THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOKS
http://www.nytimes.com/books
Online NY Times readers have long bemoaned the absence of the paper's essential books
section, missing since the Gray Lady emerged on the Web. Those complainers can now
rejoice! Times Books is up, running, and available to anyone who completes the free
subscription form. Bibliophiles will slaver over the savvy and informed book reviews, the
daily updates of news from the publishing biz and the unbelievably thorough archives,
containing all of the section's reviews, interviews, and news notes since 1980.
FABRIC 8
http://www.fabric8.com
What do you get when you cross a Web design firm with an interest in funky fashion?
Answer: Fabric 8. A mall for the new millennium, this house of style hosts a handful of
independent San Francisco
clothing and jewelry designers under one digital roof, providing an information-packed,
graphically fresh showcase for unique designs. You can also read reviews of CDs, hear
RealAudio samples,
and purchase them immediately; or check out the multimedia artist of the month. The
"linky dink" section transports you to other hot spots for window shopping on
the Web.
MADELEINE'S MIND
http://www.madmind.com
Toon Town meets the Web in this superbly animated Shockwave serial. The Elders have killed
Madeleine's dad, and now they're after her and the revolutionary psychic key he planted in
her head. It's the key that triggers both her imagination and the narrative. Waiting for
the scenes to load can feel like waiting for the plot to advance on General Hospital, but
with a little patience you'll find that this spooky sci-fiscenario draws you deeper and
deeper into Madeleine's Mind. Two new scenes per week keep you coming back.
LOOKING FOR ODDITIES?
Would you like to see some strange (and often amusing) news? It could be a relief from the
usual death, disease, and disaster news you see on TV and on the Web.
http://my.excite.com/webcrawler/
and click on Oddly Enough. Recent headlines were:
Fox farmer fires at anti-fur campaigners
Tiger eats hunter (not so amusing for the hunter)
Two dogs die as truffle war simmers
Store gets its word's worth with in-house poet
Aliens abduct humans for breeding? (see following headline)
Clinton gets new best friend
Let's face it--ordinarily, you'd have to stand in line at the
supermarket to see headlines like these.
CARL SAGAN
http://bornova.ege.edu.tr/~lyurga/sagan/main.html
The "billions and billions" of stars above will always remind us of the Cosmos
man. Check here for a galaxy of related to popular astronomer Carl Sagan's life, books,
research, NASA and SETI
projects, and PBS series, as well as tributes from those he inspired. Browse the memorial
book, which contains hundreds of farewell entries from colleagues, friends, and fans from
around the world. Or send your own message to the site. You'll also find a photo gallery
and interviews. We'll miss him.
SMOOTH EXAMPLE
The SmoothMove graphic format is a pretty cool way to view images on the Web. The Infinite
Pictures Web site contains a page with many examples of how to use the SmoothMove plug-in.
Go to
http://www.smoothmove.com
enter the site, and then click on the Panorama Gallery link to access the examples page.
The examples contain photographic images, computer-generated graphics, and more.
'TIS THE SEASON
Now that the holiday season is upon us, perhaps you'd like to visit some holiday
sites--places where you can pick up a holiday screen saver, some clip art, or
even a little holiday music.
For a well-designed Christmas site, take a look at Homepage for the Holidays at
http://www.merry-christmas.com
This site offers a lot of stuff for the kids: stories, activities, Christmas movie
reviews, Christmas recipes, music, and a form to send mail to Santa. It also has some nice
coloring book pages you
can print out for the kids to color.
ENVIROLINK
http://www.envirolink.org
This artfully designed site is an environmentalist's dream. EnviroLink News Service points
to the most current batch of related news stories, and the Internet Green Marketplace
promotes products from "environmentally and socially responsible" companies. The
superb EnviroLink Library arranges info under
headings like Air, Fire, Water, and Earth, and then tells you what "Soars,"
"Snores," and "Bites" elsewhere.
SMITHSONIAN MAGAZINE
http://www.smithsonianmag.si.edu
Where science and art meet. Smithsonian Magazine's site covers everything from musicology
to environmental issues, with in-depth articles that take a less technical approach to
their subjects than comparable pieces in Scientific American but are just as well
presented. The image gallery offers particularly striking photography and illustration
from many of the staff's contributing artists. A bonus: The site links you to the online
Smithsonian Institution and its 14 world-class museums.
ROADSIDE AMERICA
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/index.html
It's like coming face to foot with a four-story stucco brontosaurus: Words cannot do
justice to Roadside America; you must see this elaborate site for yourself. Beautifully
done, packed with wacky and important information, and easy to navigate, Roadside America
is indispensable for those with a passion for the
peculiar and a desire to get there by car.
COCKTAIL
http://www.hotwired.com/cocktail/
Cocktail isn't the most exhaustive database of drink recipes available online; it's only
the best-written. Refer to the others for instructions on mixing frat-house faves like the
Bloody Snot. Cocktail is devoted to classic concoctions--the Old Fashioned, the Whiskey
Sour, etc. Besides recipes, you get a history of each drink and suggested serving
styles--all done in a wry, literate tone that only occasionally spills over into
HotWired-style haughtiness. And the classy design should be Example 1 in a course on How
to Use Frames.
Attention, car shoppers: Don't buy a vehicle until you've explored this site. Edmund's
goes the extra mile to provide car buying information that's as easy to follow as a Geo
Metro with a flat tire. Our favorite section offers handy tips on how to deal with used
car salesmen and related showroom vermin. You'll also find reviews of new cars, crash-test
information, and up-to-date listings of new car incentives and rebates. Even better, it's
all FREE. No flashy graphics or Java applets here, just priceless advice on how to get the
best four wheels your money can buy.
FORTUNE
http://pathfinder.com/fortune/
Not only will you find electronic versions of Fortune articles here
(including photos and charts) but you'll also discover some excellent tools for budding
cyber-capitalists, including how-to-invest advice and "An Address Book for Online
Investors". To keep you coming back, the Fortune site provides daily business news
updates, in plain text or via RealAudio. What's it all cost? Zilch, since the site is
ad-supported. Even better, the ads are positioned unobtrusively near the top of the
screen, so they're easy to ignore. A must stop.
TUNES.COM
http://www.tunes.com
Imagine an infinite listening booth connected to every other music lover in
the world. Billing itself as the "largest click-and-play" music store on the
Internet, Tunes.com boasts a database of 163,000 performers and a dizzying 1 million song
titles(!), 200,000 of which can be previewed with RealAudio software. The site also
supplies personalized recommendations (provided you tell it what you like by rating other
albums), picks by celebrities (Carlos Santana, Bill Clinton, Steve Young, etc.), band
information from the All Music Guide, and something a real-life record store can't offer:
the ability to send music to friends via e-mail.
GAME SHOW NETWORK
http://www.spe.sony.com/Pictures/GSN
You can define people by the game shows they watch. Think of the Jeopardy
crowd versus the Wheel of Fortune crowd. Thankfully, the Game Show Network appeals to both
camps--and amusingly covers game shows from the 1950s to today. The roster includes Beat
the Clock, To Tell the Truth, Password, The Dating Game, Family Feud, and others. In
addition to learning background dirt on each show and host, you can view vintage video
clips (once you've downloaded the Intel streaming video software), play an online version
of Wheel of Fortune (replete with Maalox ad), explore the show sets using 360-degree
QuickTime VR, view program schedules, and answer game show trivia questions ("What
game show host was immortalized in the form of a giant Pez dispenser on Remote
Control?"). Time's up.
MR. SHOWBIZ
http://www.MrShowbiz.com
Online entertainment magazines have proliferated like fast-food burger joints. But none
can challenge Mr. Showbiz, a highly professional site that covers film, music, TV, news,
and games, and includes a handy search feature. To illustrate the site's completeness, a
recent interview with Jackie Chan offered a great intro text, full Q&A (with hot
links), lots of photos, a star bio, and the option to hear the entire interview via
RealAudio. Class act.
One of the only television sites to make you feel you don't need a TV, the Public
Broadcasting System's online presence could satisfy the masses without an umbilical cord
to the tube. Sure, there are pages devoted to upcoming movies, and PBS previews abound,
but such standbys as P.O.V., Nova, and The McNeil-Lehrer Newshour, boast enough meaty
content--often accessible as text--and interactive intrigue (via RealAudio) to supplant
their TV counterparts. Links from the Democracy Project and the Newshour's
background transcripts take you all over the world, through history, and into reference
sources. Local PBS stations are hooked up, too, broadening the informational universe. And
the Life on the Internet series clarifies how all this came to exist in the first place.
ESPNET SPORTSZONE
http://espnet.sportszone.com
What the granddaddy of sports sites lacks in sparkle, it makes up
for in size: It covers every major sport (and several minor ones--roller hockey fans take
note!) from every conceivable angle. Stats addicts can feed their numbers jones, while
those who prefer words get acerbic commentary and breaking news. On-air personalities from
ESPN (the television network) are here, along with name writers like Frank Deford and
Curry Kirkpatrick. If you like sports, this is your home page.
HOMEARTS
http://www.homearts.com
Chop content from Redbook, Good Housekeeping, Country Living, and Popular Mechanics into
bite-size chunks. Divide among six topic areas (health, relationships, food, pastimes,
home, and garden). Add some online-exclusive features (Recipe Finder, InnFinder, HomeCare
Advisor). Sprinkle with gratuitous Java tricks and serviceable search tools, serve in an
extremely handsome design, and, voila, you've got HomeArts. Even if you aren't an
obsessive Martha Stewart type, if you think a hammer and a screwdriver are pretty much
interchangeable, and if an Arch Deluxe is your idea of nouvelle cuisine, this site is
still worth a long look.
80S GAMES & TRIVIA
http://www.80s.com/Trivia
If you're reading this, you lived through the 1980s--and you've probably already wasted
hours of your life wrestling with Rubik's Cube, PacMan, Trivial Pursuit, Asteroids,
Galaga, Centipede, and so on. Now you can play online versions of these or take on this
site's own creations: "Rewind" (essentially "Name that Tune" with song
snippets streamed, not downloaded, to your system), "Who Can It Be Now?" (where
you identify photos of '80s music acts), "Gremlines" (identify movie quotes),
and "Sliding Tile Puzzles." Some of these links didn't exist the last time we
checked, but there's enough here to keep you busy until the next "Brady Bunch"
rerun.
BUYINGUIDE
http://www.buyinguide.com
Most people have at least a dozen programs loaded on their computer--from
word processors and spreadsheets to browsers, screensavers, games, address books, and
e-mail packages. And unfortunately, most of these programs require upgrades. Whether
you're pondering the leap to an upgrade or you're considering a new application for
financial planning, stamp-collecting, or the like, you need a reference database.
BuyinGuide organizes software packages into major categories like Finance, Utilities,
Games, and Internet. Click on one of these and you'll see all specific applications for
sale or further subcategories. Click on a particular product and you can read a
description, see a list price, and then follow the link to a site that sells it. It's fast
to load, it's graphics-free (for better or worse), and it includes buyer's advice and a
search.
WINDOWS 95 ANNOYANCES
http://www.creativelement.com/win95ann/
It's true, familiarity breeds contempt. We use Windows 95 all day and are therefore
intimate with some of its, er, quirks. Hence the Windows 95 Annoyances page. This isn't
just an excuse for token Microsoft bashing. Instead, you get a frank discussion of what's
wrong with Windows 95 and lots of practical advice about how to make it right. As the
page's author puts it, "Bad design is always recognized as such."
@TLAS
http://atlas.organic.com/atlas
"Think of this as cat sign in the virtual sandbox of your beleaguered attention
span." The visual aesthetic at this quarterly zine somehow bridges Indian kitsch
(particularly outlandish incense labels) and '70s-era computer games like Pong and Space
Invaders. Like an import store with highly developed sensibilities, @tlas serves up photo
portfolios on exotic cultures, travelogues, and favorite products from Third World
countries (hence the incense labels). It extends into domestic territory with interactive
sections featuring techno soundtracks and vintage computer games. And it's truly a
multimedia site, with lively soundtracks on most pages.
NBC Sports
http://www.nbcsports.com
It's no CBS SportsLine, but it's still packed with sports info. Whether you're into
football, basketball, golf, or gymnastics, you'll find it all here. Armchair quarterbacks
will also find handy schedules and amazing pregame football analysis pages that will make
even the most casual fan sound like an expert.
Yesterday's Tractors Online Magazine
http://www.ytmag.com
}You don't have to be a farmer to enjoy this magazine about vintage tractors. An amazing
array of information is now at your fingertips, including photos, articles, Q&A,
product reviews, and much, much more. There's even information on how and where to buy
your own steel mule.
HALLOWEEN.COM
http://www.halloween.com
Why pick just one site when the ultimate Pumpkin Day directory can send you to so many
excellent fright sites? Here you'll find links to plenty of pages about vampires, witches,
ghosts, werewolves, cemeteries, scary stories, and Halloween costumes. And you can't beat
that URL!
NFL FANS
http://www.nflfans.com
The NFL may be slow about adding new teams, but folks aren't slow about adding new Web
sites about the NFL. Enter NFL Fans, the newest offering for Web surfers devoted to all
things pigskin. Here you'll find a few worthwhile articles, but the most valuable feature
is a link to a great Web site and message forum for each team.
YAHOO WEIRD NEWS
http://www.yahoo.com/headlines/odd/
"Cows, pig at stake in soccer clash!" If a glance at the front page of a
newspaper makes you yawn instinctively, then this may be the cure you've been waiting for.
Yahoo's editors scour the news wires daily to bring you stories that seem more at home on
the cover of the National Enquirer--except that they're true!). About a dozen odd reports
are posted each day.
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
http://www.nga.gov/home.htm
Your tax dollars at work (at least you U.S. taxpaying citizens), bringing phenomenal
artwork to Washington, D.C., tourists and residents alike. But wait--thanks to the magic
of the Web, you can see it all from the comfort of your own computer: plenty of info on
thousands of paintings and other artistic masterpieces. Just pick a tour (some have audio
narration) of your favorite stuff and start soaking in the culture!
THE NAKED DANCING LLAMA
http://www.frolic.org
Sit back and wait for the massive graphic to load. It's well worth it. Then relax, try not
to seem overly confused, and prepare to ask your big question. It will be answered (via
e-mail) by the most esteemed mammal on the Net. Who cares if it also wants to lick you?
The beast is running for president, so show some respect. BTW, have you ever seen a
clothed llama?
DR. DANIEL'S MOVIE EMERGENCY
http://www.stairwell.com/doc/
If there's an emergency on the set, Dr. Daniel is one of the last people you should call.
But if you're thinking of visiting the local Googolplex or renting a video this weekend,
then maybe you should make an appointment. Even if you don't agree with his reviews, at
least you'll enjoy reading them.
COLLEGE SPORTS NEWS
http://www.collegesportsnews.com
This site provides plenty of news coverage (searchable by keyword) on just about every
NCAA sport, from golf to football. In addition to articles, schedules, and daily game
times, you'll find enough links to keep you surfing for weeks
JENNICAM
http://www.jennicam.org
What happens when a recent college graduate sets up a NetCam in her apartment? Some call
it a social experiment exploring the boundaries of media and privacy. Others call it
eyeball-bait for legions of snooping fans waiting to get a glimpse of her exiting the
shower. You can decide for yourself, but whatever this site is, it's causing quite a buzz
in cyberspace.
Glassdog
http://www.glassdog.com
One thing is for certain: This site pushes the limits of Web design. It's alive with all
kinds of low-bandwidth movement and great-looking graphics. Not much of a coffee-break
diversion; more of a 1-hour time killer. Lots of rants to read and places to explore.
Art Cars
http://www.artcars.com
To some, cars are just transportation. To others, they are mobile art exhibits. To some,
art is a fine Monet hanging on a gallery wall. And to others, it is a shining V-8
mutant--half garfish, half armadillo.
The Synchronicity Arkive
http://www.xnet.com/~arkiver/synchro.shtml
It seems some of Pink Floyd's (and a few other bands') songs and albums work amazingly
well as soundtracks to certain movies. Conspiracy, or random coincidence? You make the
call: Just pop the Wizard of Oz into the VCR, mute your TV, and fire up Dark Side of the
Moon on your CD player. Then try Blade Runner, 2001, and a few others.
The Smoking Gun
http://www.thesmokinggun.com
Conspiracy-theory buffs may love this site, but only because the reports center around
real government documents. The Gun sheds new light on both current events and the darker
corners of history. All hail the Freedom of Information Act!
Newbie-U
http://www.newbie-u.com
At last! There finally is an easy answer to all those "Hey, I'm finally on the
Net! Now how exactly do you..." calls from friends and relatives. Just send them to
NU (and make sure they do their homework). The New Bee (get it?) teaches them all about
the Internet, including FTP, e-mail, Usenet, IRC, and Web surfing.
Confessions of a "Wash Me" Scribbler
http://action.simplenet.com/confessions/washme.htm
You've probably seen his work before. Who knows, maybe you've even fallen victim to his
obscene form of "harmless" graffiti. Some may call him the Car Wash Robin Hood,
but this could be enough of a confession to put him behind bars!
ER Live
http://www.erlive.com
For fans who just can't get enough, you'll find plenty of post-"wrap"
interviews, sound clips, a trivia game, and lots of info from behind the scenes. (Sorry,
no naked George Clooney photos.)
FUNNY, BUT NO
http://www.shoebox.com/funny/funny.asp
Shoebox is a tiny division of Hallmark Greeting Cards, so they can't take every
submission. Read through these suggestions that didn't quite make it on to the shelves. A
new batch is posted each week.
PLUGGEDIN
http://www.pluggedin.com
If you're not plugged in, then you're probably out of touch (with the music world, that
is). Load up Microsoft's new plug-in, Net Show, and experience plenty of audio offerings,
including songs, concerts (live), and interviews. You'll also find a handy schedule of
upcoming concert "net casts" and a list of radio stations that broadcast over
the Net.
THE OFFICIAL BILL GATES SITE
http://www.microsoft.com/billgates/
Since there are so many unofficial sites devoted to hating and admiring Microsoft
cofounder/chairman/CEO Bill Gates, it's about time they erected an official site. Read
plenty of PR fluff pieces about Bill, including the main reason to visit this site: his
columns from the New York Times. Note: This is not a good place to search for photos of
his kid or news about his newly completed techno-mansion. But you will find hi-mail
address.
THE SPICE SHACK
http://gazza.simplenet.com/spice/home.htm
Girl power comes in many flavors, including posh, sexy, scary, baby, and a few others I
can't seem to remember at the moment. Whether or not you agree that the Spice girls are
"the most successful pop sensation since The Beatles!" you won't be able to
resist visiting this amazing fan site, which is filled with news, photos, audio clips,
videos, and raw spice attitude. Then again...
REBUTTAL FROM URANUS
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/women_rebuttal_from_uranus/
By now, (unless you really are from Mars or Venus) you've read, or at least heard of, Dr.
John Gray's self-help blockbuster, Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus: A Practical
Guide for Improving Communication and Getting What You Want in Your Relationships. Despite
its wide ranging success, we've found a dissenting voice on the Net. Welcome to Uranus!
THRUST SSC WEB SITE
http://thrustssc.digital.co.uk
Monitor this fierce battle in the Nevada desert. An Englishman and an American are duking
it out in dragsters that resemble fighter jets with their wings ripped off. The goal? To
find out who can break the current land speed record (633 mph), and even better, break the
speed of sound while on the ground. This is the home page of the British vehicle. The
Spirit of America team seems too busy racing to update its site frequently.
MARTHA STEWART LIVING
http://www.marthastewart.com
How did this ex-model carve a media empire from her humble home in New England? Why, by
Living of course (but having a soothing, not-too-excited TV voice didn't hurt either).
From roast chicken to chair repair, you can learn how to live, too. Or, fans can indulge
themselves in all sorts of Martha facts (Where does she shop?!).
MARS MISSIONS
http://marsweb.jpl.nasa.gov
Whether you're looking to explore Mars up close (Pathfinder) or from afar (Global
Surveyor), this is the place for you. Constantly updated news, current Martian weather
conditions, photos, Sojourner's plans for the day... absolutely everything. There is so
much info here that you may be in for a little exploring yourself.
ZENtertainment
http://www.zentertainment.com
At last! The Dancing Monks of Timbuktu are online! (just kidding). ZENtertainment is
actually a site devoted to music, film, TV, video games, and music. You'll find game
downloads, movie clips, links and other goodies on the Web site, but the real meat and
potatoes is delivered through a free e-mail newsletter.
Newsday
http://www.newsday.com
Here you'll find excellent daily news, direct from this trusted, Pulitzer Prize-winning
newspaper. Its splashy, colorful layout is easy to read and the news has a global focus,
although New York residents will probably be the only ones interested in the local
stories.
PHYS
http://www.phys.com
If you are a "normal person" who is interested in nutrition and other healthy
stuff, then you're sure to enjoy this snappy little site. Have fun rating your favorite
treats in the "Snack-o-Matic" or successfully decipher the ingredients on your
Twinkie package in the encyclopedia section.
Flesh.com
http://www.escape.com/~flesh/
No this isn't a porno site. And I can't tell you why the site name isn't the address.
Fortunately, the strangeness is only beginning... This site is the all-too-realistic '90s
version of Mr. Potato Head. Amazingly, no photographic images were used to create these
cyber-mannequins.
VinoNet
http://www.vinonet.com
If you enjoy wine, but would like to enjoy it more, then spend some time soaking up the
information on this site. You can even have your questions answered by the Cork Dork
(don't worry, he's actually a Web-savvy, world class wine taster).
GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE CORPORATION
http://www.gulfstreamaircraft.com
I don't imagine many readers will be serious shoppers, but sometimes it's fun to see how
movie stars and corporate CEOs choose to travel after they decide first class is just too
much hassle.
WHATIS.COM
http://www.whatis.com
If techy computer acronyms (like HTML, Java, and TCP/IP) scare you, fear not: This
"interactive computer encyclopedia" can tell you what it all means. Click your
way through entries arranged alphabetically by phrase or by preset categories (Books,
Software, Graphic Design, How the Internet Works, etc.), or use the handy search engine.
Neo-Webmasters can find pithy design tutorials. And handiest of all, the definitions are
hyperlinked
to one another. Very impressive.
BUSINESSWEEK COMPUTER ROOM
http://www.businessweek.com/tocs/computer.htm
A must-bookmark for seekers of hard techy news, BusinessWeek's editors organize a year's
worth of the magazine's computer industry news and add updated columns and articles.
Columnist Steve Wildstrom covers such wide-ranging topics as multifunction devices, MMX,
and high-tech ads in pop culture (titled "Cars,
Beer, and Web Browsers"). Finally, an interactive guide to computer buying called
Maven helps you pick the best new system, notebook, modem, printer, or monitor for your
needs, by providing clear readable comparisons of chip speed, price, and other specs. Best
of all, BWCR packages all of this information with a welcome dose of attitude (one
representative headline reads: "The PC Biz: The Wintel side of the industry (is there
any other? just kidding)").
ESPN SCORETRACKER
http://espn.sportszone.com/
Attention all hard-core baseball fans! Unplug your TV before the next big game, and try
watching it on your computer. ESPN's Java-powered viewer features detailed stats (about
each batter), box scores, and graphical pitch-by-pitch updates. The only thing that's
missing is that pesky old video feed, which tends to distract from all the data anyway
National Security Archive
http://www.seas.gwu.edu/nsarchive/
Strengthen your resolve in the Flag and hum the national anthem as you delve into this
stockpile of once-secret government information liberated by the Freedom of Information
Act. Elvis an agent of the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs? Don't take my word for
it...
MSNBC Burning Man Front Page
http://www.msnbc.com/news/BMAN_Front.asp
If you happened to miss this Labor Day weekend celebration of anarchy in the Nevada
desert, then tune in to MSNBC. You'll find a virtual slide show, a journalistic account of
this year's crop of sun-loving malcontents, and out-of-date, yet still interesting, daily
dispatches.
NATIONAL KITCHEN AND BATH ASSOCIATION
http://www.nkba.com
This useful site is devoted to the two most popular rooms to redecorate, renovate, and
remodel. You'll find all kinds of tips and information, including costs and design
considerations.
ELVIS PRESLEY
http://www.flashtcb.com
If you're looking for Elvis, then try looking online. This official Elvis Web site is
packed with memories. Sing a karaoke duet with the King, meet other fans, or read about
the latest sightings in the Elv-X Files section. Of course, the gift shop is always open.
DERMATOLOGY IN CINEMA 2
http://www.skinema.com
Take an off-the-wall look at Hollywood celebrities through the eyes of a Dermatologist.
Examine actors with real skin conditions (from Bill Murray to Pamela Anderson), or read
critiques of the makeup artists guys who have tried to fake them.
AIN'T IT COOL
http://www.aint-it-cool-news.com
Harry Knowles doesn't have an office, a staff or a fancy computer. But he does manage to
consistently scoop the mainstream entertainment media, thanks to his loyal legions of Net
reporters. These wired film geeks attend prerelease screenings of movies and then send
Harry advanced reviews and gossip. Quentin Tarantino calls him the "Wolf Blitzer of
the Internet."
SEARCH ENGINE WATCH
http://www.searchenginewatch.com
If you're serious about searching the Internet, then consider this required browsing.
Learn how search engines work and the finer points of using them. You'll also find
reviews, history, news, and even a search engine game.
E! ONLINE'S HIDDEN HOLLYWOOD
http://www.eonline.com/Hot/Features/Hollymap/
E! has taken the star map concept one step further. Instead of the usual
mansion-by-mansion yawn fest, it's created a virtual road map (complete with photos) of
underground monuments, from Huge Grant's favorite Sunset Boulevard intersection to Benji's
first residence (before he became tinsel town's top dog).
NEWBOT
http://www.newbot.com
It appears that Wired's search engine, HotBot, now has a son. NewBot is actually an
"intelligent" agent that searches the Web (on an ongoing basis) for sites that
suit your interests. Go ahead and download the little fellow.
TABLOID
http://www.tabloid.net
What happens when a group of disgruntled reporters from around the world find a forum on
the Web? Well, tabloid-style headlines for one, but you'll also find honest, excellent
reporting that's not afraid to offend.
SARCASM NETWORK
http://www.sarcasm.com
Take a break from whatever nonsense you're engaged in and zip over to the Sarcasm Network.
Just be sure to wipe that silly smile off your face first. Lots of high-quality
Web-centric lampooning that even the dullest simpleton will find truly enjoyable.
WNBA (WOMEN'S NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION)
http://www.wnba.com
If you think the Cleveland Rockers is the name of that new band on MTV, then you're
missing out on the hottest thing to hit the sports world since Tiger Woods: Women's Pro
Basketball. This useful site is packed with news, player info, schedules, scores, and
stats.
THE LAST WORD
http://www.last-word.com
Useless trivia? Or answers to the most important questions in life? It all depends on your
opinion of questions like "What do mosquitoes eat when there are no other animals
around to feed on?" Follow your interests through nine broad categories and more than
350 questions
SOUNDS OF THE WORLD'S ANIMALS
http://www.georgetown.edu/cball/animals/animals.html
If you were raised in the good old USA, then you would swear that a Pig goes
"Oink," right? But you'd be wrong in Japan, where pigs go "buubuu" or
in Sweden, where pigs go "noff." Click on an animal or a language to learn a
lesson that's larger than every barnyard on the planet: cultural diversity.
LOCALEYES
http://www.localeyes.com
My, what a clever name! Fortunately, the cleverness doesn't end there. LocalEyes uses some
pretty wild search technology to find Web sites that are located near you
(geographically). Just click on the map, and then browse through the Yahoo-like categories
until you find a friendly neighborhood merchant, organization, or service.
THE OFFICIAL TORAH CODES
http://www.cybermail.net/~codes/
Does the Book of Genesis really predict modern-day events? This site is an excellent
collection of articles on the subject (all published in peer-reviewed scientific
journals). Both sides are represented, so you are free to decide whether it's just a bunch
of numerological superstitious mumbo jumbo, or proof that God not only exists, but was
probably an Applied Math major.
FINDSPOT
http://www.findspot.com
No, this isn't a lost dog registry. It's a must-visit site for anyone who spends any time
looking for anything on Web. Unfortunately, searching the Web is a skill that must be
learned. Find instructions for each major search tool (from AltaVista to Yahoo!) and be
sure to visit Topical Island, a list of searchable indexes about specific topics.
ABSOLUT PANUSHKA
http://www.absolutvodka.com/panushka/
Don't worry, this isn't a big vodka ad--at least not in the traditional sense. Absolut has
rounded up some of the most talented artists around and created a sort of online animation
festival. It's wacky, its hip, and its slow... be prepared to wait for some rather huge
Shockwave and Quicktime files to download.
FUNSTER
http://www.funster.com
Attention Wordsmiths, Scrabble addicts, and "dictiphiles": Get your brain in
gear and charge into battle against your fellow 'Netheads! Pick your level of competence,
then start madly forming as many words as you can from a jumble of characters. Sure, the
interface is a bit clunky, but this online game is an excellent way to while away your
lunch hour (or your work day, as the case may be).
THE MY DESKTOP NETWORK
http://www.mydesktop.com
I'm not sure what makes this site a network, but who cares? It's definitely useful for
anyone interested in computers. Tune in for technology news; video-game news and reviews;
software downloads, tips for Windows NT and 95 users; and a fun zone filled with humor
that Dilbert lovers will enjoy.
UnfURLed
http://www.unfurled.com
What happens when you mix one part Yahoo! and one part MTV? UnfURLed, the new
mega-comprehensive directory of music Web sites. The intense graphics take a little while
to get used to, but you'll soon discover plenty of "dope" choices. Sort through
the searchable/browsable artists index, or cull music facts from the
"encyclomedia." But be sure to give yourself plenty of time to explore: you can
also download song clips, read gossip and rants, participate in online surveys, get news
on upcoming concerts and browse the pop charts!
THE AUTOMOTIVE AIR CONDITIONING INFORMATION SERVER
http://www.aircondition.com
With any luck, you'll never have to visit this site. But you'll never notice if your air
conditioner is broken in the winter. Home-grown mechanics (or cash-strapped car owners who
own tools) will find this site a useful resource of how-to tips and info on using
alternative, environmentally friendly refrigerants.
STRAWBERRY POP-TART BLOW-TORCHES
http://www.sci.tamucc.edu/~pmichaud/toast/
And now, for an oldie but a goodie. They say that truth is stranger than fiction, and this
site proves it. Who knows what other incendiary devices are hiding in harmless looking
boxes in your kitchen cupboard?
Cruise over to the Websight Universe at
http://www.tipworld.com/arts.cgi?websight
for more opinionated rants and links from Melinda!
ASK THE DENTIST
http://www.parentsplace.com/cgi-bin/objects/dentist/index.html
Let's face it, we all have teeth in various stages of disrepair. And according to Dr.
Loos, information is the best medicine. Read her weekly column or search for answers in a
searchable database. From Bad Breath to Fluoride Poisoning, chances are, you'll find your
answer here.
Cruise over to the Websight Universe at
http://www.tipworld.com/arts.cgi?websight
for more opinionated rants and links from Melinda!
Cruise over to the Websight Universe at
http://www.tipworld.com/arts.cgi?websight
for more opinionated rants and links from Melinda!
ENTERTAINMENT DRIVE
http://www.edrive.com
With blockbuster movie season upon us, it's more important than ever to research your
cinematic choices thoroughly. And with all the re-runs on TV, this is one of the few
places you can find out what's new in tube-land. And while you're at it, why not catch up
on the latest celebrity gossip? This entertainment super site has it all--and it's well
designed and constantly updated..
TRAIN HOPPERS
http://www.catalog.com/hop/
In case you ever get the urge to jump in an old smelly train car and ride halfway across
the U.S. with winos and such, here's the place to find out about etiquette, train
schedules, car types and other hobo have-to-know stuff..
FAO SCHWARZ
http://www.faoschwarz.com
All the great toys from Barbies and bears to bazookas. Surreal and wacky with happy music
and clownish backgrounds, the only scary part is how much money a person could spend here.
INTELLICHOICE CAR CENTER
http://www.intellichoice.com
A respected evaluator of automobiles, Intellichoice's site is a must-see consumer
resource. Reports, prices, values, even a searchable new-car database..
CAREERPATH
http://www.careerpath.com
Mad at your boss? Then why not visit this site -- on company time, of course! A
collaboration between six major newspapers, CareerPath lets you search over 20,000
employment ads..
GEAR HEAD
http://www.gearhead.com
A mountain biking site that will blow you away! News, articles, techniques, product
reviews and news releases, trail reports, maintenance tips, and more..
ASK DR. SCIENCE
http://www.drscience.com/
Dr. Science gives you totally insincere answers to questions you really don't care to have
answered anyway. From "Why is President Clinton's nose always red?" to
"What exactly is virgin olive oil?".
DERMATOLOGY IN THE CINEMA
http://www.skinema.com/
A serious but strange look at skin conditions of the rich and famous and of the characters
they play. Find out why W.C. Fields' nose was bulbous and how skin flaws finger cinematic
bad guys..
BABY NAME CHOOSER
http://www.jellinek.com/baby/
After testing Jellinek's (btw, is that pronounced jelly-neck?) random name-generator,
we're not so sure you should let the database decide your children's names..
DEAD PRESIDENTS
http://www.csn.net/~mhand/Presidents/
No, it's not a movie or a band; it's a lot of cemetery plots. See graveside pictures of a
man named Manus Hand paying his respects to dear and departed U.S. Presidents. Also,
Hand-picked links..
LAUNCH!
http://www.launchonline.com
The coolest music magazine on a CD-ROM also has an addictive Web site. Before you go out
and buy the Rolling Stone of the digital generation (you know, at a bookstore or
newsstand), fire up your browser and read free music reviews, interviews with major acts
and even listen to a few select tracks..
GIST
http://www.tv1.com/
Don't care about sports? Adore the soaps? Think 90% of TV Guide is junk? Then customize!
Preview hit shows in your favorite genre, then browse only what you want with customized
television listings..
MZTV MUSEUM OF TELEVISION
http://www.mztv.com/mztv/mztvhome.html
Sick of Art and Natural History? Then give this museum a try! Great graphics, swell
writing. Two great virtual galleries are available for viewing..
ACTIVISION
http://www.activision.com
Whether you're into MechWarrior or Earthworm Jim, you'll love this site. Great customer
support, lots of downloads and news about upcoming games..
THE EXTEXT ARCHIVES
http://www.etext.org/
Now here is one of the best non-multimedia applications you'll find for the `Net: text,
text, and more text. The Etext archives link to 'zines, complete books in electronic form,
underground digests, mailing lists, and more..
WIMBLEDON 1997
http://www.wimbledon.org/
Sure, Wimbledon is the stuffiest of the Grand Slam tennis tournaments, but the tradition
is unsurpassed and the grass is unpredictable. Plus, with Tiger a bit off his game these
days, follow the fortunes of one of the world's other finest up-and-coming athletes,
Martina Hingis.
Viewz
http://www.viewz.com
A fun, friendly magazine for recreational home computing enthusiasts. Search through 1,900
CD-ROM titles and read interviews with the people who created them..
Historical Speech Collection
http://www.webcorp.com/sounds/
"I am not a crook!" Listen to several famous speeches in RealAudio by people
like Martin Luther King, Malcom X, John F. Kennedy, Joseph McCarthy and (of course)
Richard Nixon..
Hypothetical Planets
http://seds.lpl.arizona.edu/billa/tnp/hypo.html
Uncover the stories behind several mysterious celestial bodies, like Planet X, Planet
Vulcan and the earth's second moon..
ZipFind
http://link-usa.com/zipcode/
This handy form calculates the distance in miles as the crow flies between any two U.S.
zip codes. Also lets you look up the zip code(s) for any U.S. city..
YACHTING NET
http://www.yachtingnet.com
The editors of "Yachting Magazine" have brought their yachting, sailing and
boating resources online. Boating events, buyers guide, weather conditions and breaking
news..
GROWING OLD DISGRACEFULLY
http://www.hens.org
The Hen Co-op is a group of six older ladies who, together, have written two books on the
topic of celebrating aging and creativity, especially after 60!.
BASEBALL STATSWEB
http://www.baseballstats.com
This site is heaven for data-hungry fans, especially those who play Fantasy/Rotisserie
leagues. Stats and records for players, batters, pitchers and teams--many in searchable
databases..
MR. TV LAND
http://www.tvland.com
Mr. TVL is badly organized and not graphically pretty, but his madcap TV games like Land
of Giants and B-A-Witch are so original that we forgive him everything..
THE ART OF TRAVELING
http://www.artoftravel.com
After eight cheap backpacking trips through 30 countries, world traveler John Gregory has
perfected the art of cheap travel. He shares his whimsical and helpful insights..
A MOMENT IN TIME
http://www.amomentintime.com
Dan Roberts delivers two-minute history lessons on public radio stations around the world.
Check here for a monthly download of Net-smarts..
GORDON'S ENTOMOLOGICAL HOME PAGE
http://www.ex.ac.uk/~gjlramel/welcome.html
Gordon's site swarms with bug information and has more links than a centipede has legs.
Sections include Arthropods, Insects, Spiders, Mites, Woodlice, Anatomy and a handy
glossary..
THE INTERNET CHEF
http://www.ichef.com
"Dedicated to the worship of food," the iChef is every cook's dream with
features, tips, hints (what do you do with a curled lamb chop?) and nearly 30,000
recipes..
REQUEST LINE
http://www.requestline.com
It's more than just a music 'zine. Concert reviews and band interviews are supplemented by
tales of magical basements and rock-star hair regimens..
THE SECRET DIARIES OF BILL GATES, AGED 41-1/4
http://www.tiac.net/users/billg40/main/
What do you want to read today? Why not see what the faux Microsoft CEO is up to. Look for
Diary 98! Upgrade the old one. Download the book now!.
TENNIS MAGAZINE ONLINE
http://www.tennis.com
Weekly tennis tips, an instruction hotline, a guide to choosing a racquet that will make
you happy, fitness articles and a list of tennis resorts and camps..
AUDIENCES UNLIMITED
http://www.audiencesunlimited.com
If you want tickets to see the filming of an episode of "Mad About You,"
"Cybill" or "Coach" episode, among many other show options, just
choose a date. You will get directions sent with an e-mail confirmation of your request..
ROLLERBLADE
http://www.rollerblade.com
Huge, fast graphics of skaters you'll wish you could emulate. You might even be inspired
to check out the site's advice on getting started with your own pair of skates. Tips on
gear, ideal skating locations and safety..
BILLIARD WORLD
http://www.billiardworld.com
Grab a cue and head for this nontoxic, entertaining, informative place for pool players.
Pool rules, people, art, tournaments, and tips and tales from the table..
ELVIS' SECRET DIARY
http://www.dreamproductions.com
An intriguing record of some very personal moments in the King's life, created by his
lifelong friend, Larry Geller. Read transcripts of Elvis' own words or listen to RealAudio
clips..
THE ILLUSTRATED GUIDE TO BREAKING YOUR COMPUTER
http://members.aol.com/spoons1000/break/
There is nothing more satisfying than trashing your PC. Learn to do it properly. Remember,
"The bigger the drill, the more spectacular the results.".
MICROBE ZOO
http://commtechlab.msu.edu/CTLProjects/dlc-me/zoo/
It's the creepy-crawly, teenie-weenie world of microbes! You may never bathe again when
you discover what's breeding in your hot water heater and living on your shower curtain..
FIELD & STREAM ONLINE
http://www.fieldandstream.com
Feature articles, fishing field guides, a game finder for hunters, tide charts, book
reviews and RealAudio radio spots make F&S Online big game for outdoorsmen..
MUSEUM OF MODERN ART, NEW YORK
http://www.moma.org
A marvelous representation of New York's Museum of Modern Art, with graphic selections
from their remarkable collection of treasures. Van Gogh, Rousseau, Johns and everyone else
in recent art history..
ARCTIC STUDIES CENTER
http://nmnhwww.si.edu/arctic/
Follow a team of scientists to the Yamal Peninsula of Siberia where they meet the Nenets,
the native people whose culture has changed little over the centuries..
ANNE FRANK
http://www.annefrank.com
An extraordinary exhibit featuring one of history's favorite teenagers. Background on her
life and times, the story of her diary and excerpts from it..
AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
http://www.amnh.org
This museum's many paths allows you to map out your own tour. Check out the fabulous
exhibits including marvelous treasures preserved in amber and fossils that chart the
evolution of vertebrates..
BALLPARKS
http://www.ballparks.com
Whether you believe that ballparks are magical cathedrals symbolizing the great American
pastime or you're just a fan visiting an unfamiliar venue, visit this site for photos,
info and trivia on each major league field..
PORTRAITS IN CYBERSPACE
http://persona.www.media.mit.edu/1010/Exhibit/
Here's an exhibit that addresses the following questions: a) Who inhabits the margins of
the online world?, b) What constitutes identity in cyberspace?, c) How are essential human
experiences transformed in the digital era?.
ALL OUTDOORS
http://www.alloutdoors.com
Links to online versions of eight print magazines, as well as daily news about hunting and
fishing, more than 400 archived articles, and loads of threaded discussions in which
hunters and anglers trade tips and tales..
CASINO CENTER
http://www.casinocenter.com
Think there's no such thing as a sure bet? We found it: Billed as the "most
comprehensive casino gaming site on the Web," Casino Center is a must-visit for
gambling junkies and novices alike. Check out the site's rules and strategy guides,
including the ten most frequently asked questions about slot machines, plus tips for
playing craps, poker, baccarat, roulette, and blackjack. Visit the online gift shop for
your own home gaming accessories, or search the database for casinos that have the largest
number of poker games or slot machines. The extensive links will take you to virtually
every gambling-related site around. Feelin' lucky yet?
HR GIGER
http://www.hrgiger.com
Your arty friends may label him a "prominent Swiss surrealist," but he's really
just the madman who conceived the "Alien" life form. Check out freaky displays
of his work. A chat room has been built to corral the legions of obsessed fans..
SUPERMODELS-A-GO-GO
http://www.supermodel.com
Check out Claudia's calendar. Meet Monica. Purchase Pamela! Chock full of photos, it's the
only place you can order the "Supermodels in the Rainforest" video..
PARTY OF FIVE
http://www.spe.sony.com/Pictures/tv/party/party.html
An excellent official site about America's favorite parentless five-sibling household.
Lots of info on the characters (wow, photos!), 3-D QTVR files of popular scenes, and a
handy episode guide if you missed last week's show..
FODOR'S
http://www.fodors.com
Travel advice from the folks who know, with restaurant and hotel indexes, feature articles
and a personal trip planner. (Sorry, there's no advice on how to talk your boss into more
vacation time.).
POLICESCANNER
http://www.policescanner.com
One Adam Twelve, One Adam Twelve! Just like "COPS!", only live (and without
video). Listen, using RealAudio, to genuine feed from police department scanners in Dallas
and Los Angeles..
THE MOTLEY FOOL
http://www.fool.com
Although America Online was their path to success, these Wall Street-romping rebels now
offer up sound investment advice, market updates and a health dose of humor on the Web..
THE VIETNAM VETERANS' MEMORIAL WALL PAGE
http://thewall-usa.com
Keep this one in mind for Memorial Day, May 26. This page has a completely searchable
database for the more than 58,000 names on The Wall in Washington, D.C. Each name has
about 25 facts displayed. And be sure to check out the Guest Book..
EDITOR'S CHOICE:FIVE DEGREES OF SEPARATION
http://www.spe.sony.com/Pictures/tv/5d/mainshocktome.htm
You thought Kevin Bacon owned this game? Think again. Not only does Seinfeld's Newman
(played by Wayne Knight) now have a game all his own, but he's separated by just five
degrees (not six) from a host of Hollywood greats. You have a few options at this
SonyPictures Shockwave game: First you can click on one of Sony's shows (including Mad
About You, The Dating Game, The Nanny, and Married with Children); then click on any of
its stars to find out how they link to Newman/Knight. Alternatively, you can test yourself
by figuring out how to link a given star (Moe Howard?) to the rotund postal employee.
Great look, fun sounds.
Backpak
This is a set of five bit-map files you can use as wallpaper or to frighten a friend. Read
the included documentation for installation details.
http://www.pcworld.com/cgi-bin/shareware?ID=4078
SiteAid
Turn monotonous Web page creation and maintenance into pleasure with this program's nice
interface and very strong features. Explore the many useful features you'll want to test
out on your site maintenance program
today, and learn a little more about HTML. Register to remove the reminder screen.
http://www.pcworld.com/cgi-bin/shareware?ID=4659
Textured Wallpaper
A zipped file containing five 800-by-600 256-color bit map files. Images include 3D stone
and water textures.
http://www.pcworld.com/cgi-bin/shareware?ID=4325
THE HOT AND SPICY COOKING PAGE
http://www.teleport.com/~cstarz
A recipe collection with an emphasis on food that hurts. Get yer marinades, barbecue
sauces, dry rubs, gravies--most of the recipes requiring some quantity of red pepper
flakes, jalapeños, or Tabasco. Just reading the list of ingredients for
"Super Burgers" is enough to raise your cholesterol level--we're talking greasy
food heaven. Be sure to check out the links to other pages devoted to burning your taste
buds. Lite on
graphics, heavy on the stomach.
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED FOR KIDS
http://http:// www.sikids.com
The Super Bowl edition of SI for Kids online (including some content from the print mag)
is up and driving the length of the field. And that's just what you do when you take the
Helmet Head Trivia Challenge--though you never run out of downs. Much trickier is the
Deion vs Deion passing game, whose only flaw is that Mr. Sanders has nothing to do with
the Super Bowl this year (haw!). The Dancing Referee Shockwave game lets you watch a zebra
with a whistle get funky; and we were gratified to learn in the profile section that John
Elway's favorite film, TV show, and book are (respectively) Patton, The Munsters, and the
Bible. Now if we can just figure out what these have in common.
YOU ARE "IN THE HACK"
http://www.inthehack.com
For the practicing curler, In the Hack provides strategy tips, news, bonspiel results,
online polls, chat, and player profiles (coming soon). After all, "curling is not
about the big wigs who play for the money. It's about the club curlers down in the small
towns who get excited when their skip can make a draw to the 12 foot!" Oh yeah: nice
use of the rock as an icon.
BROCK'S VW MAGAZINE ONLINE
http://members.aol.com/sambavwman
For decades, otherwise normal people have caught the VW bug and never really recovered.
Take 19-year-old Brock Eastman of Redding, CA, your host at BVWMO: He's so into
Volkswagens that he refers to ’em four times on his opening page before he ever
mentions his girlfriend Stacy. With priorities like that, it comes as no surprise when
Brock admits "I love volkswagens," but never spells out his feelings for Stace.
See pix of his 1966 deluxe microbus ("It runs!"), read rather spare accounts of
VW history and the preproduction 1998 New Beetle (which looks like a halfmoon with
windows), heed Brock's pleas for editing help, or visit the trunkful of links to fellow
fanatics'
sites (Beetle-mania, Der Bugmeister's Aircooled VW Place, Karmenghia World, etc.). And
don't miss the Bus, Beetle, and Bug o' the month. Funkengruven, man.
NEW 1
http://www.new1.com
Want to read some zines, but tired of trudging through the muck forthe rare treat? Let the
oddly named New1 do the legwork for you. This hub culls some of the best zines around and
presents them from its homepage. A glorified links zone, sure, but an edited one as well.
Updated weekly, the site features pubs with a NYC state of mind, such as The Greenwich
Village Gazette and The Manhattanite. Adjust the Warhol on your wall, order out some
bagels, and start surfing.
SHOWBIZWIRE
http://www.showbizwire.com
The same folks who brought you Musicnewswire now bring you Showbizwire. What is it, you
ask? A hub of news sources, all related to that business like no other. Choose from such
topics as celebrity, film, television, industry, and video, and scan headlines pulled from
sites like CNN, People, and E! Online. If you’re looking for original
content, go elsewhere--but if you crave one-stop shopping for the latest Hollywood news,
this is your nirvana.
SIX MORE WEEKS OF WINTER?
Here we are halfway through winter. Will it end if the groundhog
fails to see his shadow? Or will we have six more weeks of winter? If you're a Groundhog
Day fan, check out the Groundhog Day home page at
http://www.groundhogsday.com
The site is dedicated to the commercialization of Groundhog Day. If that doesn't
satisfy your hunger for all things groundhog, you'll find some pictures and a video
of Punxsutawney Phil (from the movie Groundhog Day) at
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/3694/grndhog.html
CHINA TRAVEL SERVICE
http://chinatravelservice.com
First set aside any political qualms you might have about enriching the existing Chinese
government with foreign capital. You have to admit that China presents an almost ideal
travel destination: culturally magnificent, historically ancient, geographically diverse.
CTS offers an array of multi-stop and "independent" travel options, from
whirlwind stops at half a dozen touristy hotspots to leisurely Yangtze River Cruises to
one-stop city explorations. An attractive site design and alluring photos evoke raging
wanderlust in even the most sedentary mouse potato. Especially interesting are the
itineraries across the national minority regions of southeastern China, through Inner
Mongolia, and along the ancient silk road. CTS even offers a Tibet excursion. Now about
those political qualms.
DIGITAL WEBBING
http://www.digitalwebbing.com
Links, links, links at this location. Though DW describes itself as a "comic sites
newspage," the news consists of daily one-sentence alerts about comics pages that
have introduced new content, plus links to each. It's a one-stop way to check for special
events and fresh material you might otherwise miss, while avoiding futile visits to
dormant sites. Host Ed Dukeshire archives his news items (by day) for three months before
dumping them. He also maintains permanent links to sites devoted to comics fandom,
resources, creators, companies, and dealers. Monoliths like Archie, DC, and Marvel line up
next to little guys like Adhesive Comics (publisher of Sam Hurt's new Eyebeam Trilogy) and
Deep-Sea Comics (responsible for Reid Fleming, World's Toughest Milkman). We recommend
Drippan Comix's two-part mini-comic of Crime & Punishment with Sluggo (from Nancy) as
Raskolnikov.
ANXIETY DISORDERS EDUCATION PROGRAM
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/anxiety
Why, oh, why did we ever agree to review this site? What if we're incompetent to judge its
content? What if--oh, sorry. Actually, we're relieved to tell you that the National
Institute of Mental Health's ADEP site provides thoughtful, low-key information for lay
and professional visitors about panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive
disorder, phobias, etc. ADEP addresses each disorder in four ways: with a "What is
it" description, a Q&A-style Quick Facts subsection, an outline of treatment
options, and advice on where to get help. The Library section posts the full contents of
various NIMH publications, and lists lots of pamphlets, books, and videotapes you can
order elsewhere. ADEP also supplies links to various professional and self-help mental
health organizations online. A good starting point for people interested in learning more
about these debilitating but treatable illnesses. Our judgment? We're good enough, we're
smart enough... and darn it, people like reading us!
BRIOSO RECORDINGS
http://www.brioso.com
Brioso, a small indie record label, has released 16 classical music CDs in the last couple
of years. You'll find the label's catalog here, enlargeable pictures of each cover sleeve,
sound clips from each CD, and biographical data on the featured musicians. Much of the
music here focuses on the piano and showcases such talents as Oleg Volkov, Einar
Steen-Nokleberg, and Stephen Prutsman. It's refreshing to encounter a label that obviously
loves the music it purveys; and in the world of classical music, sharing beautiful sounds
is often the main form of recompense. Among the few outside links provided are transfers
to Classical Net the WWW Virtual Library's classical music
section, and Paul Geffen's Mostly Classical Music Index.
TRACKING EL NINO
http://www.pbs.org/nova/elnino
Over at Nova's El Nino site, it's raining metaphors. Lead reporter Mark Hoover passes
along interesting insights about El Nino (and its doppelganger, La Nina) in a cascade of
florid prose--perfect for TV, where your attention keeps drifting between the visuals and
the voice-over, but a tad tempestuous for plain text. Our fear of sensationalism soon
dissipated, however, as we moved beyond the Extreme Science opening dispatch and into some
solid background info on El Nino's origins. The FAQ, in particular, confutes efforts by
millenialists, roofing contractors, and storm door salesmen to portray the phenomenon as
an incipient deluge of biblical proportions. Animations show last summer's Typhoon Winnie
hammering into China, illustrate how a thermocline works, and depict the Kelvin wave of
warm water extending across the Pacific over the past year. Excellent annotated links
connect you to everything from a dendrochronology site to El Nino: Hype Watch 1998.
CHICAGO TRIBUNE: INTERNET EDITION
http://chicago.tribune.com
When does a relaunch qualify as a "new" site? In the Chicago Tribune's case,
it's when you swap a neat, frames-based, newspaper-like interface for a fancy new Java
implementation that closely resembles a TV screen. The central console displays headlines
and pictures, letting you click on stories that interest you. A side menu that lets you
choose among news, sports, business, leisure, communities (coverage of the 'burbs),
marketplaces (online
classifieds), and "Interact" (message boards, staff e-mail). While Chicagoans
are the obvious target, out of towners may want to check out the paper's heartland take on
national and international events, not to mention its slavish coverage of Michael Jordan's
every move on and off the court.
TALEMONGER'S EMPORIUM
http://www.speakeasy.org/~emporium
It's always a pleasure to read prose from an intelligent, literate,knowledgeable source;
and that's what "computer game addict" Cindy Vanous offers at TE--all in a cool
neo-Gaelic design. At Sierra On-Line, Cindy works as a game writer on the mysterious
Un-Named Game project; but at her Web site, she posts links to articles and reviews
she's written (including a fine retrospective on female computer game heroines) and hosts
an Ask a Developer Q&A that emphasizes straight answers to outsiders' questions about
the business. Good example: Al Lowe (of Leisure Suit Larry fame) answering the question,
"Why don't more designers use humor in their games?" But you'll have to wait for
Cindy's blow-by-blow account of her game's development until it's
officially announced.
RED ROCKET
http://www.redrocket.com
You're looking for a new toy that junior will enjoy--and that you feel good about giving.
Get thee home and log onto Red Rocket. Sponsored by Simon & Schuster's Learning
Products Group, this new service brings together the recommendations of leading toy
experts, award-winning toy companies, and child psychologists. Start with the Personal
Shopper section, which allows you to specify a type of toy and a price range, and returns
the matching results with descriptions and photos. Discover the site's most popular toys,
read helpful articles, and consult RR's recommendations on this jam-packed,
parent-friendly hub.
TRAVELOCITY
http://www.travelocity.com
A one-stop destination for travel booking, Travelocity puts you in touch with the
lowest-priced flights, car rentals, cruises, hotels, and B&Bs. A special-interest
section features listings for dining, nightlife, and cultural, recreational, and sporting
events. Other value-added services: 85-country currency pricing, e-mail fare watcher,
language translation guide, up-to-the-minute e-mail flight paging (so you don't have to
call the airport), and links to MapQuest and event ticket brokers.
MOTHER NATURE'S GENERAL STORE
http://www.mothernature.com
Exclusive vitamin vendor to the Ask Dr. Weil site (the good doctor's books strongly
advocate dietary supplements), Mother Nature cooks up a robust shopping experience, with
more than 350 brands (including Mom Nature's own label) of vitamins, minerals, and other
supposedly healthful products. The product search engine is supplemented by
subject-specific sections (acne, sexual healing, etc.) and an Alternative Practitioner's
Directory Search. Online ordering is secure and confidential. Free UPS shipping on orders
that exceed $50; full refunds on unopened items.
THE INDEPENDENT FILM CHANNEL
http://www.ifctv.com
If you scour the art houses and airwaves for flicks such as Scanners and Passion Fish, or
if you're a fan of auteur directors like John Sayles and David Cronenberg, then visit the
IFC site. Touting itself as "a real Web site for real film fans," IFC goes deep
into the heart of the indie filmmaker's darkness, with program schedules that read like a
straight outta Sundance lineup, online seminars on concepts and techniques, classified
ads, and links to everything from film schools to film preservation sites.
NOVA
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/nova
We've come a long,long way since the Mister Wizard era of TV science, and nothing proves
this more conclusively than the grace with which Nova, the popular PBS program, has gone
digital. Past, present, and future programming on topics like "Cracking the Ice
Age," "Avalanche!," "Einstein Revealed," and the "Curse of
T. Rex" gets spun off into visually rich reports loaded with text, photographs,
illustrations, links to topically related sites, and teacher's guides for the classroom.
Like the show, the site is a quantum leap ahead of the rest.
SEA MONKEY WORSHIP PAGE
http://users.uniserve.com/~sbarclay/seamonk.htm
How many of us can trace the dawn of our cynicism to the moment we realized our brine
shrimp were not going to sprout crowns and frolic for us? Nevertheless, our planktonic
friends have stepped off the back pages of comic books and into the realm of Web worship.
Dive into this cool blue undersea odyssey of pet tricks, shared stories, and helpful hints
for raising the world's only "add-water-and-stir" pets. Beautiful, bizarre, and
fathoms deeper than your average aquarium.
MAINTENANCE WEB
http://www.thing.net/~m/maintenance.html
A lushly surreal digital travelog, MW is what happens when The X-Files collides with
high-concept art. An ambient soundscape washes over you as you wander through the site's
many portals. As in the game Myst, nothing really happens, but it sure looks pretty. Read
the various log entries, check the inventory that the "crew" brought along on
this "journey," or just get lost (it's easy to do) in this stunningly designed
enclave.
THE RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN ORGANIZATION
http://www.rnh.com
Rodgers and Hammerstein, the musical geniuses behind such enduring classics as the Sound
of Music and The King and I, also founded the RHO, a group that administers entertainment
copyrights and promotes composers' work. Browse through information on hundreds of
Broadway musicals, test your Broadway knowledge with the R&H quiz, or sift through the
vast biographies section, which reads like a who's who of the performing arts, from Irving
Berlin to Kurt Weill. We give it a standing ovation.
ISABELLA STEWART GARDNER MUSEUM
http://www.boston.com/gardner
A faux Roman villa in Boston serves as the showcase for this fine collection of
renaissance paintings and other masterpieces of art history that were amassed by Ms.
Gardner, a late-19th-century free thinker and impassioned art collector. On display are
samples of exhibitions, art history notes, concert schedules, and a virtual tour of the
museum's lovely gardens, all dressed up in small, slideshow-like graphics. Crime
aficionados can pursue to articles on the continuing intrigue surrounding the museum's
infamous 1990 art heist.
WEB SITE GARAGE
http://www.websitegarage.com
You've slaved over your Web site for months. Now for some feedback from Web Site Garage.
Enter your site's URL (nonframe sites only, for now). Moments later you'll be presented
with a check list detailing how your site scored in load time, dead links, popularity
(defined by the number of other sites with back to yours), HTML (prompting technical
wrist-slaps such as, "end tag does not match any start tags"), and spelling. WSG
provides some assistance gratis, but the more substantial overhauls will cost you bigger
bucks. A fantastic resource.
4INTERNET.COM
http://4internet.com
If you don't have time to look through the 1,983,052 returns that your search requests
produce, check out this new online community of Web sites. 4Internet is a hub of 120
locations so far (expanding to 1,500, they say) all created by the 4Internet team. These
specific subsites cover weather, health, parenting, cars, computer news, and just about
anything else you can imagine. Find the topic that interests you from this central launch
point--or the next time you want to conduct a Web search, put a 4 in your URL, as in
www.4yourtopic.com.
REEL TIME FILM FESTIVAL
http://www.reeltimefilm.com
The folks behind the RTFF (who also happen to be the folks behind Pathfinder's Netly News)
want to "encourage the work of independent and experimental filmmakers and to promote
the Internet medium as a forum for the exhibition of films." Hence, this online
festival of indie shorts, in which all the films are available for viewing in RealVideo
format. Judges determined the winners in several categories (narrative, documentary,
public service announcement, experimental, animation); early visitors voted for the
"Best of Festival" winner. It's too late to cast your ballot now, but not too
late to view some interesting films and check out this groundbreaking concept.
GAMEGIRLZ
http://www.gamegirlz.com
Quake, Red Alert, Dark Reign, etc. rule here. Try to give these chicks a copy of Barbie's
Virtual Makeover and you just might find yourself eating it. GameGirlz is for serious
female computer gamers who want to debunk the myth of "girl games" and have fun
with the male/female schism. With up-to-date news, discussion forums, games, and all the
expected reviews and industry interviews, GameGirlz is a smart and flashy role model of a
site. One great section called He Said, She Said pairs reviews of games, one from him and
one from her.
FITNESS ONLINE
http://www.fitnessonline.com
You won't find a more exhaustive online fitness resource than this new online hub. Whether
you want to know how many minutes on the Stairmaster will burn off that brownie or you're
looking for a new diet or you just want to subscribe to Fit Pregnancy magazine, you'll
find the wherewithal here. Much of the here is repurposed from popular health mags: For
instance, Shape magazine's fitness editor, Dr. Tim offers detailed answers to e-mailed
questions ("Water Aerobics, should I bother?") Some of the personalized sections
require membership, but the site saves the pain for the pushups--by keeping membership
free of charge.
CONSPIRACY
Interested in the conspiracy theories surrounding the Kennedy
assassination? If so, there's a Web site devoted to the subject at http://mcadams.posc.mu.edu/home.htm
You can read about all the latest theories and even add your own comments. There's also
a newsgroup that you might like to investigate:
alt.assassination.jfk
VOICES FROM THE PAST
Would you like to hear Franklin Roosevelt's declaration of war speech of December 8,
1941? Perhaps you'd care to listen to clips from Richard Nixon's Checkers speech. If you
navigate to http://www.webcorp.com/sounds/index.htm
you'll find them, along with speeches by Martin Luther King Jr., Bill Clinton, Dwight
Eisenhower, Leon Trotsky, John Kennedy, Malcolm X, and many others.
BREAKUP GIRL
http://www.breakupgirl.com
Faster than a nasty e-mail, taller than a sorrow-sousing libation, able to leap
relationship hurdles in a single bound: It's a dis, it's a slam--it's Breakup Girl! Let's
face it: All of us, at one point or another, get dumped. It's an experience we hope we'll
never go through again. But sure enough, a week or a month later, we're headed down the
road to emotional ruin once more. That's when Breakup Girl flies to the rescue. If you've
just been jettisoned by your erstwhile sweetie, this tongue-in-cheek comfort zone proffers
words of wisdom that will keep you in stitches for the duration of your visit.
JUGGLING INFORMATION SERVICE
http://www.juggling.org
The JIS tosses together the complete archives of the rec.juggling newsgroup, instructions
and hints for juggling everything from the basic three balls to flaming torches, a lengthy
list of films that contain juggling scenes, and even juggling software for those of us who
have to settle for virtual dexterity. Thrill to the Juggling Hall of Fame, or locate a
professional juggler near you to wow the audience at your next presentation
WWW.TINFOIL.COM
http://www.tinfoil.com
Recorded music has come a long way since the late 1800s. Way back then, engineers couldn't
make dubs from a master, so they had to assemble multiple recorders in a room for multiple
takes. Tinfoil.com is dedicated to preserving the sounds of early wax recordings. Take a
trip through the history of music with copious old photos, RealAudio samples (mostly from
the first decade of this century), and links. Got some wax recordings of your own? The man
behind the site specializes in converting wax to disc. A rich, fascinating site and a
must-see for any serious musicologist.
EDITOR'S CHOICE: ALL-MUSIC GUIDE
http://www.allmusic.com/amg
With 192,000 albums and 16,000 artist bios, the All-Music Guide really takes a shot at
covering all music. Whether you've heard about an interesting band at a party and want to
find out a little more, or you're looking for a clear breakdown of West Coast vs. East
Coast rap artists, this seemingly infinite site spells out all the details. Search by
album or by band name, choose from over a hundred styles of music, and uncover key
genre-defining albums. Or find the key artists--by decade--within each musical category.
Whew. Unlike most corporate monolithic resources, AMG reviews bootlegs, to fan sites, and
features some good writing. We tried to stump the database a dozen times with arcane
search requests and got detailed returns each time.
MUSIC NEWSWIRE
http://www.musicnewswire.com
When it comes to getting news, many of us prefer just the facts, ma'am. If that's you,
then bookmark Music Newswire, a resource of pop music news from various sources (all
information resides on linked sites). It's not a new idea; I-Music's News Agent, for
example, culls headlines from various online music sources, too. But Newswire's extended
reach (Vibe, Rolling Stone, USA Today, NME, CNN, ATN, MTV, etc.) and its practical
breakdown of information set it apart. You'll find industry and label news alongside
artist happenings--all with full attribution.
CYBERATLAS
http://www.cyberatlas.com
You'll find bushels of useful Web-related info here, whether it's the latest salary
profiles for the digital job market (good ammo for that raise request you're preparing) or
current statistics on Net usage. Sources range from industry think tanks to the mass
media--and so, accordingly, does the quality of the information. But we appreciate the
quirky nature of this site's half-scholarly, half-pop-cultural approach to Web math.
FIRST AUCTION
http://www.firstauction.com
Mouse clicks may not register with the same authority as the pounding of an auctioneer's
gavel. But thanks to encrypted credit card transactions, virtual bidding has won a growing
audience on the Internet. The Internet Shopping Network (online arm of the Home Shopping
Network) enters the fray with First Auction. Focusing on
computers and consumer electronics, the site presents each item with a start/stop bid date
as well as bidding increments. Starting bids can be ridiculously low--a Pentium-120 Compaq
Presario for $299, for example.
ANSWERS FROM THE COLOGNE GUY
http://www.cologneguy.com
As one whiff of deodorant or aftershave will prove, even fellows who don't drench their
bikini briefs in Obsession for Men use fragrance products. Todd, a chatty Certified
Fragrance Sales Specialist, explains why and how fragrances work and keeps tabs on new and
discontinued products. His Fragrance List rates leading brands,
advises when and where to wear the scent, estimates how long it will last, objectively
enumerates its components, and subjectively describes its effects. The ultimate insult:
"Smells like a dentist's office." Todd supplies links to select smelly sites,
from The Fragrance Foundation to Cigar World. All AFTCG lacks is a scratch-and-sniff
component.
BABY CENTER
http://www.babycenter.com
Got a bun in the oven? Know someone who does? Parenting may be one of life's richest
experiences, but it also represents one of its biggest responsibilities--a role for which
"being too ready" simply isn't possible. Baby Center makes an excellent
resource, from the moment your EPT tests positive to labor and beyond. Laid out to look as
clean as you know your son will keep his room, Baby Center features informative articles,
glossaries, links, shopping resources, and personalization options.
THE CREOLE AND CAJUN RECIPE PAGE
http://www.gumbopages.com/recipe-page.html
Chuck Taggart is a New Orleans native, transplanted in body but not in soul to L.A. His
Gumbo Pages are a "musical, culinary and cultural information source" for all
things Nawlins; and in this subsection he serves up recipes for gumbos, jambalayas, and
home-made sausages, along with such standards as Crawfish big difference between this and
many other amateur recipe collections online: Chuck knows what he's talking about.
STARCHEFS
http://www.starchefs.com
Take one of the country's top chefs; do an interview; give us the bio; and tell us about
the guy/gal's restaurant, just so we know where he/she's coming from; then give us the
recipes. That's the simple formula for Starchefs, where (at last count) you'll find 40+
culinary celebrities telling us how they do that foodoo that they do so well. Special
sections on soups, holiday cooking, and aphrodisiacs(!), plus some yummy links, round out
the menu.
THE DEVIL'S DICTIONARY
http://www.alcyone.com/max/lit/devils
Ambrose Bierce formulated the final version of this biting dictionary more than 80 years
ago, but it still packs a painfully funny one-two punch. To wit: "BRIDE, n. A woman
with a fine prospect of happiness behind her," and "PRAY, v. To ask that the
laws of the universe be annulled in behalf of a single petitioner confessedly
unworthy." You can find other sites with more background on Bierce--and even other
e-texts of the Dictionary--but this one is our favorite.
FABRIC 8
http://www.fabric8.com
What do you get when you cross a Web design firm with an interest in funky fashion?
Answer: Fabric 8. Redesigned to great effect since last month, when we first looked at it,
this mall for the new millennium hosts a handful of independent San Franciscobased
clothing and jewelry designers under one digital roof, providing an information-packed,
graphically fresh showcase for unique designs. You can also read reviews of CDs, hear
RealAudio samples, and purchase music immediately; or check out the multimedia artist of
the month. The "linky dink" section transports you to other hot spots for window
shopping on the Web.
SPREE FLOWERS
http://www.spree.com/gifts/gf_flowers.asp
Spree claims to be the "largest flower shop in the universe," and it may just
be. The "pink ribbon bouquet" ($40) makes a very impressive Valentine's gift and
promotes a good cause (25% of the proceeds go to breast cancer research). Spree offers all
the standard categories, plus such specials as a boutonniere (the $13 red rose "makes
a
statement without saying a word"), silk flowers, and business congratulations. The
site is easy to search and comes adorned with good descriptions and photos. Other features
include same-day delivery on all items (if ordered by 10 a.m.), secure SSL online
ordering, and a 30-day refund guarantee (which also covers the
original shipping costs).
CLAMEN'S MOVIE INFORMATION COLLECTION
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/Unofficial/Movies/README.html
Add this one to your bookmark list: Mr. Clamen has put together one of the best
collections of movie-related info you'll find on the Web. Cinema schedules, film facts,
industry news, reviews, ratings, script archives, Usenet groups, world-wide box office
totals, studio sites, film festivals, craft guilds, and lots more. This is an invaluable
resource.
