Meteorology: Snowflakes

"Your online guide to snowflakes, snow crystals, and other ice phenomena....This site is all about snow crystals and snowflakes -- what they are, where they come from, and just how these remarkably complex and beautiful structures are created, quite literally, out of thin air." - from the website.
<http://www.its.caltech.edu/~atomic/snowcrystals/>

Health: National Immunization Program Fact Sheets

"In the U.S., vaccines have reduced or eliminated many infectious diseases that once routinely killed or harmed many infants, children, and adults. However, the viruses and bacteria that cause vaccine-preventable disease and death still exist and can be passed on to people who are not protected by vaccines." -- from the website. <http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/fs/fs-list.htm>

Maps: The History of Religion in 90 Seconds

"How has the geography of religion evolved over the centuries, and where has it sparked wars? Our map gives us a brief history of the world's most well-known religions: Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism. Selected periods of inter-religious bloodshed are also highlighted. Want to see 5,000 years of religion in 90 seconds? Ready, Set, Go!" -- from the website. <http://www.mapsofwar.com/images/Religion.swf>

Good Eatin': Finding restaurants in new places

If you're looking for gastropubs and good restaurants while on the road, Conde Nast's Concierge.com stands out amid the clutter of travel guides. <http://www.concierge.com/>

Apps: Hide Folder (free)

"Most everyone has files or folders on their computer that they do not want to share with others. Free Hide Folder is a free computer security software to hide your private folders. It is very useful to keep your personal data away from others. Others will not know where your personal files exist and they will not be able to accidentally view them. You can hide folders simply with a few mouse clicks. Free Hide Folder is protected by a password that you can change or remove at any time." -- from the website. Download: <http://www.cleanersoft.com/download/FHFSetup.exe>

Recycling: Cardboard Box Upright Bass

Bogdon Music has created an upright bass that is portable, disposable and recyclable. Fritz Richmond would have loved it: it's made from a cardboard box. According to a company press release, the Bogdon Box Bass isn't a replacement for quality materials or fine craftsmanship, but rather the slap is meant as a novelty item and, presumably, a publicity generator. The instrument sells for $69.95 the Bogdon Transducer included, and, Ikea-like, the only tools required are a phillips screw driver, a hot glue gun, a razor blade, and packing tape.
The box in action (YouTube): <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6cTbaBApM4>
Bogdon Music: <http://www.bogdonmusic.com/>

Downloading: BurnLounge @ Rewind The Rhythm

Rewind the Rhythm, Jay Michaels' contemporary adult radio show featuring classic r&b and soul artists launched last year, has introduced a music download site, BurnLounge, offering a selection of tunes over 2 million long and growing. Pricing is competitive with music services like iTunes, with BurnLounge having the advantage that the music can be delivered to any MP3 player, including the iPod. "Download. Burn. Share. Earn." Catchy, huh? Anyone -- a band, an indie label, a talent agency, a music video producer, a venue -- can sign up as a BurnLounge retailer and potentially make some money. The company "will help you set up and promote your own BurnLounge with radio commercials, web advertisements, MP3 player giveaways" and other marketing efforts.
BurnLounge: <http://www.rtrburnlounge.com/>
Sound: <http://rsanv.com/mp3/rewindtherhythm/>
Rewind the Rhythm: <http://www.rewindtherhythm.com/>

Music: The Symphony

An interactive guide to the great composers' finest symphonies: ThinkQuest

Dating: FarmersOnly.com

"You don't have to be a farmer to be on FarmersOnly.com, but you do have to have the good old-fashioned traditional values of America's Heartland," says Jerry Miller, founder of this service "for Down-to-Earth-Singles....Farmers, Ranchers, Ag Students, Cowboys, Cowgirls, Animal Lovers, Nature Lovers, Country Folks & Wannabes." Wannabes? <http://www.farmersonly.com/>

Downloads: Some of the best talent on on-line radio

Here are some of the artists you notice if you listen a lot to radio on line. Singer-songwriter Mark Erelli's Hope And Other Casualties, full of affecting music, could have been released any time since 1965, so I guess that means you can call it timeless; he, not icky James Blunt, is the real sensitive guy; definitely on my top 10 list. Keyboardist/songwriter NLX (a.k.a. Natasha Alexandra) has re-released the 2005 album In Your Face, along with the new Behind Your Back, a collection of raw, confessional ballads. And google big-voiced singer/songwriter Sam Shaber, whose In My Bones (Live in Chicago) is a not-to-miss, to find out more about this extraordinary performer.

Check out:
Mark Erelli: <http://www.markerelli.com/>
NLX: <http://www.nlxmusic.com/>
Sam Shaber: <http://www.samshaber.com/>
Natalia Zukerman: <http://www.nataliazukerman.com/>
The Clarks: <http://www.clarksonline.com/>
Taylor Davis: <http://www.taylordavismusic.com/>
Julie Loyd: <http://www.julieloyd.com/>
Patti DeRosa: <http://www.pattiderosa.com/>
Tim Blane: <http://www.timblane.com/>
Kyler England (The Green Room Sessions EP): <http://www.kylerengland.com/>
Kenny White (Never Like This EP): <http://www.kennywhite.net/>
Breaking Laces (Astronomy May Be My Life, But I Love You EP): <http://www.breakinglaces.com/>
Tina Dico: <http://www.tinadico.com/>
Rachael Sage: <http://www.rachaelsage.com/>

Resource: 1000s of free desktop wallpapers

"Caedes, the Desktop Wallpaper and Artist Community, is a close community of artists, designers, and photographers who share their work" -- 12,000+ images, from fractal creations and abstracts to 3D computer art and photos -- "through the medium of computer desktop wallpaper. Feel free to browse the galleries, comment on other's work, and even submit your own art when you're ready. Sign up for a free username to access all features." -- from the website. <http://www.caedes.net/>

The Zeitgeist: My Box in a Box

My Box in a Box is an answer song that upped the ante on the Special Christmas Box, a SNL routine that, in its unbleeped version, viraled across the net. Virologists can follow the course of the box pandemic on the My Box in a Box blog, The Huffington Press re: Keith Olbermann and the box, Jossip, and Huffington again on the Lonely Girl-like team behind it all. YouTube

Search: Simply Google

Better Google?

Instead of having you squeeze through a mail slot, the way Google does on its home page so you can reach its 37 search options, Simply Google places all of those choices and many, many more all neatly arranged in columns on the very first page.

Pencil Sharpening: NeoPets

"Neopets is the greatest Virtual Pet Site on the Internet. With your help, we have built a community of over 70 million virtual pet owners across the world! Neopets has many things to offer including over 160 games, trading, auctions, greetings, messaging, and much much more. Best of all, it's completely free!" -- from the website. <http://www.neopets.com/>

Media: Top Ten Stories of 2006 From National Geographic News

A biblical figure gets a controversial image makeover. A famous TV personality is killed by a stingray. A far-flung planet gets a demotion. These are just a few of the big stories covered this year by National Geographic News.

10. Muslim Athletic Wear Covers Skin Without Cramping Style (April 27).
Specially designed sportswear is allowing Muslim women to adhere to the Koranic principle of modesty while on the volleyball court, the soccer field, and even at the beach. Read the Full Story >>
9. Pluto Not a Planet, Astronomers Rule (August 24)
Pluto is no longer a planet, according to a new official definition. Instead the icy sphere will be considered one of more than 40 "dwarf planets." Read the Full Story >>
8. Murdered "Bog Men" Found With Hair Gel, Manicured Nails (January 17)
The bodies of two Iron Age murder victims have been recovered from peat bogs in Ireland. Experts say one man used hair gel in a likely bid to appear taller. Read the Full Story >>
7. Monster Rabbit Stalks U.K. Village (But No Sign of Wallace or Gromit) (April 11)
A dog-size bunny is ravaging prize vegetable gardens, reports say. Rabbit experts speculate that the suspect is a pet gone wild. Read the Full Story >>
6. Noah's Ark Discovered in Iran? (July 5)
A boat-shaped rock formation found on an Iranian mountain could be the petrified remains of Noah's ark, according to a group of Christian archaeologists. Read the Full Story >>
5. "Lost World" Found in Indonesia Is Trove of New Species (February 7)
Deep in a South Pacific island jungle, explorers have uncovered an Eden thriving with unknown kangaroos, birds, bugs, and more, the scientists announced today. Read the Full Story and Photo Gallery >>
4. Gospel of Judas Pages Endured Long, Strange Journey (April 6)
The twisting tale of the document itself—centuries in hiding, mysterious travels, and near destruction—is nearly as surprising as the story the gospel tells. Read the Full Story >>
3. "Crocodile Hunter" Death Extremely Rare, Caught on Film (September 5)
Medical examinations confirm that Australian TV personality Steve Irwin died after a stringray pierced his heart during filming. Read the Full Story >>
2. Family Walks on All Fours, May Offer Evolution Insight, Experts Say (March 8)
It's not a hoax, researchers say. Five adult siblings in Turkey can walk only on all fours and may shed light on our apelike ancestors, scientists report. Read the Full Story >>
1. Lost Gospel Revealed; Says Jesus Asked Judas to Betray Him (April 6) Hidden for 1,700 years, the Gospel of Judas now offers a surprising take on Christianity's most reviled man. Read the Full Story >>

• Top Ten Videos of 2006 from National Geographic News
• Top Ten Photos of 2006 from National Geographic News