NBNews Editor’s Choice Awards (formerly the NBNSOFT Content Awards)
http://nbnews.com
‘The Best that's Newest on the NET’
APRIL, 1997 Edition II
SAME LOOK.... NEW NAME & DOMAIN
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We begin this issue by inviting you to explore our new home
on the Web <http://nbnews.com>. It's where you'll find both
the recently re-named NBNews Editor's Choice Awards (formerly
the NBNSOFT Content Awards), FAQ, breaking online news and
our daily Journal, NBNews.
Our premiere issue of The NBNews Editor’s Choice Awards
offers a collection of outstanding new sites like Browsers.com
from CNET, Michael Chang's official site, GapKids and Newseum.
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WHO'S INSIDE?
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Browsers.com
WebActive
Freeloader Gold v2.5
Censorware Search Engine
StarMail
Live: From York, PA
Eurocinema Interactive Theater
Music Everywhere's Web Site
Pan-Twilight Circus
Social Security Privatization Website
Air Force Flight Test Center
Beau - First Senate-approved Guide Dog
State Capitals Newsletters Alert
ABCNEWS.com
AMA's Health Insight
Newseum
The European
Wxsurfer - Current Weather Maps
Fodor's Focus on Photography
Presidential Portraits at The Library of Congress
Photo & Electronic Imaging
Pinhole Photos
Private Car Charter Referral Directory
GapKids
Handwriting on the Wall
WhoWhere? EDGAR
Encyclopedia of the Orient
Michael Chang's Cyberspace
Holyfield vs. Tyson II
The Official Page of Legendary Basketball Coach Jerry Tarkanian
Search Sports
SPOTLIGHT ON: Spring Renovation Resources
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COMPUTING/INTERNET
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Browsers.com
http://www.browsers.com/
CNET: The Computer Network has launched another gem, BROWSERS.COM,
a new service that provides the fastest access to the latest browser
downloads and plug-ins for both PC and Mac users. You'll also find
links to reviews, tips, and other features from CNET. BROWSERS.COM
watches the Net 'round the clock for news, events, and new browser
releases for both PCs and Macs, and brings it all together in one
location. Download the newest and most popular browsers and plug-ins,
as well as all versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer, Netscape
Communicator, Netscape Navigator, and other popular browsers here.
WebActive [RealAudio and/or RealPlayer] *
http://www.webactive.com/
This is the place to head to if you're looking for substance to
enhance your web surfing. Produced by Progressive Networks
(makers of RealAudio) this weekly magazine brings together a
remarkable collection of topical and compelling subjects. With
the aim of providing 'progressive activists an up-to-date resource
on the World Wide Web,' WebActive utilizes RealAudio and RealPlayer
(a new software that combines audio and video capabilities into
one package) so that visitors can hear speeches by Ralph Nader or
tune into a broadcast of Belgrade's B92 (set up after the Serbian
government jammed independent radio broadcasts; the station, B92,
eventually found a permanent home on the Internet) and much more.
You'll also find a list of jobs in the non-profit sector and the
WebActive Directory, an amazing collection of links to over 1450
sites of social interest!
Freeloader Gold v2.5 [Freeware - Win 95/NT]
http://www.freeloader.com/
If you've yet to experience the power of Freeloader, now's your
chance to download a copy of its newest version, Gold. Freeloader
is “the only Web news and information broadcast network that delivers
personalized news and customized Web content directly to your PC.”
The software gathers personalized content from 600 sources including
NewsLinx, ZD Net, MSNBC, Pathfinder, SportsLine, and Quicken Financial
Network. Requires: Windows 95/NT
Censorware Search Engine
http://cgi.pathfinder.com/%40%40zZPzVwcAT61t%40zWP/netly/spoofcentral/censored/
What “they” don't want you to see is now searchable. The Netly News
Network has introduced a glimpse of five Net-filtering programs:
CyberSitter, NetNanny, SurfWatch, The Internet Filter, and CyberPatrol.
Using the Censorware Search Engine, you simply enter a domain name
(i.e.,webcom.com, digex.net) to see what's blocked. The site includes
a variety of recent censorship articles including February's
'Banned in Boston' and December's 'CyberSitter Diaper Change'.
NOTE: To prevent those from downloading the entire list, a maximum
of ten URLs from each database are shown.
StarMail *
http://www.starmail.com/
If you don't want to bother with a vanity license plate, how about
a vanity email address! At StarMail you can choose between hundreds
of speciality email addresses based on popular names, places or
phrases to make your own personal or business statement. Some of the
examples shown here include David at The-Stock-Market dot com, Randy@The-Flinstones
or even Heather at Elvis-Presley dot org. It's a free service and you can
keep your address for life, even if you change your internet provider.
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ENTERTAINING
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Live: From York, PA [QuickTime, Audio player] *
http://live.cerf.net/
We have it on unimpeachable (and 13 year old) authority that this
is the best of the many sites dedicated to the rock band Live. It's
the official site of the group, so fans can expect many extra perks
and touches that put most official sites to shame. The group is on
tour at the moment (and will be for the next 12 months or so!) and
tour information is updated on a regular basis. But the most popular
aspect (and the one that hogs the most space on an unnamed person's
hard drive) can be found at Live From the Road. Here you will find
a collection of QuickTime videos and audio clips culled from virtually
every stop of the tour. These are professional and extremely rare clips
taken from the actual concerts, including many soundchecks and backstage
bantering. Each date also includes setlists and reviews from the local
press. And real fans will want to check out singer Ed Kowolczyk's own
official home page entitled A Hole in the Universe.
Eurocinema Interactive Theater [Pay-per-view]
http://www.eurocinema.com
Boston based Eurocinema is making history by providing the Net's
first real-time movie service. Eurocinema's Theater showcases selected
European short-film titles available on demand over the Internet using
cutting-edge video streaming technology. With a 28.8 modem connection,
you can select from any number of handpicked short films from top
European Festivals. Much like a VCR, you can forward, rewind, stop and
pause the films via a digital cursor. Some recent films include
“Le Moine et Le Poisson” and “Aristide Bruant”. A new short film is
added monthly and some titles are complete with English subtitles.
Music Everywhere's Web Site *
http://strategicmedia.com/musicevw/index.htm
Music Everywhere is an organization dedicated to bringing out the
innate musical ability in everyone in order to fashion what they call
'a community building experience.' So you won't find any music theory
here, but instead a collection of articles and text designed to help
us to harness our natural-born talents. You'll also find information
on upcoming events sponsored by the group as well as a link to Drums
Around the World, a terrific site where you can find out information
on the upcoming drumming for peace days.
Pan-Twilight Circus *
http://users.ids.net/~tomss/ptc/
Here's your chance to 'Run away and join the circus without leaving
home.' The Pan-Twilight Circus was first performed in Portland, Oregon
at the Echo Theater during the winter of 1990. Since most of the troupe's
members were actually from Rhode Island, it was decided that it made
more sense to set up shop closer to home. In 1997, they are planning
a marriage of circus and theater with a circus adaptation of Shakespeare's
The Tempest. If all that sounds pretty unusual, you've come to the right
place. You can find out more about past and future shows here at the
official home page.
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GOVERNMENT/LEGAL
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Social Security Privatization Website [RealAudio]
http://www.socialsecurity.org
The CATO Institute states that by the year 2012, Social Security will
begin paying out more in benefits than it collects in revenues. This Web
site represents CATO's project on reforming the system. Some of the
useful tools this site provides include an online calculator, facts,
congressional testimony, speeches and video clips.
Air Force Flight Test Center *
http://afftc.edwards.af.mil/index.html
>From the first jet airplanes to Shuttle Landings, the Air Force Flight
Test Center at Edwards Airforce Base has been at the very heart of
countless historical moments. This site brings to the web a wonderfully
authoritative look into the working lives of the over 8000 engineers,
scientists, pilots, and others who 'test and refine new and modified
combat aircraft and systems as well as advance mankind's knowledge of
flight through highly advanced research aircraft.' You'll find a history
of the base, some remarkable photos and much more, bringing the history
of flight to life.
Beau - First Senate-approved Guide Dog
http://www.senate.gov/~wyden/beau/beau.htm
As many of you are already aware, the first guide dog was allowed
unprecedented access to the Senate floor in April. Now 'Beau',
Moira Shea's guide dog, has an official web site (Moira works for
Senator Wyden). In it you'll find a high resolution, text-only version
page for the visually impaired, photos of Beau, and various transcripts
of Senator Wyden's requests and resolutions which eventually allowed
Moira and Beau access to the Senate floor.
State Capitals Newsletters Alert
http://statecapitals.com
Delivers up-to-date briefings on bills, legislation, budgets, laws,
regulations, crime, civil rights, and much more, covering 50 states.
>From this site you can search State Capitals archives (with over 8,000
articles yearly) and review weekly highlights by subject and state.
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NEW MEDIA
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ABCNEWS.com [RealAudio/Java]
http://www.ABCNEWS.com/
ABC News has just launched its greatly anticipated Web site which
offers scrolling [Java] headline news, summaries updated throughout
the day, science/technology, sports from ESPN, world, US, business
and ABC Radio news. It's both an animated and comprehensive site
with which to grab a broad selection of today's top news and
analysis thereof.
AMA's Health Insight
http://www.ama-assn.org/insight/
The American Medical Association (AMA) has launched a new consumer
web site, providing the public with daily health and medical news,
First Aid information and much more. The user-friendly site features
information on adolescent and women's health and there's even a “point
and click” tour of the human body. Also available on the AMA's web
site is “AMA Physician Select, On-Line Doctor Finder.” The searchable
Physician Select gets its information from the AMA's database of over
650,000 licensed physicians.
Newseum
http://www.newseum.org
On Friday, April 18th, Vice President Gore officially opened the
world's 'only interactive museum of news.' Funded by The Freedom Forum,
the museum's official site lets you take a virtual walk around the past,
present, and future of news. Special features include 'Journalist of
the Day' and a Journalists Memorial.
The European [Requires Netscape 3.x and Adobe's Acrobat]
http://www.the-european.com
'The world's first complete newspaper' is providing page-by-page
coverage of its print edition, online. While it's a bit graphics-heavy,
you'll find a vast selection of the latest European Parliament News,
Football League Tables, information on Europe's cities and a daily
news summary. To read the contents it's required that you have both
Netscape 3.x and Adobe's Acrobat <http://www.adobe.com>.
Wxsurfer - Current Weather Maps [Requires java-capable browser]
http://wxsurfer.com
Appropriately self-described as offering the most current weather
forecasts and satellite images on the Internet, WXsurfer's server
searches the web 24 hours a day to bring you constant weather
updates - no matter where you reside.
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PHOTOGRAPHY
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Fodor's Focus on Photography *
http://www.fodors.com/focus/
Fodor's, the publisher of some of the best and most extensive travel
books, will not only help you plan your vacation, but now helps you
take great photographs once you arrive. This is a terrific site,
filled with 100 easy to follow steps (written by Jeff Wignall) on
everything from buying your camera, choosing the best film, composition,
and tips on the right lenses and lighting. Each category contains a
few pages of very specific, but also very easy to understand articles
on all of these subjects and much more. Just make sure you drop in
_before_ you leave home.
Presidential Portraits at The Library of Congress
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/odmdhtml/preshome.html
The Library of Congress has recently placed a dizzying selection of
portraits featuring U.S. presidents, first ladies, historical buildings,
Congressional photos and documents from 1789 to present-day. The new
site is both [keyword] searchable and browsable, featuring photographs
of Abigail Adams, The White House (1810-1820), Martin Van Buren and the
Declaration of Independence (1770-1780).
Photo & Electronic Imaging *
http://www.peimag.com/
Photo & Electronic Imaging (PEI) presents an online version of their
magazine devoted to professionals involved in the field of electronic
imaging. And although that may not sound especially appealing to the
laymen, consider for a moment the current state of electronic imaging.
You may have heard, for example, that the photography, long considered
a foolproof record of events, has become an easy prey to manipulation,
thanks to the advances made in electronic imaging. In fact one of the
features of PEI are tutorials (all of which can be downloaded) that
demonstrate how images can be manipulated with virtually any suitable
program. You'll also find many articles culled from the print version,
as well as hot press releases and even a forum area.
Pinhole Photos *
http://www.cool.mb.ca/~gnome/pinhole.html
Pinhole photography is lensless photography created when light passes
through a tiny hole, thereby creating the image. Not only is the process
simple, but it is also inexpensive ($80.00 can put together four cameras
and 200 exposures). You'll find instructions here on how to construct
cameras from a cookie tin, wood box, film can or Brownie Pinhole, as
well as some quite remarkable examples of photographs using the
'technology.' You'll also find some links to information on inexpensive
telescopes and Crystal Radios.
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POTPOURRI
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Private Car Charter Referral Directory *
http://www.execpc.com/~aaprco/
Riding the rails takes on a whole new meaning thanks to the
folks at The American Association of Private Railroad Car Owners
(AAPRCO). Here you can find a directory of railroad cars -both
modern and those constructed in the 1920s- that can be added to
virtually any train that Amtrak services. Each listing contains
a picture of the train car, as well as a brief description of its
amenities. Most include fully modernized features, such as bedrooms,
kitchens, VCRs and the like. The cars can be added or removed from
trains at any major station for Amtrak destinations throughout the US
and Toronto, Montreal and Eastern Canada. There is no mention of
cost here, but we are assuming that your visit -like ours- will
be drawn from curiosity rather than need.
GapKids [Shockwave]
http://www.gapkids.com/
You see the title and expect to find nothing more than a great big
colorful online catalog of Gap's finest for the kids. Well nothing
could be further from the truth at Gap's latest site, where the
kids are encouraged to 'Play in their Closets.' Remember how fun it
used to be to play mix 'n match with your paper dolls? Using Gap's
online technology you can do the same online with individual boy
and girl dolls. Kids can also make their own art with the help of
The Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) while learning about historical
painters like Piet Mondrian. And why not try 'swimming in a sea of
color' - Gap's interactive game featuring this summer's hottest tones
and where you can enter for your chance to win a Gap Pak Stormbuster.
Certainly you will find store locations on-site, but most importantly,
GapKids' site provides hours of free entertainment!
Handwriting on the Wall [Netscape or IE 3.0] *
http://web-star.com/wall.html
We've all heard that you shouldn't whistle while passing a graveyard,
but someone forgot to tell the folks in Portland, Oregon the folly
of constructing a building overtop a cemetery. Since they did not
bother to relocate the bodies, the building, which has no basement,
seems to have angered the powers that used to be. Now retribution
is the name of the game, and the former tenants have taken to
leaving their marks -in the form of hand-written notes- on the
wall of the building. So convinced are some folks that a 24-hour
surveillance camera has been set up on-site, the results of which
can be viewed here. And while we cannot promise that the photos will
reveal the truth, it will no doubt provide a moment of quiet reflection
as to the state of our world.
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REFERENCE
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WhoWhere? EDGAR
http://edgar.whowhere.com
Now thanks to those who brought you the indispensable WhoWhere?
Directory, you can access and search corporate and EDGAR filings
for all US public companies. While you're there, be sure to check
out its exclusive feature - EDGARAlert!, an Email notification
service that lets you know when companies you're tracking have
filed new documents. [EDGARAlert! requires free WhoWhere? registration]
Encyclopedia of the Orient [Frames] *
http://i-cias.com/e.o/index.htm
The Encyclopedia of the Orient is a rather remarkable achievement.
Set up as an online encyclopedia, visitors are offered any number
of options in their quest to find information on countries as
diverse as Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Morocco,
Palestine, Sudan, Syria and more. The text is fully searchable, so
if you know the term or the location you are looking for, just type
it in. Otherwise you can use the alphabetical listings to browse
through the hundreds of topics, each of which provides concise and
surprisingly factual information on each topic. And a new chat area
has just been added.
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SPORTS
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Michael Chang's Cyberspace
http://www.mchang.com/
His fastest-ever serve in tennis was a whopping 130 mph and in
September of '96 he was the #2 ranked tennis player in the world.
But what you'll find is most surprising from Michael Chang's official
site is that he seems like a really down-to-earth kinda guy who has
a lot of neat off-court interests too. Inside you'll find the latest
tennis circuit news, photos and Michael's biography. But you'll also
find some deeply personal sections from Michael including the
'Michael's Friends' page - home to his official fan club, a wealth
of inspiring letters he's received throughout his astonishing career
and what his favorite things to do are when a racket's not in hand.
And while you're at it, why not send him an Email, enter his online
contests and if your modem's up to speed, you can download some of
his commercials, some of which were seen exclusively in Asia.
Holyfield vs. Tyson II
http://www.holyfieldtyson.com
Showtime's official site for the rescheduled June 28 heavyweight
championship rematch. Includes 'The Hit Report' (latest news
from Vegas), Tyson/Holyfield biographies, quotes and more.
The Official Page of Legendary Basketball Coach Jerry Tarkanian *
http://www.tarkanian.com/
Time was when you could tell you had 'made it' when someone brought
out a t-shirt with your picture on it. Of course nowadays the prize
symbol is your own web page, and the ultimate would therefore be a
web page that sells your t-shirts! Well, you'll find both here,
hence the reference to 'legendary' in the title. Indeed college
basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian has established many records
during his 24 year college coaching career, including the all time
winningest (by percentage) major college coach in history, an
average 26 wins per season and nary a losing season in 31 years
at either major or junior college. You'll find all the stats here,
as well as a Question and Answer section with the coach, a store
where you can buy Tack and Bulldog souvenirs, and a Bull(dog)
Discussion Room.
Search Sports
http://www.oldsport.com/search/intro.htm
So many athletic sites on the Net and so little time. So what's the
quickest way to find those which pertain to your personal favorite?
Check out Search Sports, both a searchable and browsable index to
sites covering archery, gymnastics, soccer, fishing, golf and tennis.
Search Sports also selects a 'Site of the Week.'
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SPOTLIGHT ON: Spring Renovation Resources
by James Porteous <http://www.interlog.com/~porteous>
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Home Ideas
http://www.homeideas.com/
They call this 'The Ultimate Research Tool For Your Home Project'
and it is a great collection of information on everything from
kitchens to baths and appliances. You'll find online articles,
a home discussion area and you can even arrange to have brochures
of your choice mailed to you.
HouseNet
http://www.housenet.com/
Gene and Katie Hamilton are your home improvement neighbors and
they know just about everything there is to know about home
improvements. Whether it is Today's Tips, how-to articles or
The Calculator (to help you decide how much paint you might need
to buy for a room) Gene and Katie have it all covered. And they've
been on the Internet since 1991.
Energy Outlet Home Page
http://energyoutlet.com/
A fine resource center which promotes energy conservation in home
appliances, lighting, water heating, air-conditioning and much more.
How do you choose the most energy efficient appliances? Read this
_before_ you head out to the store.
Better Homes and Gardens Home Improvement Encyclopedia
http://www.bhglive.com/homeimp/
BH & G does not often disappoint, and their Home Improvement
Encyclopedia is no exception. Whatever you are looking for in the
way of home improvement you're bound to find it here, including
the Basics, Landscape, Electrical and Home or Yard Structure. Best
bet is the Tool Dictionary, where you can find a full description
of dozens of tools, a definition of what they might be used for and
even an illustration.
Sherry's Greenhouse
http://www.teleport.com/~earth/
Although originally designed as a place to learn about organic
greenhouse gardening, the site has been expanded to include other
types of greenhouses and general gardening. You can ask Sherry a
question and even observe the real greenhouse growth in real-time.
The Armchair Gardener
http://mailer.fsu.edu/~dansley
Worth a visit just for the graphics alone, The Armchair Gardener
is a virtual garden replete with just about everything you'd find
in a real -albeit extraordinary- garden. You can almost smell the
damp earth.
The Garden Spider's Web
http://www.gardenweb.com/spdrsweb/
If it's too cold or wet to head out to the garden, drop in to see
the folks at the Garden Spider's Web instead. Here you'll find
virtual garden tours, Horticulture Information, A Guide to
Botanical Correctness and much more.
Gardening.com
http://gardening.com
Another great all-in-one site, Gardening.com includes a great
forum area where you can ask questions, a book store and magazine
rack, software and, of course, plenty of gardening information!
Home Fashion Information Network
http://www.thehome.com/
Explore the many rooms to discover information on everything from
floor coverings, lighting, upholstering furniture, wall covering,
with links to the top manufacturers in each category.
**************** EDITORIAL NOTES **********************
We welcome new subscribers! Simply send an Email
to: nbnsoft at juno dot com SUBJECT: Subscribe
TO UnSUBSCRIBE: Send a message to: nbnsoft at juno dot com
SUBJECT: Unsubscribe
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Submit your winning sites by Emailing them to: nbnsoft at hotmail dot com
SUBJECT: submit
Please include your site’s title, url and a brief description.
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* = Sites picked & reviewed by James Porteous
Say thanks to James at <http://www.interlog.com/~porteous>
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DON’T FORGET TO VISIT OUR NEW HOME ON THE WEB AT
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