epresenting fan activity at its most inventive, The Furry Conflict details an alternate history of two well-known SF universes. Pursued by the forces of the evil Sith Lords (including Luke Skywalker) and the dark Galactic Empire they represent, desperate rebel forces in search of allies have opened up a gateway to a new galaxy. In that unsuspecting universe, Captain Xavier of the U.S.S. Felix will find he must defend the United Federation of Planets from the fleet of Death Stars that will soon follow the rebels.
Sound like fun? There's more. All of the characters in this Trek Wars milieu are furry—that is, anthropomorphized animals. Visitors to the site can check out the hand-drawn portraits of the site creators' characters. These include a fluffy blue Lt. Cmdr. Cyber Hare and a red-maned Jedi trainee named Perdia Detami.
What is most delightful about this site is the range of artistic genres it covers. The Furry Conflict melds aspects of role-playing, fan fiction, hand- and computer-drawn artwork and first-rate web design to create a page which is delightful to look at and a joy to browse. The storyline is appealing, and the character biographies and portraits are detailed and entertaining. The site also offers a great deal of content. Discussion boards allow members to review each installment in the Trek Wars story. The technopedia section provides hard data on the collision between the Star Trek and Star Wars worlds, as well as information on spaceships featured in the conflict. The first section of The Furry Conflict tale is available in audio format, and they even sell T-shirts.
For anyone looking for new perspectives on the Star Trek or Star Wars universe, The Furry Conflict is an essential first stop.
— A.M. Dellamonica
Site of the Week—September 4, 2001
las, for dreams that sadly die stillborn! Earlier this year, the SF world was all atwitter over a new webzine to be called Infinite Matrix. Edited by the knowledgeable author Eileen Gunn, and slated to feature columns by such well-known writers as Bruce Sterling and John Clute, Infinite Matrix promised to redefine what a hip, online SF presence would look like. But then came the great dot-com crash, and the funding for the new venture evaporated. The plug was pulled before issue one even hit the ether.
Yet now, miraculously, we are privileged to see the preserved corpse of that naked fledgling, for issue one has surfaced online as a kind of memorial to what never was. And since all the hype and expectations are reasonably fulfilled, the death is rendered all the more melancholy.
Bruce Sterling gets his Web log off to a chatty, funny start. John Clute orates touchingly on the career of Jack Williamson and the century just past. And Gunn pens an editorial explaining the birth and demise of her project. Two short-short stories, by Richard Kadrey and Michael Swanwick, complement a full-length piece from the U.K.'s knockout cybernoir Simon Ings and an excerpt from Pat Cadigan's novel Dervish Is Digital. Snazzy, cartoonish illos by Paul Mavrides and Jay Kinney are highlighted by the molecular geometric wallpaper designs. As a debut, this webzine would have had everyone talking. Instead, we're reciting its elegy.
— Paul Di Filippo
Site of the Week—August 27, 2001
anger! Danger, Will Robinson!" This stirring yet laughter-provoking catch phrase instantly conjures up a horde of golden memories for any SF fan over a certain age. But how to relive such nostalgia without remaining glued to a VCR? Simple: Just visit Tom Pokey's site, The Irreverent Guide to Lost in Space. There, the classic CBS television series (1965-68) about the Space Family Robinson is anatomized, cataloged and parodied in spades. You'll find sardonic plot summaries for all 84 episodes, LIS fan fiction and a helpful FAQ.
For group viewings of the show, why not adopt the "Lost in Space Drinking Game": similar to contests for other cult shows, this ritual involves liquor consumption upon any number of cues, such as hearing the phrase "Oh, the pain, the pain!" There are pointers to various discussion groups and a number of links as well. Visit a wonderful site selling all manner of toys and collectibles from both the TV series and the recent movie version of the franchise, and salivate over the cardboard robot standup, complete with voice module. "My sensors indicate an intruder is present" indeed.
All this dedicated effort for a show that once featured a giant carrot alien? Yes, that computes!
— Paul Di Filippo
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