MSNBC, a co-operative project between Microsoft and American tv station NBC, is more detailed than CNN, but cover fewer topics of international interest. Their front page is very slow to load, as it uses unreasonably large amounts of java script.
For more British-based information, my first port of call is BBC News. A counterpart to their recently launched BBC News 24 tv channel, this site offers brief coverage of the day's events. The site was launched in November 97, and currently the sports section and discussion fora are pale shadows of CNN's.
For breaking news, the PA (Press Association) site is fast, accurate and highly reputable. Java users are able to see - although not access directly - the top stories from the front page. The best newspaper site is The Daily Telegraph's site. It launched back in November 94, and retains its comprehensive coverage from a very simple site. It does require some details from you to view full stories, but no fee is charged.
Other nationals: The Times, launched Jan 96, but now uses uncomfortable frames that means the story occupies less than 40% of the screen. Registration required. The Independent, launched Sept 97; my problem here is that the content itself is relatively insubstantive.
Finally, I'll plug London's Evening Standard, which now puts its entire news and feature contents on the web. Navigation is tricky, not helped by a frames-based system, but the content is worth the struggle.
Rob Rosenberg offers the most comprehensive coverage of virus myths I've yet seen. His site is updated most days, and provides all the information I need to expose faux viruses.
Spam - unsolicited junk e-mail - is one of the larger problems on the internet at the moment. One of the best anti-spam sites I've found offers good advice on how to complain about the stuff, and who to complain to. Although it's not been updated since July 97, the site remains an excellent resource.
Resources for HTML coders include Brooklyn North's section, which concentrates on the mechanics of the topic. For detailed advice, I recommend and use DJ Quad. The de-facto standard for good HTML style is the Sunsite style guide; although I don't claim to follow every word of that document, I do hope to keep to its spirit.
Fans of an interesting singles chart should look at the Network Chart site. This features real audio and video extracts of most of the current hit records, and is far more of a fan site than the competition.
The US place of choice is Billboard's site. It offers extracts from the singles, album and airplay charts, as well as a very interesting Chart Beat section. Their new reviews are posted to the free web site. Some other parts of this site require payment.
Two Canadian music sites of choice; MuchMusic. Based around the cable music channel, this site has a front page that's heavy on graphics, but can still be accessed by a simple text browser. It brings a different view to the industry sites, and I have a soft spot for it.
There's also Jam! Music with the official sales charts and an online tour database. Neither site seems to offer an opportunity to purchase CDs just yet.
Student life is a key part of life in St John's. The Memorial University site is a typical academic site. Of wider interest might be the student's paper, The Muse. The site is not often updated, but the quality of writing is there. Honest.
And for relaxation, OZfm offers real audio of their programmes, and a camera showing something of the weather in downtown St John's.
Regular eavesdroppers to events in Ambridge will appreciate the Archers Summaries site. It's kept up to date, and calculates which characters are due an appearance.
There are a number of British railway sites. The official one is dull, apart from the very useful (and accurate) rail journey planner. The unofficial site contains a compendium of useful and interesting background reading on the state of the trains.
And finally, for now, a plug for my preferred international broadcasters: Radio Netherlands in seven languages, and Radio Canada in English and French.
| front | local | mscl | music | news | sport |
| mail me | |||||