Site of the Day:
Big Charts
By Danny Gallagher
URL:www.bigcharts.com
The lowdown: Are you bummed out when that stock Grandpa Bill
left you plummets, yet don't really comprehend why it fell? Well,
be glad your investment was minimal, because some poor sap probably
lost a lot more than you did.
The stock market can be a cruel bastard, and
if you're going to gamble, it's not a bad idea to at least understand
how it all works. Now you can keep up with the complex world of
economic opportunities with "Big Charts." This investment-savvy
Web site provides simple bar graphs and charts reflecting changes
in the big, bad bull market.
How's it look? The charts are detailed, yet simple enough that
they don't take forever to download.
Cool extras: Get stock quotes, follow the rise and fall of the
NASDAQ, Dow Jones and the S&P 500. You can also stay informed
on what's happening in the market with the latest financial news
and headlines.
What's missing? There's not a lot of advice for first-time traders,
buyers and sellers, so those charts might be confusing.
Who's it for? Movers and shakers on Wall Street who know what
they want fast and efficiently, and newcomers with some knowledge
should definitely bookmark this site.
OVERALL:
Who doesn't want to make a killing in the market? "Big Charts"
will give you the history to throw some of that vacation money
into a few choice stocks. A-
Site of the Day:
Hofstetter's Baseball/Basketball Jerk of the Week
By Danny Gallagher
URL:www.jerkoftheweek.com
The lowdown: There's nothing worse than a pro ball player acting
like a child on or off the field. These guys are being extremely
well compensated to play a game. And we fans have seen more than
one of our heroes, and even legends, go down the wrong path. Perhaps
it's because they're spoiled by large salaries, or maybe it's
because they're just humans constantly in the public eye.
Whatever the case, someone needed to come along
and dedicate a Web site to all the instances when a sports figure
acted like a jerk-and someone did. Steve and Adam Hofstetter's
site groups baseball and basketball notables like Ty Cobb, Pete
Rose and Dennis Rodman in a very special wing of the Hall of Fame.
How's it look? This site has a very sleek design. The black background
really sets the mood, and the warped logos of the MLB and NBA
are a hoot.
Cool extras: Sports fans can read the latest news on the biggest
morons, idiots and jerk-offs of the sports world, and interact
with the site by nominating their own favorite dumb-asses.
What's missing? These guys cover every shithead we've ever cussed
off the field.
Who's it for? If you're tired of giving Darryl Strawberry
one last crack at forgiveness, you'll certainly appreciate the
hard work these guys put in each week.
OVERALL:
This is top-notch sports coverage and humor writing. "Jerk
of the Week" should have its own awards show. A
Site of the Day:
Techno File
By Danny Gallagher
URL:www.technofile.com
The lowdown: Modern technology has made life incredibly easy.
For instance, now you don't even need to leave the house to get
some pornography. Simply go online and poof-naked girlies before
your eyes. And we're capable of so much more, like virtual sex...
But there's more to technological progress
than just sex. Consider all of the amazing advancements in stereo
equipment, home theater, video games... oh yeah, we're sure the
medical community is benefiting from this revolution, too. Fortunately,
the good people who put together "Techno File" mostly
concentrate on the fun stuff.
How's it look? Pictures and text perfectly balanced on a cool
Web site? The "Techno File" has done it.
Cool extras: Read the latest news and reviews on everything
electric from home audio to those insipid gadgets we still can't
figure out. Also find smart advice in the buying guides and editorials.
What's missing? If you can plug it in or put batteries in it, then
the "Techno File's" got it.
Who's it for? Everyone from cyber-geeks to gadget freaks will
dig this site.
OVERALL:
"Techno File" is one of the smartest and most informative
sites we've encountered. A
Site of the Day:
Armchair Quarterback
By Danny Gallagher
URL:www.armchairqb.com/home.html
The lowdown: Players are generally the guys who hog most of
the media coverage in the world of sports. Occasionally, however,
it's the media itself that goes under the gun. In fact, many memorable
sports stories have revolved around writers and commentators like
Jimmy "The Greek" and more recently, Marv Albert and
Jim Gray.
That's not to say that all sportscasters have
a dark side. In fact, many of them are not given nearly enough
credit for tirelessly exhausting our favorite subject. Now, sports
enthusiasts can learn more about the guys who bring us the game
with "Armchair Quarterback."
How's it look? Designed with a lighthearted comic outline, "Armchair
QB" allows the viewer easy access to everything with a simple
click of the mouse.
Cool extras: The page has a short but sweet site-of-the-day
feature, a bi-monthly schedule for game times, channels and dates,
and well-written articles with a newsy edge and a sense of humor.
The criticism on Sports Illustrated's yearly swimsuit issue
is a riot.
What's missing? Though there's tons of stuff to read, there's
not nearly enough junk for us to look at.
Who's it for? Any lazy bum who would rather spend a weekend
sitting in front of the tube with a remote in one hand and a bowl
of puffed cheese snacks in the other will appreciate "Armchair
QB."
OVERALL:
This is the place to be for all of your pre- and post-game show
information. B+
Site of the Day:
Ultimate Band List
By Danny Gallagher
URL: www.ubl.com
The lowdown: It's tough knowing what's hot and what's not
in the music biz. A band can be in one day and washed up by the
next album. But thanks to "The Ultimate Band List,"
a division of the Artist Direct Network, you can stay hip by developing
a vast knowledge of the latest and greatest names in rock, alternative,
rap, country and reggae.
How's it look? The design goes way over the top with tons of text
and pictures. It's also very well organized.
Cool extras: Search for album releases and tour dates, get
up-to-date music news, download MP3s from an extensive music library
and buy albums directly from the Artist Direct Network.
What's missing? It's got everything you could ever hope for in
a music store and more.
Who's it for? Rock jocks who are looking for a rock site that
does just that.
OVERALL:
Whether your favorite band is a headliner like Metallica or an
underground artist like Montefisto, the "Ultimate Band List"
will give you the tunes you wanna hear. A