Cool Web Sites
by Don Singleton
Tulsa Computer Society
From the December, 2004 issue of the I/O Port Newsletter
Including links previously reviewed at
http://www.educationindex.com/index.html,
http://www.komando.com/,
http://www.usatoday.com/life/cyber/arch.htm,
and http://marylaine.com/neatnew.html
This essay contest is over, and you're the winner — because you get to read these lovely pieces about finding purpose in life. Some of these pieces involve faith, some struggle, some courage (both the everyday long-range kind and the fancy acute-need sort)
Because really, can you talk enough smack to people whose physical prowess means they could snap you like a twig? This site offers a collection of taunts, chants and other forms of fan obnoxiousness, thoughtfully arranged according to the volume at which they ought to be uttered. As with any group of hecklers, most of it’s pretty stale stuff, but as in any group of hecklers, inspiration does occasionally blaze forth.
The mystery and romance of shipwrecks without the bad karma of disturbing these underwater gravesites – it’s all here at Eco-Nova’s exceedingly cool site. (No swimming or deep-sea diving, either; that’s fine by us.) The interactive map documents wreck sites around the world; clicking on the name gets you a description of the craft and what’s known about its demise (gripping stories, often) and – if they’ve got it – footage of everything from computer-generated reconstructions of the founderings to actual dives.
This outstanding educational resource from EdHeads lets you be the doctor as a colleague leads you through a routine operation to repair a worn joint. If you're planning on planning a similar procedure, this flash presentation can go a long way toward calming your nerves. If you want to be a surgeon yourself, it's a great primer. The whole thing is a bit too close to carpentry for our tastes, but that's one reason we're sitting here typing today instead of sawing bones!
Some folks run screaming from pre-release software. If that’s definitely not you, this site can keep you abreast of all the developments in, well, development – software that’s nearly ready, software that’s just seeing the light of day outside the programmers’ cubicles, and (often) software that’s just in the planning-and-partnerships stage. An invaluable source of industry news.
Brace yourself, close your eyes and prepare to get your hair chopped off. You'll have it dyed blue and your eyes will be orange with the click of a mouse. Don't be afraid to make the change. This makeover is just virtual. Unsatisfied with the new you? Save your updates into the "look book" and choose some new eyeshadow or gloss. Try new hair, eyes, skin color and even gender. It's all about experiencing the "what ifs."
A bit like Wikipedia with more pictures (or the late, lamented reader-participation version of learn2.com), this site lets knowledgeable folk upload how-to videos for the edification of less knowledgeable folk. There are other kinds of video, too – family videos, performances and other fun stuff, not to mention some impressive on-the-spot footage from alert folk with handy cameras. And yes, you can learn how to carve a Thanksgiving turkey here.) If you have a useful skill and can demonstrate it in a 2-3 minute clip, you just might be able to contribute something entirely new to the Web. A promising project.
Back in September, Sports Illustrated ran a heartbreaking must-read feature on Work to Ride, a Philadelphia program that gets at-risk kids involved with polo and, along the way, teaches animal care and the importance of kindness and compassion (not to mention academics and sustained effort). The Web site can tell you all about these terrific kids and the program that’s giving them an entirely new set of life skills
Streetpeddler.com will make you feel as if you’re in the middle of New York City, scoping out the street vendors (and without that annoying whiff of dirty-water-dog cart). You can click on the cart and rummage through watches, jewelry, toys, handbags, and NYC-branded merchandise – a wide variety of interesting affordable trinkets. Background images and sounds of the city round out the virtual flea-market experience.
Those who knew about and mourned the demise of the Buddhist News Network site will be pleased to see this fine effort rising from its ashes. Based in Malaysia, the site has an international advisory board and a commitment to making available news in a non-sectarian fashion, representing each of the three main schools of Buddhism. There’s even a handy RSS feed to keep you abreast of matters
Japanese robot culture – expressed in toys, manga, anime, and other artforms – is a wondrously rich topic, and Zinc Panic is the place to immerse yourself. Read the Dogma section to understand why the proprietors describe the design culture as “one of the last bastions of optimism in our increasingly Luddite worldview,” and then simply enjoy the comprehensive catalog of robots as depicted here, there and everywhere.
Don't have time to get into shape? Reap the benefits of a gym membership from the comfort of your own home. All you need is a computer, fitness goals and a water bottle to get started. An online physical trainer will evaluate your goals and send you instructional e-mails. Once your trainer has determined the appropriate workout regimen for you, you’ll be on your way to shedding extra pounds and toning the rest.
"Jacques Pepin: Fast Food My Way" (companion website to KQED's show) has little to do with mundane gulp-and-go fare. View Pepin's interactive kitchen, watch recipe videos and step-by-step recipe slideshows, email recipes to friends, and experience a behind-the-scenes slideshow revealing the production process narrated by the producer. You'll have a whole new idea about what's possible in your kitchen.
This online exhibit by Tei Matsushita Scott is wonderfully simple; Her work is greatly inspired by poetry, so each painting's image is accompanied by a commentary, often containing excerpts of poetry. And that's it – just enough for a wonderfully absorbing exhibition. There are two collections here comprising 22 paintings.
As much for grownup Japanophiles as for the small fry, this charming site is full of intriguing peeks into Japanese life and culture. We guarantee that almost any link you follow here will have a fascinating little bit of trivia embedded – for instance, did you know that the country’s Minister of the Environment has a list of the 100 best-smelling places in the nation? There’s plenty to explore and enjoy here; set aside a bit of time and check it out.
We were greatly amused the other day to open our wallet and find a wheresgeorge.com bill – one of the bills for which the site is tracking its travels, stamped with the appropriate URL to encourage folks to input its latest whereabouts. This nifty site covers not only that well-known stamp campaign (because, by the way, you can stamp bills legally) but many others one might run across
And yet you probably don't even know their names. Another great site from our friends at PBS, based on the Harold Evans book and documenting the cultural contributions made by people who weren't Alexander Graham Bell, Ron Popeil or the like. We're willing to wager most of you had never pondered who came up with good ideas such as branch banking, air conditioning or the condom, but this site will get you thinking.
What’s the good word on VoIP? Veteran author Russell Shaw has launched a blog with plenty of news, commentary and industry info for those wanting to keep track of who’s involved in the ongoing melding of the Internet and telephony. Shaw’s posting quite frequently (you might want to consider signing up for an RSS feed of this page, in fact); he’s a smart guy and clearly an indefatigable news hound.
Going to the movies is fun, but if you’ve got a family in tow the experience at anything but the most innocuous films can be more than slightly nerve-wracking. FamilyStyle is a great resource for helping you make appropriate decisions on what shows you and the youngsters might want to see. The site lists the movies "In Theaters" and "On Video" with individual details on "Profanity," "Nudity," "Sex," Violence" and "Drugs and Alcohol" as well as professional critics’ ratings. A custom search is available should the movie you're seeking be more obscure than the current list
Kathy Cano Murillo strikes us as one of those people who, stranded on a desert island with nothing but a volleyball, a deck of playing cards and some coconuts, would not only craft a rescue vehicle and distress signal but whip up a spiffy castaway-themed wardrobe to wear as she did so. And she would be having a great time. And so would you. Visit the Arizona Republic contributor's site to get the craft fever yourself.
Let’s try something different this year: Instead of getting to January 1 and glumly resolving to lose the weight, how about we decide right here that we’re going to think good thoughts about dieting before we’re confronted with holiday confections and eggnog? Kick-start the effort by visiting this nifty site, which asks you a few questions and returns not only suggestions on which programs might suit you but plenty of unbiased info on those programs’ strengths and weaknesses. Not a substitute for seeing a doctor about you diet plans, of course, but most helpful and impressive.
World history’s a pretty broad topic, even for a Web journal. Miland Brown therefore has his work cut out for him, but as a historian and fellow at the World History Research Institute, he’s pretty clearly the person for the job. Mr. Brown’s blog is edging toward its first anniversary, and visitors will find a rich and varied collection of links and thoughtful commentary.
The proprietor of this site comes from a family that was pretty serious about keeping in touch, apparently; his father handed over “several hundred” cards sent between 1900 and 1910 between various relatives, and seeing that they’re both fascinating and in the public domain, he’s scanned them and put them online for your edification and use. A true slice of Americana from a century ago, for better and (in a couple of instances) for worse.
As the year turns colder and we retreat to our homes, it’s nice to have new ideas to test in the kitchen. This attractive site touts the benefits – culinary and otherwise – of two wildly diverse cultures. Pick up ideas for delicious new dishes, or see how old Western favorites can gain from a health-enhancing “makeover.” (Yes, ladies and gentlemen, you CAN improve on a banana split if you put your mind to it.) An elegant and joyous site.
Moment of honesty here? If we hadn’t gotten “MP3” as our personality type, we would’ve taken the test ‘til we did. That won’t be necessary, though – the test cleverly spotted our entertaining qualities, ability to make ourselves heard and significant problem with authority figures. And you? Perhaps you’re a publishing-obsessed .pdf, a number-savvy .xls, a high-maintenance .c, or even a slightly-cooler-than-us .ogg, to name but a few options.
We’re always up for a little fun online, and this site has a nice collection of online games that rely on an understanding of gravity (a la "Tetris") or gas behaviors to work. Character Disorder is our latest addiction, but the collection here is so vast you’re bound to find something to play, either on your own or with another player in, as they put it, “the recesses of the Internet.”
George Washington University offers information on a number of topics and links to resources that will help you study more effectively and improve academically. Use the links on the right to jump to any topic that pertains to your own situation. Forms and charts may be downloaded and printed as worksheets for your personal use
Another one of those things that makes you glad the Web exists: The catalog of the Schøyen Collection, which comprises 13,497 manuscripts from the past 5,000 years of human history, has a home online. You can’t see everything here, but the taste they give visitors is pretty amazing: The first bylined piece of literature in history (by a woman, did you know that?), materials from all four of the first major river-valley civilizations, even material dating back 50,000 years (symbolic art of Australia’s Aboriginal population). What a wonderful world.
For every traveler who’s had to guess what exactly will annoy the guards at any given airport X-ray machine (the needlepoint kit? the belt? the latte? the laptop? the shoes? all of the above? none of the above?), this site is most definitely for you. This blog collects stories from all over of nonsensical, ineffectual, or simply dumb “security measures” in place – though never, ever consistently – around the nation. Chilling, especially if you suspect that evildoers aren’t always idiots.
Dichos are proverbs, and artist Belinda Giovoni illustrates a number of them with great charm and appeal – bilingually, no less – on this site. As great believers in the aphorism “Todo cabe en un jarrito sabiéndolo acomodar” (Everything fits in a small jar if you know how to arrange it), we love her witty selection of sayings, and if her luck is anything like her talent and aspiration we expect we’ll be seeing a lot more from this upbeat, gifted artist in the years to come.
Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat… yeah, yeah, you know. But are you aware of how many perils have been faced and sacrifices made by America’s postal carriers? The National Postal Museum has a great online exhibit detailing the dangers inherent in U.S. mail service over the years. You’ll never take the contents of your snail-mailbox for granted again.
From the thoughtful folks at BeliefNet comes this nice roundup of Very Bad Things. Take the seven mini-quizzes to figure out how much sloth, envy, lust, wrath, gluttony, greed and pride you’ve got going on. Of course, not every religion has the same outlook on such shortcomings; once you know how you’re doing, check to see where five major religions (Buddhism, Christianity, Hindu, Islam and Judaism) stand on the matter.
For more information on the Tulsa Computer Society click here
Tulsa Computer Society 12/01/2004
Don Singleton, President