It turns out hound dogs got a bad rap in the classic song--most are "incredibly sweet," according to this resource-rich offshoot of Dogs in Canada magazine. But maybe you'd prefer a terrier, a sporting dog, or even (shudder) a toy dog. If you're looking for a purebred dog but can't tell an affenpinscher from a weimaraner, this site's directory of breeds, advice on coming up with a short list of dogs that will suit your lifestyle, and tips for choosing a breeder should prove helpful. If, on the other hand, a mutt rescued from the local animal shelter is more your style, you won't find much of interest here: Dogs in Canada deals only with pedigreed pooches. - Sandra Stewart
Rolling Good Times, the self-proclaimed "Premier Gambling 'Zine On the Net," takes gambling much more seriously than its playful name implies. Be forewarned, unless you're either a professional gambler or a serious amateur, the detailed descriptions of probability and statistics make for pretty dull and confusing reading. Nonetheless, odds are that people who view gambling as an art, an obsession, or a career will want to bookmark this well-done site. The site is easy to navigate, comprehensive, and offers some nice bonus features, such as an e-mail tickler that lets blackjack, craps, and poker lovers know about new articles. - Rachel Saidman
Fish Link Central is a directory of fish-related Web sites. However, a fresh colorful design, feature articles, and some obvious thought and care elevate this site above the usual link-list sites. In addition to indexed lists of fish links, Fish Link Central also features Spotlight Site of the Week, a voting booth to nominate the best fish sites on the Web, and photos of fish submitted by site visitors. Another useful feature is an amazingly in-depth list of fish clubs and fish events around the country. This site is a real catch for fish freaks on the Web. - Rachel Saidman
Jump Site, the home on the Web of the Northern California Lindy Society, is a great resource for swing dancers living in the San Francisco Bay Area. The site's main attraction, a well-organized and easy-to-access calendar of Bay Area swing events, is indexed by venue, band, and instructor; it will help you plan where and with whom you'll be swinging out this weekend. Jump Site is also light on attitude, which is a relief given the hoards of cigar-smoking, martini-swigging swing dancers out there on the circuit these days. Jump Site was here before the trend, and it will still be here after most people have moved on to the next dance craze. - Rachel Saidman
No sooner did I recommend this site to my girlfriend than she quit griping about being unemployed. My neophyte knowledge of canning notwithstanding, Home Canning is a sweeping guide to food preservation, with pointers on conserves and preserves, high acid vs. low acid, jams and jellies, soft and hard waters, and bugs and other microthingies. The driving logic behind every tip and article on canning is common sense, but the best advice at the site applies to all things in life: "If in doubt, throw it out." - Ismael Marrero
Harry Matthews is a master tinkerer who wants to turn others on to the hobby of restoring old engines. Harry's expertise in this area is evident in the long list of motors that make up his personal collection; he describes each engine in loving detail, starting with the story of its acquisition and working through the steps of its restoration. This section, along with others on Magnetos and Sandblasters, makes Old Engine a fun and informative read for even the least-handy person. The stylish yet manageable illustrations also enhance the visitor's experience. - Katherine Stevenson
TIGHAR, a nonprofit foundation committed to tracking down and preserving important aircrafts of old, rediscovers and restores everything from the planes of maiden voyages to those that flew in the battles of WWI and WWII. TIGHAR's projects are illustrated at this site with visual depictions and colorful narratives, and the site even offers a few fun supplements, including a table of Earhart myths and the corresponding facts. Through its informative and orderly presentation, TIGHAR informs us that aircrafts of the past are not only fine specimens of engineering and design, they are also a source of rich history. - Katherine Stevenson
The Advanced Book Exchange connects buyers and sellers of antiquarian and out-of-prints books. For a fee, sellers list their stock in the site's database and in turn gain access to a far-reaching buyer base. For buyers the site is even better: At no cost you can conduct highly selective searches, compare the prices of different vendors, and keep up to a hundred "wants" that are periodically matched against the database. The site's skillful use of forms and thorough instructions make the Advanced Book Exchange site convenient and easily customized. - Katherine Stevenson
Site of the month!!
Have you been in front of a computer for so long that you've forgotten the feel of soil underfoot, the scent of fresh herbs and flowers, the warmth of the sun on your face? Maybe you should consider gardening. The tools for getting started are a lot closer than you might think. Garden Escape is a Web site guaranteed to make gardening easier and more accessible. With a lively display of images, announcements, and scrolling text, the site introduces visitors to a plethora of planting possibilities. This bounty is rooted in a formidable database. Also available is information on the gardening products of numerous horticultural suppliers and specialists, and the seamless integration of this information into the site as a whole is testament to skillful design. At its most basic, Garden Escape lets visitors search, by subject or proper name, an A-Z of plant life and an array of gardening paraphernalia. It also features instruction, consultation, and on-the-spot information: enter a zip code or click on an image map, for example, to get the lowdown on your region's climate; fill out a survey specifying your growing preferences and you'll receive suggestions in return. Further assistance comes in the form of categorized FAQs, a glossary, and a "virtual wheelbarrow" (shopping cart). Garden Escape doesn't stop at providing information, or even at customizing that information to fit your needs. The Java Gardener Planner, for example, helps folks design personalized gardens that can be saved on the database for future viewing and use. Notebook is your online gardening journal, and an Important Date Reminder and Gift Registry can make planning for special occasions a breeze. All of these are entitlements of membership, which, you'll be happy to know, is absolutely free. Despite the obvious abundance of content on the site, it never seems unwieldy. An ever-present sidebar of decorative icons makes clear which area you're currently in, while giving you access to the other departments as well. And helpful hints and suggestions on where to look for things make the navigation a walk in the park. Garden Escape is so good, finally, that you probably won't stay long. Why not? Well, you'll be itching to get outdoors, of course, and get your feet dirty. - Katherine Stevenson