Back in time
The problem with the web is that it is difficult to remember what it used to be like. Sites vanish into the ether or are redeveloped so that the web pages of yesteryear are impossible to find.
That's why it is entertaining to discover, in the week the 2001 general election was finally announced, that the pioneering GE97 site is still around. It was one of the best UK sites of its day, and is still lurking unattended on someone's server. Pay a visit and indulge in a little web - and political - nostalgia, marvelling at the fact that forums live on, even if the rest is like a ghost site.
McSimulation
Ever wondered what it is like to work at McDonald's? Or are you an ex-employee keen to relive the glory days behind the fast-food chain's bright façade? Trip along to www.conceptlab.com/simulator , where there is a simulator of a McEmployee's day from getting out of bed in the morning, to going home at night. There are a few tough decisions along the way - including the hoary old question: blue jeans or brown pants (trousers) to work? You choose.
Eurovision
Fans of kitsch are dusting down the glitter ball and arranging the sofas round the TV - and PC - for Saturday's Eurovision Song Contest. There are several sites devoted to the annual event, where music comes after outlandish costumes, hilarious performances and a scoring system which perfectly highlights any spats dividing the continent.
The oldest Eurovision site is at www.geocities.com/Television/City/1812/eschome.htm , although a prettier - and equally well established - site is at www.eurosong.net. The latter sports a particularly funny story about how a German contender for the contest was banned after it was revealed the two female singers planned to strip out of their spacesuits mid-performance. What would Terry Wogan have said?
Charity ISP
Christian Aid has launched an internet service provider, which will donate "100% of its profits to benefit the world's poorest people". Six sponsors have contributed more than £250,000 in total to launch the ISP, which also sports a portal containing news and features at www.fish.co.uk. Given the perilous state of many "for-profit" ISPs, it will be interesting to find out how much money they manage to raise...
Media Mayday
The UK Independent Media Centre's coverage of the May Day demonstrations in London last week made fascinating reading - often one step ahead of news broadcasts, and painting an alternative picture of what was going on in the streets.
UK Indymedia is the UK branch of a worldwide network of alternative news websites. The site, of course, is pursuing its own agenda in just the same way as the "corporate" media it claims to be the antithesis of, but it does make interesting viewing none the less.
Streets of gain
If capitalism is still your concern, however, why not check how your capital is progressing? Hometrack claims to be the UK's leading online property index, allowing you to see how property in your street is comparing against previous months, and the national average.
A bit like UpMyStreet the information appears a little patchy from time to time - according to the index, prices up my street have both surged since the start of the year, and stayed the same. Maybe it will work better for you.
Face up to grey
For those of us quietly developing black-'n'-grey badger-style hair, the notion of colouring our thatches seems like a better idea every day. For some it is a way of life. If you fit in the latter group, the haircare people Schwarzkopf have a site to keep you entertained for a while. Color105, although they have also helpfully bought the correctly spelled www.colour105.com allows you to scan in your face and see what you would look like with one of their 105 shades. It is try before you buy, as long as you have a PC (rather than a Mac) and a scanner.
Tara the IT girl
Hair newly coloured, add that final dash of celebrity glitter to your life by visiting the new webpage of Tara Palmer-Tomkinson. Launched last week, it apparently got so many visits it came close to collapse. We are happy to report the server is back out of the Priory and raring to go. The big draw is TPT's promise to "bring you all the juicy, tantalising stuff that I stumble across during my party-hopping and celeb-colliding lifestyle" in her online diary.
This week, that includes news that she threw a party on return from her holiday in the Bahamas, at which Donna Air, Mr and Mrs Pete Tong and shoe designer Patrick Cox attended. You can even text TPT your comments. Best rush along now.
New & noted
• Colourful trinkets from India at www.bombayduck.com
• It's National Restaurant Week - www.toptable.co.uk
