So you thought the WWW would herald a new Golden Age of Knowledge, with wisdom available at the touch of a button to every golden child of the cyber-age. Bull puckey! And here is living proof. Joe Rumsey, in an act of inspired wisdom, has assembled a page with nothing but totally useless Web links. Fortunately, useless does not mean unentertaining, at least in some warped philosophical sense. Try Junko's shoes, find out about Erik's currently playing CD, discover when Brian's phone last rang, Find the Spam and contemplate Cynsa's list of things people have put up their butts (nope, no Spam). This, gentle readers, is truly a transcendent page. "http://www.primus.com/staff/paulp/useless.html"
THE SUPERB AMERICAN MEMORY PROJECT
Pause for a moment and consider that no matter where you are in the world the collective memory of humanity is at your fingertips. The amazing U.S. Library of Congress has assembled the American Memory Project, a set of American history collections in photographic, written, and audio format. There are the AVI format "Early Motion Pictures from the Library of Congress, 1897 - 1916" (see pre-earthquake San Francisco!), the incredible "Selected Civil War Photographs Collection" with 1118 authentic photos digitized and indexed, and "The Documents from the Folklore Project", a set of biographies generated by federal writers during the 1930s as part of the Depression recovery effort. The list of upcoming collections is just as impressive. This is not a site you can afford to miss. "http://lcweb2.loc.gov/amhome.html"
BRIEFLY SPEAKING: UNDERWEAR CATALOGUE ON WEB
If you cherish photos of male models posed in underwear, this is the site of your fantasies. The new 2(x)ist Underwear Catalog has it all, from skintight T-shirts to classic fly-front briefs to Y-back thongs to boxers. Click on the thumbnail image option for the up-close, veins-and-rippling-muscles-on-display view. One warning to the modest soul who ventures here: even the "long underwear" closeup photograph would be right at home in Playgirl Magazine. Online order forms are available. "http://www.digex.net/2xist.html"
LIMERICKS, LIMERICKS, EVERYWHERE
Supposedly the newest form of recreation, MAULBALL (do the uppercase letters signify its magnificence or act as a warning?) game rules and regulations are now accessible on the Web. Competitive corporate types (especially those in suits and neck-choking ties) should enjoy this sport: it requires standing in your office doorway (your goal) and, armed with a basketball or Nerf Superball, defending your goal and attacking your co-workers' goals. And the rules resemble corporate life, too: "There are no rules; attack, mutilate and other dirty tricks are encouraged." "http://www.bristol.com/Company/maulball.html"
From "Generations" to the Klingon Language Institute, it's all here. There's even a Finnish site called Spock's Hut. Not much more to say about this, really. If you're into Star Trek, you'll need this URL: "http://gagme.wwa.com/~boba/trek.html"
GENERAL AVIATION SITE FLIES ON THE WEB
If you have an interest in flying, you'll want to add this site to your hotlist. It's a list of aviation sites on the WWW maintained by numerous aviation server administrators. Everything from gliding in Poland to aerobatics, skydiving, pictures, and weather. Catch up on your FARs (U.S. regulations) or simply fly vicariously. The four areas contain lists of servers for general aviation, archives, images, and weather. Happy landings! "http://adswww.harvard.edu/GA/ga_servers.html" "http://adswww.harvard.edu/GA/ga_archives.html" "http://adswww.harvard.edu/GA/image_archives.html" "http://adswww.harvard.edu/GA/weather.html"
The "Right Side of the Web" from Jeff Donels at clark.net brings you the latest news of and from Rush Limbaugh; the Whitewater scenario and timeline; and links to the National Rifle Association and National Review Magazine articles. The Clipper Chip archive and other stuff provide more fodder for discussion and controversy. The home page contains some "enhanced for Mosaic Netscape" codes which do little to improve the presentation (do we really, really need blinking words in our Web browsers?). "http://www.clark.net/pub/jeffd/index.html"
RAISE YOUR VIRTUAL WINE GLASS: NEW WINE HOME PAGE
This nicely organized home page is a must-see for casual oenophiles and seasoned connoisseurs alike. Although centered around the wines of Washington State, USA, it offers links to several other wine pages worldwide. You'll find an archive of tasting notes, as well as a tour of Washington wineries. If you've never tried a Washington wine, be sure to participate in the Virtual Tasting Group; you go buy a set of pre-determined wines, taste them, and share your findings online. This of course begs the question of whether it's possible to be virtually tipsy. "http://augustus.csscr.washington.edu/personal/bigstar-mosaic/wine.html"
MOVIE REVIEW SITE "CINEMAVIN ONLINE" GETS TWO THUMBS UP
OK, sure you can get movie reviews in your local paper. You can watch Siskel and Ebert, or Jeffrey and Michael. But isn't it much cooler to read them on the Net? Cinemavin Online is a Seattle-based site featuring current movie reviews by Doug Thomas. Doug recommends films to see now, films to see when they come out on video, and films to pass up altogether. Appropriately, you can hook up with a current listing of Seattle movie theatres and show times for each flick. A good site to keep on your hotlist even if you don't live in the Emerald City. "http://useattle.uspan.com/mavin.html"
Anders Magick Page allows Net travelers to explore the electronic side of mysticism and related fields. Anders's page provides links to Organizations; Hermetica; Traditional Groups; Modern Groups; Practical Magick; General Magick; and Magickal Philosophy, Books, and Net. Each topic is broken down and offers links to numerous sites. The attention to detail is truly educational and provides great jumping off points to a rich range of mysticism. A number of links leap to a site at Lysator but venturing to Lysator-land, unfortunately, rewards one with a "cannot connect". Despite that, the Magick Page is interesting enough to be worth the connect time. "http://www.nada.kth.se/~nv91-asa/magick.html"
The page starts with a disclaimer you should read before you run over with your tongue hanging out: "This site contains sexually explicit material which may offend some viewers. The material on this site is intended to be educational. There is no pornography at this site." Indeed, the site contains a lot of safe sex resources, including brochures, condom information, counselors' materials (HIV/STD info, newsletters, condom failure statistics), and a user forum where this month you can chat about "Lubricant Brand Reviews". All in all, this is a good set of related links. "http://www.cmpharm.ucsf.edu/~troyer/safesex.html"
Attention, math students: if you're feeling baffled, befuddled, and bewildered by mind-boggling math problems, relax. Dr. Math's "Swat Team", composed of math students and professors at Swarthmore College, wants "really good problems" from elementary, middle, and high school students. Whether it's trig, geometry, or basic arithmetic, just E-Mail "dr.math@forum.swarthmore.edu". "Ask Dr. Math" is a project of the GEOMETRY FORUM, a NSF-funded program at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania.
"The Science Behind Jurassic Park" is a Web site with little connection to the movie. The site describes how Glenn Daleo, a radiologist at San Diego Children's Hospital, learned to CAT-scan fossils, allowing him to see inside fossilized dinosaur eggs, and the methods and hardware he uses. Jack Horner, discoverer of Egg Mountain in Montana and the paleontologist on whom the movie's Alan Grant was based, collaborates with Daleo. You'd figure the page designers would include a still or two, but there are no images at all. "http://infolane.com/infolane/apunix/sci-jur.html"
LAST UPDATE FOR NETSURFER HOLIDAY GIFT SITE
We just did a final update to our Holiday Gift site, so if you are still struggling to find that last minute gift take a look. Latest updates include big stuff from THINK BIG!, a little latex from the Westminster Supply Company, weird movies from the Picture Palace, tennis knick knocks from The Racquet Workshop, a mailbox full of beer from Beers 2 You, and jewelery and gifts from the Milne Jewelery Co. and The Internet Center for Arts and Crafts. "http://www.netsurf.com/holiday.html"
TAKE A WALK IN REDWOOD COUNTRY
Redwood Country Unlimited, a WWW site starring California's North Coast, features tourism suggestions, cultural information, local periodicals, maps of the area, and products for sale. Prospective visitors to the area can preview the sights by viewing the Images links, which include lovely photographs of Mendocino, Humboldt County, and Westport. The Cultural Center link will include only a museum and an artist (it's under construction), but those who like to buy their souvenirs before they visit will want to check out the Product Directory. Items for sale include arts and crafts, books, chocolate, and flowers. "http://www.northcoast.com/unlimited/unlimited.html"
Passport to Knowledge is a K-12 classroom project focusing on Antarctica and the lifeforms that have lived there - from dinosaurs to research scientists. A free teacher's guide provides background materials and hands-on experiments that explore the issues that attract scientists to Antarctica. Online materials are also available. The project is designed to be used in conjunction with "Live from Antarctica", a series of four live telecasts PBS will distribute Jan. 10th and 19th, 1995. For information on the project, E-Mail the message "subscribe updates-lfa" to "listmanager@quest.arc.nasa.gov" (leave the subject field blank) or call 1-800-626-LIVE (in the U.S. only).
SPIDERWEB SERVER FEATURES NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Spiderweb Communications' new WWW server, Spiderweb, offers a directory of cultural, commercial, and community services in Sonoma and Marin Counties, Calif. Included are an activities calendar (November events, for example, included the Russian River Writer's Guild poetry series) and "points of interest" links. In addition, until January 1, 1995, Spiderweb Communications is offering free pages in its online classified directory. "http://www.spiderweb.com/swhome.html"
ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISE LINES OFFERS SPECIAL NET RATES
If you're thinking of traveling before June 7 you may be interested in this promotional offer. You have to book by January 1, though. "http://mmink.cts.com/mmink/kiosks/costa/rccl.html"
If you like to play computer games via modem, check this out. You might even find a playmate. "http://www.primenet.com/~strider/impl/impl.html"
The Advertising Law Internet Site has over 100 consumer advisories issued by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission's Office of Consumer and Business Education. Follow the menu to "FTC Consumer Brochures". "http://www.webcom.com/~lewrose/home.html"
WE ACTUALLY PREFER TO SPELL IT "CATALOGUE"
Catalog Central is a clearing house for mail order and catalog companies. Featured companies include Damark International, Playboy Catalog, CareerTrack and more. "http://catalog.florida.com/cchome.htm"
TAX NEWSLETTER SPECIALIZED BY REGION
TaxDigest, an E-Mail newsletter, focuses on current events and their effects on taxes. To subscribe, send E-Mail to "taxdigest@aol.com" with a message of your first and last names and your city and state, to enable you to receive information tailored for your region.
MIDnet takes the net-happenings mailing list, transmogrifies it into hypertext, indexes it, and humbly offers it for your approval. The whole shebang is searchable. "http://www.mid.net/NET"
Aircraft Shopper Online is a WWW classified section for the selling of aircraft. Ads are now free for 30 days and ads for luxuries like avionics will be added soon. "http://www.sonic.net/aso/"
AYPWIP, an interactive polling service run through E-Mail, allows anyone to create their own polls or add questions to existing polls. They'll process the responses for you and spit up an answer. E-Mail "berezaw@river.it.gvsu.edu" with a subject line of "AYPWIP help @".
PERIODICAL REVIEWS PRINT COVERAGE OF THE NET
Tradewinds is a monthly review of articles about the Net that have appeared in trade and industry magazines, excluding the computer press. "gopher://gopher.std.com/periodicals/TRADEWINDS" "ftp//ftp.std.com/periodicals/TRADEWINDS"
Times Around the World has been "made nice" for WWW users. All countries are represented, and many territories and islands, too. "http://www.hilink.com.au/"
Now this is useful, if limited. Ticket City, of Austin, offers schedules of sports events, music concerts, and theater performances. Customers can browse and purchase tickets for any listed event. "http://www.crimson.com/ticketnet"
BizWeb specializes in providing links to companies that have product information available over the Net. "http://www.bizweb.com/"
The Monster Board's graphics lead you through a user-friendly search for jobs. If you find a position, fill out the online resume and it will automatically be forwarded to the company. "http://www.monster.com"
Need gardening ideas? Browse the quarter-million titles in CATALPA, the online catalogue of the Library of the New York Botanical Garden. "telnet://librisc.nybg.org" or "telnet://192.77.202.200" and log in as "library".
GRAPHICS, FAQS, SOFTWARE, AND TENNIS
The Graphics Archive offers much more than graphics. In addition to the stuff in the headline, such esoterica as the Beastie Boys, Howard Stern, and MS-DOS also have a home here. There's just too much to list. "http://www.rahul.net/bryanw/index.html"
NETSCAPE V1.0 FOR WINDOWS, MAC AND UNIX RELEASED
With its low use of Windows system resources and quick display of partially loaded documents, Netscape is apparently winning the Web browser race. Netscape for Windows (16 bit) is fast and functional. Beta 0.94 added printing, but the bookmark menu overflowed to become unreadable, and the bookmark editor was still verrrry strange. If the bookmarks are fixed, and if the security stuff works, and if their server software works as advertised; then Netscape Communications Corporation will have pulled off a miracle in record time. Versions for all three platforms can be found at the FTP site. "ftp://ftp.mcom.com/netscape"
32 BIT BUGS PLAGUE MOSAIC, PATCH AVAILABLE
A serious problem has been showing up in 32 bit NCSA Mosaic under Windows with 32 bit extensions. The same problem occurs with NCSA and Spyglass's Enhanced Mosaic, which is used by O'Reilly & Associates (EMosaic 1.02) and FTP Software. The bug causes a program crash and an exit from Mosaic. Some good news is that O'Reilly tech support has released a patch for their version at the site below. There also appears to be a patch to O'Reilley's Mac version 1.02. Problems occur with the versions distributed on diskette with "The Mosaic Handbook for Microsoft Windows". Watch for a review of Windows, Mac, and X Window versions of this book in Netsurfer Books, and a mini-review here soon. "ftp://ftp.ora.com/pub/mosaic/winup102.zip" "ftp://ftp.ora.com/pub/mosaic/macup102.sit"
OS/2 WEBEXPLORER STIRS FLURRY OF EXCITEMENT
IBM's release of the Internet-ready Warp OS/2 package prompted a search by hackers for copies of WebExplorer on the Net. WebExplorer is the IBM version of a WWW browser. As quickly as finds were announced, they disappeared. We looked at IBM's Web site to see what they have for new users of the Warp package. They have good navigation links, interesting info services, and worldwide local access numbers for IBM's Internet service. The information is well organized and presented. To view it, point your Web browser to: "http://www.ibm.net/"
EINET RELEASES WINWEB 1.0 ALPHA2.1
This version of the Windows WWW browser features proxy support (reach the Web through a firewall), stand-alone PC support, plus support for a new sound player. The player is wplany (Windows-play-any-file), and it detects and plays any sound file through a Windows 3.1 WaveOut, or audio, device. This is a 16 bit program, so no fussing with Win32s is needed. "ftp://ftp.einet.net/einet/pc/winweb/winweb.zip"
CYBERSOURCE ANNOUNCES SOFTWARE ELECTRONIC DISTRIBUTION SITE
The service, called software.net, has listings of over 6,500 software titles available for purchase in shrink-wrap format. FTP Software, Gupta, ON Technology, and Symantec all have signed agreements to electronically distribute their software titles through software.net. Check out the cool menu design on the home page. If you give them feedback you get entered into a drawing for free T-shirts and a mug. "http://software.net"
GALACTICOMM "MAJOR BBS" TELNET SITE
Those of you who are contemplating becoming an inexpensive Internet site are probably checking out BBS host software. Galacticomm's Major BBS is one of the biggies in the market. Their popular PC and DOS based package is designed to accommodate what has become a very large collection of add-on tools and doorways. You can get a demo and check out the product support via this Telnet site: "telnet://gcomm.com/"
MACINTOSH SIMPLE HTML EDITOR (S H E) VERSION 2.9
The popular editor has been recently enhanced. It now supports most Netscape-enhanced HTML, default templates, and drag and drop. Note that this is a Hypercard stack, so you'll need that software package to run S H E. "ftp://ftp.lib.ncsu.edu/pub/software/mac/simple-html-editor.hqx"
MAPEDIT HELPS CREATE IMAGE MAPS
Mapedit is a WYSIWYG PC Windows and Unix X-Windows editor for image maps. Imagemaps are configuration files that let WWW servers direct the user to different pages depending on which part of an inline image they click on. Mapedit for Windows allows you to position circles, rectangles, and polygons with the mouse atop any GIF format file. "ftp://sunsite.unc.edu/pub/packages/infosystems/WWW/tools/mapedit" "http://sunsite.unc.edu/boutell/mapedit/mapedit.html"
A new and improved version of the WWW Mailto Gateway is available. This is a canned form and program for creating fast and easy mailing forms in your Web pages. Newest features include the ability to restrict mail traffic to certain addresses and a return mail handler for servers running httpd under a unique user. "http://www.mps.ohio-state.edu/mailto/mailto_info.html"
INCORRECT URL FOR "BATTERIES NOT INCLUDED, SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED"
Gremlins run amok. Or maybe holiday fever. A slip of the key (or four) produced an incorrect URL for the short featurette we had in our ONLINE CULTURE section in issue #04. Here is the correct URL for this tale of hopes raised and dashed, of tribulation, redemption, comeuppance, and ultimate humility. "ftp://ftp.netsurf.com/pub/nsf/nsf.94.12.14.txt"
NETSURFER DIGEST HANGS UP MODEMS TIL NEW YEAR
Our hard working staff here at Netsurfer Digest will take a break for the next couple of weeks and we will be back starting the second week of January. Happy Holidays!
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