So you’re a fast food fan, but you’re also doing that rich-people thing known as ‘dieting’ – and you’re curious about just what damage a quick takeaway drive-thru burger is going to do to you. For all your junk food data, stagger firmly to Nutrition in the Fast Lane: www.fastfoodfacts.com/
Those online fans who spend way too much time on IRC (internet relay chat) and the newsgroups will have noticed that there seem to be a number of basic human types that keep appearing. For a cluster of fun cartoons showing each user-type in action, check out Flame Warriors!: www.winternet.com/~mikelr/flame01.html
If you were unlucky enough to have a moron for a history teacher, then why not do some online reading at a very cool site designed to ‘make History make sense’? Go do some discovery of your own at History World: www.historyworld.net/
Then, to show you that history can be rather fun, why not read up on hookers in history and browse through a site that shows how ‘The Oldest Profession’ is thoroughly entwined in both history and the lives of a number of notable historic figures. Explain that you were just there for research on a documentary you were going to make if you’re busted at Hooker Heroes!: wondersmith.com/heroes/index.htm
Given the cheerful fiddling of folks with every kind of computer possible, it was just a matter of time before someone showed you how to Hack Your Car Engine’s Computer: how.to/calibrate
Continuing the ongoing cat focus, take a look at a site dedicated to those lucky (or unlucky) felines that have made it into the mass media lately at Cats in the News: www.catsinthenews.com/
If like me you think it might have done us all good to see certain folks from the previous regime stand trial and receive punishment for their crimes against humanity – then the new War Crimes Tribunal, which has some governments nervous, could bear watching. (By the way, there’re jobs available.) Go to the International War Crimes Tribunal: www.un.org/icty/
For the lowdown on a bunch of little Hitlers-in-the-making, see which of our country’s neighbours (or trading partners) is on the list at Enemies of The Press: www.cpj.org/enemies/enemies_01.html
And dipping into local stuff, sounding more like something out of Terry Pratchett but which looks pretty interesting and fun, is a site for all aspirant magicians and illusionists known as The College of Magic: www.magic.org.za/
Then for some online info about all your favourite local serial killers and criminals, and although the site is a punt for a book (which you can also order online), there’s a lot of free reading for the folks fascinated by Local Killers and Mysteries: www.africacrime-mystery.co.za/
Curious about who you’ve managed to outlive, or just morbidly fascinated to find out which famous people are no longer around? Then dress appropriately and move sombrely towards the rather odd online obituary magazine called Goodbye: www.goodbyemag.com/
Then for a slightly lighter (?) take on the obituaries fascination, which makes things even more disturbing, take a look at the wildly odd You’re Outta Here!: www.youreouttahere.com/
So a couple of fathers decided to take seven weeks off, load their kids into the car and take off for a journey around the US. They continually update their website with both pictures and diary entries from everyone in the trip. See what happens as they cruise around at Wild Boys: www.newgute.com/
Paranoia time… did you know that the odds are pretty good that your company is both watching what you do on the Web at work, as well as reading your email? For a glimpse into the legalities and a lot of useful information, do some undercover research at The Privacy Foundation: www.privacyfoundation.org/
Until the next time, if history teachers and would-be car-computer hackers don’t get me.
Ian Fraser is a playwright, author, comedian, conspiracy nut, old-time radio collector and self-confessed data-junkie. Winner of numerous Vita and Amstel Awards, he’s been an Internet addict and games-fanatic since around 1995, when the Internet began to make much more sense than theatre.