www.scholastic.com/ harrypotter
Okay. It's possible that you're Pottered out, with JK Rowling garnering more
front pages than Posh and Becks, and outselling Blyton, Shakespeare and Dickens
rolled into one. But before you put that copy of Goblet of Fire back on the
shelf, check out a website that, with its first-rate editorial content, superb
design and stunning visuals, adds considerably to the whole Potter experience.
Sweep your mouse across the opened page and it trails a cloud of little stars in
its wake. Click on the pronunciation guide and tricky words are spoken for you
- in an American accent, admittedly. A worthy online companion to the publishing
phenomenon of this millennium (so far anyway).
link »»
SIX OF THE BEST
www.sportinglife.com
The sad decision to close the century-old Sporting Life newspaper last year saw
its editorial resources, energy and excellence poured into its online arm. The
dotcom version has now taken over and is unrivalled for up-to-the-minute,
authoritative and punchily written sports reporting.
link »»
www.wsu.edu/druniverse
Why do frogs jump? How does lightning work? Why is the sky blue? All these and a
million more puzzlers are answered on this fun, factual and beautifully
designed site. Visit for an answer to a specific query and you'll stay for hours
as you soak up dozens of facts that you didn't know you didn't know.
link »»
www.collectiques.co.uk
Collectiques is the place for UK hobbyists and antiques fans to come if they're
unsure of the provenance and value of that 1959 Thomas the Tank Engine die-cast
model or 1962 Dinky Ford Corsair. Great fun just to browse around and, who
knows, you may have something valuable tucked away in the attic.
link »»
www.wired.com
For years, Wired has been the bible of those in the digital know, not just
discussing the latest hardware and software advances but the issues behind the
computer game. For features on digital piracy, the implications of the Microsoft
break-up and to steal glimpses into our digital futures, look no further.
link »»
www.ditto.com
Why browse the net using words when you can do it with pictures? This
image-based search engine is a gift for anyone needing snaps for a project, a
presentation - or even for their George Clooney Desktop wallpaper. Some images
are for sale only, but there's sufficient free material to keep the most
dedicated voyeur happy.
link »»
www.odci.gov/cia/ publications/
factbook
This is the difference between the UK and the US. It's quite hard to imagine MI5
taking all the data it has collated on foreign powers over the years and
slapping it on its website. But you have to say the CIA's spies have done a
thorough job, and these are the fruits of their nosing.
link »»
SITE SELECTION
Board Stupid
Tomb Raider, Quake, Baldur's Gate - these state-of-the-art games are all very
impressive and everything but, well, sometimes we yearn for the old ways. That's
why, in the spirit of true perversity, we're looking at the best online
resources for traditional board games. Now pass us those dice.
http://web.ukonline.co.uk/ james.masters/
TraditionalGames
Fascinating and detailed histories of all of our popular board games and a few
you've never heard of. Find out how snakes and ladders was adapted by the
Victorians from the ancient Indian game of Moksha-Patamu or how the ancient
Egyptians played backgammon.
link »»
www.chess.net
Hone your game against other keen players online. Compare your opening gambits
with masters. Wonder why you never seem to win. This is a delight for fans of
this oldest of board games. And chess, with its combination of fiendishly
difficult strategy and ultra-simple board layout, is ideally suited to being
played over the net.
link »»
www.gammon.com
There are dozens of online games going on at any time, and dozens more
discussion groups raking over the nuances and intricacies of this deceptively
complex cerebral challenge. If no one in the family is responding to your
overtures with board and counters, then get online and do battle with some
like-minded souls.
link »»
www.multimania.com/ nic55/dames/dames2.htm
Draughts? That's a kids' game isn't it? Actually, it's a "wonderful strategy
game with a multitude of surprising combinations". After a short presentation of
the history of the game, you can read the comprehensive illustrated rules. But
the best way to make progress remains the game itself. So go to the site's
draughts server where you will be able to play on the net.
link »»
