Issue # 141

Printmaking - Sponsored by The Museum of Modern Art, this website is a complete exhibition filled with fine galleries that contain fascinating examples of printmaking.

Baseball Primer - With the inception of BaseballPrimer.com, our great sport has finally found a suitable home on the Web.

Closer to the Truth - Closer to Truth brings together leading scientists, scholars and artists to debate consciousness and other fundamental issues of our time. Visitors can read through great articles and online transcripts, participate in unique 'hyper-forum discussions', or simply browse the Video Archive.

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Harper's Index - Faithful readers of the incomparable index now can go online for their monthly fix of absurd stats. The site is regularly updated with the current edition, and has an archive of hundreds of previous indexes.

Phobias - Phobialist is a deviously entertaining website that focuses on the lighter side of these very serious problems. There are some truly bizarre listings on the site, including Zemmiphobia, fear of the 'great mole rat', or our favorite, Ergophobia, fear of work.

Movie Mistakes: Take Two - A cryptic website that radiates energy and information, a doorway to a foreign world that places spirituality in front of all other concerns. There is so much to explore at this site, religious services and education, you can even have a 'pooja', (a silent meditation or chanting to express gratitude or receive blessing), done in your name.

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Biography of America - The site traces our nation's past from its original citizens (Paleo-Indians) to modern American society, describing the events and influences surrounding each cultural period. Each time period is accompanied by telling pictures, streaming video, a map as well as links to related sites.

Dull Men's Club - The website of The National Council of Dull Men is as entertaining as it is, well, dull. There are a lot of quirky features, including dull jokes, pictures of tunnels, benches and airport carousels from all over the world, and individual diary entries and stories from dull dudes everywhere.

Guitar Central - This website is nothing short of guitar heaven. There is a magazine's worth of cool articles, guitar-related discussion groups, access to personal instruction and great tips and tricks about playing the instrument.

Sneaker Sanctuary - Charlie's Sneaker Page is a footwear flashback. The site includes a history of sneakers along with facts, descriptions, pictures and a glossary.

Famous Last Words - Last Words is an engaging, highly entertaining compilation of famous deathbed lines, epitaphs, final wills and testaments, and farewell letters of famous real life and fictional characters.

Issue # 142

The Balcony is Closed - BMW Films has brought together the hottest and best directors Hollywood has to offer including Ang Lee (Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Sense and Sensibility), David Fincher (Fight Club, Seven) and Guy Ritchie (Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels). They will soon be screening new and original works online at the site.

What's for Dinner? - Ucook.com offers a solution to the relentless question, 'What's for dinner' from a growing database of more than 65,000 recipes.

A Century of Physics - The site allows visitors to glide through specific events, concepts or individuals via the interactive timeline, alphabetical or event index. Click through physics factoids, animations, and associated images from the world of art and design, or read about innovators and theorists to understand how their work influences the way we perceive ourselves and our world.

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Jackie Kennedy's White House Tour - In 1962, Jackie Kennedy conducted a tour of the White House which was aired nationally by CBS Television. Nearly 80 million Americans watched as Mrs. Kennedy led the tour through the East Room, State Dining Room, Red Room, and other rooms that she had spent months restoring and redecorating.

Cut the Sides, Don't Touch the Back - Barber Kent is a 'hair stylist' who has created one of the most entertaining looks at locks you'll ever see. With 87 pages and over 1175 photos of freshly shaved chops, you'll be hankering for a cut in no time. 

Dead Musician Directory - This site is dedicate to dead musicians and how they got that way; each musician has a full page dedicated to him / her with obituaries, biographies, photo and related links.

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Marcus Leatherdale Photography - Marcus Leatherdale, a photographer known best for his portraits of celebrities done in New York in the 80s, has spent much of the last 7 years living in India. Based in a 200-year-old house in the old city of Benares.

Gig Posters - This site is dedicated to the artists and musicians who create gig posters to advertise shows and events. The posters, flyers, and handbills showcase the talent of many artists who see little to no profit for creating this art form.

Fantastic Flash Format - Skilla.com is the interactive portfolio of senior designer Bernard Magale (aka "Skilla") who uses variable scripting and Flash 4 programming to offer a unique surfing experience.

Turning Imagination into Reality - They have perfected a technology they call "Rapid Prototyping" using CAD software that models pictures of any person or animal, to create a unique action figure.

America's Story - Created with young people in mind, this site is filled with fascinating information that will hold the attention of both parents and children alike.

Issue # 143

Science For Everyone - Their award-winning Health, Science and Technology site is based on original, animated movies created to explain the human body and the world around us in an engaging, interactive journey for kids.

Sound Portraits - Sound Portraits is dedicated to creating radio programs, which bring neglected American voices to a national audience. They can be heard on National Public Radio's "All Things Considered" and "Weekend Edition".

Trash 4 Sale - DisturbingAuctions.com is a bizarre and sometime highly entertaining auction.

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Flip Book Pictures - Welcome to the Post-It Theater, where the movies are all hand-drawn on Post-it® brand notes and scanned. Be sure to check in every week for a new feature.

National Park Guide - If you're planning a trip to a National Park this summer, you'll want to bookmark this site created by the National Parks Service. It offers a drop-down menu of all parks and offers details on everything from camping and lodging to fees and activities. 

Exercise Assistant - My friend Jack never used to walk anywhere. When he went to the store, theater or a restaurant he always looked for the closest parking space and sometimes drove around for minutes to get closer. Sportsbrain.com changed all that.

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Chicks Get Their Clicks - Carly Milne, learned there wasn't a whole heck of a lot in cyberspace for Canadian women, so she created Moxie.ca where women can get their kicks and entertaining clicks. The site covers everything from reviews of the latest flicks, to subjects including sex, sports, health, entertainment, and more. 

Visual Genealogy Exchange - Ancient Faces has become the largest visual genealogy presence on the Internet by providing a free location for the exchange of photos. Thousands of photos are being scanned and then added to AncientFaces by their owners so that others researching their family trees can place faces with the names of their ancestors. 

Vivian Lives - Meet Vivian, an appealing, vivacious internet avatar, who is living the 20 something dot-com lifestyle. With the latest Flash plugin and a fair amount of bandwidth, voyeurs can turn on and drop in to this young ficticious New Yorker's life. 

Search for Scotland - Visitors may explore the chronological development of this nation in sections including Mysterious Ancestors, the Making of a Union, and Impact of the Monk.

Bizarre Stuff - The experiments are classics. Strange goo, radios made from rusty razor blades, crystal gardens and more. It is pure weird science and very entertaining.

Issue # 144

Exploring Electronic Consciousness  - In the midst of this world there exists a place where the hangers-on and the more fanatical members of cyberspace come to rant and rave. Spark-online.com is dedicated to understanding the very nature of this brave new world we inhabit. 

Celebrate Somebody  - This unique site produces an actual personalized gift book with individual entries and graphics composed and created by participating family members, friends and associates.

So You've Been Dumped - Created with the sole intention of helping people in the aftermath of a painful break-up, it includes practical advice, articles and support in helping you get through an emotionally difficult time. Be sure to check out the 'ex-scape', the 'lighter side of breaking up' and 'how to make a fresh start' sections.

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Fixing Appliances - . This useful site provides consumers with helpful information for every major household appliance including troubleshooting, maintenance tips, answers to common questions and a diagnostic section.

Quote World - With a database of over 13,000 quotations, you'll be spouting clever Shakespearean quotes in no time, impressing all your friends.

Sound Effects Search Engine - FindSounds.com is the leading web search engine for finding sound effects and sample sounds on the Web.

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Rainforest of the Sea - This site explores the Palmira Atoll, a speck in the Pacific Ocean awash with human history from Pirates to Kings. Discover the ecological treasure embedded in ancient coral reefs.

Buildings, Bridges and Tunnels - View information on everything from the Petronas Towers in Malaysia (the world's tallest building) to the world's longest tunnel, The Seikan, in Japan. Don't miss the live view of New York's Empire State Building from the World Trade Center at Skyscraper Cam.

Aphrodisiac Portal - The site is designed for serious aphrodisiac hunters who want to contribute and add to the knowledge base. Check out the - Persian Ritual - including peppermint, gardenia and almond milk.

Edible Journey Through China - What does the phrase "Chinese cleaver" sound like in Mandarin? You can hear that and other cooking terms spoken aloud on this charming site that has a homemade feel but is masterful at covering the surface of Chinese food preparation.

Insects on the Web - This site offers incredible graphics and fascinating stories of insects and the roles they play in our lives. It covers cultural entomology, insect macrophotography, educational resources and links to other web sites.

Issue # 145

Planning A Trip  - Rand McNally's online guide to road tripping is a good place visit before hitting the road. The site enables travelers to plan their entire route, including hotels, activities, and tourist attractions, as well as visit a Travel Store where useful items are sold. 

The Blue Flame Cafe  - The Blue Flame Café is an online oasis for blues lovers, 'an interactive biographical encyclopedia of the great blues singers. From Texas Alexander to Jimmy Yancey, the café has information on every notable blues performer you can think of.

Android World - Android World tracks the progress of the thirty-one current android projects worldwide. In addition to meticulously following these projects, the site provides articles (check out 'Androids in the Movies') and sells equipment (such as an Android Touch Sensor Board) and other products.

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Spam, Spam, Nothing but Spam- Anyone who spends time online, knows about the endless stream of 'Spam' that sneaks its way into our in boxes. Most of us discard this virtual trash without a thought. Not so, for LA Times reporter David Colker. 

GI Photo Joe - GI Joe goes to war at this highly creative and eccentric website. Graphic wizard Eric Shindelbower creates visual magic when he inserts plastic GI's into real World War II photographs.

Lost in Translation - Visitors will have a blast experimenting with the unperfected Systran translation software. The bizarre translations are hilarious and unpredictable, as noted in the list of 'Classic Examples'. Just enter a sentence and hit 'Babelize'. 

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In the Event of a Real Emergency - Conelrad.com is a bit macabre, with a design focus that immediately makes viewers feel as if they're in a fallout shelter in Arizona circa 1953.

Reptilian Zodiac Calendar - Tim Camuti created Lizardhouse.com in an effort to record and share his love of his quirky hobby with the rest of the world. This hobby is called 'herpetoculture', otherwise known as the 'keeping of reptiles and amphibians'. 

The Comedy Lab - TheComedyLab.com is an online laboratory filled with mad scientists trying to come up with the perfect formula for laughter. There are many cool features on the site, including 'Loser scopes; Astrology for the downwardly mobile', eldercare advice from Anna Nicole Smith, and 'orgy-planning' with help from Caligula himself.

It's All About Style - The website behind this 'exclusive' line of hosiery takes itself quite seriously, with a formal layout, celebrity references, and stylishly enduring quotes.

Sun Protection - If you are hopelessly devoted to sun tanning, this site will educate you about the dangers involved. There are useful tips on how to properly protect yourself, as well as info about different skin types, protective filters, and sunscreen testing.

Issue # 146

Living Edens: Costa Rica  - 'Living Edens: Costa Rica' is a PBS series that takes a deeper look into this pristine and diverse land. The website contains information about the series, including fascinating subjects ranging from two thousand pound turtles to active volcanoes. 

Classical Music Online  - OnlineClassics.com is 'the website for the performing arts', a sanctuary where lovers of the classical genre can download and listen to their favorite musical pieces. In addition to downloading Orchestral, Classical and Chamber music, visitors can watch streaming videos of Opera, Ballet and Dance performances of their choice. 

Supermarkets Portal - According to site founder David Gwynn, supermarkets are a fascinating and reflective element of American culture worthy of study and preservation. David has spent a good amount of his free time documenting the history and evolution of supermarkets in our country. 

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Pets Welcome Here - PetsWelcome.com should be every animal lover's first step in planning his or her holiday vacation. The site lists thousands of hotels, motels, beaches, campgrounds, and ski resorts that accommodate our furry friends. 

Fun Calculator.com - At FunCalculator.com, you can liven up your time on the old math machine by downloading a more entertaining version of the original.

A Glossary of Hardboiled Slang - Visitors to this website can learn to talk like Bogart by referencing this extensive glossary of 'hardboiled slang'. Check out the site, before some Dish sends a Chopper Squad to give you some Chin Music

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Underwater Archaeology - Underwater Archeologie is a French website that focuses on the history of undersea exploration, its techniques, pioneers and evolution.

Bob Hope and American Variety - The Library of Congress, with the help of the Hope family, has created an online exhibition that fondly remembers the lively birthplace of modern American entertainment. 

Extraterrestrial Real Estate  - Welcome to the Lunar Embassy, the first and only company in the world that is legally licensed to sell 'extraterrestrial real estate'.

Graffiti Wall  - Artists can breathe easily at Zewall.com, where graffiti art is not only legal but encouraged as well. While online graffiti lacks the danger of hanging from billboards and running from police officers, it retains a high level of artistic talent and creativity.

BMW Films - Not satisfied just with making great cars, BMW has entered the film game at racing speed.

Issue # 147

Amazing Southeast Asia  - Each country is depicted as a moving slide show accompanied with beautifully written descriptions of Mr Kuo's experiences there. 

Museum of Depressionist Art  - While most esteemed museums shun paintings of such a depressing nature, they have found a home at the farcical Bagasse & Gemaitra Mumblestoats' Museum of Depressionist Art.

The Symphony: An Interactive Guide - Visitors will learn about the history of the music, the life and work of many famous and talented composers, and the many components that make up an orchestra.

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Everybody Was Kung Fu Fighting - A flash-based fighting sequence with a twist; all the characters are stick figures. 

State of the Beach - Ever wonder just how clean the beaches we love to surf and swim in are? Surfrider.org has done extensive research into the topic, using a Geographical Information System to create maps of local beaches across the country.

Men who look like Kenny Rogers - There is not much to say about a website whose sole purpose is to display pictures of people who resemble this famous country star turned fast food chicken guru.

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The Date-My-Sister Project - Brotherly love takes on a whole new meaning at this site, where an industrious sibling secretly attempts to find his lonely sister a boyfriend. Do not miss this one!

Dive and Discover  - Visitors have the opportunity to discover the wondrous mysteries of the deep. The site contains information on a variety of undersea expeditions across the globe, from the Pacific to the Indian Ocean.  

Game Hippo  - With over eight hundred games available as free downloads, GameHippo.com is the premier source for fun on the Internet.

Computer Groove Machine  - The simulator allows you to delegate a different sound sample to each letter on your keyboard. There are five different genres on the site, including Reggae, Techno and Electronic music.

Chemical Industry: Trade Secrets -Visitors to the site will read documents and interviews that expose the chilling truth about how these dangerous chemicals were knowingly propagated on the American public despite their obvious dangers.

Issue # 148

Everyone's a Director  - Where inspired filmmakers find a platform for presenting original web videos (known as 'Eveo's). There are a bunch of great short movies on the site, on topics including Sports, Comedy, Twisted, Short Fiction, Travel, and more.

The Archive of Dumb  - While it won't make you smarter, TheDumb.com will surely keep you laughing. There are hilarious archives of Dumb Laws from every state in the U.S., stories of Dumb Criminals and their unfortunate mishaps, and Dumb Facts about everything from religious police chiefs to nose orgasms. 

La Sagrada Familia - SagradaFamilia.org is a website entirely devoted to this landmark, its architecture, history, symbolism and services. There is an extensive timeline of the building's construction, a biography of Anton Gaudi, and a virtual tour of the actual temple. 

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World Webcam Map - With Web cams placed in outdoor locations all around the world, net surfers and peeping toms can stare at street corners from the safety of their own home. This site offers an accessible map of outdoor Web cams across the globe.

Don't Leave Your Body Without It - When it comes to New Age philosophy, it's either Ying, or Yang. In either case, "How to Talk New Age" provides a refreshing take on the New Age movement.

Reverse Phone Look-up - Whether you want to find a long lost friend or the address of someone who owes you money, Anywho.com can assist you. Powered by AT&T, the site can provide the phone numbers and addresses of almost any person or business. 

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Medical Breakthroughs - An excellent resource for top-quality and thought-provoking news stories, offering solutions to problems, tips on staying healthy, and compelling stories.

When Wal-Mart Comes to Town  - 'Store Wars' is an hour-long documentary produced by PBS that follows this story from its beginning to the first ruling by the City Council of Ashland. Throughout the website visitors will find background information on the events, main characters and issues revolving around the standoff.

Math in our Daily Lives  - Created to increase public awareness about the importance of math in everyday life, the current issue features articles on the secret life of fractions and fractal expressionism. It is one of the most interesting sites we have recently reviewed. 

Investigating English  - There are interesting articles on odd topics; from the correct spelling of Aluminum to the distinct vernacular used in British Lotteries to the highly developed linguistics of the Star Trek universe. 

Stickman Murder Mystery - The Stickville Murder Mystery is a 'free online interactive whodunit video game' that will keep even the cleverest detectives stroking their beards in befuddlement.

Issue # 149

Art of the Architect  - Features the artistic design work of five modern Italian architects, as well as a short biography of each designer.

Useless Knowledge  - There are so many great features on this site, including 'Fact of the Day', 'Word of the Day', 'Useless Riddle', and 'World of Trivia'. Visitors will find answers to some of life's most crucial questions, like 'Where is the world's only concierge?' and 'What is a booger made of?'

Talk Surgery - A great site to visit for anyone who is considering undergoing plastic surgery. There are 'personal stories' from people who have had different procedures, technical information on many different types of surgery, and even a 'Doctor Locator'.

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Nuke The Hamptons - Styled in true military fashion, this farcical site has only one goal; to nuke the wealthy and popular area of northern Long Island commonly referred to as 'The Hamptons'.

Dictionary of Difficult Words - If you're tired of pompous lexicographers thinking they can outsmart you with esoteric language, then get revenge with the Dictionary of Difficult Words.

Create your own monster - Technosphere is a 'world inhabited with artificial lifeforms', and the coolest part is that fellow web surfers have created them all.

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Laughing in Congress - The website is a light-hearted but accurate source of the daily comings and goings of the US Congress. Visitors will learn about their local representation, where their tax money is being spent, as well as what bills are currently on the agenda.

Friction Magazine - The magazine covers a wide range of topics, including art, music, politics, and sports. Most of the contributors are young writers, editors, and artists working on fascinating if not irreverent projects.

Great Bear Rainforest - Thanks to the Greenpeace organization, visitors can now take a virtual tour of one of the world's most stunning ecosystems, Canada's Great Bear Rainforest.

Antique Cameras - 'Antique and 19th Century Cameras' is a wonderful site for history buffs, camera historians and nostalgic photographers alike. You will learn all about these old 'picture boxes', including multi-lens, view, and self-casing cameras.

Virtual Caves - Virtual Caves is a fascinating site devoted to the intricacies and science of cave exploration. View detailed pictures and descriptions of such cave "dwellers" as Aragonites, Rims, Columns and Moonmilks.

Issue # 150

British Pop Culture in the 1960s - The self-styled 'definitive website for images and information about the 'swinging decade'. The site discusses the cultural roots of the period, and contains interviews with actors and musicians whose work was well represented during that time.

Labor Art Splash  - The Labor Arts website is a work in progress, a 'virtual museum' dedicated to honoring the cultural history and accomplishments of working people. There are fascinating exhibits such as 'Unseen America', a photography exhibit in which workers use their cameras to give us a closer look into their working lives.

Repeating Third Grade - Teachers who feel disconnected from their students once the school bell has rung should take a hint from Mrs. Dingman. She has her third grade class wired and ready with a website that includes classroom rules, tips for parents, and interactive learning projects.

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Volcano Live - Visitors will find exciting pictures of lava explosions and erupting volcanoes, information on volcanoes around the world, and even a selection of Volcano Cams.

Netizen's Guide to Flame Warriors - Welcome to Mike Reed's Internet guide to 'Flame Warriors', belligerent characters who torment the stability of message boards, bulletins and chat rooms.

The Carthedral - 'The Carthedral' is a 1971 modified Cadillac, a gothic road warrior complete with skeleton heads and gargoyles. Definitely not something you want to cut-off on a dark country road.

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Mel Brooks Humor Site - An all-inclusive look into the man and his comedy including a biography, famous audio clips from some of his most popular films, and a behind-the-scenes look into all twelve of his movies.

Digital Photography Ezine - Whether you are thinking about buying a digital camera or are an avid enthusiast, Megapixel.net is worth a visit. It is an online magazine that covers a wide range of topics relating to digital photography.

The Nobel Channel - The NobelChannel.com is the official website of the Nobel Prize. It features information on previous winners, the six different categories of study and a biography of Alfred Nobel, an accomplished businessman and inventor after whom the prizes are named.

Scribbling Women - The nineteenth century revealed a literary movement among female authors in America, producing work from such heralded writers as Willa Cather and Ann Petry. Thanks to The Public Media Foundation, we can now experience dramatizations of these inspired works through national radio broadcasts.

Abandoned Places - Abandoned-Places.com is Henk's online portfolio, a compilation of photographs that focus on abandoned hopitals, churches, hotels, buildings and factories. His pictures are poignant examples of the stories he sees in these forgotten places, these 'pyramids of the industrial revolution'.