AN APOLOGY TO OUR BETA READERS
We are aware that some of you received duplicate copies of Netsurfer Digest last week, in fact of several issues at once. Those of you who have configured E-mail on Unix machines can sympathize with our problems which arise out of some hellish interaction of sendmail, bounced addresses, and long mailing lists. We are working hard to get the problems resolved and ask your indulgence in the mean time. We figure it's better to be embarrassed in front of a forgiving (we hope) Beta audience then in front of the whole world. Thanks for your patience. - Arthur
GEEK DREAMS DO COME TRUE: ORDER PIZZA VIA INTERNET
It has long been a dream among geeks (us included) to order pizza over the Net, but now Pizza Hut and the Santa Cruz Operation have collaborated to make it a reality. PizzaNet, a pilot operation being tested in the Santa Cruz area, enables WWW users in Santa Cruz (and only Santa Cruz for now) to order pizzas from a menu which asks for pizza and beverage orders, phone number, address, and name. Money still must change hands at the point of delivery. The system being used is a 486 PC in Wichita, Kansas (!!), running SCO Open Server. Really, where else but on the Internet could you order a Pizza in on the West Coast via Kansas? This is a logical step forward for Pizza Hut, which was already using SCO Open Server, and if it takes off, they may expand it nationwide. "http://www.pizzahut.com"
NETMARKET OFFERS PGP MOSAIC PROTECTED CREDIT CARD TRANSACTIONS
NetMarket, an Internet marketing company, is now offering PGP protected credit card transactions for customers of its online marketing services using technology licensed and ported from ViaCom. Since not only the actual transaction, but also the credit card number in the database is encrypted, customers can now supposedly feel secure in doing their shopping through X-Mosaic or PGP E-mail. Encryption for other Mosaic servers is coming soon. Currently, they have CDs from Noteworthy Music and flowers from 800-THE-ROSE; using Mosaic, customers can listen to music selections and see their bouquet before they buy. Info E-mail: list@netmarket.com with nothing in the body Also E-mail/finger: info@netmarket.com "http://www.netmarket.com/" "ftp://netmarket.com/" "gopher://netmarket.com/" "telnet://netmarket.com/"
CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES SLOWLY LUMBER ONTO INTERNET
The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the U.S. House of Representatives has agreed to serve as the "beta" testers for House Committees trying to learn how to use the Internet. Send mail to housesst@hr.house.gov to learn more about how to reach them. Hmmm, how would they respond to intense electronic lobbying for a manned mission to Mars???
SENATE HEALTH BILL READY TO CHOKE YOU ONLINE
The full text of the Senate Health Bill S.2357 is out there to be sucked up online. But don't suck too hard or you'll choke on the 2.4 megs of legalese ASCII text. If that doesn't say something about the U.S. government.... "gopher://UMSLVMA.UMSL.EDU:70/11/LIBRARY/GOVDOCS/S2357V2"
GREEN CARD LAWYER T-SHIRTS AND DEVILBUNNIES
We knew there was a connection, we just knew it. Last week we reported on the soon-to-be-available Canter & Siegel T-shirts brought to you by the good graces of Joel Furr. Well, if you want a look at the design before you buy, check out the Encapsulated Post Script file at the site below. While in the neighborhood you may notice the extensive archive of alt.devilbunnies archive material at that site, complete with FAQs, stories, pictures, text, and sounds. Coincidence? Perhaps. T-shirt info: jfurr@acpub.duke.edu Devilbunnies: "ftp://xmission.com/pub/users/snowhare/" "ftp://xmission.com/pub/users/snowhare/tshirt_stuff/greencrd.eps"
GEEKS GATHER IN ALT.GEEK, DREAMING OF NETPIZZA
Alt.geek is the newsgroup that geeks post to using their HP100lx palmtop from Waffle Hut at three in the morning. The comic strip 'Dilbert' is discussed; the difference between a geek and a nerd is examined, and the Geek Test may be taken. The key to the Geek Code is revealed: if you see GCS s++:-- W-- po(-+) Y+ R+(++) D++ B+++ e+(*) (etc.) in someone's signature, he/she is a Geek of Computer Science, tall and skinny, wants to hate MS Windows, is politically moderate, concerned about encryption/privacy, likes or loves role playing games, reads many or very many books, plays a lot of DOOM, worships Barney, and has started a degree but has learned more from Hitchhiker's Guide. But then, haven't we all?
SHREMAGRAPHS OFFER A COLORFUL 3-D TREAT
Named after artist Stephan Shrem, these colorful paintings offer a 3-D component in their striped construction. As you walk past the painting different images are revealed. No, this isn't one of those "Oh look Billy-Bob, Elvis is following you with His eyes!" kind of works, but a rather neat collection of very colorful and entertaining gallery quality artworks. The site has a price list, which is a good thing since the works offer an excellent weapon in your arsenal of potential gifts. Be aware of long download times on example pages. Trust us though, you'll like them. "http://www.webscope.com/shremagraphs/info.html"
NO TIME FOR PARIS? GET A GLIMPSE OF THE "LE WEBLOUVRE"
This approachable site pays tribute to the famous Louvre museum, home of Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, and thousands of European schoolchildren. "Le WebLouvre," as it is called, is currently featuring three online exhibits: a French medieval art demonstration, a collection of well-known paintings from famous artists, and a mini tour of Paris. No waiting in line. No need to speak French. But then again, no French food either. Sigh. "http://mistral.enst.fr/~pioch/louvre/louvre.html"
PLANETARY & ASTRONOMICAL PAINTINGS ON WEB DISPLAY
You can view 26 original paintings by Chesley Bonestell in an "Interactive Art Gallery" on the World Wide Web. Small GIF images are displayed, along with descriptions and info about the painter. Clicking on one of the images brings up the full sized image. These images were painted before we had close-up images of the planets and give an interesting perspective. Enjoy, but read the copyright notice. "http://www.secapl.com/bonestell/top.html"
IMPRESSIVE IMPULSE MUSIC E-JOURNAL DEBUTS
This music monthly has just published it's quite good premiere issue. The main feature is a rather interesting article by one of the CyberCarnival volunteers at the Lollapalooza shows. By way of contrast a piece on Woodstock offers fun facts about '94, and a section with statements from some of the now settled-down attendees of the original. A rather extensive section of Rock industry news tidbits (Did you know Courtney Love has left AOL? That she was apparently censored? May NOT have had an affair with Beck?) and reviews rounds out the issue. Several promised sections are still under construction, but there is already plenty of meat and good writing in this mag. The nifty well organized design incorporates eye-catching ASCII graphics. E-mail: iMpulse@desigroup.com Subject: SUBSCRIBE IMPULSE
ALICE IN WONDERLAND WINDS UP IN GERMANY
At a German WWW site that is. We can think of few finer places for mining pithy signature quotes. The complete text of both "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass" can be downloaded as well as some ancillary info. That in itself is not exceptionally thrilling (though the books are), however this site will soon be host to over 90 superb illustrations created for the books by Sir John Tenniels. A preview of these colorful plates can be seen on the home page (about 125K of data). A feast for the mind and the eye. "http://www.Germany.EU.net/books/carroll/alice.html"
SUN MOVES TO MOTIF, RELATED SITE/LIST SEEKS PRODUCT INFO
Apparently Sun Microsystems has finally stopped denying reality and is moving to the Motif windowing system for their workstations. Freedom Software is putting together a Web page and mailing list to address topics and products related to Motif running on Sun (only) Workstations. They are looking for companies with information about Sun/Motif related products and services. Send mail to freedom@telerama.lm.com for more info. "http://freedom.lm.com/freedom.html"
BECOME A NETSURFER FOR NETSURFER DIGEST
We have a fine crew of writers and netsurfers already contributing but we are always on the lookout for a reliable, witty, and generally online savvy individuals to contribute on a regular basis. If you think you can accept assignments, netsurf, and write digests or features for us send a sample writeup of your favorite web site and an ASCII resume for our consideration to editor@netsurf.com. You'll need a computer and modem, access to the net, WWW browser capability, a desire to gain a net-journalism resume entry, and the willingness to put up with us as we get this business off the ground.
Our home page: http://www.netsurf.com/nsd/index.html
Our FTP site: ftp://ftp.netsurf.com/pub/nsd/
Info on being a Beta Tester: "subscribe ns-digest-ascii [firstname] [lastname]" or "subscribe ns-digest-www [firstname] [lastname]" To: beta@netsurf.com
Submission of Newsworthy Items: pressrm@netsurf.com
Letters to the Editor: editor@netsurf.com
Advertiser and Sponsor inquiries
to Arthur Bebak: ad@netsurf.com
This is a beta version of Netsurfer Digest.
Netsurfer Digest (c) 1994 the Editorial Staff of Netsurfer Publishing, all rights reserved.
Netsurfer Digest is a trademark of Netsurfer Publishing.