OUT.com
URL: http://www.out.com/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0696
Content Quality: Excellent
Aesthetic Quality: Excellent
TechnoSmart Quality: Excellent
Site of the Month: No
Author: David Pescovitz
A finely designed and easily navigated site from one of the premier gay and lesbian lifestyle magazines in the US. These pages overflow with news, arts, health, gossip, politics, and dozens of other subjects all tackled with Out¹s signature hip and intelligent reporting style. The point-and-click US map is really nifty, giving information on cool events, bars and clubs. Content from Out is also available for your viewing pleasure, but this site is anything but shovelware. A one-stop online shop for Queer culture.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 18

2.0.1.3 Transmissions from Quantum Time
URL: http://www.speakeasy.org/~z2013/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0696
Content Quality: Excellent
Aesthetic Quality: Excellent
TechnoSmart Quality: Excellent
Site of the Month: No
Author: David Pescovitz
From the Intergalactic Dream Convergence Project comes this exquisitely designed subcultural launch pad to interdimensional travels. ³Information is light is information,² is their maxim for the next step in the evolution of our consciousness. Once we¹ve experienced hyperlinked hyperthought, we can open the dialogue with other worldly minds to exchange our multi-dimensional memes. Time¹s a waistin¹. Better hop on the neural networked bus to a higher level of space-time. Getting there is half the fun.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 18

Welcome to Fashion Internet
URL: http://www.finy.com/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0696
Content Quality: Excellent
Aesthetic Quality: Excellent
TechnoSmart Quality: Excellent
Site of the Month: No
Author: David Pescovitz
The Fashion Internet is one of the most informative and exciting fashion locales online. Elegantly designed, content rich (and slow to download), FI gives the word from the New York runways and features articles like the ³Clueless Guy¹s Guide to Buying a Suit,² and the bios and biz information in the virtual showrooms from big name designers like Bill Blass and Donna Karen are useful for insight into hot couture. But most fun on FI is ³Yak,² where you can rant to your heart¹s content about trends, anti-trends, and platform shoes. Deep discourse for real designers, and fashion fun for the rest of us in jeans and t-shirts.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 18

Phi Delta Theta
URL: http://www.PhiDelt-GHQ.com/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0796
Content Quality: Excellent
Aesthetic Quality: Excellent
TechnoSmart Quality: Excellent
Site of the Month: No
Author: Shel Kimen
It may be hard to imagine that the kegger at the Phi Delt house comes from a fraternity with a long, upstanding tradition of brotherhood, academic achievement, and political activism (The Phi Delts at Miami University, 1848, were in part responsible for getting a bad seed university president expelled). But for those in doubt, take note of the Phi Delt Web site. It¹s very well designed with a comprehensive section on history, a chapter locator, resources for alumni, and of course, a merchandise mart for all your branded needs. It¹s a good one.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 18

The Main Quad
URL: http://www.mainquad.com/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0796
Content Quality: Excellent
Aesthetic Quality: Excellent
TechnoSmart Quality: Excellent
Site of the Month: Yes
Author: Wayne Bremser
When it comes to get-rich-quick-off-the-Web schemes, I've seen enough con games aimed at naive college kids to make my stomach turn. Frankly, not far from college age myself, the usual attempts are characterized by ridiculous ³be hip like me² poses, horrible *Wired* magazine-type graphics, and pathetic jargon like "kewl" and "killer." The quad is better, significantly so. It's simply a no-nonsense resource for college students. The images are well tailored and smooth, not jarring, in-your-face, neon things‹ no blinks, no silly scrolling Java script. It's all so straightforward. "Student Services," is in fact student services. The "U-Wire," is exactly what one would suppose it to be (a news wire for college newspapers), and the "Dean¹s List of Web Distinction" is, yes, the cool links tenant of the site. And while the opening page takes the form of a giant image map, it loads quickly and offers a text based menu system at the top for those of us with slower modems or browsers that don¹t support image maps in the first place. Thank you!Perhaps this site doesn't need to add contrived flavor and style a la MTV because there is actually a *reason* to visit. High content, low fluff. The student services area, flagged with a big banner that says "free" is packed with great goods. Stay atop current issues affecting campuses, check out the ride share board, get tips and a template to compose a resume, then send it off to over 150 companies (with a single click). Or just create a multimedia love note for that boy in your English class. Wink wink.Most impressive is the "make a Web site and store it here" section. Yup, their gonna house your home page, for free! With options for easy and advanced Web mavens, anyone can do it. Select "easy," answer a series of questions, and wait for your content to run through a template and output a Web site. Unlike other Web-maker templates, you get the option to pick fonts, colors, sizes, etc. The advanced area is merely a form ready for code that you can either type online or cut and paste from your desktop editor. They've also arranged an FTP site to upload images if you want pictures on your new page. Unfortunately, the maximum space allowance is 150K‹ not a whole lot ‹ but it's great for resumes and general personal information. I'd say, if you're in college you'll probably find much of use here. And, uh, it's killer, dude.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 18

Tattoos.com
URL: http://tattoos.com/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0896
Content Quality: Excellent
Aesthetic Quality: Excellent
TechnoSmart Quality: Excellent
Site of the Month: No
Author: David Pescovitz
Tattooing has evolved from the stuff of hoods and sailors in grimy port parlors to being recognized as the true art form it can be. This e-zine is one of the most comprehensive and professionally-produced body art resources in the mediascape. Reports from tattoo conventions, a rich gallery of ink work, plenty of links to related sites and Real Audio files make this a stop worthy of the most illustrated human beings. Now how much would that little devil cost again?
Overall Rating (out of 18): 18

GaySource
URL: http://www.gaysource.com/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0996
Content Quality: Excellent
Aesthetic Quality: Excellent
TechnoSmart Quality: Excellent
Site of the Month: No
Author: David Pescovitz
GaySource is a monthly magazine for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community. This month's "cover" story is an insightful interview with comedienne Lea Delaria. Inside are travel, health, spirituality, gay pride, and other information-filled departments--there is something for everyone here. Add the chat rooms, relevant links, and reader-feedback areas to make GaySource a fine example of what an "interactive magazine" can really be. And they even have ads!
Overall Rating (out of 18): 18

Cleveland Live!
URL: http://www.cleveland.com/index.html
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 1096
Content Quality: Excellent
Aesthetic Quality: Excellent
TechnoSmart Quality: Excellent
Site of the Month: No
Author: Emily Soares
Welcome to the uncharted realms of Cleveland, Ohio. Learn about the darker side of a town that "defies travel by public transportation" in the Forbidden City. Well-written nightlife information abounds in the Club Crawler and Dark Melodies pages. Cleveland never seemed so appealing. The Weather section links to international forecasts and The Old Farmer's Almanac, and Tribe fans have a lot to choose from on their own site (as marked by the grinning "redman" of the team¹s emblem -- an insult to Native Americans everywhere). Overall, excellent use of nicely designed retro graphics, loads of information, and smart assembly. Forget the Big Apple or Baghdad by the Bay...Cleveland, here, looks like the destination of choice.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 18

NetNoir
URL: http://www.netnoir.com/index.html
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 1196
Content Quality: Excellent
Aesthetic Quality: Excellent
TechnoSmart Quality: Excellent
Site of the Month: No
Author: Emily Soares
A site for anyone from any walk of life who is interested in Afrocentric culture, NetNoir Online combines a variety of sections -- Spotlight, Lifestyle, Community, and Empowerment -- with search engines and great links to related sites. The site is beautifully designed and packed with content, providing visitors with articles on everything from Hip Hop to investment opportunities. The self-declared ³Soul of Cyberspace," NetNoir seeks to build an online community while informing visitors about local events, outstanding personalities, entertainment, technology news, and resources.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 18

Women¹s Wire
URL: <@COL 3>
Category: <@COL 4>
Issue: <@COL 5>
Content Quality: <@COL 6>
Aesthetic Quality: <@COL 7>
TechnoSmart Quality: <@COL 8>
Site of the Month: <@COL 9>
Author: <@COL 10>
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Overall Rating (out of 18): <@COL 12>

PlanetOut
URL: http://www.planetout.com
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 1296
Content Quality: Excellent
Aesthetic Quality: Excellent
TechnoSmart Quality: Excellent
Site of the Month: Yes
Author: Eric Meub
The heterosexual majority may be willing to settle for a Global Village, but PlanetOut offers the gay, lesbian, bi and trans community a City. And it¹s a city with a heart. "Imagine a world" says founder and president Tom Reilly, "where everyone can be exactly who they really are." At first blush, this invokes a spectrum of lifestyles, from circuit-party boys to opera divas, dykes-on-bikes to lipstick lesbians. But there¹s a loftier ambition here: "Online" as Reilly puts it, "is a great place to *practice* coming out." The queer community includes folks who live remote from city resources, or who have to combat isolation and loneliness. PlanetOut offers comfort, support, community, and identity. And it does so with energy, flair, and a fresh presentation. Winsome photos of couples and individuals underscore, with all the polish and wholesomeness of a Gap advertisement, the message of acceptance. Hell, straights have benefited from good PR all these years, why not queers? The images are fun for those already out as well as encouraging for those still in the closet. Some will protest that packaging homogenizes diversity. The photos, however, try to capture that diversity, at least with regard to gender and race. The only images I missed were those of our elders: "Queer" is not synonymous with ³young², after all. PlanetOut offers destinations such as "People", for connecting with individuals, "NetQueery", a "dashboard" to gay Internet resources, and "Civic Center", the site¹s political core, providing links to important queer political organizations: one-stop-shopping for gay activism. The informational content of PlanetOut is found in "QRD" and "Kiosk". "QRD" (Queer Resources Directory) is the Main Library in this gay metropolis. This is no-nonsense stuff. Visitors can access up-to-date material on HIV, racism, state and federal legislation, religious intolerance, you name it. The destinations in "Kiosk" could be satisfying sites in themselves: There¹s "PopcornQ", a critically acclaimed film and video directory that opened last June; "News Planet" surveys domestic and international events of queer interest; And my favorite, ³Shout": a showcase for everything queer in the arts and entertainment. Reviews can be found under "Shelf-Life", "Flix", "Spins", "MMMedia", while "The Box" provides an exhaustive survey of upcoming queer-related television programming. The gay, lesbian, bi and trans community has often suffered for its lack of cohesion. No mere Web site can solve that, but PlanetOut provides a haven of knowledge, nurture and dignity: a real Home in the City.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 18

Gravity
URL: http://www.newsavanna.com/gravity/default.shtml
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0197
Content Quality: Excellent
Aesthetic Quality: Excellent
TechnoSmart Quality: Excellent
Site of the Month: No
Author: David Pescovitz
More than a 'zine, Gravity is a virtual community with its roots in African-American culture, art, music, and issues. Beautifully designed, the site is crisp, clear, and actually readable (a rarity for text-based sites!). Gravity is a discussion spot, where members of the community create the content‹reviews of books, media commentary, sports talk, etc.. Often when this is the case, the content suffers. Not everyone is a writer. But the small Gravity community features high-quality postings, well thought-out opinion, and a true sense of "interaction," not with machines but with people.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 18

Real Saigon
URL: http://www.realsaigon.com
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0197
Content Quality: Excellent
Aesthetic Quality: Excellent
TechnoSmart Quality: Excellent
Site of the Month: No
Author: David Pescovitz
Real Saigon is one of the most beautiful cultural experiences I've ever had the pleasure of visiting on the Web. Dedicated to all things Vietnamese, and filled with animations, music, and fine writing, Real Saigon is a highly immersive and educational site. Everything from business to women's issues to Vietnamese food to children's folk tales is exquisitely presented here. Take a look through this window onto an exciting and intriguing community created by and for people of Vietnamese descent.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 18

Heartless Bitches International
URL: http://infoweb.magi.com/~nataliep/heartless.html
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0696
Content Quality: Excellent
Aesthetic Quality: Good
TechnoSmart Quality: Excellent
Site of the Month: No
Author: David Pescovitz
I dig these bitches. And I mean that only in the kindest sense of the word. The grrrls behind this site are fed up with sexist boys who not only harass women in the workplace, but high-five each other yelling ³Sa-weet!² Filled with lists of other offensive acts, real-life heartless bitches, and anti-whining rants, this site is a rad ³how¹s it going² from post-feminist modernist women tired of your (and my) ³I¹m not sexist, but...² bullshit. Unfortunately, I¹m a straight male which means I can¹t join this organization. But I¹d definitely submit myself to these modem grrrls if they would have me. After all, I hate feminine deodorants too!
Overall Rating (out of 18): 17

Pinkboard
URL: http://www.pinkboard.com.au/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0796
Content Quality: Excellent
Aesthetic Quality: Good
TechnoSmart Quality: Excellent
Site of the Month: No
Author: Shel Kimen
Living queer in Australia? Make sure to check out the Pinkboard! The site is packed with info about where to go (clubs, theaters, etc.), who to go with (an extensive personals area), and what to do once you get there (safe sex info). While some of the sections are a little slow, with content generated from CGI scripts, the icons are clever, and the info is regularly updated. There is also a slick Frames interface, but you get the option as to whether or not you want to use it. Tres cool!
Overall Rating (out of 18): 17

The Data Lounge
URL: http://www.datalounge.com/trudy/index.html
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0596
Content Quality: Excellent
Aesthetic Quality: Excellent
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: Wayne Cunningham
Why are drag queens always in the desert these days? There was Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, there was Patrick Swayze playing Vida Boheme, and now there¹s Trudy, host of the Data Lounge. Is it that we, as a culture, respond to this juxtaposition between the raw natural and the extremely artificial because the industrial revolution has filled our lives with manufactured goods? Or is it that nothing in those vast open spaces can upstage a drag queen¹s fabulous couture? Trudy knows. Trudy is an exiled Manhattanite glamor queen on a mission of destiny to add color and style to the Arizona desert. The Data Lounge is her little spot of culture in those arid lands, where she logs on to the Internet to write entries into her Dearest Darling Diary, respond to Calling Cards, and post ŒLectric Letters. Her diary tells the tale of how she packed her bags and left Manhattan, her trip into the desert, and her many adventures into Los Angeles or back to New York for Wigstock. Calling Cards are where we, Trudy¹s admiring masses, can send her our comments or pleas for advice, and if grace is smiling upon us, she will post our words with her reply. Some of Trudy¹s special friends, whose missives get posted in ŒLectric Letters, are Mr. Jewel, who keeps Trudy informed by writing her about the various Broadway shows he sees, Sage, who writes Trudy poems and has intimated that Trudy is her mother, and the Marquessa Areta von Kass, who tells Trudy of her dating tribulations. But are these electronic words enough for one such as Trudy, once the premier socialite of Manhattan? Can the lizards and cactus compare to the fashionable boys and girls walking down Fifth Avenue? Of course not, but at least Trudy has Sir Lancelot, her faithful German Shepherd, to keep her company on those long desert nights. But not to worry that anything untoward is going on, that Sir Lancelot¹s doggy innocence is being taken advantage of. He¹s got his own section at the Data Lounge where he offers his opinions on politics and the state of his digestion. But Trudy can¹t be online all the time to help those less fortunate as the desert wind would make her skin positively ruddy if she didn¹t take time out to put on a moisturizing mask. To give her time for beauty, a clever little bit of programming, the Draginatrix, takes over while she¹s away. By answering a series of questions, the Draginatrix will provide the user with a whole new drag queen makeover.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 17

NrrdGrrl!
URL: http://www.winternet.com/~ameliaw
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0996
Content Quality: Excellent
Aesthetic Quality: Excellent
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: David Pescovitz
Riot Nrrrds of the female persuasion, this site is for you! Join the ranks of Jan Brady, Janet Reno, Lisa Simpson, and other strong grrrls pictured on the NrrdGrrl home page. In fact, you don't even need to join--as the site says, "a NrrdGrrl! is any woman who wants to reclaim the meaning of the word normal. Because normal does not mean the same as everybody else!" Link to the pages of other modem grrrls pages, check out some of their ezines, and dig into Grrowl, the NrrdGrrl! Web zine. I laughed (and screamed) out loud at a true story of watching the Miss America Pageant in a dorm.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 17

The Boston Phoenix
URL: http://www.bostonphoenix.com/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0996
Content Quality: Excellent
Aesthetic Quality: Excellent
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: Patrick Joseph
Beantown¹s newsweekly, The Phoenix, has a smartly designed online presence. If you¹re from Boston, you probably don¹t require an introduction to the periodical, and if you aren¹t, you probably don¹t care. The design is slick enough to merit a look-see, but the reviews and articles, while competent, are not much different than what you¹d find in Anytown, USA. The rag has a definite gay and lesbian connection, so you could come here for a dose of the local queer scene, including personals. But, primarily, this is a journal for Bostonians of any stripe or creed who want the lowdown on the club scene, literary happenings and all that.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 17

Webgrrls Unite!
URL: http://www.webgrrls.com
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 1096
Content Quality: Excellent
Aesthetic Quality: Excellent
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: Rachel Saidman
Cybergrrl's sibling site, Webgrrls Unite! highlights Women on the Web, with links to grrls and boy-eez homepages, information on classes and gatherings, and a link to FeMiNa, Cybergrrls' alternative to Yahoo!. However, Webgrrls Unite!'s most exciting resource is the "real world, face-to-face networking groups" for women in cities worldwide, each offering members a range of business and educational opportunities. Networking online is great, but there is nothing like bringing professional women together in person to share ideas.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 17

Kosher Living
URL: http://www.kashrus.org/kosher.html
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 1196
Content Quality: Excellent
Aesthetic Quality: Excellent
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: Emily Soares
Whether or not you¹re Jewish and Kosher, this is a useful site. Packed with information on permissible foods, preparation, and the history and nature of Kashrus, Kosher Living serves as an in-depth introduction to the principles behind Kosher laws, and is a helpful guide to those who practice them. The site is brought to you from the director of the Asian-American Kashrus, Singapore-born Rabbi Meyer, who is not surprised that the general public knows little about the history and culture of Asian Jews. So he's made it easy to learn by providing an interactive map of Asia with an informative essay attached to each country. Also check out Asian Kosher Recipes and links to other Kosher sites.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 17

Tripod
URL: http://www.tripod.com
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 1296
Content Quality: Good
Aesthetic Quality: Excellent
TechnoSmart Quality: Excellent
Site of the Month: No
Author: David Pescovitz
If a Web magazine can be "slick," Tripod is it. According to their "about" page, "Tripod is for people trying to live well in a world of constant shift and transition." And for this 'zine, living well means negotiating an unpredictable career path, figuring out your finances and, of course, staying healthy. Easier said than done, those things. That's why Tripod kicks down information on everything from urinary tract infections to "boss-itis" (you know, becoming too big for your britches) to the political playpen. Add the tips on job hunting, resume refurbishing, and other practical tips for the "young upstanding citizen," and Tripod is both the Fortune and Fitness magazines for the Friends set.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 17

Spirit-WWW
URL: http://www.spiritweb.org/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0596
Content Quality: Excellent
Aesthetic Quality: Good
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: Karen Wickre
If you¹re curious about spiritual matters broadly defined, gravitate to Rene Muller¹s Spirit Web. This gent has built a thoughtful and useful site featuring articles, a useful glossary, and links to more info on topics like yoga, meditation, UFOs, reincarnation, and channeling. He has selected a number of articles and essays for each topic, so you get a variety of voices. And he includes a metaphysical bibliography, an event calendar, relevant e-mail contacts, and ³spiritual web chat,² where you can discuss spiritual beliefs and mysteries with others. An excellent stop for the open-minded spiritually inclined among us.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 16

Intentional Communities
URL: http://www.well.com/user/cmty/index.html
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0596
Content Quality: Excellent
Aesthetic Quality: Good
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: Karen Wickre
Intentional communities have an honorable history and a pretty good Web site. The notion of shared living today is brought to us by earnest folks who want to find better ways to live together, share resources, and create ecologically and environmentally smart living arrangements. These might include housing coops, land trusts, and eco-villages as well as actual communes. Here you¹ll find articles, listings and descriptions, events, and products from and for communitarians. As you might expect, the crew building this site, sponsored by the Fellowship for Intentional Community, keeps a regular diary (with links) of their Web updates.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 16

The Millennium Matters
URL: http://www.newciv.org/millennium_matters/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0596
Content Quality: Excellent
Aesthetic Quality: Good
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: Karen Wickre
Feeling anxious about global warming, virus outbreaks, or over-population? Run, do not walk to The Millennium Matters for a long perspective on these and other crises affecting Planet Earth. Millennialists come in all shapes and dogmas; it¹s safe to say they believe that virtually all our daily experiences point to the end of life as we know it. Many of these pages cover UFOs, New Age spirituality, and communalism and the links offer further reading, FAQs, newsgroups, and the like for a wide, wide array of subjects. If nothing else, dipping into these pages will give you a vivid taste of a culture in the making.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 16

QWorld
URL: http://www.qworld.org/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0696
Content Quality: Good
Aesthetic Quality: Good
TechnoSmart Quality: Excellent
Site of the Month: No
Author: David Pescovitz
QWorld is a well-organized forum for the queer community, complete with chat rooms, message boards, and regional resources of lesbian and gay businesses in your area. For a good time, check out the QFiles filled with Lesbian and Gay graphics icons, sounds and other relevant resources. Once you¹re ready to journey out of QWorld, the massive collection of links will help you follow the rainbow streaming through the net. While the site is still under construction, it has the potential to be a bustling virtual town square for digital queers.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 16

Café Los Negroes
URL: http://www.losnegroes.com/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0696
Content Quality: Excellent
Aesthetic Quality: Good
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: David Pescovitz
Billed as the net¹s Black and Latino hangout, Cafe¹ Los Negroes is flowing with cultural cred. Dig the frequent special events in the Cafe¹, like an online panel discussion with Ntzoke Shange, Vernon Reid, and Lisa Jones, or groove on the Cybirdland live jazz broadcasts. You can also check out regular features like art in the Bedstuy virtual gallery, currently show casing New York including Daniel Simmons and Michael Chambers, and download beats from singer-songwriter Toshi Reagon or spoken word from poet Adrian Castro. Cleanly designer and rich with the flavor of the New York Underground.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 16

The Terrorist Profile Weekly
URL: http://www.site.gmu.edu/~cdibona/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0696
Content Quality: Excellent
Aesthetic Quality: Good
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: David Pescovitz
Chris DiBona, a college student and employee of the US Department of State¹s Office of Information Management in the Bureau of Administration, has provided us a collection of profiles surveying more than twenty terrorist organizations around the globe. Learn about all the baddies from the 15 May Organization to the Popular Struggle Front. Each profile includes a general description, activities, strength, ideals, and location of the group all taken from the US State Department¹s journal ³The Profiles of Global Terrorism.² The site banner reads "Your 100% recommended daily allowance of global terror," and I personally wouldn¹t want to overdose.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 16

Dance To The Sound Of A Suicide
URL: http://hamp.hampshire.edu/~temS95/gothic.html
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0796
Content Quality: Excellent
Aesthetic Quality: Good
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: David Pescovitz
Yes, we're talking Goths here--black eyeliner, Bauhaus, black hair, Bela Lugosi (is dead), black clothes, etc. But I grew up on the Sisters of Mercy and Christian Death, so there's always a place in my heart for children of the night. Especially this one! Tara Morrison has a sense of humor, something lacking in most gloom and doom types. "I don't drink blood. And I don't want to," she writes in one of many stabs at the hyper-pretentiousness and absurd fantasization so typical in goth culture. This page is primarily an annotated list of goth sites on the Net--Bauhaus pages, Anne Rice resources, etc. But Tara's wry, no-bullshit attitude makes this site more interesting than almost anything she links to. Tara, will you meet me in the cemetery some night?
Overall Rating (out of 18): 16

Pun Yin Metaphysics
URL: http://plaza.interport.net/pymetaphysics/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0796
Content Quality: Excellent
Aesthetic Quality: Good
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: David Pescovitz
This site is dedicated to the ancient study of Feng Shui, the historic Chinese discipline of "manipulating the invisible and subtle energies of the cosmos, or 'Chi,' to create harmony between man and his environment." This is some heavy stuff actually, dealing with the placement of objects and buildings in their "most auspicious positions" and the use of specific colors for "balance." (Example: Seeing your stove when you first walk inside creates bad energy). For a few hundred dollars, Master Pun Yin will look at blueprints and photos of your home or office (if it's in New York), and give a Feng Shui analysis. Maybe true, maybe hoax or superstition, but damned interesting.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 16

Platypus Family¹s Playroom
URL: http://www.orst.edu/~dickt/playroom/playroom.html
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0796
Content Quality: Excellent
Aesthetic Quality: Good
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: Shel Kimen
It¹s full, thick with stories (that read themselves ³with a properly configured Mac²), songs to sing, games to play, and activities for families. And as a super bonus, the site also has some sections translated into Spanish. Que Bueno! If you like the content, there¹s a CD ROM on the way. Just add your name to a list to receive notification. The only drawback‹ Children¹s Playroom was created as one *very* long scroll down page, instead of multiple pages with hyperlinks, so the download can be a long wait.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 16

Vegan Action
URL: http://www.vegan.org/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0796
Content Quality: Excellent
Aesthetic Quality: Good
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: Shel Kimen
Just say no MILK. No meat. No eggs. No animal or dairy of any kind! That includes any clothing or products made from animals ‹ no leather, silk, or hair conditioner made with animal enzymes. The Web site will keep vegans clued in to current news items, political rally¹s, and the spectrum of all that is vegan in this omnivore world. There¹s also a catalog in case you want a ³Live Simply² or ³Just Go Vegan² t-shirt. The links to the cookbooks are super cool.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 16

WebCastro
URL: http://www.webcastro.com/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0896
Content Quality: Good
Aesthetic Quality: Good
TechnoSmart Quality: Excellent
Site of the Month: No
Author: David Pescovitz
San Francisco¹s Castro district has been called the Gay Mecca, and this virtual community does a fine job representing the eclectic and exciting real community that is Castro. WebCastro is filled with calendars, a history of the neighborhood, profiles of unusual and interesting Castro characters, guides to area businesses and community-service organizations. Yet the site still barely scratches the surface of the neighborhood. Basically, you gotta live there. But if you don¹t, at least check out the scene virtually. Slightly cluttered, but easily navigable and educational.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 16

SB¹s Breakin¹ Page
URL: http://weber.u.washington.edu/~bock/bd/bd.html
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0896
Content Quality: Excellent
Aesthetic Quality: Good
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: David Pescovitz
Pop it, rock it, lock it, and break it. Yes Turbo, breakdancing has come to the Web. Download that Afrika Bambaata AU file, or any of the multitude of old-school samples on the site, trip on some graffiti from back-in-the-day, and try to hit that windmill like Crazy Legs in Beat Street. (Check the video clip if you¹ve forgotten.) Once you practice the moves, throw on your parachute pants and Pumas with the fat laces, and come down to the corner. Just don¹t be wack and forget your cardboard. (Lost? See the site for the definition of ³wack² and other breakin¹ terminology.)
Overall Rating (out of 18): 16

The Deoxyribonucleic Hyperdimension
URL: http://www.intac.com/~dimitri/dh/deoxy.html
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0896
Content Quality: Excellent
Aesthetic Quality: Good
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: David Pescovitz
This is *the* site for budding psychedelic shamans eager to meet the elves that visit us from hyperspace at our most ³open² moments. Take a puff on that DMT-filled pipe and click here. Immerse yourself in the hallucinogen-inspired (and hyperbole-filled?) wisdom of Terrence McKenna, ethnobotanist of the next millennium. Let John Lilly introduce you to his dolphin, Peter, that ³speaks² English, then allow ex-Mondo 2000 pillars Gracie and Zarkov to take you on another Tryptamine trip. And last but certainly not least, ingest a healthy dose of optimism with the good doctor Timothy Leary. Turn on, tune in, and take over.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 16

Ecstasy.org
URL: http://ecstasy.org/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0896
Content Quality: Excellent
Aesthetic Quality: Good
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: David Pescovitz
This site¹s creator, Nicholas Saunders, is the author of the well-received *E for Ecstasy*, and an expanded version of that fine text called *Ecstasy and the Dance Culture*. Whether you partake in the love drug or not, any rave/cyberculture info-seeker will dig Saunders¹ collection of studies related to MDMA and background on Ecstasy research around the world. (Also, the cheesy/cool animated GIF banner is worth a stare.) How toxic is E? You may be surprised, actually. Check here for details. And no, MDMA does not drain you of spinal fluids. But drinking lots of water will not solve all your problems either.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 16

Illuminations
URL: http://marlowe.wimsey.com/~rshand/illumine.html
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0996
Content Quality: Good
Aesthetic Quality: Good
TechnoSmart Quality: Excellent
Site of the Month: No
Author: Patrick Joseph
The author is a professional Web page designer and a Canadian Vietnam vet with decided leanings toward the mystical and mysterious. His site dabbles in everything from combat memoirs to a speculative piece on the historical Jesus, complete with animations. His portfiolio is also part of the site. Visitors are surveyed as to what they¹d most like to see integrated into the page called *Underground Streams*. Choices include Freemasonry, UFO¹s, and other such topics. Fans of Leonard Nimoy¹s *In Search Of* will probably find this one riveting. Realists may be bemused.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 16

Upside
URL: http://www.upside.com/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 1096
Content Quality: Excellent
Aesthetic Quality: Good
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: Rachel Saidman
Entrepreneurial types, marketing/PR professionals, venture capitalists, lawyers, investors, and anyone else involved in technology and/or business, will want to bookmark Upside, the "insider's" look at the high-tech industry. While the look of the site is pleasantly magazine-like, the focus is clearly on content, and lots of it. Features and interviews are factual and thorough but not without literary pizzazz. Of particular note for those considering taking the entrepreneurial plunge is "Upstart: The Ongoing Diary of a High-Tech Start-up," the true life account of one silcon valley firm¹s birth pangs.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 16

Speakeasy Cafe
URL: http://speakeasy.org/speak/cafe.html
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 1096
Content Quality: Excellent
Aesthetic Quality: Good
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: Emily Soares
This Seattle-based site is an online rendition of the real Speakeasy Cafe, encouraging the same spirit as its three-dimensional namesake; namely, easy-going, coffee-soaked palaver. The real world version of the Speakeasy offers couches and computers to its patrons, creating a kind of community feeling that translates well to the site. The Speakeasy Network offers a variety of Internet services and online utilities to its members with a Northwestern flair. I especially like the Trading Post area with a direct link to countless federal sites, including the CIA home page. Check out the large collection of art work in the Art Gallery, or consult the Alerts and Calendar sections to see what's new in the Northwest.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 16

Petbird.com
URL: http://www.upatsix.com/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 1196
Content Quality: Excellent
Aesthetic Quality: Good
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: David Pescovitz
I never understood the appeal of pet birds. They pretty much just hang out on a little swing, crap all over the place, and sing if you're lucky. But who am I to judge? For many, pet birds are the cat's meow, and this site is for them. Read up on cockatiel breeding and genetics and Finch care. Avian professionals are all over this site offering wise words about your bird's needs. There's even a section on aviculture called F.Y.I, with a fun article on how to prepare your bird for a show. (For one, file their beaks if necessary.) Tired of your Whiteface cockatiel hen? Find a buyer in the Petbird classified section. And of course, buy your birdseed online from one of the merchants on the site.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 16

Feminist.com
URL: http://feminist.com
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 1296
Content Quality: Excellent
Aesthetic Quality: Good
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: Emily Soares
Feminist.com was founded on the principle that women and girls are steered away from math, science, and technology, traditionally have trouble breaking into the ³old boys network², and may not feel comfortable enough to participate in online networkingŠat least in the numbers that men do. According to Fem.com, the numbers of women online has grown to as much as 30%, but it¹s still a disappointing turnout. This site works to encourage women to connect with an array of resources and links that support women¹s issues and human rights concerns in general. The Activism section includes a calendar of urgent actions and newsletters from a variety of organizations. Also check out the impressive collection of health and employment resources and the Articles and Speeches section.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 16

GeroWeb
URL: http://www.iog.wayne.edu/GeroWeb.html
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0696
Content Quality: Good
Aesthetic Quality: Good
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: David Pescovitz
Brought to you by the Institute for Gerontology at Wayne State University, GeroWeb is a rich information clearing-house for researchers, educators, and care-takers. The site design is quite bland, but somehow appropriate for the academic and dry, yet useful, resources linked from its pages. Included are pointers to universities offering gerontology information, organizations of interest to the aging community, and government agencies useful to service providers and researchers. Not much fun, but seemingly purposeful information for the target audience.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 15

Largesse the Network for Size Esteem
URL: http://www.fatgirl.com/largesse/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0696
Content Quality: Good
Aesthetic Quality: Good
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: David Pescovitz
Largesse, the Network for Size Esteem, is a feminist resource center for ³size diversity empowerment.² What that means is that this insubstantial site is supposed to be a clearinghouse of health, diet, and legal information for ³people of size.² And these pages aren¹t just for adults either. Self-help and body image books for fat kids (phrase used on the site) are reviewed along with audiotapes, newsletters and other information for overweight children and their parents and teachers. As a resource it¹s fine, though it still has a way to go.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 15

Welcome to Cybersmith
URL: http://www.cybersmith.com/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0696
Content Quality: Good
Aesthetic Quality: Good
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: David Pescovitz
The real Cybersmith in Boston is one of the finest cyber-cafes I¹ve ever guzzled mochas and megabytes in. Ironically though, their Web site is completely uninteresting. While they claim this site to be their ³temporary² location, I¹d expect much much more from people whose business is the net and community. There¹s little more here than lists of the top 10 CD-ROMs, games in the shop, and a boring list of links. Are the Boston City Hall or the RealAudio home pages really ³hot sites?² C¹mon kids, put down that cappuccino and get back to work
Overall Rating (out of 18): 15

NUDE2000
URL: http://www.nude2000.com/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0796
Content Quality: Good
Aesthetic Quality: Good
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: David Pescovitz
Keep your pants on people, we're talking nudists not nymphos. You know--nude volleyball, size doesn't matter, it's healthy and natural, etc. Nude 2000 is a nudist catalog/resource guide promoting "social nudism in the 21st century." Browse the list of videos of nudist adventures and resorts from all over the world before subscribing to Naturally Magazine, a publication for those choosing the "let it all hang out" lifestyle. A tasteful if slightly boring site, I bet their hit count is through the roof!
Overall Rating (out of 18): 15

Self-Defense, Street-fighting & Close-Quarter Battle
URL: http://www2.gsu.edu/~gs01cwb/fighting.html
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0796
Content Quality: Excellent
Aesthetic Quality: Good
TechnoSmart Quality: Poor
Site of the Month: No
Author: Jon Phillips
If you¹re going to win a fight against a vicious street tough, you¹re going to need a lot more than a few karate lessons ‹ you¹re going to need a whole new world view. Christopher Benson helps you mentally prepare for seemingly impossible-to-win fights. This is not a primer on specific moves; rather, it¹s a guide to overcoming difficult situations with confidence. You¹ll learn all about pain and fear management, mental explosiveness, and pure, unbridled aggression. Rule Nine may tell the whole story: ³Evaluate, analyze and destroy.² Lots of text, all of it interesting.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 15

Lifetime Online
URL: http://www.lifetimetv.com/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0896
Content Quality: Good
Aesthetic Quality: Good
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: David Pescovitz
The cable TV channel, *Lifetime*, is about one step up from soap operas and talk shows. They used to show *Eight Is Enough* and *Family* reruns, which I think is rad! But then I read that their Web site is ³for women and the people in their lives² and I have to wonder if the channel has lost its unintended irony in the Web translation. After all, what kind of women (and people in their lives!) are we talking about here? I guess the type who dig ³Romance Horoscopes,² articles on nutrition, entertainment gossip (Jackson Five to reform!?!?), and too-sweet parenting info. *HotWired* for the *Reader¹s Digest* and tabloid set.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 15

Smartwired
URL: http://www.smartwired.com/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0896
Content Quality: Good
Aesthetic Quality: Good
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: David Pescovitz
Judging from its confusing content, I¹d speculate that Smartwired is some sort of alcohol-enthusiast information resource -- these people really, really like to drink. Avoid this site if you¹re one of the so-called ³neo-prohibitionists² referred to in the site¹s ³Healthy Drinking² magazine. If you¹re not, you too can read articles with titles like ³Telling Children All Alcohol Is Bad Simply Is Not True,² ³It¹s Official: Beer¹s Good For You² and other gems. After tasting that material, browse Smart Wine magazine or a page of alcohol-related links. I think I need a drink. Of water.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 15

Lucy the Jack Russell Terrier
URL: http://www.lucy-the-dog.com
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0896
Content Quality: Good
Aesthetic Quality: Good
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: David Pescovitz
Lucy is, you guessed it, a dog. And this is her home page. But don¹t stop reading yet--you won¹t be subjected to a million cute pictures of some family dog and narratives about how she bit the mailman. Lucy is a real mascot for an interesting Jack Russell Terrier site overflowing with information about this particular breed of dogs. And darned if they aren¹t the cutest things. Delve into the Jack FAQs, find out how to check into pet-friendly hotels when vacationing with your pooch, and, to make your hosts happy, browse through some of the real-life adventures of Lucy in words and pictures. Lucy in a blizzard is a laff-riot.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 15

The Tobacconist
URL: http://www.law.vill.edu/~kmortens/humidor/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0896
Content Quality: Good
Aesthetic Quality: Good
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: David Pescovitz
I knew this site would make leave me jonesing for a cigar. I haven¹t smoked a stogy in months, and, indeed, I wish I had my hands on a fine Cuban and a sterling cutter right now. If you¹re not a tobacco enthusiast already, this site is not the best introduction to the smoky vice, nor is it supposed to be. Aficionados should come here for a comprehensive list of smoke-related links, including company sites, Web Œzines, and FAQs with lots of material. Hopefully, more original content will make this more than a glorified index for puffers. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 15

Intentional Communities
URL: http://www.well.com/user/cmty/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0996
Content Quality: Good
Aesthetic Quality: Good
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: David Pescovitz
Intentional Communities is a clearinghouse for information on collective living options, including ecovillages, communes, residential land trusts, urban housing cooperatives, and other group living situations. Check here for a calendar of conferences, and even read Communities: The Journal of Cooperative Living. Plain of design, but well-organized and comprehensive, this site is a fine resource for those choosing collective living. This was how we lived in the past. Is it time to return to those roots? After all, home is where the hearth is!
Overall Rating (out of 18): 15

The Open Center
URL: http://www.panix.com/~openctr/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0996
Content Quality: Good
Aesthetic Quality: Good
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: Patrick Joseph
A holistic learning center in the Big Apple?? Hmm...okay now, on the one hand, if you live in New York City, Lord knows you probably need to restore some balance to your life. On the other hand, if you are concerned about your wellness, being centered and like that, why the hell are you living in New York in the first place? Anyway, from Celtic Fairy studies (!?!) to Shiatsu massage, it¹s all here. The Web site is little more than a serviceable brochure of the center¹s classes and activities, but if you live in the cosmopolis and the grind has ground you down, maybe this is a good escape hatch.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 15

Jews in Prison
URL: http://espresso.internet-cafe.com/sbchabad/prison/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0996
Content Quality: Good
Aesthetic Quality: Good
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: Rachel Saidman
Sponsored by the Santa Barbara Chabad Chapter-and written by a Rabbi with ten years of experience visiting prisons -- this site is dedicated to supporting and counseling Jewish prison inmates (a subject not broached at the Bar Mitzvah). The Rabbi briefly presents the difficulties Jewish inmates may face with regard to obtaining Kosher food, observation of holy days, anti-semitism, depression, etc., and offers suggestions for dealing with them. He also shares anecdotes about inmates who have maintained their dignity despite the adverse conditions through personal and intellectual growth. C-2 A-2 T-2
Overall Rating (out of 18): 15

Muscle Net
URL: http://www.musclenet.com
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 1096
Content Quality: Good
Aesthetic Quality: Good
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: Rachel Saidman
For muscular types, and the men and women who worship them, Muscle Net pays homage to the pumped and ripped at the Virtual Gym. Along with links to pro-shops, gyms and nutrition centers across the country, Muscle Net addresses topics such as how to get even more muscular, how to meet muscular guys and girls (gay and straight), and the pros and cons of steroids. In the Muscle Lounge, you can peruse personal ads with images of burly boys and brawny babes. You can also genuflect at the alter of "ThorLover's Temple to Muscle Worship" and "YugNorac's Female Muscle Page."
Overall Rating (out of 18): 15

FoodTV
URL: http://www.foodtv.com/index.htm Lifestyles
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 1196
Content Quality: Good
Aesthetic Quality: Good
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: David Pescovitz
For all you can stomach in recipes, restaurant reviews, culinary tips, and products that you just *can't* live without, visit the Food TV Network Web site. Missed the latest how-to from Debbie Fields' -- of "Mrs. Field's Cookies" fame -- Desert Show or The Essence of Emeril? Ingredient lists are here for the browsing. And if you're a recipe fetishist, there are also plenty of cookbooks from Food TV show hosts advertised on the site. You can even buy a fancy kitchen knife endorsed by the Food Network. No, it's not a Ginsu.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 15

Campaign for our Children
URL: http://www.cfoc.org/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 1196
Content Quality: Good
Aesthetic Quality: Good
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: David Pescovitz
Campaign for our Children is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to reducing the number of teen pregnancies in this country. According to this site, a US teenager becomes pregnant every 26 seconds. That's a lot of babies having babies. Good parent and teacher resources are available on this site, and the Campaign's slogans are poignant without being naive--example: "A baby costs $474 a month, how much is your allowance?" While their call for abstinence may not be realistic, almost anyone urging kids and parents to *talk* about sex is OK in my book.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 15

Jewish Domestic Abuse and Agunah Problem Web Page
URL: http://users.aol.com/agunah/index.htm
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 1196
Content Quality: Good
Aesthetic Quality: Good
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: David Pescovitz
In Jewish religious law, according to the home page, an Agunah is "a woman who is prevented from remarrying, either because of the disappearance of her husband, absent proof of his death, or because of his refusal to grant her a ³get² ["bill of divorcement", or religious divorce]. This site, maintained by a law student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, was designed as a resource for Agunot (plural of Agunah) and Jewish women suffering from all kinds of domestic abuse. The site offers articles, information about resource organizations for victims, excerpts from Jewish family law, and first-person accounts. Not a pleasant subject for a Web site, but definitely an important one.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 15

AcronTech
URL: http://www.acrontech.com/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 1196
Content Quality: Good
Aesthetic Quality: Good
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: David Pescovitz
Computers may be valuable tools, but what if you can't read the words on your screen? AcronTech manufactures products to increase the independence of visually-impaired people. Their products include large-print and speech-synthesizer software applications, audible sign technology, and portable video magnifiers. While the AcronTech Website is primarily an expanded company brochure, it's in everyone's best interest to know that these kinds of products are available for the people who need them. *Equal* access to information is what the New Edge is all about.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 15

Naked Magazine
URL: http://www.crl.com/~nakedmag/nakedmag.html
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 1196
Content Quality: Good
Aesthetic Quality: Good
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: Emily Soares
Naked is a magazine for men who like to get naked. "Nudists, exhibitionists, and voyeurs use Naked as a forum of expression of their lifestyle." So, what we're talking about here is a site that tells gay and bi men where to take it off and how to locate others who are equally clothing-oppressed. You can find out about a Caribbean cruise (limited to 110 naked guys), check out personal ads, view nude models, and learn about nude organizations and getaway spots. The Naked Video sample was a total tease, however, and despite heavy perseverance, never loaded.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 15

BeautyLink
URL: http://www.beautylink.com/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 1196
Content Quality: Good
Aesthetic Quality: Good
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: Emily Soares
Kind of an online Glamour meets Seventeen magazine, The Beautylink tries to camp it up enough to make its departments enjoyable, but comes off kind of hokey all the same. But what should one expect from a site that promises to link you up with all the beauty the Web has offer? Cyberteena provides helpful hints for the under 21 crowd, Angora Teasdale can give you a makeover in the Looks section, and Blade Shearson ("I make you look gorgeous!") offers useful info in the Cyberspa. If the whole project makes you ask, "Is Fashion Silly?" there's a link to a site by that name that's pretty interesting.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 15

Women¹s International Center
URL: http://www.wic.org/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 1296
Content Quality: Good
Aesthetic Quality: Good
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: Emily Soares
The aim of Women¹s International Center (WIC) is to acknowledge, honor, and encourage women and to celebrate ³their positive, enduring contributions to humanity through the Living Legacy Awards.² You can read bios and learn all about recipients of said awards: Maya Angelou, Corazon Aquino, Peggy Lee, Phyllis Diller, just to name a few. WIC also works to inform and educate women about the possibilities of the Internet. Read about the history of women in America, various funds and scholarships set up by WIC, hear words of wisdom from famous women, and browse a host of women¹s resources on the Net. Nicely designed, if just the slightest bit stuffy.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 15

Lilly
URL: http://don.io-online.com/~lillymag/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 1296
Content Quality: Poor
Aesthetic Quality: Good
TechnoSmart Quality: Excellent
Site of the Month: No
Author: Emily Soares
There¹s not much to this fashion mag that claims to ³make sense of fashion,² but what there is is well -presented. You get a synopsis of the current fashion trends in clothes, color, and hair, and a single informative health/beauty piece. Check out the offerings of top designers and test your biorhythmsŠall in one locale. But you won¹t get a lot of substance for your visit and, at the time of this writing, the Back Issues url couldn¹t be found. Hopefully, editor Lubina Bogoeva will work on beefing up the content.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 15

Veggies Unite
URL: http://www.vegweb.com/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 1296
Content Quality: Excellent
Aesthetic Quality: Poor
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: Patrick Joseph
Sworn off the *carne*, have you? Well, for vegetarians and vegans alike, this elegantly simple resource should make a nice bookmark. Whether it¹s recipes you¹re looking for (entries are in place for everything from calico beans to sweet seitan chili) or community, Veggies Unite is the place. Bulletin board topics cover the rainbow of green causes and concerns, from Animal Rights to Raw Foods. Telnet users can chat live on Envirochat. There are even veggie-centric book reviews of books as unlikely as *Gulliver¹s Travels. But the heart and soul of the site is the Recipe Directory, with its convenient Grocery List, Weekly Meal Planner, and Conversion Table. *Bon Apetit*, Houyhnyms.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 15

Hyperreal
URL: http://www/hyperreal.com
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 1096
Content Quality: Poor
Aesthetic Quality: Good
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: Rachel Saidman
Hyperreal is dedicated to providing "a home to alternative culture, music and expression" on the Internet. (Am I just jaded or is the term "alternative" overused? What does it mean? Alternative to what?) In Hyperreal's case, "alternative" pertains to a lifestyle revolving around raves. Probing and incisive articles discuss the pros and cons of the various drugs you might want to take at raves; lighting and sound effects; the dj's; and the music. Those for whom raves are the ³alternative² of choice will likely appreciate the thorough information. Others may lose interest quickly and be forced to find an alternative.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 14

Chrysalis
URL: http://204.140.223.156/chrysalis/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 1096
Content Quality: Good
Aesthetic Quality: Good
TechnoSmart Quality: Poor
Site of the Month: No
Author: Emily Soares
This is the online version of a "recovery and transformation" magazine. The cover story is an interview with Beverly D'Angelo who talks about life without addiction, while another feature, titled "Drunks In The Bible" gives an overview of alcoholism in the land of Canaan. Then there's the piece from erstwhile child star Corey Feldman, "In My Own Words," in which he talks about his struggle with various substances. Did you know that Corey and Sam Kinnison used to do drugs together? A couple areas didn't load properly or at all. A resource guide to related sites is forthcoming.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 14

Urban Jungle
URL: http://members.aol.com/getwizdom/ub1.html
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 1196
Content Quality: Poor
Aesthetic Quality: Good
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: David Pescovitz
Jesus H. Christ! Hip hop clothes with a bible bent?!? Yes, that's right. Urban Jungle is a Christian underground clothing company "creating Bible inspired urban fashion for you." For only $10.00, you can be the first in your congregation to sport a "Stompin 4 Christ N Yo Front Yard" t-shirt. But Urban Jungle is not just about clothes. The company was also created to "to help you connect with the dopest underground holy hip-hop music there is." Word. Those hymns would be kickin' with a break beat behind the choir. Yo. This is not a joke.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 14

Teen Home Page
URL: http://www.cloud9.net/~thorpy/TEEN.HTML
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0596
Content Quality: Good
Aesthetic Quality: Poor
TechnoSmart Quality: Poor
Site of the Month: No
Author: Karen Wickre
Clearly well-intended, this page is a big loser for its target audience of teenagers, who must be cool at all costs and could easily hoot this site off the Web en masse. Our anonymous HTML beginner doesn¹t spend enough time finding links (there¹s way too much plain text here) or hanging with the gang who embody the ideal teen. If you feel clueless, you might want to check off ³the top five colognes guys like to wear² (there are six listed). But if you have a semblance of a clue, you¹ll be at a fun music or entertainment site, and not here.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 13

Bread
URL: http://wanda.pond.com/~jandock/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0796
Content Quality: Good
Aesthetic Quality: Poor
TechnoSmart Quality: Poor
Site of the Month: No
Author: David Pescovitz
Apparently, Bread is a Christian "community" formed by young adults in Philadelphia. According to their sparse Web site, this group is interested in developing Christian ministries and social service programs like day care, counseling and arts therapy. And they're looking for collaborators. Umm, what else about this site? Ummmm.... Ummmm.....
Overall Rating (out of 18): 13

Crystalian Stabalysis
URL: http://www.public.asu.edu/~amerist/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0796
Content Quality: Good
Aesthetic Quality: Poor
TechnoSmart Quality: Poor
Site of the Month: No
Author: David Pescovitz
Very mysterious... The Crystalians seem to be a society of Celtic mythology enthusiasts involved in exploring and creating their own fantasy world of clans, elves, and dragons. Very Renaissance Faire meets Dungeons and Dragons with no clear indication as to what the Crystalians actually do on a daily basis. The only Crystalian clan so far is the "A'Toll" and they claim to be "a clan devoted to the attainment of knowledge and understanding. As a result,² they continue, ³we are here on the Internet doing such." Aren't we all...
Overall Rating (out of 18): 13

Sex in America
URL: http://pathfinder.com/@@DkHarQUAtNmNNESV/twep/Little_Brown/Sex/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0996
Content Quality: Good
Aesthetic Quality: Poor
TechnoSmart Quality: Poor
Site of the Month: No
Author: Patrick Joseph
A book by the same title was published by Little, Brown and Co. and this page is designed as a promotion of it. Surprisingly bland in design (plain text on default grey), the site samples passages of the book, highlighted and hotlinked to graphics and charts. The statistics are boring, even grim -- anything but sexy. And you have to wonder how accurate the information really is. After all, how many people lie in such surveys? (Multiple orgasms? Sure, twice a day.) Still, if you want some quick facts on baseline sexuality, stop here and bone up.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 13

New Mexico Gay Rodeo Association
URL: http://www.swcp.com/~rkmartin/nmgra.html
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 1096
Content Quality: Good
Aesthetic Quality: Poor
TechnoSmart Quality: Poor
Site of the Month: No
Author: Emily Soares
As you might guess, this site delivers a calendar of events and detailed information about New Mexico Gay Rodeo activities. Links to the New Mexico AIDS Emergency Fund and the New Mexico AIDS Services Food Bank, but I wasn't able to find any information on the larger Gay Rodeo Association (referred to without explanation as IGRA) or links to any related sites. *From the Chute*, the NMGRA newsletter is expected soon.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 13

Kwanzaa Information Center
URL: http://www.melanet.com/melanet/kwanzaa/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 1296
Content Quality: Good
Aesthetic Quality: Poor
TechnoSmart Quality: Poor
Site of the Month: No
Author: Patrick Joseph
For African Americans who celebrate this Afrocentric holiday, the Kwanzaa Information Center from Melanet, should serve as a decent resource for planning and educating newcomers to the modern tradition. There¹s an explanation of the holiday, which dates back to 1966, and its tenets, plus a National Kwanzaa Activities Calendar and a Kwanzaa bazaar, where folks can shop for (or advertise) afrocentric products. Not much was listed when I looked, but included some Million Man March memorabilia, Kwanzaa cookbooks, a clock in the shape of the motherland. The pages throughout are nothing fancy, and the tone is all high seriousness and zero levity. Happy holidays.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 13

Retirement Net
URL: http://www.retirenet.com/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0596
Content Quality: Poor
Aesthetic Quality: Poor
TechnoSmart Quality: Poor
Site of the Month: No
Author: Karen Wickre
Shame on you, Retirement Net. All you¹ve given us is a brochure with some warm fuzzy photos (and fuzzy-headed marketing copy), and a lower-48 US map with five (or is it seven? your map and text links don¹t match) states from which to choose. So we pick a place to start thinking about where we¹ll retire, and then all we get is a list of your ³managed care properties² in each state - name, address, phone number. Period. We don¹t think we¹ll leave our retirement planning to you -- or call your lame Java-enabled 800 number for more info, either.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 12

Southern California Christian Entertainment
URL: http://home.earthlink.net/~christent/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 1296
Content Quality: Poor
Aesthetic Quality: Poor
TechnoSmart Quality: Poor
Site of the Month: No
Author: Patrick Joseph
This one made me mindful of the bumpersticker that read, ³Lead me not into temptation; I can find it myself². Here¹s a site that leads you away from all the modern iniquities to safe havens such as ³Music for Believers² and which screens the secular media for the family-approved items of interest. Disney figures largely into the lineup of sanctioned diversions, despite the much-publicized brouhaha with the Southern Baptists. Other than the Magic Kingdom, you get a paltry few book and movie reviews, info on child-proofing your browser, and Bible software, ³letting the Holy Spirit lead at the speed of light.² Not much here to entertain even the faithful.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 12

BISEX.ORG
URL: http://www.bisex.org/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0496
Content Quality: Not Rated
Aesthetic Quality: Excellent
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: Karen Wickre
Does the Internet foster community? The people from BISEX.ORG would say yes. They have created not only a page, but also an organization for friends and supporters of #bisex IRC. The whys and wherefores of bisexuality are covered in a welcoming essay called ³A Bit of History.² Unfortunately, the rest of the site is a bit bare ‹ even the ubiquitous FAQ is missing. When there¹s better organization, and more Q&A about bisexuality, personal views and so on, this could be a useful page.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 9

IT'S A GREAT DAY AT AVEDA
URL: http://www.aveda.com/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0396
Content Quality: Not Rated
Aesthetic Quality: Not Rated
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: Karen Wickre
Aromatherapy, organic cosmetics, hair and skin care are Aveda¹s bag, and you can read here about oils and essences from Amyris to Ylang Ylang. (An ³information forthcoming² tag is a little too prominent, but plain text on a respectable list of these essences is already in place.) There¹s a glossary of terms on the sometimes arcane world of aromatherapy and Ayurvedic treatments, links to Aveda workshops and products, a zine, and good page of related links. Handsome and spare, Aveda¹s site may spur you on to that organic facial. Hey, it can¹t hurt.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 7

Welcome to Fashion Net
URL: http://www.fashion.net/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0396
Content Quality: Not Rated
Aesthetic Quality: Not Rated
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: Karen Wickre
At ease, fashion mavens ‹ your site is at hand! Fashion Net offers a consumer area with a good list of links to fashion and style mags, entertainment sites, and yes, shopping sites aplenty. These are conveniently organized by item (jewelry, clothing, accessories, and cosmetics, and, of course, Internet malls). There¹s even a link to mail order catalogs for the insatiable among us (and speaking of insatiable, a faster modem would help, what with viewing all of those catalog graphics). This is a good starting point for anyone who regularly heeds the call of the magic plastic.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 7

Alternative-X
URL: http://www.altx.com/althome2.html
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0496
Content Quality: Not Rated
Aesthetic Quality: Not Rated
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: Karen Wickre
Feeling post-modern? Then slouch toward Alternative-X, a zine that¹s so cool, hot button links are unmarked and open to personal interpretation. The Interzones section contains articles with titles like ³Weird Republicans² and ³Why Clinton¹s Foreign Policy Shows He¹s Good in Bed.² You¹ll find rants and reviews, fiction and fantasy. Lots of attitude. Scores of short articles and features. Published by a Mark Amerika, the staff also includes an Anarchivist and someone in charge of Covert Operations.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 7

Guide To Vegetarianism
URL: http://www.veg.org/Vegetarian/Guide/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0396
Content Quality: Not Rated
Aesthetic Quality: Not Rated
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: Karen Wickre
Like a bowl of lentil soup, this guide is plain but nourishing. There are layers of info and listings by continent and outlet (organizations, newsletters, newsgroups, restaurants), as well as a state-by-state list of resources. An amusing and possibly useful page is the list of fast-food chain eateries itemizing menu items that will pass muster with the traditional vegetarian and the more abstemious vegan. There¹s a helpful mail-order area of companies offering special foods and cooking utensils. You can also send in a form to add your own veggie picks to their list.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 6

Rainbow Family of Living Light
URL: http://www.welcomehome.org/rainbow.html
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0496
Content Quality: Not Rated
Aesthetic Quality: Not Rated
TechnoSmart Quality: Poor
Site of the Month: No
Author: Karen Wickre
Since 1972, a summertime Rainbow Gathering has overtaken the great outdoors. Consider it a giant camp-out for thousands of hippies, Deadheads, and other cosmic spirits. This confab of music, grooving, and consensus sans authority figures is an experiment in cooperative living, and this non-official page by Rob Savoye is a good insider¹s view of the Rainbow phenomenon. You¹ll find media clips, event calendars, photos of recent gatherings, and even a glossary. Whether you want to join the family or are just fascinated by this particular microcosm, you¹ll find something of interest here.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 6

Main Floor
URL: http://www.mainfloor.com/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0496
Content Quality: Not Rated
Aesthetic Quality: Not Rated
TechnoSmart Quality: Good
Site of the Month: No
Author: Karen Wickre
³Glamor and good advice² are yours from the Main Floor, an online beauty and style magazine. Nicely designed, the site features fashion notes (with small runway photos in which you can¹t see detail), fragrance reports, profiles of models, and tips on grooming and makeup. Everyone¹s favorite, the beauty makeover, has its own area with lots of cosmetic technique and description. The Main Floor has made a good start and has room to grow. Just consider how many people appreciate advice like, ³Invest in natural bristles. For powder or blush, look for squirrel bristles. For eyeshadow, pony.²
Overall Rating (out of 18): 6

Unofficial Cyberpunk Home Page
URL: http://205.230.70.201/cyberpunk/index.m.html
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0396
Content Quality: Not Rated
Aesthetic Quality: Not Rated
TechnoSmart Quality: Poor
Site of the Month: No
Author: Karen Wickre
O.K., here¹s our multiple choice question. Cyberpunk is: a literary genre, a visual style, an attitude, a dessert topping. (That¹s right, it¹s all of the above.) A true Cyberpunk page would _have_ to be ³unofficial,² and this is a helpful start for the sociologist or punker wannabe. There¹s a biblio of revered authors, from the sainted William Gibson to lesser lights, a hotlist of ³CyberCulture² magazines and newsgroups, and links to other cyberpunk sites. Still under construction are the games and movie pages, which will help to round out the site.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 5

Outdoors OnLine
URL: http://www.wsa.com/ool/ool1home.html
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0496
Content Quality: Not Rated
Aesthetic Quality: Not Rated
TechnoSmart Quality: Poor
Site of the Month: No
Author: Karen Wickre
Hunters, gatherers, anglers, hikers, and trail guides alike may enjoy Outdoors Online, which is a part mall, part newsletter and part directory of organizations concerned with enjoying the great outdoors. The folksy tone and cheerful look should be just the ticket for those who want to read about The Walleye Guys, or enter a contest for a Dream Hunt. The site needs more links, product information, and editorial content, but this is a pleasant and well-intentioned beginning.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 4

Gays & Lesbians on World Wide Web
URL: http://www.glowww.com/
Category: Lifestyles
Issue: 0396
Content Quality: Not Rated
Aesthetic Quality: Not Rated
TechnoSmart Quality: Poor
Site of the Month: No
Author: Karen Wickre
Warning: as you browse GLOWWW, the word ³lame² may spring to mind. The page is a virtual card pack including (non-working) buttons to a travel newsletter, video, and catalogs catering to lesbians and gay men. There¹s an area for guest comments (none visible so far), and numerous promises about what will appear in the future ‹ November, that is (which year? we don¹t know). Odder still, there¹s a reference to a bimonthly e-mail newsletter. (Yes, bimonthly. Via e-mail). There are a number of fun and useful lesbian and gay sites; GLOWWW is not one of them.
Overall Rating (out of 18): 3