| June 16, 2002 |
Avast  there scalawags, sail over to yon largest online pirate resource on ye Web. Here ye be learnin' all about the world of pirates. Ye olde glossary be handy for scurvy landlubbers, as it be full of terms like says I, treasure chest, 401(k), and poop deck (this be not what ye be thinkin'). Ask ye the cap'n for advice on everything from what be a good name for yar new company to how to lift morale with a ship-wide decorating contest. Ye will even find beauty and health tips. Remember to use sunscreen, matey, for as cap'n says: "A Crow's Nest be fine for every ship, but crow's feet be horrible for any self respecting pirate." |
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| June 15, 2002 |
Copyright Website
Created  by attorney Benedict O'Mahoney in 1995, this award-winning site is still providing "practical and relevant copyright information for anyone navigating the net." You'll find friendly access to the basics of copyright law, so you can do the right thing when using clip art, icons, or graphics for your home page. You'll also find free forms and a fee-based copyright registration wizard to help protect your own original work. Want to learn more about the legal issues? Visit the casebooks of audio and visual copyright outlaws -- from Leslie Nielsen's Final Insult to George Harrison's unconscious borrowing of a Chiffons motif. (in Government) |
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| June 14, 2002 |
Lying In Ponds
Who  would guess a Monty Python reference could lead to a clear analysis of partisanship in American politics? Absurd, yes, but so are supposedly "independent" columnists who spout the party line. This site tracks the Democratic and Republican biases of the regular political columnists from the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the Washington Post. The philosophy behind the site is that political decisions should be made solely on the merits of the issues, and that partisanship damages the political process by robbing politicians and voters of unbiased analysis. The daily box score shows where today's columns fall on the partisan spectrum. Columnists who rise above the simple "opposing party = bad" formula and admit to the complexity of issues generally receive a lower partisanship score. After reading through the overall partisanship index for nearly 40 political pundits, you'll never look at the op/ed page the same way again. (in Government > Politics) |
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| June 13, 2002 |
Typorganism
This  web site is an experiment of sorts, one that focuses on "interactive kinetic typography and communal interactivity in the web environment." A compelling description for sure, but the site lives up to its hype. An experimental and incredibly rich study of "type as a lifeform," its diversions include ASCII-O-Matic, where you can upload an image and convert it to ASCII art, and the supercool Visual Composer, a place to create 12-second music passages. For a truly unique experience, check out the Good News, Bad News section -- on the left-hand side, you'll see real-time news headlines and images floating by, while the right-hand side features images and text posted by users. This remarkable site will even have you rethinking the very text on this page. (in Design Arts) |
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| June 12, 2002 |
Ladies United for the Preservation of Endangered Cocktails
Strong,  classy gals need equally strong, classy drinks, and the ladies of LUPEC are working to bring the two together just like their grandmothers did before them. This site enshrines old-fashioned cocktails for smart women and harkens back to the days when ladies hosted stylish parties and served Gin Fizzes and Singapore Slings. Check out the recipes and mix some Fish House Punch and Naked Ladies, then regret that you have but one life to enjoy these mouth-watering concoctions. Don't forget, you'll need a Breasts of Venus glass (aka, a saucer champagne glass) to serve a proper Red Velvet Swing -- Evelyn Nesbit wouldn't have wanted it any other way. (in Alcohol and Spirits) |
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| June 11, 2002 |
Public Lettering
Take  a walk in central London and discover history and art through lettering on buildings and signs. From the stately, if awkwardly, lettered facade of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields to the trendy new typeface on King's Cross Station, urban sites are analyzed, critiqued, and occasionally praised by experts in the study of art and design. Get a taste of the last century at the Covent Garden Underground Station, which features three distinct styles dating back to 1906, then go further back into Victoriana at the largest umbrella shop in Europe. Even traffic signs get a fresh look. If you can't make it to the British Library, at least you can admire its elegantly lettered gates online. (in Design Arts) |
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| June 10, 2002 |
Art Crime
An  iconoclast is someone who destroys or opposes the use of sacred images. The most common acts of iconoclasm involve attacks on religious figures, but this cleverly designed site presents a fascinating look at recent attacks on all types of art. The attackers have used a variety of weapons -- ink, eggs, paint, acid, and knives to name a few. Other, more disgusting attacks are also documented, including the inventive vomit attack on Raoul Duffy's "Harbour at le Havre." Rembrandt's "The Night Watch" was attacked three separate times in the past 100 years, and the attack on Duchamp's "La Fontaine" defies belief. Art Crimes is an entertaining and revealing look at decidedly illicit cultural events. (in Art History) |
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