John Brochu's Elite Apple Awards This month we feature three sites that offer some of the highest quality Mac icons you'll find anywhere. With the popularity of the Iconfactory, the original high-quality Mac icon site (and one of last month's winners), many icon sites have sprung up, many of very high quality. We think the following are of the utmost quality, in both icon and site design. We're also proud to be including the full collections of these sites on the 3rd release of the SiteLink Shareware Collection CD. IconsPLUS http://www.iconsplus.com/ This site is professionally designed and eye-catching from the moment you load the first page. All of their icons are hand-drawn renditions of popular media subjects, including their original PeopleFace™ collections of TV, movie, and comic book characters. The quality of all icons is impeccable. They also offer several volumes of unique desktop patterns, as well as a growing collection of fonts. ikthusian arts http://members.aol.com/ikthusian/ A graphic artist by trade, Brian Brasher (aka "ikthusian"), has come up with some really cool and useful original icons, or in his words "Diverse pixellations for desktop personalizations." A light-hearted,whimsical site, ik's work also reflects this style, with themes ranging from "Ik's Donut Shop" and "Ik's Auto Parts" to "Space Critters" and "Humanoids" to "Men's Dept," "Edibles," and "Squeaky Clean." Brian also offers several well-designed Kaleidoscope schemes and some sound collections. MOZCO http://www.tcp-ip.or.jp/~s-iga/ This Japanese site (in English) offers some of the most distinctive icons you're likely to find. Igarashi Susumu, the author, draws all his icons by hand (in ResEdit!). His attention to detail is obvious. Offered are icons of everyday objects — animals, tools, foods, Christmas..., as well as System icon replacements that are sure to give your Mac a bold new look. Also offered are desktop textures and Kal schemes. Note:: Some icons are hand-drawn representations of human body parts. Although tastefully done, you may want to exercise parental discretion when viewing this site.   Check them out on the SiteLink website at: http://www.sitelink.net/SiteLinkEliteApples.shtml   John Brochu jbrochu@mediaone.net   Ron's Recommended Sites This month's theme: Suggestions and Iroquois Indians This month's column centers around a couple of suggestions I received from readers and friends, and the last site I had to visit in order to complete a research project for a class that I am taking. Other than that, these have no connection whatsoever. Snoot http://www.snoot.com/ Everyone's pal, Erik J. Barzeski, sent me to this darn funny site. It is neat and eclectic and is sure to please my vast German-Speaking audience. I must warn you, though, that this site takes a stab at the French, but don't blame me. Definitely go here. The Unofficial 20th Anniversery of Macintosh Web Site http://www.javanet.com/~bbernard Now this is a page that is sure to please my entire audience — after all it's about Macs and for some reason almost everyone who reads this magazine just loves 'em to death. I had no idea that Apple was this old — dang, they've been around since I was just a sparkle in my father's eye! Joseph Brant http://www.indians.org/welker/brant.htm Most of the time when I use the Internet, it is for the sheer purpose of fun and fun alone, but once in a while I use it for something practical. Whenever I use the Internet in a practical fashion I try to mention it in these cyber-pages. I had to do a research report on the Iroquois Indians and this four-page biography on Joseph Brant helped me out a bunch. What we've accomplished today Nothing really. But right now (as I write, not as you read) I am listening to Toad the Wet Sprocket's Coil album and I must proclaim that it is one of the best album's that you probably don't have. Peace out 'til next month.   Ron Freeman ron@applewizards.net     http://applewizards.net/