Sputnik 7 www.sputnik7.com
Sputnik7.com, an entertainment-based Web site, has so much to
offer that one can easily be lost within the site, constantly
discovering new and more interesting links to check out. With an
opening page featuring some sperm who are supposedly “too
slow” at attempting to fertilize an egg, sputnik7.com is
quite an eye-catcher. This site has a theme that screams the
underdog status of the Internet ““ providing a medium to
distribute independent, underground and less mainstream content. It
is noted as the world’s first real-time audio/video online
entertainment provider. Visitors can basically find anything
dealing with the entertainment industry on this site. Independent
film and music programming is available through the presentation of
various shorts and films, and through the sponsoring of
playlist-free Web radio stations. Everything is presented on the
site as various “stations,” of which there are many,
each with its own unique theme. Upon entering “Video
Stations,” viewers are presented with four additional
“stations” to look at. One example is
“Alt/Electronic,” which hosts indie-type music ranging
from California ska to heavy metal. There is also a Film/Anime link
which offers showings of award-winning shorts as well as anime
features. More than 50 short films will be available this summer on
sputnik7.com. Recently premiered is “Horned Gramma,” a
short which was an official selection at the 2000 Spike & Mike
Festival of Animation and the 1998 Chicago Underground Film
Festival. With accredited chairman Chris Blackwell, founder of
Island Records and Palm Pictures, it’s no wonder that
sputnik7.com has encountered much success. In December 1999, the
Web site was one of the first to win an ASCAP (The American Society
of Composers, Authors and Publishers) Deems Taylor Award for
outstanding music-related content and creative excellence.
Especially notable was the fact that this was the first year that
the ASCAP offered awards to Internet organizations. Sputnik7.com
has a lot to offer. Ranging from videos to music, basically
anything dealing with the entertainment media, this site
isn’t trying to sell viewers anything but a good time.
Barbara McGuire Rating: 8
Atomic Living www.atomicliving.com
With plenty of Web sites out there geared toward the 18-24
demographic of college students, sometimes it can be hard to
differentiate between what is worth looking at and what
isn’t. Even though atomicliving.com boasts the same features
as many college-based Web sites, they are not focused solely on
merchandising but have also recently launched a content portion to
their site. This area will feature entertaining stories written by
content providers as well as online viewers themselves.
Additionally, atomicliving.com offers more than just fashionable
clothing items for trendy online shoppers. Also offered for sale on
the site are electronics and housewares, basically anything anyone
moving out of their parent’s house for the first time may
need. The content providers of the site promise further interesting
discourse as well on the site. Spikeradio.com, a 24-hour Internet
radio “station” which focuses on new, up-and-coming,
underground music from across the globe is one such provider. Other
content providers whose uniqueness help bring much-needed
definition to the site are womengamers.com, a site dedicated to
electronic gaming lovers, and sonicnet.com, a division of the MTV
interactive branch that offers many entertainment links and
information. Atomicliving.com also features something for the
adrenaline rushing side of college students and young adults.
Centerseat.com, also a content provider, provides online viewers
with a look at various pop cultural elements such as extreme sports
and top-of-the-line animation. One of the more notable aspects of
the atomicliving.com site is its user-friendliness. Designed most
definitely after its name, the site and its links are set up like
an atomic chart. Rm stands for room on their site and Te represents
tech (as in technology), making things easy to find. Planning to
reach more than 15 million young adults by the end of this year,
atomicliving.com hopes to stay true to its viewers. Sponsoring
various events such as the Warped Tour and special advanced
screenings of movies such as “High Fidelity” at various
campuses, they will have no trouble.
Barbara McGuire Rating: 7
Salon www.salon.com
It may sound like a beauty parlor, but it’s nothing of the
sort. From politics to sex, this online magazine has something to
offer everyone. The comprehensive Web site is easy to navigate and
full of fun and useful information. Clink on a link such as
“Mothers Who Think” and find articles dealing with
topics such as single parenthood, marital problems, abortion,
homosexuality and feminism. Go to the politics section to find
provocative articles on presidential candidates, the role of
religion in politics and even the “Lie of the week.”
There is also a political calender for the current month with
important dates and information. For lighter reading, check out the
various comics, movie reviews and book reviews or go to the health
section to get information on healing methods and eating right. To
be an active part of salon.com, you can participate in forums or
write in letters voicing your opinion. So whether you are looking
to read what others have to say, get current news and entertainment
or just say your piece, you can do it all at salon.com.
Angela Salazar Rating: 8