Virus villains
While the world worries over the threat of viruses being spread by terrorists, strange things seem to be happening in the less real world of computer viruses.
Rob Rosenberger, editor of the V-Myths website and a critic of fire engine-chasing anti-virus companies, claims he was treated to an early morning visit by the FBI last weekend. He says he was forced to pull a column he was planning to run that would have caused embarrassment to one of the anti-virus vendors. Many have been quick to jump on the back of post-September 11 security fears to sell their services.
The V-Myths website is now running the story - well, part of the story, along with some heavy hints - at http://vmyths.com/rant.cfm?id=409&page=4.
Hey Bert!
There are few moments of levity to be found in the aftermath of September 11. But, if there is one, it is in the rise to fame of an obscure website claiming Sesame Street pup pet Bert was evil. The spoof site featured a series of pictures of Bert pictured alongside infamous characters like Osama Bin Laden, Hitler and Jeffrey Dahmer.
Amazingly, in the wake of the US attacks on Afghanistan, a picture of Bin Laden appeared on the banners of anti-American street protesters in Bangladesh - with Bert appearing off Bin Laden's left shoulder. The photograph had clearly found its way from the internet to the banner. Now the site's creator, Dino Ignacio, has pulled his site down, and is asking imitation sites to do the same.
Those keen to see miniatures of the pictures still can, however, thanks to Google. http://images.google.com/images?q=bert+is+evil&hl= en&sa=N&tab=wi.
Des res?
One vox pop "interviewee" in the current Onion, the US satirical newspaper, says he has bought a "hermetically sealed house I never leave" in order to escape the Anthrax threat. But, on the web, what seems biting satire one day is often reality the next.
20th Century Castles is selling a selection of underground bunkers, built during the cold war, for use as homes. "These historic defense structures are the castles of this 20th Century," says the company's founder.
The safe-as-houses houses range from small bunkers at $169,000 to 15,000 sq ft underground complexes for over $1m - and a satisfactory character check.
www.theonion.com. www.missilebases.com
Isn't it ironic
The outbreaks of Anthrax in the US have prompted some soul searching among the members of the ageing thrash metal band of the same name. "Before the tragedy of September 11, the only thing scary about Anthrax was our bad hair in the 80s," admit the band in a message on their website. "We hope and pray that this problem goes away quietly and we all grow old and fat together."
But, just in case you thought they were getting a little reflective in their old age, they add: "If an Anthrax-member gets Anthrax, call Alanis Morrisette. That would be ironic. Don't you think?" Quite.
www.anthrax.com/nfws.htm.
It rocks
Did you attend any of the great rock festivals at Knebworth or the Pavilion Bath in the late 60s or 70s? If the memories of seeing giants such as Frank Zappa and the Stones live still bring a tear to the eye, Rockmusicmemorabilia.com could be for you. The site, run by Henrietta Bannister, daughter of the rock festival promoter Freddy, sells replica posters from the events for £8.95 (the originals change hands for between £500 and £1,250), as well as T-shirts and sheet music.There is even a Find a Friend section that allows old rockers to renew acquaintance. www.rockmusicmemorabilia.com.
Go organic
Organic Week started on Monday, and there are lots of sites out there that claim to show the way to a healthier lifestyle, not to mention better tasting food. The Soil Association's website at www.soilassociation.org includes details of the various events around the country aiming to persuade us to start eating organic. Meanwhile, the juice giant Libby's has an information site at www.organicandme.co.uk that provides a lot of pro-organic information as well as plugs for its products. And there is also Simply Organic at www.simplyorganic.net , which recently won Organic Initiative of the Year for its environ mentally friendly delivery of Organic fruit and veg to homes - via Express Dairies' milk floats.
High hopes
The rash of Am-I-Hot-Or-Not imitators has become a bit tiresome (and this from the column that brought you Rankmypet.com), but one has caught our eye: Am I Presidential Or Not. In the style of the original, you rank various Oval Office hopefuls on how much they look the part. Webmaster Lore Fitzgerald Sjöberg offers the site as a democratic alternative to the method of counting dimpled chads, as practised at the last presidential election. www.brunching.com/toys/amipresidentornot.html.
Satellite heavy
Satellites spinning round the earth are getting bigger and heavier, to the extent that "five ton spacecraft costing many $100m are not uncommon", according to micro and nano satellite expert Professor Martin Sweeting.
But, as his speciality suggests, it doesn't have to be this way. Sweeting and researchers at the University of Surrey led the way in the 80s, and now the Professor heads a company that continues to research the field. Sweeting will be live on the Guardian's website next Tuesday to take your questions. You can post to the discussion now - and read his speech - at http://education.theguardian.com/higher.
New and noted
· Yell's quirky internet awards: http://uk.yell.com/awards/home.html
· Remember Sodastream? www.sodastream.co.uk
· Dimjelly - flash game: www.dimjelly.com
Six of the best Museums
The Hermitage, St Petersberg
www.hermitagemuseum.org
Scottish Cultural Resource Network
www.scran.ac.uk/homepage
The Metropolitan, New York
www.metmuseum.org
Tate Modern
www.tate.org.uk/modern
The Louvre, Paris
www.louvre.fr
Design Museum, London
www.designmuseum.org
