Mark Templeton Surfs the Net

NOT since the O J Simpson trial has there been so much interest in a court case, particularly over the Internet.

British au pair Louise Woodward's hearing produced a fantastic web page dedicated to the story.

Updates came thick and fast, including pictures and audio clips of reaction to breaking news surrounding the Boston case.

And when Woodward was found guilty, it was on the world wide web within a second or two of the verdict being announced, showing how the net is becoming a major player when it comes to news.

The Louise Woodward site had been running since the start of the trial.

Such was its power and notoriety for information, the judge banned jurors from looking at it during the case.

Full transcripts are still available, as are courtroom pictures. In fact, coverage of the case beat any TV or radio thanks to some seriously efficient in-depth - and fast - reporting. There was even a chance for net users to have their say by taking part in a daily poll on whether they believed the 19-year-old from Cheshire was guilty. A classic example of why the net is a medium not to be ignored.

Web site: http://www.townonline.com/

E-mails - the cure for all curses?

THE poor old man behind this page reckons he's cursed and he believes only by receiving e-mails from around the world can he be rid of it.

Tales of woe are never ending on the Rid Me of My Curse site. Nothing goes smoothly for the unlucky chap and his catalogue of problems range from car trouble to a savage attack by a friend's cat. It's a great laugh and there is a section on lucky charms just in case you should find yourself in the same trouble. Go on - e-mail him and help his life get back to normal!

Web site:

http://home.earthlink.net/anvil/index.html

Add sparkle tonight with a virtual bonfire

YOU don't even have to venture out into the cold tonight thanks to the power of the net.

Stay indoors and warm your hands around a virtual bonfire, complete with fireworks.

It's a lot less hassle and you won't have to cover your dog's ears! One of the best pages is the Guy Fawkes site, which not only tells you everything about the history of the tradition but you get the chance to become the legend and have a go at blowing up Parliament.

Your cell in the Tower awaits!

Web site:

http://www.bcpl.lib.md.uscbladey/guy/html/blast.html

Browsing with Boddies - I'll drink to that!

BY 'eck chuck...experience the cream of the Internet with a flash new site from Boddingtons.

Pages feature the classic beer ads plus loads of other Manchester-related stuff to keep you entertained.

There's a great screensaver to download and pub games to play, all presented with the famous Boddies quirky humour.

Web site:

http://www.boddingtons.com

Bjork talk

WEIRD Icelandic pop star, Bjork, goes live on the Internet next week to chat to fans.

There will be a rare chance to ask the singer questions about her work and forthcoming tour. She will be on-line at 5pm on November 12.

Web site:

hhtp://www.aol.co.uk/

Fonz-tastic!

THE Fonz would be proud of his home page. There's loads of stuff here, from pictures of all the cast, detailed episode guides (how do people make those things?) and an amusing archive of guest appearances and Where are They Now? stories.

Web site: http://www.geocitie

s.com/TelevisionCity/9835/

E-MAIL all your internet news and views to: Mark Templeton at mtempleton@lancashire.newsquest.co.uk

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