ith 15 member states and a wide range of research and exploration projects on the go, the European Space Agency is at the forefront of the quest to extend humankind's reach into space. It is little wonder, then, that the ESA's official site is a vast repository of knowledge about our
home planet, the solar system and the wider universe.
ESA's eye is focused simultaneously inward and outward. Its Earth Observation section provides details on such projects as an effort to prevent floods through the use of satellite observation and forest mapping being done for use in monitoring the Kyoto Accord. For visitors who prefer to cast their gaze on the heavens, the site's huge library of more than 500 multimedia offerings shows the progress of astronaut training and events on the international space station. The ESA also landed an exploration craft on Mars on Christmas Day—they will be webcasting mission highlights for anyone who cares to look.
On top of the straightforward information about ESA's exploration of space and astronomical research, the agency runs a separate project: the rather cumbersomely named Innovative Technologies from Science Fiction for Space Applications. This is just what it sounds like: ITSF mines science fiction for ideas, attempting to develop workable versions of technologies that appear in stories, novels and even shows like Star Trek. The project takes inspiration from classic authors like Isaac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke—as well it should!—also looking to newer voices like Kim Stanley Robinson and Allen Steele.
Working to improve day-to-day life on Earth while simultaneously laying the foundation for human existence elsewhere in the universe, the ESA site offers a form of concrete expression for the widely held dreams of SF fans and explorers everywhere.
— A.M. Dellamonica
Site of the Week—December 29, 2003
egrettably, the home page devoted to Ray Bradbury, his life and works, does not seem to have been updated since October 2001, a date still being celebrated on the site as Ray Bradbury Month, due to the publication at that time of Jerry Weist's coffee-table volume Bradbury: An Illustrated Life. Additionally, Bradbury's latest novel, a very entertaining tragicomic detective story titled Let's All Kill Constance is not referenced in his bibliography at all. But even given this small gripe, this page deserves your visit. It's a comprehensive source for all things Bradburyian, up to the recent past.
Of course, a complete listing of his publications, with excerpts available, is provided, and a short yet comprehensive biographical sketch is available. The button labeled "About Ray Bradbury" brings you to a video interview with the Master. The recording has been chopped up into a selection of Quicktime files, each several megabytes long, with such headings as "Halloween Every Day" and "Souvenirs of the Writing Life." At ease in his desk chair, surrounded by the tangible mementos of his many loves, Bradbury discourses on many topics in an intimate manner. The message board contains close to 10,000 posts from dedicated fans on a variety of topics. The "In His Words" button delivers a short essay by Bradbury written on the occasion of his 82nd birthday. On that same page, clicking on "Author Interviews" summons up, alas, only a promise that such Q&A sessions will be online soon. One hopes that this promise will be fulfilled, for it would be a shame to let such a well-designed site become obsolescent.
— Paul Di Filippo
Site of the Week—December 22, 2003
idely read and admirably thorough in its coverage of the comic industry, Digital Webbing is a potent force for good in the world of graphic storytelling. This hardworking Web magazine piles up the recommended reading for new comic creators, fans and established pros: It has reviews, industry interviews, a weekly column on breaking into comics and a host of other useful tips and resources.
This site tracks the comics industry diligently, posting all the latest news and developments as soon as they break. Its discussion forums give visitors a place to exchange opinions and info about favorite books and creators. Meanwhile, the Digital Webbing links page is a user-friendly portal to comics publishers big and small, whether they are traditional print houses or web-based experiments.
Digital Webbing is also utterly devoted to helping aspiring comic artists and writers in their quest to break into the field. In addition to the column for new artists, the site offers a Talent Search section—classified ads that enable writers, artists and publishers to find each other. The magazine also has its own comics anthology series—Digital Webbing Presents—which uses a team-publishing approach to get creative work out where it can be seen and enjoyed by fans.
For comic collectors, enthused readers or anyone working—or wishing to work—in comics, this site is an undisputed must-see.
— A.M. Dellamonica
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