The Web site of the New York Stock Exchange offers near-real-time quotes, news, and historical data about the exchange. Don't miss the "Trading Floor Section," which presents panoramas of the floor, the "anatomy of a trade," and traders' lingo.

The American Stock Exchange, the second-largest floor-based exchange, offers news, "infoquotes," portfolio tracking, information on market activity, and more.

Founded in 1971, NASDAQ is the world's first electronic stock market. Its Web site includes news, "infoquotes," NASDAQ publications, and information on how a trade is executed.

The free section of TheStreet.com, an online investment and financial news publication, offers sections on investing basics, personal finance, and up-to-date articles by the site's staff.

The background text to the 1997 Nobel Prize in Economics is an excellent introduction to the Black-Scholes formula.

The Educational component of Optionetics.com offers an introduction to options and explains how they are used.

The Web site of the Chicago Board Options Exchange examines the many uses of the versatile option.

Finally, a way to eliminate risk in the stock market. Each month, contestants are given $100,000 in fantasy money to invest. The contestant with the most fantasy dollars at the end of the month is awarded $5,000 in real money. There is no entry fee other than a free Yahoo account.

A comprehensive glossary of financial terms.

Stay up-to-date on market news and read the latest about any stock.

Fleetkids offers a fun introduction to investing and money management. Play a simplified stock market, manage a virtual baseball team, and win prizes in various contests.

Investments is the highly-acclaimed textbook used by universities around the world. It walks you step-by-step through all of the basics of investing: from stocks and bonds to futures and swaps to risk and risk aversion.

The much-anticipated new textbook by Bodie and Merton has arrived. It begins with the question: "What is Finance?," ends with "Corporate Strategy," and offers much between. The text comes with a helpful CD-ROM that offers dynamic charts and other goodies.

This accessible book introduces online investing and catalogues the many Web sites vying for your attention. Our online glossary is excerpted from this.

Best described by its own title, this book offers literacy in an intimidating field.