Mark Templeton Surfs the Net

BARCLAYCARD is claiming an Internet first in Britain by allowing customers to check their credit card account and pay their bill over the web.

By accessing Barclaycard Netlink, customers will even see their latest transactions on screen. The company says users need not worry about security.

The site is protected by the use of 128-bit encryption (sounds safe enough then!) which is available only under licence from the US government.

The move follows the launch of BarclayCoin earlier this year, where customers can download money from their credit card into an "electronic wallet" for on-line shopping. Howard Beveridge, head of product development, said: "By introducing Netlink account services to our customers, Barclaycard is simply offering an additional way for customers to view their account details and pay their bills.

"It will make life easier for our customers."

Web site:

http://www.barclaycard.co.uk

Space shopping's a Mir trifle

CIRCLING 200 miles above the Earth, Russian cosmonauts on the Mir space station went on a Christmas shopping spree - using the net!

Flight commander Anatoly Solovyov and flight engineer Pavel Vinogradov used credit cards and an Internet service to buy gifts, including Barbie dolls, sportswear, computers and an exercise machine.

"The opportunity to personally select holiday gifts myself brings our loved ones closer and is especially meaningful to us," Vinogradov said. "And it is much better than shopping on a cold Moscow day." The order from space was received at Virtual Emporium's store in Manhattan. Special Visa credit card accounts were set up to enable them to place their orders.

Mouthwatering site

IF you're a curry fan they you should "tikka" look at some of the sites dedicated to the dish.

One of the best is a British page guaranteed to whet the appetite of spicy food fans.

You can find out everything you always wanted to know about baltis, kormas and my favourite, madras, and there is a great UK guide to Indian restaurants. People can write their own reviews of curry houses they have visited and a comprehensive list gives you the name, address and telephone number of restaurants and even includes ratings for decor.

Surprisingly, there is none listed in East Lancashire though. Web site:

http://www.dwsmith.demon.co.uk/

Weird stuff

THE Internet always throws up some weird and wonderful stuff but some of the things for sale at the Inventions home page you have to see to believe. A hydromassage pillow, battery operated nail file and a urine specimen cup (it has a handle!) are all here.

Patent lawyer Michael Kroll created this huge site for more than 700 patented and patent pending clients because he knew it would make "money, money, money."

Don't laugh! He says it has paid off with 35,000 hits every month. My favourite is the portable fire escape...never leave home without it.

Web site: http://www.invention.com/inventions

Puppy for life

WITH Christmas just around the corner, many kids are nagging for a puppy (and remember folks, a dog is for life not just for Christmas).

If you're scratching your head over what breed to pick then look no further than the world wide web.

There is a huge list, complete with pictures, of every breed you can imagine. And there is a personality test. Not for the dog, for YOU. There are six pages of questions asking all about your lifestyle and character in a bid to match you up with the perfect pooch!

Web site: http://www.purina.com/breed/

Here comes the judge...not!

THE biggest disappointment this week for netsurfers must have been the Louise Woodward case.

The judge was left with virtual egg on his face after his plans to release the verdict on the web backfired.

Eager net users waited up to an hour after the announced time for Hiller Zobel's much publicised verdict.

A power failure somewhere along the lines was blamed for the delay.

By the time it did appear on computer screens, the ruling had already been relayed to campaigners through other sources.

But the judge was not deterred and his 16 page document on why he was reducing the murder sentence to manslaughter was read by millions around the world...when it eventually arrived.

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