February 26, 1999

This column is a regular feature in Folio highlighting interesting Web sites in the wide (and wild) world of the Internet. We appreciate your input. If you know of good sites you think the university community will be interested in, pass the addresses along to Randy Pavelich, university Web manager at: info@ualberta.ca

From Memphis to the moon
http://elfuego.magibox.net/
Take one surplus Russian space shuttle, polish up a 1992 Geo Tracker, pack some sandwiches and a cat, and you have a lunar landing mission for a tiny fraction of what it would cost NASA. Why didn't someone think of this before? This is a funny little site with some very notable graphical content. If you ask nicely, the pilot might even bring back some moon rocks for your garden...

The dihydrogen monoxide research division
http://www.cis.udel.edu/~way/DMRD/
A great deal of effort has gone into creating a site that looks very much like an authentic research site, complete with reference links and high-level technical jargon. Just be forewarned, however, that it is a spoof from top to bottom: dihydrogen monoxide is, after all, simply water. It all depends on your perspective (and sense of humor), and while this is not a site useful for real research, it does raise some interesting issues involving the reliability of material available on the Internet.

Canadian Pulp and Paper Association
http://www.open.doors.cppa.ca/
It's either appropriate or ironic that an association focused on forest product producers should have such a nice site. The graphics are attractive and have a consistent look. There is a lot of material available here designed for all age groups, including a cute little find-the-object game for school-age children. The game requires a Java-enabled browser, but has many sounds and animations to keep youngsters entertained.

Department of Chemical & Materials Engineering
http://www.ualberta.ca/chemeng/cmehome/
I have always liked this site's graphics - bold, bright and informative. It's well laid-out with a simple yet comprehensive list of links. It seems very easy to find specific information on this site, which is a big plus. The pictorial tours of buildings, labs and shops are a nice touch, although one could wish for a bit more information on the research undertaken by faculty and students.

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