If you're wanting to find out more about the great state of Texas, one need go no further than one's own computer. There are sources both public and private, commercial and personal. There are sites devoted to the state itself, cities within the state, private ventures within the cities, and personal and community weblogs that provide commentary on a wide variety of issues.

Texas Web Sites: Official, Chatty, Informative

For those interested in learning about the state as a whole, the University of Texas at Austin has an impressive online resource (the Handbook of Texas Online) dedicated to the history, geology, and culture of the state. If you're looking for specifics about the state, check out TexasOnline (www.state.tx.us), which contains huge amounts of information on everything from laws to taxes, from state maps to how to apply for a handgun permit.

If you're interested in looking up information on specific communities, do a little research for Chambers of Commerce, Visitor Information Centers, Visitors' Guides and such. Check, too, for online editions of local and regional newspapers. Another great research tool are community weblogs and posting boards. Much more personal in tone than online "brochures," these sites give visitors a real sense of what life (or at least some aspects of it) is like in any given community.

If you're looking for resources for apartment rentals, home rentals, or real estate purchase, do a search for area Realtors. In addition to actually being able to see a variety of homes without having to drive all over town (or across the country), one also gets an excellent sense of an area's cost of living, and how far one's home buying dollar will stretch. Also, as you search area Realtors, check that they list a wide variety of the types of homes you're interested in. If they mainly have six thousand square foot homes and you're interested in a starter home for two, then no matter how fancy their website looks, they're probably not the Realtor for you. Find a Realtor who has an expertise in the kind of property you want, and you've lined up a professional expert who can help deliver you to your dream home.