The book contains URLs for a number of interesting Web sites. To save you the trouble of re-typing them, here they are again, hyperlinked and ready to go. I have also included a selection of "bonus" links - sites that, for one reason or another, didn't make it into the book, but which I'd still like to recommend.
This is the text of an article I wrote way back in 1994. It was commissioned by a company that no longer exists for a project that never proceeded and a fee that is still outstanding, so I think I can safely give it away now! It was directed at a target audience of primary and secondary school teachers, and gives my perspective at that time for the imminent explosion of ``electronic publishing''. Technology has, of course, advanced rapidly since then; but maybe it's still an interesting (or at least amusing?) snapshot in time.
The ever popular Doras Directory of web sites, from eircom net.
Snake Oil Warning Signs: Encryption Software to Avoid by Matt Curtin--read this before spending money on encryption!
IMC--The Internet Mail Consortium: check here to learn about ``virtual business cards'', and much else besides.
The Yahoo index site for computer security and encryption.
The Dublin City University laboratory for ``Artificial Life''--now that's got to be worth a look!
The Yahoo index site for e-commerce.
If you are thinking of developing your own web site, you'll need an FTP client program. This site offers you a selection of such programs for the MS-Windows 95/98 platform. The site is part of the wonderful tucows software archive at eircom net--one of the best kept secrets of the Irish Internet!
All ISPs require their customers to abide by certain rules of conduct; this is the site for the eircom net Home User Acceptable Use Policy.
Some information about setting up your own web site with eircom net.
Or if you're still looking for inspiration, have a browse through this directory of existing users' sites at eircom net.
All the FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) for USENET newsgroups--and, of course, lots of the answers too!
Local Ireland is an eircom Information Age initiative, aimed at empowering local Irish communities to exploit the Internet effectively.
The Yahoo index site for Internet chat.
``Diversity University Main Campus is a real-time internet accessible virtual reality educational environment.'' Now--aren't you glad you asked?
The Yahoo index site for Internet based games.
All human cultures have their own distinctive fashions and manners of ``polite'' interaction--and the global community of Internet users is no exception. Learn all about Internet Etiquette or netiquette here.
``... the fast, stress-free route to winning your European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) certificate and training yourself for the opportunities of the future.''
This is the web site associated with Philip Greenspun's excellent book (Philip is the one on the left...). The site actually includes the full text of the book (though it is also available in conventional ``dead-tree'' format, of course).
If you have any ambition to build your own web site, or use the Internet in your business or job, or even just want to have a basic idea of where the web is going, you must read this book. It is honest, witty, professional, accessible, and just an overall pleasure to read.
This is the site for a new research group based at DCU, working on making Internet technologies accessible for visually impaired users.
This is a difficult to classify compendium of technological news, both of specific Irish interest and also from around the world. Though the reporting is sometimes ascerbic, controversial, and plain bombastic, I find it a great ``reality-check'' to set against more mainstream sources. It is also an intriguing (to me) example of the completely novel kinds of alternative publishing model that are now feasible because of the Internet. It is certainly an acquired taste, but well worth a sample.
Amidst the frenetic activity and hype that is the common image of the Internet, there are also many quiet places for reflection and perhaps a change in perspective. I have a fraternal connection with this particular site but I genuinely commend it to you.