Sean Dodson
netwatch
One of the more bizarre websites to emerge in recent weeks has to be the one at www.generosity.org. The Generosity Game attempts to set up a system that promotes “random acts of kindness” both online, through a mailing list, and in the flesh via a catalogue on downloadable cards. Once you have downloaded and printed the cards, you are encouraged to carry out spontaneous and anonymous acts of kindness for complete strangers. Then you leave the card which suggests that the recipient carries out another act of kindness to another stranger and leaves them the card. The site is a more complex version of www.tablet.org which allows you to send anonymous thank you messages via e-mail.
Science quest
Pirelli has launched its fourth INTERNETional Award at www.PirelliAward. com. A top prize of 15 000 euros (just shy of 10 000) is on offer for sites that promote scientific culture . For a corporate site, the INTERNETional award makes some surprisingly noble claims and asserts that greater scientific understanding “guarantees the real assertion of democratic rights”. Any work available via the Internet that deals with science and technology is admissible although it must be produced for DOS, Windows or Macintosh.
Quit wit
For a funnier take on corporate culture go to www.i-resign.com which offers some spoof resignation letters (artist resigning from project over aesthetic differences: “Dear M, No, no, no, no, no, no, no, .”). Also included are some classic resignation letters from recent history, (Peter Mandelson, former English trade secretary and Lawrence Dallaglio, former English rugby captain, et al) and some tips on real resignation etiquette. Laugh, I nearly jacked my job in.
Border Crossing
The Border is an ambitious site that attempts to revive the international optimism that used to thrive on the Web. Committed to an international news agenda which encourages peaceful Web-activism it can be found at www.contrast.org/borders.
Cutting edge
Apparently the old rock, paper, scissors game all boils down to how well you know the person, which is why so many of the games end up in a draw. Add two variables – the sign of a lizard and that funny thing Mr Spock does with his hands and you have a much more unpredictable game. Full instructions at www.vtiscan.com/~samkass/ theories/RPSSL.html.
Arty games
Cracking the Maze, www.switch.sjsu. edu/CrackingtheMaze, is a new site for games aspiring to be taken as art. The finest example is Natalie Bookchin’s The Intruder at www.calarts.edu/%7Ebookchin/intruder. A “tale told in 10 games”, The Intruder is an interactive narrative based on a story by Jorge Luis Borges. The viewer must compete in some rudimentary games to hear, read and see the story. Thoroughly well-observed, and compelling, The Intruder takes about 15 minutes to navigate. The games are not difficult but act as an aid to the narrative and introduce levels of addiction to the telling of the story.