Knowledge is what allows human beings to invent, to go higher, father, faster. Thousands of years of learning and discovery go into inventing a new power quality analyzer, so it's not possible for people to relearn everything their ancestors discovered, either by discovering it themselves or by reading about the ancients' discoveries. We simply cannot hold that much information in our heads. So we write it down. We compile our knowledge in books with broad focuses that give us an overview of the depth of knowledge that exists out there. And we call them encyclopedias.
Most people, when they think of an encyclopedia, think only of the popular collaborative internet encyclopedia called "Wikipedia" but actually encyclopedias have been around for much longer than that. Collaborative internet compendiums like Wikipedia that anyone can edit are merely the latest incarnation, one that has arisen from knowledge gained in the past, during the lifetimes of people who had never seen an on demand hot water heater. In fact, oldest known encyclopedia was compiled by Pilny the Elder in the 1st century.
The basic principle behind an encyclopedia is to provide a quick reference on a broad variety of topics. Encyclopedias tend not to go into much detail, just to give a broad overview on the subject and to suggest further lines of inquiry for people who want to know more. Because they keep things broad, encyclopedias can hold entries on everything from platinum bullion to knitting, and provide an ideal jumping off point in the learning process, or a way to quickly look up the answer to a pressing question. Concentrated research on a particular subject will always require the use of a more dedicated text on the subject.
Encyclopedias don't always have every topic under the sun in them, but some encyclopedias, such as Wikipedia and Britannica, aim to do exactly that. A lot of times, specialty encyclopedias will be compiled to provide a reference for various topics belonging to the same subject, such as Philosophy or History. In all encyclopedias, however, information is listed alphabetically rather than by subject, to allow for ease of access. So Search Engine Optimization in Toronto would come after Keywords, even though keywords are a facet of search engine optimization.
If you have need of information while you're attending an English school in Canada, you could consult Wikipedia on your computer or smart phone. You could also go to the school or public library to access a large multi-volume encyclopedia such as the Encyclopedia Britannica or World Book Encyclopedia. The library will also have plenty of specialty encyclopedias, such as the Encyclopedia of Australia or the Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy, some of which you can also find online for free at Google Books.
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