This message contains the most commonly asked newbie questions and the answers, so that the newbie won't waste everyone's time by asking in the forum. There are FAQ's on everything, from recreation to business to sports. Maintaining the FAQ is usually a labor of love by the guru that has been around the longest. You'll find FAQ's all over the Internet.
Conferences are usually very boring to most people.
Except E3, the video game get-together. Find out what the hottest new video games will be this season on Friday. There are all sorts of references on the Internet. Everything from encyclopedias to atlases. Of course there are a few dictionaries, including my site of the night, Miriam Webster Online .