If you are a "handyman," "handywoman," or just forced into it sometimes, you will want to check the Internet for home improvement tips.

The best resource I've seen is the Better Home and Gardens Home Improvement Encyclopedia. This resource covers everything including the kitchen sink and all the information is free for the viewing.

Colorful pictures, detailed, step-by-step text and occasional full animations await the visitor in topics such as Home Improvement Basics, Plumbing, Electrical, Yard and more.

In Home Improvement Basics, the topic says it all. Learn basic emergency (circuit breakers, gas leaks, burst pipes and leaking roofs), carpentry (measuring lumber, sawing, sanding, hammering and fastening), painting, heating and cooling.

Another major areas in the encyclopedia is the House Structure. Here you get an overview and detail of working with or on floors, walls, windows, doors, roofs, exteriors and even under the house. You can learn to lay tile, rehang a door, keep a dry foundation or fix squeaky floors in this section.

In the plumbing area, learn how to fix a jammed garbage disposal, replace a faucet, or stop the ever-nagging run-on toilet. You can also learn differences in pipes and how to work with special pipe tools and plumbing hardware stores (so you don't sound quite so ignorant).

Do you have a sagging gate that needs a lift? Wanting to make a retaining wall to stop soil runoff? Wish you knew how to create a walkway or patio? The complete steps to fixing or creating each one of these (and much more) can be found in the Yard Structures section.

The are also major sections of the BH&G Home Improvement Encyclopedia with scores of topics dealing with decks, landscape, electrical and phone. Each has plenty of specifics and lots of animation to guide you through the processes.

If all of these new gadgets confuse you or if you don't know the difference between a keyhole saw and reciprocating saw then check the very complete Tool Dictionary. Divided into hand, power, specialty and rental tools and including an overall alphabetized listing, you can spend hours just learning what they all do.

Finally, there is a separate section on project calculations. Included are paint, drywall and lumber estimators. For example, lets say you needed to paint a room in the house. Jump to the Paint Estimator and enter in room perimeter, wall height, the sizes of the doors, windows or other major areas not being painted and number of coats needed. Next, click on the calculate button and get the estimate.

As a note, be sure to download and automatically install Macromedia Shockwave "plug-in" that is available from the bottom of the main encyclopedia page. It allows you to view all the animations. Sometimes, an explanation won't make since without the accompanied pictures. As a bonus, the plug-in can be used with many other Web sites in addition to this one.

Whether you want to be a "do-it-yourselfer," or have to be, the Better Homes and Gardens Home Improvement Encyclopedia and many other sites will help you through the process of making your home more livable and save some money doing it.