Ask Uncle Sam; tapping into government Web sites.(World Wide Web)

The federal government is like your old Aunt Minnie. It can't throw out anything that might be useful someday. And given the government's penchant for paperwork, the result is stockpiles of information, some of which is valuable, some of which is not, but most of it is available within a few mouse clicks of those equipped with a Web browser.

Uncertain where to go? Start with one of the general sites that list government areas and provide electronic links. These include the National Technology Transfer Center's home page, which provides an index to more than 900 government sites (or visit its product information files that describe more than 200 information products available, from Food and Drug Administration reports to Department of Defense procurement information), or check out FedWorld Information Network, which provides Internet links but will also put you in touch with 130 government bulletin boards, most of which aren't located on the Internet and must be accessed separately.

Most government agencies pertaining to business have sites. These can be found by visiting any of the general sites …