Lost on the information superhighway? Don't dispair. There are plenty of valuable resources to help you navigate the Net.

To many people, using the Internet is like a double-edged sword. It's a rich resource for obtaining information and so much more, but it can also be intimidating for those who are unfamiliar with it. The following should make accessing information on the Internet easier.

Get HELP. When in doubt, type HELP to get a list of commands, or the help command. This will cut down on your errors.

Accessing information through E-mail You can obtain publicly accessible files from an E-mail server, info-server or archive server merely by requesting them in an E-mail message. The server will process the request and within 24 hours will E-mail instructions back to you on how to access the information.

Downloading publicly accessible files. Once you're hooked into a public archive computer, you can use a file transfer program to download or copy files. To log in to these public files, you can log in as anonymous, and either type in your E-mail address or guest as your password.

Remember, no matter how little you know, assistance can be at your fingertips. Contact the Internet Society (ISOC), 12020 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 270, Reston, VA 22091; E-mail: [e-mail] (703-648-9888, fax [phone]). Or, you can also try the following books:

The Internet Companion: A Beginner's Guide to Global Networking by Tracy LaQuey, 2nd edition, Addison-Wesley, $12.95;

The Internet Navigator by Paul Gilster, John Wiley & Sons, $19.95;

net.speak: The Internet Dictionary by Tom Fahey, Hayden Books, $15;

The Internet Unleashed by Steve Bang, Rick Gates and Martin Moore, SAMS Publishing, $45; and

The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Internet by Peter Kent, Alpha Books, $19.95.