KSFO's Web Wanderer

The Links for January 24, 1998

Taxi Mike found three sites which allow you to burn your own Music CD over the internet. You pick your songs, and these companies will burn the CDs for you. The "best" of these sites is Music Maker

It's a nice concept, but it isn't ready yet. Sites are very limited in the selection of music. There will need to be a MUCH bigger selection to get this concept from "interesting toy" to "useful stuff". Still - they're worth a look.

www.musicmaker.com provides featured artists (for example, 124 Songs by Credence Clearwater Revival). Be sure to preview with real audio before you select - you can't tell the studio cuts from the concert recordings. The selection is limited, but Grateful Dead fans will be in luck. CD length is 70 minutes.

www.supersonicboom.com offers 55 minute CDs. I found the site extremely difficult to use - the frames were not well suited for my screen resolution, and sometimes slider bars were not present in frames that needed them badly.

www.cductive.com has an emphasis on dance music. CDs are 72 minutes.

Interesting stuff, Taxi Mike. I'll be keeping an eye on the technology to see how it develops.

Mark Shapiro

Longtime Bay Area computer users will remember BABBA Magazine - The Bay Area Bulletin Board Advisor, which ran from March, 1993 through September, 1995, when it was called West Coast Online, with a distribution of 40,000 copies.

Mark has created a web site, and sent it in as submission. I loved the magazines, and jumped on it. The magazines were big - more than half of each issue was devoted to BBS listings and web sites; with advertising, classifieds, calendar of events, and subscription information - the majority of which is now obsolete. Mark has taken the remainder of the magazine - the stuff which is STILL worth a read, and put the entire content of all issues on the web.

Mark had a number of writers. Good ones. The topics they write about, and the related web sites, are surprisingly active today. Many of the mentioned sites still exist.

The articles are still good reading. The June issue contained a good article on CDROM handling, with details of CDROM construction and tips. Some of the content will bring a smile - $3000 CD ROM burners and articles like "A CD-ROM Drive in Every PC?", but the majority of the information is still very useful - Installing and IRC client on a PPP account, an Introduction to MUD, using UUENCODE, articles on PGP and privacy.

The material is surprisingly useful today - years after it was written. Why? Because the magazine was ahead of its time. It featured lots of leading edge content, and it focused on important, complex issues which are still being debated today.

Don't be put off by the publication date. Check this site out.

No Wonder Computer Support

Listener Chris submitted this one.

No Wonder provides free 24-hour technical assistance for computer hardware and software. No strings attached, no marketing data to provide.

No Wonder provides two ways of getting support. Personal help from one of their experts. This is known as "Personal Support". You will get a response to your question in under 24 hours. Personal Support can cover questions on Mac, Windows, Be, Unix, OS2, Web/HTML

Also offered is what they call Group therapy. Group therapy is the Message Board, very much like Bob O'Donnell's TalkBack. To get help from not only our experts, but you can get help from other users who visit the site. Areas covered are Mac, Windows, Be, Unix, OS2, Web/HTML

It's a pretty cool service. I like the idea of email help. For a Bulletin Board type of help, I like Bob's Talkback. a little better.

Thanks, Chris. This is a very helpful site.

Third Age

It's always a pleasure to hear from Dudley - he finds such great sites.

The Third Age is no exception.

The Third Age is the new, extended period of active adulthood which starts in the early 50s. It is characterized by a sense of accomplishment and fresh beginnings for individuals who champion a new view of what it means to be older.

Dudley had been using the site, and sent it in after it appeared in the Wall Street Journal. The WSJ says "Seniors can browse through news and advice on a dozen topics, including hobbies, financial matters and books. An especially nice touch is "Tech Central", which provides help with computer and Internet problems." It sounded like quite a good mix.

I looked at the headlines. This week "Netspeak Demystified" - internet related computer terms are explained in non-technical language. Good stuff.

There were also articles on politics, health, finances, etc. A very nice mix.

If you're a Third Ager, don't miss this site.

Thanks a bunch, Dudley. Good luck with the golf, and keep 'em coming.

Wav Central

Doug in Livermore likes to mess with the sounds on his computer, and sent this in. It's of use for people who endlessly tweak their systems (Guilty as Charged), or want to enhance their websites.

There are major categories - Home, Movies, Television, Effects, and Commercials. Site navigation is well done.

Wav Central has a pretty good selection of sounds. It's worth a bookmark the next time you are looking for some wav files.

Thanks, Doug!