their life. Take care of these wildlife enthusiasts and give them an experience they will never forget as you guide past crazy monkeys, rebellious rhinos, hilarious hippos and more! Manage the day-to-day operations of the wildlife parks in 70 charming levels.

    • Picture Pieces
      Picture Pieces

      In this addictive picture puzzle game, you’ll be presented with pieces of a larger image, which you’ll then have to click and drag to the right spot. The more accurate you are, the higher you’ll score. Are you and your eagle eyes ready to play?

    • Pyramid Solitaire Silver
      Pyramid Solitaire Silver

      This brand-new version of classic solitaire action offers an exciting new experience to those familiar with other renditions of the game.

    • Crossword: Regular
      Crossword: Regular

      Are you ready for a classic crossword challenge? Online Crossword: Regular provides beginners with game play that will surely satisfy your puzzle craving.

    • Fruits Inc.
      Fruits Inc.

      Market your products, down to the color and style of packaging. Are you prepared to roll up your sleeves and harvest the fun? Play Fruits, Inc.!

    • The Island Castaway
      The Island Castaway

      An ocean liner gets caught in a fierce storm and goes down, leaving a group of passengers to fend for themselves on a nearby tropical island. To get back home, you'll have to find answers and overcome more than 200 diverse quests. Can you make it through?

    • The Lost Kingdom Prophecy
      The Lost Kingdom Prophecy

      The Guardians of the Elements have turned away from the kingdom and allowed a banished wizard to spread corruption and fear. With eight different modes, an amazing storyline and gorgeous graphics, this magical quest will leave you breathless as you prove that this wonderful realm deserves a second chance.

    • Treasures of Montezuma
      Treasures of Montezuma

      Featuring more than 40 challenging levels, original game play and gorgeous full-screen graphics, Treasures of Montezuma is a bold adventure of strategic surprises like you've never seen before.

    • The Scruffs
      The Scruffs

      The Scruffs have enlisted your help to save their beloved family home from being sold. Help the Scruffs stave off this looming family crisis and uncover the secret that will change their lives forever.

    • Vacation Mogul
      Vacation Mogul

      Become one of the rich and powerful as you buy and sell land, turn bungalows into five-star hotels and build specialty shops. Get the tourists to visit, provide entertainment and stay on track with employees and supplies.

    • Wedding Salon
      Wedding Salon

      Join Holly in 70 wonderful levels to make brides and grooms happy. Help wedding guests prepare by dressing them, picking out jewelry, styling their hair and more. Once you find the right approach to each customer, your efforts will be rewarded with generous tips.

    • Wild West Story -- The Beginnings
      Wild West Story -- The Beginnings

      Bella and Coyote Cub are two drifters who stumble across an abandoned mining town. Restoring a town while dealing with a rowdy group of desperadoes can be challenging! Join Bella and Coyote Cub on this amazing journey.

    • Woodville Chronicles
      Woodville Chronicles

      Imagine a sunny clearing in the woods surrounded by lush trees and a pleasant lake. Here is where you will build the wonderful town of your dreams. Use five fabulous power-ups, rotate the boards and watch as your town comes to life.

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stuff of the day

Did you know: Experts estimate that 25 percent of the world's remaining fossil fuel reserves lies under the Arctic seabed. Another random fact

“There are two ways of exerting one's strength: One is pushing down; the other is pulling up.” Who said it?