Site of the Week -- August 14, 2000
he recently redesigned Speculative Vision has much to offer fans of science fiction and fantasy.
Its premier strength is as a showcase of science fiction and fantasy art. Everything from traditional spacescapes and dragons to the occasionally bizarre can be found, in both traditional and digital media, and all of generally high quality. Each gallery features a handful of artists, with thumbnails of each work that link to a larger version.
In addition, Speculative Vision provides dozens, perhaps hundreds, of TV and movie theme MIDI files, from Alf to The Phantom Menace. It also has a monitored interactive story section, where anyone can contribute a chapter to an endless fantasy tale, with a science fiction story on the way. There are discussion forums, Java arcade games and a well-organized news section, along with an awards page featuring numerous links of science-fictional interest.
Speculative Vision promises more cool stuff to come, including book and movie reviews and original fiction. Even without those sections, the site makes a good jumping-off point for genre fans.
-- Blaise Selby
Site of the Week -- August 7, 2000
he mIcha' qagh is wonderful, dear. Could you pass the blood wine? It's a phrase not heard among most tera'nganpu, but that's what one would expect from gutless fools who advise their children "not to play with their food." They should be telling them to fight with it!
Those who seek to eat honorably should see K'Tesh's Klingon Recipe Pages. K'Tesh has assembled dozens of Klingon recipes (and many from lesser races) from the annals of Star Trek history. His goal is to match the look of the dishes; edibility is a secondary concern. The site does include many edible recipes, including Pipius Claw (chicken feet), Broiled Karada Legs (octopus) and the always-popular Gagh (various fried noodles or, in one recipe, gummy worms in chocolate sauce).
It would have been nice if the site included more pictures of the finished product as seen on television and as put together in the home kitchen. Regardless of the reader's culinary intentions, however, it's a treat.
-- Kenneth Newquist
Site of the Week -- July 31, 2000
odestly designed and easy to negotiate, ClassicSciFi.com sets its sights primarily on the most popular of all science fiction media--movies. And, while not incredibly detailed or absolutely comprehensive, ClassicSciFi is quite a good resource for science fiction film aficionados and initiates alike.
The site provides a searchable database of hundreds of classic science fiction films. The film descriptions contain brief synopses, lists of starring actors, various ratings and rankings, awards and good-sized images of the movies' original posters. Visitors can also find out what science fiction and horror movies (not necessarily all classics) are on television on the current day and month. (Listings appear to be U.S. Eastern Standard Time broadcasts, though this isn't entirely clear.)
ClassicSciFi.com also compiles lists of science fiction conventions going on around the world, science fiction movies due out in the near or far future, and links to other science fiction movie-related sites--from memorabilia vendors to deals on science fiction magazines to resources for aspiring filmmakers.
Owners of Palm Pilots and other handheld computers will be delighted to see that ClassicSciFi's daily science fiction TV listings can be downloaded to handhelds (users must first download AvantGo software). Another interesting feature is the site's extensive list of in-house movie categories. Whether viewers hunger for a film that's "Campy" or about "Aliens," "Monsters on the Loose" or "Man, His Follies, and the End of the World," ClassicSciFi is the place to go.
-- Matthew McGowan
