http://www.pbs.org/nerds/timeline/

PBS has developed this website as a companion to its television special "Triumph of the Nerds: The Rise of Accidental Empires." The website includes a historical timeline (beginning with the invention of the abacus and ending with the World Wide Web), stats and figures about the nerds featured on the show, "an interactive 'pick the computer' game that lets you test your nerd quotient," the transcript from the three-part television program, and an opportunity to read and give feedback, as well as a Q & A "gossip" column. [VF]

http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0006024.html

In an age of ever-expanding technology, it stands to reason that our vocabulary also continues to expand. This website by Fact Monster offers a glossary of computer terms -- from applet to WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) -- to help you when you are stumped or simply want to learn more about computers. Other interesting facts about the computer and the internet include: The Dawn of an Electronic Era, How Do Computers Work?, Computer Virus Timeline, How Big Is a Bit?, Internet Safety Guide, What Kids Do Online, Top Five Countries Using the Internet, and much more. [VF]

http://www.democracy-online.org/

This project arose from a master's thesis by Wijbrand Pieter De Jager in Change Management from Erasmus University, Rotterdam and mirrors a sister website in Dutch. The author asks whether the Internet can "build a new kind of politics" and offers a "a space of play" to explore these issues. To this end, the website includes e-democracy news, links and resources from all over the world, and a link to worldvotes.org, which allows people worldwide to cast their votes on the forthcoming U.S. Presidential Election because it "directly influences the life of citizens around the world." [VF]

http://bridgepros.com/learning_center/index.html

This website is a great resource for information on bridges. The site provides links to websites like PBS's Nova, where you can learn about different types of bridges and then test your knowledge by matching the right bridge to the right location (over a freeway, river, canyon or ocean waterway), or where you can read more about the forces, loads and materials that affect bridges. Another link takes you to Better Bridges, where you can find out how many bridges are in your state. Definitely a great resource for those armchair engineers but also for teachers and students of physics looking for some great information on this fascinating type of construction. [VF]

http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/news_detail.cfm?news_id=6588

The DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy posts a weekly electronic newsletter. This January 7, 2004 issue of features a story about the wind turbines which will be part of the forthcoming Freedom Tower to be located at the site of the World Trade Center. The story includes links to the press release from the architects, images of the Freedom Tower design, as well as images of the proposed wind turbine installation.
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http://www.sciencemag.org/feature/data/150essay.shl

Science offers this monthly series, Essays on Science and Society, which "features the views of individuals from inside or outside the scientific community as they explore the interface between science and the wider society." The February 2004 issue addresses: Beyond the Ivory Tower, investigating how science and scientists have interacted with society at different times and in different areas. This is certainly a series worth revisiting often. [VF]

http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/hoax.html

This website by Symantec (makers of Norton AntiVirus) provides information on the latest virus threats, security advisories, updates for Symantec products and removal tools, as well as some basic information on viruses. The Reference Area includes FAQ, a Glossary, Newsletter, White Papers, a section where you can Submit Virus Samples, postings of Hoaxes, a Security Database, Virus Encyclopedia, and Virus Calendar. [VF]