Cool Web Sites
by Don Singleton
Tulsa Computer Society
From the September 2003 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
National Geographic's Map Machine literally lets you see the world in new ways, offering everything from street maps of North America and Europe to historical maps of railroads and battles -- hours of physical, political, cultural and panoramic discovery. Still not impressed? Check out the terrain map of Mars
Ever wanted to know how many Mennonites live in Germany? Can you guess how many part-time astrologers are employed in the U.S.? Adherents.com answers these and all your other burning questions concerning religion, belief and faith with citations from various solid historical sources. The scope of information on the site is frankly impressive; for example, we did not realize there were just eight Shakers (the celibate Protestant Christian sect, known for their handmade furniture) left in America by 1997.
A variety of illusions, and why we are fooled by them, from the COLORCUBE Website and Edutainment Center. You'll also enjoy the site's Color Playground.
Talk about upwardly mobile: People in the Victorian era envisioned themselves floating across water via large balloons, gliding down moving sidewalks, and moving their homes (or entire city blocks) to new locations whenever they were ready for a change of scenery — just a few of the modern amenities they predicted would make their lives (or, more accurately, their descendants' live) easier in the year 2000. Not only did they put their visions of technology up for public discussion, they actually traded them on decks of cards, now available for your viewing pleasure some 100 years later online. (Bet they didn't see that amenity coming.) Funny how, despite living under roofed cities and floating in personal airships, the Victorians envisioned little wardrobe change 100 years down the road...
Feeling fatigued? Suffering from memory loss, clammy skin and indigestion? Worried about it? It's probably not some funky monkey virus, you hypochondriac; you probably just need to stamp out a little stress. Erasestress.com can help. The site offers breathing techniques, aromatherapy, and - for those whose office life really is just too hectic -- a few tips for how to really rest in the restroom. Find out what could be causing that tension, and learn the four-minute fitness plan that'll help you put that never-enough-time-to-work-out excuse to bed for good.
If you like paddlewheel riverboats, this is for you. Includes photos galore, a research room, a learning center, and lots of "steamboat stories."
Sick of cluelessly cruising the video store aisles, wondering when the heck the latest movie is going to be released? Cruise in clueless embarrassment no longer with upcomingdiscs.com. Not only can you see which releases are just around the corner, you can peruse the editors' reviews and chat with other impatient fans in the forums. Not a movie fan? Some of the best television series are also ranked and reviewed. What's that? You're bored with movies and television? Check out lists and reviews of upcoming games, then -- they're listed as well.
Find out what time it is — any time, anywhere. (Did you know that 8 a.m. in Greece is 5 a.m. in Ghana?) From Congo to Canada, Malawa to Madagascar, TimeTicker.com takes visitors around the world. And it's not just a pleasant frippery, although we suspect the site's richly melodic ticking could lull a baby to sleep; international business travelers have chimed in with their words of gratitude. Synchronize your daily routine to the time in Estonia, Russia or Romania, or simply set your computer's clock to be accurate.
Before we change Medicare, perhaps we should pay some attention to what Americans like about it.
Think it's possible to categorize someone's race just by looking at his or her facial features? Try your hand at it with PBS' amazing Power of an Illusion site. Explore traits of all races, and everyday factoids that you probably never thought twice about. For instance, did you know that not one characteristic or trait distinguishes all members of one so-called race from all members of another so-called race? Try your hand at grouping photos of various folk into the race with which they identify themselves, and — most thought-provoking of all — follow the biographies of African-American Byron and Causasian Max to see what roles wealth and race played in their lives.
During April and May this year, photographers across America captured the obscure and glorious daily life of America. Get a glimpse of the snapshots and stories of people usually ignored by the mainstream at Bread And Roses' Unseen America. From a Mexican day laborer working at a construction site on Long Island to a birthday party in Queens, these candid pictures are sure to change your perspective.
"Read an abbreviated history of hot air ballooning and learn about how the balloon is put together. A picture is worth a thousand words ~ visit the BalloonZone photo gallery, where we’ve just added some photos sent in from our visitors..."
We suspect that like many Americans, you'd like to have an informed opinion on matters in the Mideast, but somehow all those names and agendas trip up your best efforts. The Vested Owl, run by writers with experience in the region, scrutinizes the situation and presents a thoughtful range of articles on Arab views of American actions in the area. You can spend some serious time here or simply nail down the basics. Whether or not you agree with their conclusions, only a fool would close his ears to such forthright and freely offered points of view.
Next time you're in the supermarket line, arms aching with groceries, don't be so cranky with that slow fellow at the register who looks like he's writing a novel rather than a signature on his credit card slip. He just might be. Check out a wild online celebration of receipts with outlandish John Hancocks that actually made it past ID verification. Our favorite is the Maxtrix-grid signature that purchased $30 worth of Cheesecake Factory chow.
Most Popular Baby Names for 2002
If you were like most less-than-enthused science students, you probably slept through the endothermic/exothermic lecture, and we all know that the aerobic/anaerobic lecture wasn't exactly a day at the circus. But if you want to bone up on the basics, or know a youngster who is suffering through the same snoozing scenario, Jokes and Science is just what the Ph.D ordered. This site uses off-the-wall jokes and factoids to enliven material that's all too often presented as dull and dry. For example: How do you identify a bald eagle? All his feathers are combed over to one side. (Is this thing on?) Think you can do better? Submit your tidbit of scientific witticism.
Sometimes watching sitcom stars flub their lines, fall or just plain spoil a scene is funnier than the sitcom itself. Well thanks to slipups.com, you'll have hours of amusment at someone else's expense. From Britney Spears to Airwolf to WWF No Mercy, if it was messed-up, bungled or slipped-up on the air, it's here. Even a 1-800-COLLECT commercial is here. Carrot Top fumble a phone ad? We can't imagine
"Your gateway to horses and everything horse-related." Find out about breeds, basic horsemanship, events, racing, bloodlines, equipment, training, etc.
If you thought the Barbie that griped about doing math was shocking, check out the plastic princess in Hellraiser or Vampirella incarnations. While you're at it, get a gander of Spatula Jackson's Mars Attacks Barbie and Bride of Frankenstein Barbie. Jackson has put these demonic dames together simply for your viewing pleasure on his site — they're not for sale, and chances are you won't find them at your local toy store. Though we don't recommend these dare-to-be-different dolls for impressionable children, we do recommend just a spin through the site for some comic relief.
Here's a personal question. Do you make less than $15,000 a year? Wait — you don't have to tell us that. But if you do, you might want to take the first step to finding out if you're eligible for food stamps. The Agriculture Department has a new site that makes it easier for people to find out if they qualify for assistance. Yes, we know it requires people to use a computer, and if you need food stamps, you might not have a computer (though we suspect your public library does). But the department promises that the application process is quicker than the "old way."
A very clear, step by step tutorial from CERT, ordered by the most common ways intruders attack computers. "By starting with the lower numbered tasks, you address the biggest problems you face in securing your home computer."
Amaze your friends and confound your detractors with random facts like this one: Nachos are the food most craved by mothers-to-be. (Unspool that one at a party and watch your popularity skyrocket.) Want more? Go to hookedonfacts.com and click the fact generator repeatedly for a stream of fun, interesting facts. If you fancy yourself a trivia maven you can submit a few interesting tidbits of your own — but the site does verify its information, so you'd better be able to stand behind your data.
You think this pussycat is peeved? You should see some of the others whose humans have proudly submitted their felines' photos and malevolence to mycathatesyou.com. The patron saint of the site, Britney, hates with unparalleled fervor, but it doesn't stop there. Browse the alphabetical directory for pictures and descriptions of more cantankerous kitties. You can also submit a photo of your own tiny terror, should you have the pleasure of residing with one.
"The National Weight Control Registry is a research study which has exploded this myth and shown that successful weight loss is indeed possible." The success stories here will be inspirational for many.
Tone your mind, body and pop-culture expertise at Self Network's site. This massive collection of online quizzes will evaluate your mood, IQ, and personality while delivering fun factoids to keep that gray matter in tip-top shape. (Did you know that John Lennon was born on October 9, 1940, at Oxford Maternity Hospital in Liverpool, England during an air raid?) This site's most gag-me-with-a-spoon-worthy aspect is the '80s pop culture quiz, but don't beat yourself up if you're stumped by the Sunglasses at Night one-hit-wonder question -- your daily biorhythms might be off-kilter. You can check those here too.
Technology has solutions for everything -- mixing and matching pant legs from different pants, diapering those messy birds, etc.
Input your URL and find out how many pages on your site are indexed by the major search engines.
How do you pronounce Florida? How about Realtor? When revving your car so as to make circular tire tracks, are you making donuts or cookies, or just spinning? Answer more regional-speech-related questions like these, and you'll be contributing to a Harvard project on dialect dispersion in modern America. When you're done, browse the results to see how much you differ from folks in your hometown (or adopted locale), or examine the maps to find out how people say what, where. You'll never believe how many words this nation has for those rubber-soled shoes you wear at the gym.
"This study measures the extent to which blocking software impedes the educational process by restricting access to web pages relevant to the required curriculum." Among its findings: "Schools that implement Internet blocking software with the most restrictive settings block 70% or more of search results based on state-mandated curriculum topics."
For more information on the Tulsa Computer Society click here
Tulsa Computer Society 9/01/2003
Don Singleton, President