Global words
An ambitious plan to develop a contemporary version of the Rosetta Stone - the granite slab that translated Egyptian hieroglyphics into ancient Greek - is being built by a team of international language experts. According to the founders of the Rosetta Project, between 50% and 90% of the world's languages are predicted to disappear in the next century.
The project is ongoing and native speakers are encouraged to participate. An online database is available at www.rosettaproject.org.
The top 400
The UK fared well last month in the list of the most famous 400 people on the internet, compiled by ranking the number of times each name comes up on the search engine www.alltheweb.com. Sting was the most famous Brit on the net at number 11. Elton John came in at 13, ahead of Tony Blair at 17, one place above Jenifer Lopez.
Give it
The idea of a virtual high street is nothing new, but ItsGoodToGive.co.uk is one of the few to offer a more ethical deal. Every time you buy from one of its partner sites, ItsGoodToGive will donate 50% of all revenue raised to its partnership charities. These include the RNIB, the Royal British Legion and the British Heart Foundation.Users can divide this donation to either each of the 15 chosen charities or to the one of their choice.
Women only
Pink Noises is an electronic music site specifically for women. Edited by the New York-based Analog Tara, the site is well designed and offers artist profiles, interviews and some pithy essays on music culture.
Land
N55 is a collective of Danish artists who have hatched a beautifully idealistic project to set up a network of communally owned land (or LAND) over the web. Anyone who has LAND can donate it, and anyone can use LAND for any purpose - as long as they agree to leave it exactly as they found it. LAND has already been made available in Denmark, Norway and the US. Each LAND should be referenced and marked out by a specially constructed Cairn. A set of grid references can be found at www.n55.org.de.
Fax off
A number of MPs have asked their constituents to stop using FaxYourMP.com, the website that does exactly what its name suggests. They may not reply but you can still register your protest at www.FaxYourMP.com.
Workspheres
The Museum of Modern Art in New York is exhibiting Workspheres, celebrating innovative computer design and the future of the office. There is a smart-looking accompanying website at www.moma.org/workspheres/swfs/workspheres.html
Wap watch
Fully searchable, basic medical advice can be found at www.pocketdoctor.co.uk, and you can send someone a Wap birthday card at www.wapcardz.com. There is also a very good online journey planner at www.railtrack.co.uk/wap.
New & noted
• The Royal Mail has put a list of all UK postcodes online. Type in the address you need at www.royalmail.co.uk/paf
• Cheap Magazine subscriptions are now available at www.emagazineshop.com
• The site at www.stagnites.com offers weekend breaks, shopping and a survival guide.
* Tracy Hogg Enterprises Inc: www.babywhisperer.com
• The Rosetta Stone for Whassup can be found at www.budweiser.com/whassup/languages.
Six of the best Election countdown
How to vote
www.homeoffice.gov.uk/elections
Operation black vote
Satirical spin
www.Spinon.co.uk
Independent information
Live news feed
Unlimited coverage
www.theguardian.com/ countdown
