NETSURFER TOOLS: NETSURFER DEBUTS ONLINE TECHNICAL E-ZINE
As if we didn't have enough work around here already, we decided to start up yet another e-zine. "Netsurfer Tools" is meant as a resource for online technical professionals, such as webmasters, sysadmins, content creators, and network managers. The format should be familiar, while the contents will give you a plethora of tools and technical pointers you can use in your career. Sprinkled throughout will be news of various corporate goings on in the online industry and some neat examples of online wizardry which we found interesting. Everyone on the Netsurfer list will get the first few copies of this twice-monthly e-zine. If you find it useful you can sign up for the mailing list explicitly. Check it out. We think you will find it useful. Netsurfer Tools: "http://www.netsurf.com/nst/" Subscribe: "http://www.netsurf.com/nst/ntsub.html"
AT&T'S TERRIFIC TOUR OF YOUR TELEPHONE
With their "Talking Power" pages, AT&T provides an entertaining and educational tour through the telephone system, part of their multimedia performance support systems. You can learn more about your phone line, batteries, the central office, the U.S. telephone network, the anatomy of a telephone call, and the training course itself. It's all part of the impressive site that AT&T maintains. "http://www.att.com/talkingpower/"
MONTY PYTHON'S FLYING HOME PAGE
Right, then. This is the somewhat official home page of that famous British troupe of actors (and one American cartoonist) known as Monty Python's Flying Circus. And while you're visiting these witty gents, you can catch tidbits from their snappy TV series, hilarious movies, albums, and songs. Biographies of the cast members and other links are also available. Not quite as comprehensive, but worth it for fans who just can't get enough is another page called the Holy Home Page of Antioch. MPFC: "http://www.iia.org/~rosenr1/python/" Antioch: "http://www.pitt.edu/~tjbst26/Python/"
ANOTHER HOME PAGE YOU CAN BLAME ON NETSCAPE
Mark Thomas's Web site immediately assaults the visitor with flashing screens of odd, unrelated statements, hinting at what follows. The first few pages of this sequentially organized site feature numbered links to something that would be best described as non sequitur poetry, except that it's not really poetry, or maybe it is. Of all the links here, we liked "Oh Yeah" the best, with "The Lord" a close second. Mark uses HTML 3.0 server push technology to the limit, and the content will lead you to spend many minutes or mere microseconds here, depending on your taste. Is the site unique? We hope so. Nice buttons, though. "http://anansi.panix.com/~sorabji"
THE INTERACTIVE SEINFELD APTITUDE TEST
Now, this is what we call a fun site, if you like the NBC sitcom "Seinfeld", that is. Although this is a promotional piece for a book of the same title, you do get to answer 25 questions about Jerry, Cosmo, Elaine, and George. You'll need a browser with forms capabilities to actually take the quiz (do we still need to say this?). When you're done, you'll learn your score and all the answers. So, are you "Master of Your Domain" or just a "Wuss"? Give it a try. "http://melville.books.com/scripts/mhh/sat.exe?"
"We must not be punished and instead should be forced to pay. (Applause.) We should, we should work to help Russia, Ukraine and the education deficit, and more of them. And I am ready to act every day." This quote comes from a governmentspeak generator that randomizes actual speeches by President Clinton and House Speaker Gingrich and regurgitates them every ten minutes. Sometimes, Clinton sounds as if he's speaking just after having inhaled. At the same site are links to the Marshall McLuhan Quote-O-Rama, the Historical Speech Archive, and Nixon's speeches in .wav format. "http://www.webcorp.com/polibabble.htm"
CECIL ADAMS ARCHIVED BY ARTICLE
Ever wonder where the term "shortstop" comes from? Or maybe spent a sleepless night worrying about whether cow-tipping or bizarre sexual activities like gerbil stuffing really do go on? Cecil Adams puts your mind at ease. The author of the syndicated Straight Dope column dedicates himself to seeking the truth behind these and other so-called urban myths. Early in Netsurfer's existence, we covered a Web page that archives Cecil's columns by date; this one lists his answers by topic. Either way, it's good and good for you. By topic: "http://www.teleport.com/~basehead/cecil/cecil.html" By date: "http://www.mcs.net/~krikket/html/tsd.html"
Unless this is your first visit to this planet, you're probably aware that the Cola Wars have escalated to full-scale confrontation in the past decade. Each major beverage company has tried - very, very hard - to convince the world that their product will turn the consumer into a world-class cool sex deity. Coca Cola has launched another salvo with a site on the WWW. The nostalgic, pulp-fiction look brings a wealth of information on subjects ranging from the company's corporate profile to the history of the world-famous drink. The site's outer space motif is a tad wearisome, and the graphics and AV sections are still under construction, but all in all, it's a reasonably cool site, if you can get past the shameless marketing of it all. "http://www.cocacola.com"
HERBS, ASTROLOGY, AND CHEATIN' HEARTS
Tired of mastering your destiny? Wish there were some way to divine your future from the stars, the moon, and other celestial objects while surfing the Net? The Herbs and Astrology Emporium is here for you. We have forseen it. At first glance, this site seems chock-full of hokey paranormal flotsam and jetsam, but on further inquiry, one finds not all of the links on that page are to commercial, UFO-sighting, personality-profile-hawking loons. Some links are entertaining, others may be useful. The link to ENLOW, found on the Spirit Web Page, has a strange collection of private investigation tips, including the tell-tale signs of a wayward spouse. "http://www.synapse.net/~telespy/"
Suppose you want to find a pediatrician who attended UCLA, charges no more than the average for your area, and - hey, why not - resembles Dr. Kildare. Well, we can't promise you'll be able to locate Richard Chamberlain, but if you live in the United States, MedSearch America's Physician Referral Service, still under construction, will be able to help you find doctors according to criteria such as specialty, certification, years in practice,education, location, and insurance accepted. No charge is planned for the service, and some physicians will be available for an initial e-mail consultation. If you're a physician, dentist, surgeon, or other private practice specialist, and you're interested in becoming an option, log on now to sign up. "http://www.medsearch.com/pro"
THIS JUST IN: CBS'S "UP TO THE MINUTE NEWS"
Despite its promising title, "Up to the Minute News" is not exactly the latest-breaking weather, news, and sports reports. There are no clips of courtroom antics. No bombing updates. What it does provide is a collection of daily features on space, the Internet, CD-ROMs, women's medicine, parenting, and movies. Reportedly, the same information is broadcast from 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. on your local CBS station, rather early for us. From here, you can also jump to CBS's Eye on the Net, with the latest on "The Late Show" (Letterman), "The Late, Late Show" (Snyder), upcoming movies-of-the-week, and more. No news about Connie and Dan though. "http://adware.com/uttm/welcome.html"
THERE'S NO BUSINESS LIKE MR. SHOWBIZ
If you're one of those who love to know the latest about the greatest, this is the Web site for you. The Mr. Showbiz home page gives you the chance to glean knowledge about celebrities, entertainment industry trends and gossip, films, music, TV shows, and more. You can check out a movie review (debating about seeing Meg Ryan and Kevin Kline in the new film "French Kiss"? Mr. Showbiz's reviewer says it's "modestly pleasant"), get the scoop on summer films, and even read what appears to be an online soap opera/pseudo-soapy-novel. "http://web3.starwave.com/showbiz/"
THE CARTER CENTER, AS IN PRESIDENT JIMMY
Based in Atlanta, Georgia, the Carter Center, a public policy institute, now has its own home page. The institute was founded by the former President and his wife, Rosalynn, in 1982, with a multitude of goals, including "fighting disease, hunger, poverty, conflict, and oppression through collaborative initiatives in the areas of democratization and development, global health, and urban revitalization." Among the links available from the Carter Center pages are policy statements and reports by President Carter on political topics such as the Sudan and Haiti. "http://www.emory.edu/CARTER_CENTER/homepage.htm"
THE TALE OF A DUDE AND HIS DOUBLE
Maybe it's happened to you. Someone says, "Hey, you look just like...." Self-proclaimed artist and "web weaver" Jeff Gates has had that Twilight Zone experience - in addition to same-name complications - so many times that he decided it (and he) was worthy of a home page. After you read about his early years (and a roommate named Rick Gates), click on the link ending "in later years, my name and looks would lead to others..." to discover the trials and tribulations caused by resembling someone named Bruce and having the same last name as Bill Gates (Microsoft honcho), Robert Gates (CIA honcho), and Darryl Gates (L.A.P.D. honcho). "http://www.tmn.com/0h/Community/jgates/home.html"
THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF WANAKA, N.Z.
Wanaka, New Zealand, has a home page with information on the area it occupies, known as the Southern Alps. It has info on getting there, activities, attractions, skiing, accommodations, and a photo gallery. After viewing their information and the scenic pictures, you may just be enticed to plan a visit. The site is well done and gives info on a wide variety local activities for all types of interests, though outdoorsy types would probably get the most out of a visit. "http://www3.waikato.ac.nz/wanaka/"
CultureNet, a service running out of the University of Calgary, impressively attempts to be the gateway to the rich and varied culture of the Great White North. This well constructed site takes you across the entire spectrum of Canadian art and culture, ranging from the world-famous Stratford Festival (Shakespeare) to MuchMusic, Canada's answer to MTV. There's also a fast-growing multimedia section and extensive links to other cultural sites in the realms of dance, film, and music. If you don't know art, but you know what you like - or even if you do know art - check out this site. "http://www.culturenet.ucalgary.ca"
If you're dreaming of pink sandy beaches, quaint pastel houses, and clear blue waters, be sure to stop by NetWeb Bermuda, a site that is just as colorful and proper as the island it represents. The front end of NetWeb Bermuda features a small sampling of travel information and diving opportunities. You'll have to dig deeper within the "Related Sites" area to find specifics about the island's history, politics, business regulations, and a whole lot more. "http://www.bermuda.com"
Like most travel sites, there's not quite enough information here to plan your entire Mexican vacation, but enough to get you to start thinking about it. You'll find a list of selected hotels, destinations, travel packages and a map of Mexico. More could be done here, especially with a photo or three, but as organizational aid, the site works as is. "http://www.forthrt.com/mextnet.htm"
Net Potato Salad is a Web directory divided into somewhat unconventional but still useful categories. Prominently featured at the top of their home page is a link to a certain Web review e-zine with the initials NSD. "http://www-bprc.mps.ohio-state.edu/cgi-bin/hpp/NetPotatoSalad.html"
HOME PAGE FEATURES DANCING HAMBURGER
Roger Caplan's out of the ordinary home page has a neat little inline animation - an oscillating hamburger. The rest of the page is also pleasantly put together, but some of the sections need a bit more beef. "http://www.biostat.wisc.edu/roger/home"
In order to be listed on the NetMind Free Services Page, a service must perform a function for the visitor, for free. Some examples are faxes and an e-mail reminder service. "http://www.netmind.com"
Every day, the little cartoon monks in charge of this site choose another topic on which to base a list of options. You do your part by visiting, reading the list, voting on your fave choices, and/or adding a new choice of your own. "http://www.dtd.com/keepers"
U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE ON WWW
The organization offers information pertaining to its programs, including a list of endangered species, recreational activities on national wildlife refuges, and valuable tips on buying wildlife products in a foreign country. "http://www.fws.gov/"
Online Drive is an e-zine devoted to baseball. Self-described as "For Fans, By Fans", it has been described by others as "crotchety" (Santa Cruz Sentinel). It consists mostly of commentary and organization reports. "http://www.baseball.org/baseball/Online-Drive/"
THE TABLES OF CONTENTS - WWW VERSION
The Tables of Contents, which offers the tables of contents and covers of 210 print magazines, has a Web page. We reviewed their FTP site in an earlier issue. "http://www.mag-browse.com."
NETCENTER HOSTS "WHAT'S NEW" ANNOUNCEMENT PAGE.
GNN dropped announcements from its What's New Page, and Netcenter hopes to take up the slack. Any individual or business wishing to make announcements, or to read them, can do so there. "http://netcenter.com"
NOT-FOR-PROFIT EVENTS DATABASE
Internet Productions, Inc. has an Events Database on which not-for-profit events can register. Web travelers can search the database by title, sponsor, location, category, and date. "http://www.ipworld.com/events/homepage.htm"
SURVEY ON NET COMMERCIAL PRIVACY
An anonymous major financial services corporation has commissioned Literal Research to gather opinions about consumer privacy for transactions over the Internet. Let them know what you think. "http://www.literal.net/research"
It comes in patties, in sacks, and in an intangible verbal form which won't help your garden. Now it comes bottled, too, for those specially deserving. We don't usually write up ad pages, but this one is unique. "http://www.adnetsol.com/bovine/bovine.html"
TEST AND STRESS YOUR VIEWER SOFTWARE
You can test your viewer or follow a link to download the latest software at a site maintained by Lawrence Livermore National Labs. There are test buttons to take you to tests for 19 different MIME-type viewers. You can also click on links to download software or to get info on how to correctly configure your viewer. Information is avaiable for UNIX, PC, and Mac users and Web server administrators. "http://www-dsed.llnl.gov/documents/WWWtest.html"
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