WIRED OPENS IMPRESSIVE HOTWIRED WEB SPACE
The long anticipated Wired Magazine web space finaly went live this week. Announced in the requisite breathless techno trendy prose ("HotWired is live and twitching, a product of the planet's real-time nervous system,") it comes accross as a credibly well edited Web-based BBS. The content roughly replicates the print magazine, with the significant addition of the Piazza, where you can read or post to threads and telnet to live forums and MOOs). In fact every feature has a very nicely implemented mechanism for attaching discussion threads, though to use this feature you must go through a Forms/E-Mail based login and validation process (Windows users should use Netscape, Windows Mosaic clients won't let you do this). Also worth checking out is Renaissance 2.0, their art space.
The interface has a coherent techno-tribal look ("fresh, world-beat colors", but we miss the beveled edges :). The labels and icons can be somewhat cryptic and the whole thing could use a single text-based index to make moving around easier. Mercifully, most of the menu images are less then 20K, so casual browsing is not as painful as it could have been. Lynx is actually better if you're after content. Overall the technical design is well thought out and flawlessly executed, though it bumps up against the inherent limitations of the medium. Let's face it, Web based threads will never replace USENET. Skip the hype and the flashy graphics and go for the content. "http://www.hotwired.com/"
VISIT THE FUNNY BRITISH CATHOUSE
Cathouse.org, a server with files and links to all things televisional, has added the British Comedy Pages. Although new and somewhat sparse, the site is home to the Britcomedy Digest, a new E-Zine about - you guessed it - British comedy. Hot topics include the arrest of Craig Charles (Lister on "Red Dwarf") for rape, whether "Brit" is an offensive epithet, and a transcript of the rare one-time-only performance for charity of "Blackadder, the Cavalier Years". There are other bits and pieces, but the digest is the primary attraction. "http://cathouse.org:8000/BritishComedy/"
WALL OF SHAME: NONLINEAR STORIES AND TIDBITS
The Wall of Shame is described by its keeper, Dan Bornstein, as an "attempt to characterize the erosion of our world by displaying true stories and tidbits that are just too nonlinear." What he's trying to say is he's put together a collection of mostly hilarious stories culled from contributors and the press. This is "LOL" stuff, though some articles smack of urban legend. Find out why the Texas House of Representatives commended the Boston Strangler for unselfish service to the community. Read what happens when you try to pay for a burrito with a two-dollar bill at a restaurant whose manager thinks such currency doesn't exist. It's even better than the Enquirer. "http://web.kaleida.com/u/danfuzz/info/words/wall_o_shame/"
Say you're on walkabout in the Australian National Botanical Gardens and you hear a "long, low drawn-out 'squelch'". Later, you hear a "rapid, pulsing whistle 'cree-cree-cree-cree'". Hurriedly, you rush home and try to find out what you heard. Naturally, you seek out Netsurfer Digest, whose staff endeavors to bring you the latest, most complete frog information available online. You quickly learn that the Gardens' WWW server has a section devoted to its frogs. In jubilation, you offer us a toast as you learn what you heard were an Eastern Froglet and a Whistling Tree Frog. The server has other links as well, but at Netsurfer, we're here for your complete amphibian needs. "http://155.187.10.12:80/projects/frogs/frogs.html" for the frogs. "http://155.187.10.12/anbg/anbg-introduction.html" for the Gardens.
MEET PEDRO, RACHEL, PUCK, AND THE REST OF THE REAL WORLD GANG
Fans of "The Real World" (c'mon, admit it - you're one too) can sate
themselves with online Real World info. Housemate biographies, episode
synopses, and a bibliography of articles about the MTV series can be
found along with a Real World III drinking game guaranteed to make you
toss your cookies (sample: Puck tries to attract attention - one drink).
The latter portion of the Real World III synopses is a little screwy at
the moment - it looks like it was run through a Swedish translator - but
that should pass a little more quickly than Puck's lingering aroma.
rldThe"
THE INTERNET UNDERGROUND MUSIC ARCHIVE
You've probably heard about those guys by now: cutting-edge music, cool
graphics. The Internet Underground Music Archive is a high-quality sound
library featuring over 220 unsigned bands, minor-label groups, and
major-label names. The airing of a recent National Public Radio story
has apparently heightened awareness of the site. Be advised that with
over 25,000 WWW accesses per day, you may have trouble connecting. Sound
capabilities are necessary to get the full effect.
"http://www.iuma.com/IUMA/", "gopher://gopher.iuma.com", or
"ftp://ftp.iuma.com" - you might also try "http://sunsite.unc.edu/ianc/" or
"http://www.southern.com/IUMA"
NEED A CLEVER TAG LINE? YOU MIGHT FIND ONE HERE
Over 10,500 sayings have been compiled into a collection for your
browsing pleasure and E-Mail signature needs. The lines are catalogued
alphabetically, though there are a few lists by subject. The taglines
are searchable, and range from aphoristic to clever to sophomoric to
just plain dull - just like real life. "http://www.brandonu.ca/~ennsnr/Tags/"
JOIN A VIRTUAL FOOTBALL POOL AND WIN VIRTUAL FAME
Want to show off your American football smarts? Want to do it legally?
Join a weekly NFL pool on WWW. You need a forms-capable browser for
now, though E-Mail submissions may be in the works. Send in your picks
by Sunday at noon ET, unless games are scheduled earlier in the week.
Point spreads are not used - just pick a winner in each game and rank
the games according to your confidence and strategy. No money is
accepted or won, but you can compete for everlasting fame - well, for a
week of fame, anyway. ParticipaNt rankings are kept on hand for each
week and the cumulative season. "http://www.hal.com/~markg"
And haven't we all wanted to do that at some point? Chris Rowan, a
sixth-grade teacher, takes his students into orbit once a month.
Actually, his class simulates a space shuttle launch, mission, and
recovery - all in the course of an eight-hour day. Five or so kids are
the "astronauts" in their permanent shuttle simulator, Columbia II, and
others make up ground-based teams: medical; navigation; and even PR.
When they launch a mission, other schools can monitor the progress via
Internet E-Mail messages sent by the PR team. Interested participants
could conduct their own missions or serve as auxiliary mission nodes to
Rowan's simulations, as some do now. Rowan also maintains a Listserv
dedicated to educational space simulation theory and practice. For nfo on
joining the Listserv, joining a mission, or starting your own space
program, E-Mail Rowan at "chris@tenet.edu" or visit his WWW site.
"http://chico.rice.edu/armadillo/Owlink/Lessons/Simulation/chrissim.html"
DISASTER INFORMATION CENTER KEEPS YOU INFORMED
The Disaster Information Center posts information on disaster situations
around the world. Recent situations covered include: relief efforts in
Rwanda; storms and flooding in Moldova; floods in Niger; an earthquake in
Algeria; and forest fires in the western U.S. They have international,
domestic U.S., and State of California info on earthquakes, tsunamis,
fires, national weather service advisories, and other events. They also
cover disaster support information. Check them out and help if you can.
"gopher://vita.org/"
ILLINOIS NATURAL HISTORY SURVEY
This well-organized University of Illinois site stores information from
the Center for Aquatic Ecology, the Center for Biodiversity, the Center
for Economic Entomology, and the Center for Wildlife Ecology. It features
survey reports, educational information, relevant publications, and a link
to the U.S. Geological Survey. Certainly worth a visit if you're in this
general field of study. "http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu:70/"
WHAT THE U.S. AIR FORCE DOES WITH ALL ITS SPARE TIME NOW
Rome Lab, the U.S. Air Force's "Super Lab for C3I Technology" (mil-speak
for Command, Control, Communication, and Intelligence) has a Web
server touting how defense tech can have commercial applications. Their
motto is "Where Visions Become Reality". Depending on your point of
view, there are either very eye-opening or very scary visions here, as well
as photos only the military-minded could love. A good directory will take
you directly to dozens of topics. There's also a Web Cam. Scariest quote:
"Language identification technology was transitioned to the NSA for
efficient categorization of intercept data." And they monitor who uses the
server. Gee, who would have guessed?
"http://www.rl.af.mil:8001/"
NEW HOMES GUIDE STILL A CONSTRUCTION ZONE
Mosaic users may have difficulties with this site, supposedly where you can
get information on new homes. However, it seems to be a construction zone
littered with tips on mortgages, what to watch out for when buying a home,
etc. The only available metro "New Homes Guide" of the planned 23 is for
Washington, D.C., and it crashed both old and new versions of Mosaic for
Windows. It's supposed to have a neat "clickable" D.C. map. Maybe we'll go
back when the walls are up, to see what they've built. You can peek through
the fence at: "http://www.homefair.com/"
BEER MAKER SPONSORS GRAPHICALLY NEAT VIRTUAL PUB
Miller Genuine Draft is sponsoring this online space meant to evoke a
virtual tap room where you can discuss/access "music, fashion,
nightlife, art, sports, food and social issues around the country". This
grand plan has yet to be executed by what looks like a very experienced
team of journalists. They are looking for content, and plan to update the
site every month, which seems like an eternity by online standards. What
this site lacks in content, it more then makes up for in first-class
graphic design. Without a doubt, this is one of the most graphically
coherent and interesting sites out there. If their content is as good as
their graphic design this may turn out to be a neat place to hang out.
"http://www.mgdtaproom.com/"
CHICAGO: WINDY CITY ON THE WEB
Tezcat Communications plays host to "Chicago!" - a terrific home page
focused on the Windy City. From here you can link up with information
about local entertainment, libraries, bands, art galleries, museums,
weather, elected officials, and more. If you're looking for an
off-the-beaten-track list of stuff to do, be sure to stop by "Bianca's
Internet Chicago Guide", under the "Steppin' Out" category. Bianca lets you
in on hip-and-funky Chicago secrets like the best place to get a tattoo and
where to find "Brew & View", a sort of beer garden/movie theater. Better
than your average tourist information booth. "http://tezcat.com/"
The Nova Scotia Tourism Server has just about everything you need to
plan a trip or take one electronically except for detailed road maps,
and those you should buy yourself anyway. The nice folks in the Atlantic
province can point you towards shopping, dining establishments (with
phone numbers), travel routes, and even such esoterica as bookstores.
The tourist can plan real tours with help of a variety of informative
electronic tours available at the site. The texts sometimes appear to be
first drafts and really need to be made less jarring to the reader
but other than that, the Nova Scotians have provided everything you
need. "http://ttg.sba.dal.ca/nstour"
The masthead is patterned after a "tapa", an ancient cloth made from tree
bark, and though there's a warning about numerous graphics, they look nice,
aren't very large, and don't slow access much. As with so many sites today,
this one's still under construction so the content is a bit thin. There are
links to a few Hawaiian business, academic, and other sites. The visitors
info link consists of a bland travel brochure from the Hawaii Visitors
Bureau, as depressingly cheerful and lacking in usefulness as only a
government agency can make it. On the upside we learn that the State Fish
is the Humuhumunukunukuapua`a (wow!), the State Bird is the Nene, and each
island has an official flower with an equally euphonious apellation. Lots
of potential, not yet realized. "http://www.hawaii.net/"
NEWBIE NEWZ NURSES NEW NETTERS
Isn't that a nauseating headline? In any event, this newsletter is meant
to teach newbies the basics of FTP, Telnet, and WWW. They also carry
related resource lists and links. E-Mail "NewbieNewz-request@IO.COM"
with the body: "subscribe NewbieNewz your_email_address".
"ftp://io.com/pub/usr/zboray/4-newbies/NewbieNewz"
MUSICAL BEASTIES, RECORDS, AND RAGS
Meet Grand Royal records, the Beastie Boys' very own recording label and
merchandising conglomerate - music, vinyl, clothes, and attitude.
"http://www.nando.net/music/gm/"
BBS systems are madly rushing to become one with the Net. If you want
to dabble and perhaps own a cheap Internet node or just like the idea,
this Frequently Asked Questions document will be of interest to you.
"ftp://pluto.njcc.com/pub/bbsfaq"
WWW CATALOG OF INTERNET ACCESS PROVIDERS
This catalog is indexed by area code/country code. It's not complete,
but links are continually being added. "http://www.netusa.net/ISP"
INTERNET BUSINESS CENTER UPDATED
They now have reorganized links, as well as some documents about
"Marketing on the Internet" and "Commercial Domain Growth".
"http://www.tig.com/IBC/"
The site houses articles about the legal aspects of marketing products,
with particular emphasis on infomercials, home shopping, direct-response
TV, 900 number regulations, contest laws, business opportunity laws, and
other aspects of promotion law.
"ftp://ftp.netcom.com/pub/lewrose/home.html"
MICRO MEDIA INSTALLS CD-ROM CATALOGUE WWW KIOSK
They have links with information on some of their 700 CD-ROM titles.
Detailed product information is combined with graphics, demos, and links
to related web pages. "http://micromedia.com/www/catalog/cdkiosk.htm"
MORE ONLINE JOBS AT THE JOB BOARD
This is just what it says - a collection of job listings online. "On the
Internet no one knows you're unemployed."
"http://www.io.org/~jwsmith/jobs.html"
AMERICA ONLINE SCRAMBLES TO CLARIFY MAILING LIST POLICY
Earlier this month, America Online announced out of the blue that it
would start selling its member list to various direct marketers. This
created a minor furor among its membership base and even Congress,
in the august form of Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Ma.), got into the act
with concerns about privacy. AOL head Steve Case had to hastily dispatch
a letter to AOL subscribers clarifying that: A) they will limit the info
they sell to addresses only; B) they will screen every mailing; and C) they
will make it easy to opt out (the keyword is MARKETING PREFS). Case
admitted that (timeless phrase alert) "mistakes were made" in handling
the announcement.
VIRTUAL LIBRARY ON WWW DEVELOPMENT A MUST FOR WEB HACKERS
The WWW Virtual Library webspace on WWW development includes sections
ranging from making WWW pages to setting up servers to the evolution of the
Web. If your browser is forms-capable, you can search a database of 500
entries for servers, clients, and other items. There are also over 20
sections of info and links of interest to Web developers, culminating in a
great resource for web hackers. "http://www.charm.net/~web/Vlib.html"
INTERNET GOODIES A TREASURE TROVE OF SHAREWARE
The Internet Goodies list is a page pointing to freeware and shareware
programs aimed mostly at programmers and system administrators who wish
to install software on their system but who don't know (or don't
remember) where to get it. It also has references to basic Internet
how-to docs and the free-for-all E-Text archives. The programs are mostly
Unix oriented, but there are a few entries for PC, Mac, and Amiga. The
site's a straightforward and interesting if not comprehensive
collection of technical stuff. "http://www.ensta.fr/internet/"
RFD MAIL 1.23: WINDOWS GRAPHICAL E-MAIL FRONT END
This Windows program provides an E-Mail front end alternative for
numerous online providers such as CompuServe, DELPHI, GEnie, MCI Mail,
World Unix, The Direct Connection, and many Internet information
services. Aside from the usual GUI bells and whistles, this program has
support for TCP/IP connections in addition to modem dialup and support for
SMTP delivery and POP mailboxes. RFD Mail can be customized to support just
about any service or BBS via a script language.
"ftp://ftp.std.com/ftp/customers/software/rfdmail/rfdmail.zip"
"ftp://garbo.uwasa.fi/windows/comm/rfdml123.zip"
UNIVERSAL (NEARLY) UNIX MAN PAGE CONVERTER
RosettaMan is a filter for UNIX manual pages. It takes as input man
pages formatted for a variety of UNIX flavors (not [tn]roff source) and
produces as output a variety of file formats. Output for the following
formats is produced: printable ASCII only; headers only; TkMan;
[tn]roff; Ensemble; HTML; LaTeX; and RTF. The author is looking for help in
extending this impressive range even further ("phelps@CS.Berkeley.EDU").
Basically this means you can use Mosaic to
view your Man pages converted to HTML on the fly. Neat.
"ftp://ftp.cs.berkeley.edu/ucb/people/phelps/tcl/rman.tar.Z"
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