Coffee break
Internet audio portal, http://Angrycoffee.com has just added an MP3 search engine that can access the Napster network from the web. The Percolator is slightly faster than Napster because the web-based interface allows only downloads. There is no facility to allow other users to upload from your hard drive, which is bound to annoy the purists. To lessen charges that the site is merely piggybacking, the Percolator places tracks by unsigned, independent artists alongside each search result, and no fee is asked for any of the tracks.
Olympic clash
The millennium Olympics do not start until September 15, but already there are clashes behind the scenes far fiercer than those which will be seen on track and field. Aboriginal groups are calling for a boycott of the games in support of their demands for for greater autonomy. Environmentalists are targeting individual sponsors (see www.cokespotlight.org). Even local residents are taking the opportunity to campaign for lower rents see www.rw.apana.org.au.
The Anti-Olympic Alliance is trying to unite the different protest groups - there are at least 40 - and two independent media sites have been set up at http://sydney.indymedia.org and www.samcentre.org.
To the woods
You really need a superfast connection to fully appreciate the kooky site at www.once-upon-a-forest.com. Is it net art or just an elaborate hoax? Who cares, when it is done as beautifully as this? Equally bizarre is www.soulbath.com, the online plaything of Hi-Res, one of London's trendiest web development agencies. It pretends to be an anti-banner site, but does this by producing some very pretty banners indeed.
Green power
Servista is the latest service provider to offer unmetered internet access for users of its telephone service. It will also supply gas and electricity and put them all on one e-bill. The company even claims to guarantee that it can supply households with electricity from renewable sources, though a monthly surcharge - roughly £1.40 per month for the average household - will be added to the bill. See www.servista.com.
Big brother
Channel 4's new series, Big Brother, might have been inspired by the likes of the now classic Jennycam.com, but its supporting website at www.channel4.com/bigbrother is tame by comparison. And quite what George Orwell would make of the Big Brother pizza from Domino's, does not bear thinking about. Maybe he would have advocated the fledgling net privacy site at www.bigbrother.org, or wryly smiled at the simple joke at www.bigbrother.com.
New and noted
www.thehorsesmouth.co.uk is a new portal for horse racing fans; www.bulletinmail.com offers email for cell phones. Alertnet is Reuters' new news service. A complete guide to making paper aeroplanes is online at www.paperairplanes.co.uk.
Six of the best: Barcelona
Barcelona city web
www.bcn.es/english/ihome.htm
Catalan culture centre
http://tourism.catalonia.net
Official site
www.barcelonaturisme.com
Joan Miro museum
www.bcn.fjmiro.es
Bus and Metro timetables
www.tmb.net/welcome.html
FC Barca
www.fcbarcelona.es
