Publications Sites
21st Century Magazine
This bimonthly online magazine focuses on the question, What will be happening in the 21st century? While the site's treatment sounds kind of new agey, the few, short articles posted here were all about how genetic engineering is going to improve our lives in the future. The graphics were ugly, and I found myself longing for the simplicity of unenhanced gray tones.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 4
TechnoSmart: 1
Author: Wayne Cunningham
Cipher Comic Graphic Novel
It's captivating in most every aspect. The logos float through blackness inviting with mystery. The words are simple and few, provoking curiosity. And the content, the content is stunning and thoughtful. Cipher is a graphic novel -a collection of original pen and ink drawings, stories and digital artwork. The site debuted early last winter and has been steadily growing since, definitely one to bookmark as it promises to continually evolve. I'm dutifully impressed.
Content: 6
Aesthetic: 6
TechnoSmart: 3
Author: Shel Kimen
Cyberwest Magazine
Saddle up and head out for Cyberwest Magazine. Tap into the spiritual energy of Sedona, Ariz., or visit the Great Sand Dunes, the best sandbox in Colorado. Cyberwest displays some of the best snapshots this side of the Rio Grande. And when y'all cowboys are bored wrestling cattle, you can find a sunset to follow in the events calendar. Most of the news features focus on Colorado cities and ski resorts. Git along, little cyber doggie.
Content: 6
Aesthetic: 2
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Bonnie J. Burton
Depth Probe
Ah, the personal computer revolution and its ability to put the power of the press on anyone's desk. Now the ramblings of any idiot can be distributed to the masses. Depth Probe bills itself as "a collection of thoughts, ideas, comments, and reviews on modern American culture." But it seemed more like the online diary of a single individual. The tone is semi-new age, with roller-blading and snowboarding content thrown in here and there. While you'll find a lot of material, a depth probe can only go so deep in shallow waters.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 5
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Wayne Cunningham
Electronic Newsstand Homepage
Instead of walking down to the corner bookstore for the latest business journal or newspaper, consumers can find free articles from popular magazines at the Electronic Newsstand. The Newsstand lists publications covering entertainment, technology, business, automotive, health, recreation, and politics. Read the latest South African news in *Weekly Mail & Guardian*, or discover the best method to catch trout in *Field & Stream.* The entertainment section lacks the wide variety of links the business and computer sections boast. And don't try to find an underground zine such as *bOING bOING* or *ZUG* here - this newsstand is for mainstream titles.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 3
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Bonnie J. Burton
GOGREEN ECOTOURISM MAGAZINE
Instead of shelling out a few dollars for a tacky resort t-shirt, GoGreen Ecotourism magazine wants tourists to plant a tree. This online magazine promotes eco-happy travel ideas complete with useful packing tips. GoGreen lacks any photos of tourists rolling up their sleeves and cleaning up a camp site, but you can read some of inspiring tales of traveler environmentalism in the EARTH-Y section. GoGreen dares you to go where most tourists fear to tread, void of air conditioning and plumbing - the great outdoors.
Content: 6
Aesthetic: 2
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Bonnie J. Burton
Gray Areas Magazine
Like its print counterpart, Gray Areas' Web site explores the fringes of fringe culture through a skeptical, libertarian filter. Click on a profile of the self-destructive (and now dead) rocker GG Allin - a man who regularly attacked audience members and ate his own feces during stage performances - and you'll find not a gratuitous shock-rant, but a thoughtful investigation into Allin's First Amendment rights and the world that begat such a loathsome demon. The site is light on graphics. Save for a few run-of-the-mill psychedelic backgrounds, its pages are almost completely devoid of art (though links are logically arranged).
Content: 6
Aesthetic: 1
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Jon Phillips
Hot Hollywood Gossip
Random scribbles on bathroom walls have better graphics and content than Hot Hollywood Gossip. This text-only zine takes all the fun out of talking behind people's backs. Instead of feeding our heads with eye candy and tasty tales, Hot Hollywood Gossip teases readers with one-sentence rumors, and a series of sarcastic questions. Readers can ask for free e-mail subscriptions of the "unabridged" gossip column. Then again, a trip to the bathroom may be more entertaining.
Content: 4
Aesthetic: 1
TechnoSmart: 1
Author: Bonnie J. Burton
Imagination
Imagine a literary journal with odd graphics, unique story plots, and experimental poetry. Imagination takes readers into a cerebral journey of SciFaiku (science fiction haiku), virtual reality columns, and an art gallery consisting of blue blobs. Unlike other online publications, Imagination isn't concerned about cashing in on subscriptions or wooing advertisers. It proudly stands alone as an exceptional literary journal barely escaping the clutches of commercialism.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 3
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Bonnie J. Burton
Inquisitor Mediarama
Inquisitor might be a great magazine, and it does mention at the very top of the page that this is just a sampler of what's available in the print zine... But I ask you, what could be more irritating than getting hooked with a paragraph of an article and then required to order back issues to read the rest? Why couldn't they print just one full article instead of a zillion mini taunting teasers. The layout is fine and clean and whatever, but I'm pissed. Bleachk. I suppose its a triumph for their marketing ploy that I'll just have to go out and buy it now.
Content: 4
Aesthetic: 6
TechnoSmart: 3
Author: Shel Kimen
InterText The Online Fiction Magazine
InterText is more memorable for the magnificent cover art than the actual stories. The illustration of a swirling blue sky behind a little boy begins the journey of entertaining stories within the online fiction magazine. With titles to stories such as "Barefoot Sinderella" and "Storm's Child," InterText creeps inside the reader's imagination and never climbs out. Other stories go into the minds of hackers, fishermen, and dead Russian leaders.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 3
TechnoSmart: 3
Author: Bonnie J. Burton
Kill Yourself
Kill Yourself? Indeed. Readers may simply die from boredom waiting for this site to download. Kill Yourself focuses on punk and ska music, as well as political issues. The publication claims to be a "sociopolitical e-zine that explores everything that's wrong with the world today." If readers live long enough for the huge logos to finish moseying on in, they may be impressed by the angry twenty-something commentary. From essays on Bosnia to debates on censorship, Kill Yourself attacks issues from all sides.
Content: 6
Aesthetic: 2
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Bonnie J. Burton
Kudzu a digital quarterly
Kudos to Kudzu, a quarterly journal dedicated to saturating the Web with the best in underground poetry and fiction. By making it available in Adobe Acrobat PDF format or standard ASCII text, the founders of this literary magazine want to make sure no one is left out of reading the latest issue. Kudzu features unusual perspectives, including a tale of murder at a magazine kiosk, an ode to dead grass, and a short story about an annual beach house retreat shared by friends.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 3
TechnoSmart: 3
Author: Bonnie J. Burton
Lady in the Radiator
I particularly like the mission statement, which states the site is "produced by a bunch of kids to counteract the soul-draining boredom of suburban life." While it isn't the slickest thing you'll find on the Web, it's got a lot of heart and sophistication, especially considering the contributors' young ages. Issue 2.5 consisted of one long page full of art and poetry ravings. I hope the editors triumph in their creative fight against "suboredom" life.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 4
TechnoSmart: 1
Author: Wayne Cunningham
Multiworld
If it's a small world after all, the Web only shrinks it further. Multiworld sends this same message to its readers. As a bimonthly multilingual publication relating to such topics as nature, wildlife, culture, people, traveling, and art , Multiworld offers articles in languages other than just English. Read a New York diary in Chinese or an account of an academic experience in Taiwan. The photo snapshots and arty graphics only add to the quality of this site.
Content: 6
Aesthetic: 3
TechnoSmart: 3
Author: Bonnie J. Burton
Net Rag
Cha-ching! It's easy to hear the cyber cash registers ring when visiting Net Rag. For a weekly $99 sponsorship fee, a company can have its URL displayed on this online zine. It's confusing whether Net Rag is a magazine or merely a series of commercials. The site publishes more advertisements than articles. Even though section categories range from animals to finance, many of the articles are text-only and lack personality. Somehow the name Net Rag seems appropriate.
Content: 4
Aesthetic: 2
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Bonnie J. Burton
Nigel Wears 2 Nighties
NW2noise - what's this about nighties? - is pure in mission, and a cinch to explore. You'll find underground music journalism and "complete tracks from the World's most obscure, unlistenable, and ear-damaging artists." If your system doesn't support sound playback, you can always read the highly detailed record reviews. Even die-hard "alternative" music fans should be impressed by the site's menu of bands, the majority of which hail from overseas. The most mainstream offering I encountered was Team Dresch - hardly a Pearl Jam or a Green Day. Graphic presentation is adequate, but you came for the sound files, right?
Content: 6
Aesthetic: 2
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Jon Phillips
Outside Magazine
Sitting behind a computer all day leaves most of us with an itch to ditch work and go outside. Thanks to *Outside Magazine*'s online site, you almost feel the dirt beneath your feet. Read articles on skiing, hiking, celebrity athletes, national parks, wilderness therapy, and more. *Outside Magazine* also displays some breathtaking photography and amusing illustrations. After exploring the Web, the magazine encourages its readers to explore the best interactive site of all - outside.
Content: 6
Aesthetic: 3
TechnoSmart: 3
Author: Bonnie J. Burton
Pneuma WorldWind
Pneuma WorldWind is as cryptic as its name. Pneuma editors promise not to follow traditional tenets of online publishing. This Web journal does such a good job being non-traditional, most readers may wonder if the publication is being obscure or elitist. Instead of labeling a section "fiction" or "related links," sections are entitled "Educate," "Old Capitol" and "Lifebreath." Once this journal figures out its audience, readers should be able to breathe easier.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 2
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Bonnie J. Burton
Quanta
Quanta never compromises between quality and quantity. This online science fiction publication features numerous short stories about robots, computers, vampires, big black cats, and headless snakes. Published both on and off the Web, the editors describe the publication as "shareword," and request a donation from those readers who enjoy the stories enough to put money where their mouths are. Quanta's content makes up for the lack of dazzling graphics and illustrations.
Content: 6
Aesthetic: 2
TechnoSmart: 1
Author: Bonnie J. Burton
Sackcloth and Ashes
Wow, a magazine for hip, irreverent Christians. Is this the smallest demographic in America? This strange little e-zine accepts unsolicited contributions, and is published whenever its editors have enough material and time to get it together. One seemingly regular column is titled "Heresy," and contains a description of some kind of alternate belief system. There are also articles on esoteric mythology. A very strange mix, but very enjoyable. Some issues are available in PDF, the Adobe Acrobat format.
Content: 6
Aesthetic: 5
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Wayne Cunningham
Sea of Noise
The typical zine used to be a photocopied pamphlet of barely edited, unadulterated creativity. Web technology has allowed e-zines, zines' online soulmates, to be as slick as the publication you're currently reading. Kind of a shame, really, but Sea of Noise manages to retain that zine look by publishing in unenhanced HTML. While it may not be all that pretty, there is something comforting about the look. You'll find good articles with a sophisticated sense of humor, plus record reviews.
Content: 6
Aesthetic: 4
TechnoSmart: 1
Author: Wayne Cunningham
Spectrum
Spectrum is a "Family" zine a la web. There's stuff for kids of ages; folktales, artwork, political humor (nothing too brash, fear not) and editorial features (usually geared for the older family members.) They also sport links to family-esque advertisers and software like the "Puzzle Pack" to use with the Spectrum designed "Puzzle Page." It's still a bit thin in places but it's got a good foundation. And make certain to read the story of "The Brave and Bold Little Squirrel."
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 6
TechnoSmart: 3
Author: Shel Kimen
THE PM ZONE
GIFs of rivets and sheet metal decorate the *Popular Mechanics* magazine online site, The PM Zone. With more than 1,000 pages of text, The PM Zone wins hands down for its quest in informing the Web public on do-it-yourself home projects, computing, new technology, and, of course, auto maintenance. Watch clips of *Popular Mechanics* movies, or talk shop in the HomeArts On-line Network. Travel in the PM Zone Time Machine to see the progression of technology spanning from 1900 to 1960.
Content: 6
Aesthetic: 3
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Bonnie J. Burton
THE UTNE LENS Issue # 10
Broken down into community, society, art, travel, culture, media, technology, mind, body, and spirit sections, the Utne Lens focuses on what a real Web magazine should embody. As the companion Web site to the magazine *Utne Reader*, the Utne Lens needs no introduction as a place for articles and opinions that mainstream media tends to ignore. However, Utne Lens also offers a fun grassroots section, where readers can create their own mini-home pages or chat in the cafe with other readers.
Content: 6
Aesthetic: 3
TechnoSmart: 3
Author: Bonnie J. Burton
The Atlantic Monthly
Say hello to the Web page and goodbye to its print progenitor: This online version offers all of The Atlantic's erudite, exhaustively researched content, and much more. Current issues appear in their entirety, though art and photos are played much smaller. Links are logically arranged, so navigation is as intuitive as flipping through the print version. Web technology has turned this liberal think-piece journal into a whole new affair: The Book Browser allows you to read the first chapter of each book reviewed; a search engine helps you find specific content; interactive word games award prizes to "Jeopardy"-caliber readers. Overall, this site raises the benchmark for repositioned magazine content.
Content: 6
Aesthetic: 2
TechnoSmart: 3
Author: Jon Phillips
The Morpo Review Cover Page
The Morpo Review morphs stereotypical views of poetry, fiction, and non-fiction into a bizarre escape from the traditional world of literary magazines. With poems are soaked in dysfunctional family angst and a twist of subway passenger diversity, Morpo delivers readers an unique blend of writing styles. The site goes beyond basic print and asks readers to step in the CyberCafe to chat with writers about their work. Unlike stuffy journals, the Morpo Review online magazine grabs your attention and refuses to let go.
Content: 6
Aesthetic: 2
TechnoSmart: 3
Author: Bonnie J. Burton
The Old Farmer's Almanac
The next time you mutter to yourself about forgetting an umbrella while walking home in the pouring rain, remember to visit an old farmer on the Web. The Old Farmer's Almanac is online and ready to help readers outwit the weather. Get a five-day forecast from a link to New Jersey Online, or read about the history behind the successful almanac, published since 1792. The site would only improve with more articles from the actual publication, but the sun graphic peaking out from the corner of the page reminds us that Mother Nature could be a lot less accommodating.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 3
TechnoSmart: 3
Author: Bonnie J. Burton
The Virtual Baguette
Attendez! Attendez, Francophiles! The Virtual Baguette is a French online magazine that graciously provides an English language version. The gimmick is to attack all our senses by offering sections for sound, taste, sight, touch, and speech. (And smell? I guess smell isn't a sense in France.) The Sound area covers material like French rock bands, while Taste offers recipes. Graphics and content are great, a little Java game is fun, and the English translations are downright quaint.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 6
TechnoSmart: 3
Author: Wayne Cunningham
Threaded Contents
My first reaction to this zine was kind of harsh. I thought "Not another twenty- something look at the world by people who might not really understand what it is like to be twenty-something." But after probing a bit deeper I found some interesting articles ranging from sexism and racism to body art and American politics, streamline layout, and a broad range of opinions. There's also a helpful Net Reference section that should help newbies along the dirt path that is becoming cyberspace. So open your mind and take a ride.
Content: 6
Aesthetic: 6
TechnoSmart: 3
Author: Shel Kimen
Tripod
Perusing the first well-designed page of Tripod, I was expecting to find a hip and somewhat frivolous e-zine for mindless GenXers. I happily scanned through the table of contents looking for something to take my mind off impending deadlines, but all the articles I ran across seemed overly serious and practical. Advice on how to invest my money? An article and test about personal safety techniques in an urban environment? Where's the fun in *that*? Just wait. According to its mission statement, Tripod attempts to bestow the "Tools for Life" upon people in their mid-20s. This concept took shape in 1992, when Bo Peabody and Brett Hershey, two Williams College students, and Richard Sabot, a Williams economics professor, were working on a project to teach young adults about financial investments. But it wasn't until 1994, when Peabody attended a demonstration of the Web, that the group found the appropriate publishing medium for Tripod. The editors expanded content to include other practical sections, such as Travel (with some of the Fodor's books online), Work, Health, Community, and so on. The News section has grown to become a major portion of the content, with daily updates and extensive coverage of the 1996 political campaigns. But Tripod is much more than an online publication. It's truly interested in promoting Internet communities. This explains why it has its own Multi-User Object Oriented Environment (MOO), a graphic-oriented chat space. Tripod has also broken new ground by being the first Web site to allow users to create their own personal Web pages. "We wanted users to start establishing a face and a presence on the site," says Ethan Zuckerman, Tripod's "Webkeeper." While the site's founders and a good portion of its staff are Williams College alumni, Zuckerman did post-graduate work at nearby Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he recruited some great art talent to work on graphics. Tripod's page design is some of the best I've seen on the Web. You'll find extremely good integration between text and art. A staff of 16 works out of a converted Greek revival house in Williamstown, Mass., although the site's actual servers are in Northampton because of the proximity to a T1 line. With investments and advertising dollars starting to line its coffers, Tripod looks like it will have a promising future as a top Web site.
Content: 6
Aesthetic: 6
TechnoSmart: 3
Author: Wayne Cunningham
VAJ Magazine Issue
VAJ is a Canadian music magazine featuring interviews and reviews of underground and independent bands such as Squirm, Forgotten Valley Gene Pool, Stone Tree, and Mother Earth. Even though the zine promises exclusive focus to indie bands, the main feature in one of the issues is a full-length interview with the mainstream band Faith No More. If readers want a break from another tour bus tale, they can also read movie reviews and humorous horoscopes. VAJ is not a typical online music mag.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 2
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Bonnie J. Burton
WebZine Weekly
By 8 a.m. every Monday morning, WebZine Weekly is delivered to the Web without an annoying loud smack against the garage door from a vindictive newspaper boy. This general-interest publication includes articles on anti-Rush Limbaugh viewpoints, conspiracy updates, leisure sports, computer law reports, parenting advice and more. WebZine's look - another Netscape-enhanced design complete with tables - mimics some of its more commercial competitors, but has a gonzo journalist attitude all its own.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 3
TechnoSmart: 3
Author: Bonnie J. Burton
Welcome to ELLE
Though I may not be the fashion vixen you think I am (ack ack), I do know a good Web site when I see one. And, though it may pain me to rain such praise over a fashion magazine, I have no choice but to do just that. ELLE has got a great Web development team (or so it appears) and the site is stunning. ELLE won't taunt you with teaser paragraphs and dead-end links. It's nothing but top-rank professional. The site walks you through selected features on style, fashion trends, society, and culture from last month's issue, and gives the table of contents for the current newsstand issue (wouldn't want the paying subscribers to get miffed). The features are long enough to keep you busy for hours, and they're laced only with the highest quality graphics. The haute couture set would be proud. Dahhrling, pass me the Gray Poupon and the Netscape, please! But that's not all. ELLE also invites repeat visits with a model gallery (for gawkers and fans of the world's top super models), a link list of ELLE's favorite online fashion hot spots, and an event list that'll "put you in the thick of things." Sure, they lay it on kind of "thick" themselves at times, but isn't that what glamour is all about? But I do have a complaint with the "numerology" report. When I checked in December, it gave me a reading (with an oh-so-clever birth date calculator) for October. Ooops, a bit late (though luckily, ELLE also provided me with a 900 number - billed at $1.25 per minute- to call for weekly updates). Oh well, we can't all be as perfect as Linda Evangelista. The organization of the site is superior. It's an easy and intuitive path to uncover the feature stories, jump to trends, get in touch with editors, and subscribe (though it wasn't quite ready for online transactions when I checked - get ready for the 800 number- I suspect it won't take much time for ELLE to remedy this). Overall, ELLE is the best fashion magazine on the net. And the special tenth anniversary page is super-cool, with almost animated ELLE covers of past years.
Content: 6
Aesthetic: 6
TechnoSmart: 3
Author: Shel Kimen
dEPARTURE fROM nORMAL
Here we have an art and poetry magazine that seems willing to publish any work slipped through the proverbial mail slot. These arbiters of aesthetic either have low standards, or were scraping for content, and accepted some material that could only *claim* to be poetry because it didn't follow the rules of sentence structure. Bad grammar is not the soul of poetry. Most of the site's content is pretty decent, though, and attendant imagery is quite nice.
Content: 6
Aesthetic: 6
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Wayne Cunningham
indy
This is the Web presence for a magazine that covers independent and alternative comics. Primarily consisting of comics-oriented reviews and interviews, the site's content is repositioned material from the print version, and is very good. The site also features a lot of scanned cover art. One page offers subscription information, but, unfortunately, you can't subscribe online. You should love the links interspersed throughout text that shoot you to other comic book resources on the Web.
Content: 5
Aesthetic: 5
TechnoSmart: 2
Author: Wayne Cunningham
with that big round butt of yours I'd like to butter your muffin
Miss Butta's Homegrrrl Page celebrates all things B-grrrl - "a new movement based around grrrls involved in the hip-hop/funk/skate scene." B-grrrls dig hip-hop, but add a non-judgmental spin to an art form traditionally laced with misogyny. You'll find band profiles, album reviews, and impassioned fanzine-style commentary. You'll also discover sound files from recently released rap and hip-hop albums - a service that all appropriate Web pages should emulate. Unfortunately, the site is "over-linked." Tread carefully, or you may find yourself in No Grrrl's Land.
Content: 6
Aesthetic: 2
TechnoSmart: 1
Author: Jon Phillips