Govern meant
The government is finally starting to deliver bits of the "one stop shop" portal strategy. Now Cabinet Office minister Ian McCartney is keen to get responses to the trial version at www.ukonline.gov.uk because, he says, "the way people use the site and the feedback we receive will drive how we develop and improve it". The portal is intended to provide a searchable front end to the government's thousands of specialised websites, and can be personalised. The ability to use it for transactions, such as submitting VAT or tax returns, will follow next year.

Like a Virgin
Virgin Radio is adding four new stations to its website, starting with Virgin Radio Classic, for people who like "classic" rock (Pink Floyd, Police, U2 etc). The others are: Virgin Radio Lite for pop fans; Virgin Radio Modern, offering new rock and pop; and Virgin Radio Wheels of Steel, for disco and 1980s rock. All will be linked from www.virginradio.co.uk. That still leaves room for a couple of dozen stations, but ska/ reggae fans can always try Trojan and everybody else can dip into Spinner.

Human wrongs
Human Rights Watch has just published its annual report on the sad state of human rights in the world at www.hrw.org/wr2k1/, with special sections covering women and children. There's far too much to read online but you can download it in rich text format (rtf).

Some like it Bot
If you like the Gameplay chatbot, then you could create something similar. Kiwilogic has produced a dumbed-down version of its commercial Linguabot software and made it available on the web at www.mybot.kiwilogic.com. MyBots are programmed simply by typing in your answers to 48 frequently asked questions, and these are trotted out to anyone who asks. Transcripts of conversations with visitors are sent to your mailbox. Later, users will be able to upload their own graphics for the bots.

Real thing
Coco-Cola has given its archives to the American Library of Congress, which has started putting its historic collection of more than 20,000 TV commercials online. Go to http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/ccmphtml/colahome.html now and relive those epic moments, such as "I'd Like to Buy the world a Coke" (1971), filmed on an Italian hilltop. Unfortunately, the clips are in RealVideo (.ram) format, but one day there might be high-quality downloadable versions.

What's left
Most people go to shops to buy CDs, but The Droplift Project is doing the reverse: sneaking CDs into US shops and leaving them behind. It must be art. However, you don't have to track down a Droplift CD. Just download the audio from www.droplift.org and make your own.

Dotcomguy
The end is nigh for Mr Dotcomguy. This former student shut himself away at the start of the year to prove he could survive using only the internet. He looks certain to make it, but you only have a few weeks to visit him at www.dotcomguy.com.

You scan do it
Hewlett Packard is bundling Share-to-Web software with its ScanJet scanners to automate the process of uploading photos to the web. Users with older ScanJets can download the software free from www. scanjet.hp.com/products/share_to_web/ . The software works with three photo album sites - HP's www.cartogra.com, www.zing.com and www.myfamily.com - but more are expected later.

Bloomer
The new Bloomsbury Magazine site at http://bloomsburymagazine.com is an example of bad design. It is supposed to look cool, of course, but what happens when people use their browsers to make the type bigger? You're right: nothing. And what happens when they change the shape of the window? This site is far from alone in stupidly recreating the limitations of the printed page, but it is one of the best-looking examples.

iWomen
Women will make up 60% of the web's audience by 2005, according to iVillage, which is dedicated to providing suitable content. The new UK site at www.iVillage.co.uk is very similar to the long-running US site at www.iVillage.com.

New & noted

• Help the Great Ormond Street Hospital by sending an e-card from www.allabout parents.com

• Action for Blind People has launched a site for everyone connected with the visually impaired at www.afbp.org

• Disney's 102 Dalmatians now has a UK-specific site at www.disney.co.uk/102

• Spark Island is an educational site for children up to 12, and their parents and teachers. It is free for a month, then costs parents £49 per year. See www.sparkisland.com

• Time-wasters may be able to consume a few seconds at www.urban75.com/Mag/bubble.html

Six of the best Shops

Superstore
www.tesco.com
Not just books
www.amazon.co.uk
Not just PCs
www.jungle.co.uk
Price competition
www.unbeatable.co.uk
Toy heaven
www.etoys.co.uk
Imported indulgences
www.cybercandy.co.uk