ometimes narrower is better. Searching for Star Wars on Google yields more than a million results, a quantity through which even the most diehard Lucas fan would be hard pressed to surf. Over on the Star Wars-specific search engine Bantha Tracks though, fans will find a far more focused database of just over 4,000 links. The number of links may not be as impressive as the big search engines, but their quality more than makes up for any numerical shortfalls.
The sites in the database are ranked and rated by Bantha Tracks' editors and visitors. Even better, each of the links includes icons to let folks know the site's 0-to-5 star rating, as well as whether or not it has any video, sound, graphics or links resources on its pages. Those are options that visitors won't find on most of the mega-search engines and it makes browsing for the good Star Wars sites a heck of a lot easier.
Like many of its kin, Bantha Tracks lets visitors browse its listings by category, but it also includes a "top-rated" page which lists the best sites by rating and number of votes. There's also a "hot sites" section that ranks sites by their traffic (how that traffic is measured isn't mentioned) and a "random site" link for those who are feeling a little lucky.
-- Kenneth Newquist
Site of the Week -- Feb. 12, 2001
t's never too early to start thinking about the upcoming convention season. With the Hugo nominations deadline about six weeks away, the World Science Fiction Convention, or Worldcon, is looming large in the minds of SF fans and professionals alike. As a result, those interested in traveling to Philadelphia this fall for the con would be well-advised to have a look at the official site. There they can learn everything that will be awaiting them upon arrival.
The Millennium Philcon is a well-organized guide, replete with information about convention guests, venues, hotels, dates and programming. Simply designed and highly informative, the page provides all of the data that attendees will require to maximize their Worldcon enjoyment. Site visitors can do it all--look at photographs of the convention center, scope out the neighborhood the con is taking place in, read up on previously published progress reports and budget their hotel room costs--quickly, easily and efficiently.
At this stage of planning, the shape of the convention is still open for plenty of fan input. Attendees who want to see a particular panel topic covered are provided with a handy suggestion form. There are many volunteer opportunities available, including a chance to join a "brain trust" mailing list to generate new ideas for events and panels. The Web site does not yet say what kind of online programming will be available to fans unable to travel to Pennsylvania this Aug. 30-Sept. 1. One assumes, however, that this information will be available as soon as possible.
This site is frequently updated as various aspects of programming and planning get firmed up, so it is worthwhile to visit often.
--A.M. Dellamonica
Site of the Week -- January 29, 2001
hat will all the best-dressed SF conventioneers be wearing this year? I'll place my bet on a simple white T-shirt whose front bears the boyishly smiling face of that uniquely gifted SF writer, Cordwainer Smith (along with his name in Chinese characters, translatable to "Forest of Incandescent Bliss"), and the back of which lists his "greatest hits," along with the URL of this extremely useful, sentimental and enlightening site.
Created only in July of 2000 by Smith's oldest daughter, Rosana Hart, this collection of biographical data, fiction samples, nifty products and books for sale, group discussion and anecdotes from those who knew Smith (1913-1966) has already become the watering hole around which all the fans and scholars of Smith's outrageously inventive fictional universe can gather to honor the memory of the man and his works, and to learn more.
Smith--born Paul Myron Anthony Linebarger--led a fascinating life, from his childhood in China (where he began to acquire his lifelong love for all things Oriental, a fascination evident in his writings) through his Cold War work for the CIA. But, of course, his career in science fiction is what he's mainly remembered for today. Smith, the author of scores of unique stories that formed a vast and bizarre future history, remains a touchstone for connoisseurs of the genre.
Hart has created a site that's alluring and easy to navigate, and one which offers enough to satisfy both the first-time visitor and the returning aficionado. You can share her personal reminiscences of her father, flip through the family photo album, get on the subscription list for her bimonthly e-zine, order books (including copies of Smith's rare early novel Ria), the aforementioned T-shirt and a matching coffee mug, or jump into the discussion group to bond with other Smithophiles. The most intriguing item available is a two-CD set of Smith himself reading one of his best short stories, "On the Sand Planet." This rare memento of a genius who died much too young should inspire the same shivery feelings that accompany "the crazy fugues and improper melodies of the Bezirk, closed to men for fifty-seven centuries--opened by accident, found, trespassed in!" --a music that only Smith could conceive, featured here in the excerpt from his Under Old Earth.
--Paul Di Filippo
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