THE Internet has opened up a world of possibilities for bands hoping to hit the big time.

There are several websites dedicated to giving unsigned acts an airing.

Area 51 (http://www.area51records.com/hpage.htm) is one such site, run in conjunction with a TV show broadcast on the Cable and Wireless network.

The site offers samples of "as yet undiscovered" acts who have produced their own CDs or are working with independent labels. You can also buy CDs online.

Pendle band The Rubbish are one of the acts featured on the site.

They also have their own, official website at http://www.subnet.co.uk/rubbish, which has featured in this column before.

I'm told it's currently in need of some updating but the band's singer and website man Bruce is so busy with his own new media business, designing websites for other people, that he hasn't had time to sort the band's out.

If you prefer your musicians a bit more established, here's a couple of suggestions. Icelandic popstrel Bjork has an excellent site with regular news updates, and lots of video and audio files to download. (http://www.bjork.co.uk).

And Creation Records, the company that brought you Oasis, Teenage Fanclub and Super Furry Animals, has revamped its site with a new, nifty Shockwave animation on the front page. (http://www.creation.co.uk)

How to cut down

I DON'T smoke...and there's no way I'm giving up chocolate.

So when it came to thinking of a New Year's resolution, I was a bit stuck.

That was until I stumbled across a Web page which indicated there might be something I could give up - or at least cut down on.

The page (http://www.1960pcug.

org/pc_news/1997/july/internet.htm) lists signs of Internet addiction.

When I reached "You turn off your modem and get this awful empty feeling, like you just pulled the plug on a loved one," I knew I was a sufferer.

Not a problem, I thought - there is help available. The Haven Center offers assistance at http://www.

geocities.com/Heartland/8891/Addict.

html.

Of course, you've got to be logged on to be helped...which kind of defeats the purpose.

If you've not made any resolutions yet, pick a few from the extensive list at http://www.demon.co.uk/andys/xr.

html.

There's everything from "watch less TV" to "learn to rollerskate".

MP's warning over Net porn

AN MP is calling for a new law which would force shopkeepers to fix a notice to all personal computers warning parents of the ease with which children can access pornography on the Internet. Peter Luff, Conservative member for Mid-Worcestershire, wants Home Secretary Jack Straw to introduce regulations to make it a legal requirement.

Mr Luff said: "I do not think parents understand just how easy it is for their children on the Internet, either by accident or design, to get hold of the most explicit pornographic material.

"A youngster merely needs to know how to use a computer mouse and to be aware of two or three obvious words like 'nude' or 'Lara Croft' and they will very quickly find the most explicit images on their computer screens."

He said that parents could also ensure that children could use their computers only under supervision.

Euro takes a pounding

THE euro was officially launched last week - but not everyone is a fan of the new currency.

The Keep the £ Campaign is a cross-party organisation which is fighting to keep the pound - and is encouraging people to vote "no" if a referendum is held.

Learn more at the campaign website, at http://www.

euroland.co.uk/.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.