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Name of Site: Jeff Noon
URL: http://www.jeffnoon.com/
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Review: Thanks to the kind folks at Spike Magazine, an exemplary UK-based
literary ezine, the depths of Jeff Noon's critically acclaimed creativity
are dredged and filtered to create a formidable shrine to the author's
works. The Arthur C Clarke Award-winning "Vurt" kicked off his
novel-writing career in a big way and he hasn't stopped since - even taking
the time to contribute directly to this site on occasion. There are biographies,
backgrounders to the books, detailed bibliography, reviews and a fairly
decent set of links to other Noon online abodes. All carefully pieced
together to enhance your appreciation of the books you have already read,
and tempt you to buy the ones you haven't. His latest experimental DJ-style
scratch and dub writings are ripe for the Web generation to devour. -
SS
Rating: ***
Name of Site: Aldous Huxley - Brave New World
and Other Works
URL: http://somaweb.org/
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Review: A quick perusal of Mr Huxley's biography puts Brave New World
into perspective as just one little project in a life's work that places
him in the elite circle with the greatest intellects of history. 47 books
and countless explorations of science and humanity, produced ideas that
have inspired entire social and cultural movements. Nearly 40 years after
his death, the Internet abounds with sites built in his honour - many
linked from here - and this one is a good starting point. A comprehensive
bibliography and life story kick start your journey to the countless resources
divided into general, BNW, Bio-Ethics and additional links. A discussion
forum is alive with users own opinions and interpretations of the great
man's work. - SS
Rating: ****
Name of Site: Asimov.com
URL: http://www.asimov.com/
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Review: While the regular retail bookstands are becoming more and more
populated with self-help, get rich quick and diet books, Asimov has found
renewed popularity in the Internet medium and recently topped the e-book
charts. Meanwhile his traditional books remain high up the list of all
time favourites for many a Sci-fi fan. This site is a free membership-based
Asimov haven, providing forums, reviews, news, interviews, great links
and a swathe of interesting stuff, like music inspired by his writings,
editorials, random quotes, short stories and an image gallery. Membership
allows customisation and identity in forum posts, the chance to submit
your own creations and stay informed of the posthumous career moves of
this most prolific writer. - SS
Rating: ****
Name of Site: HR Giger
URL: http://www.giger.com/
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Review: A childhood encounter with a human skull led Mr Giger down a dark
and twisted trail of creative genius where machines and organisms breed.
After studying architecture and industrial design, he began realising
his artistic visions, which by the late 60s began to make their mark.
Famous for his Oscar-wining work on the Alien movie, he now produces freaky
furniture, coffee table books, posters, fine art, even tarot cards, watches,
busts and mouse pads as well as continuing to work in film. Who said artists
aren't good business people? The site's Flash menu bar is very impressive,
complete with alien screams, and there is enough info here to whet you
appetite for his macabre yet strangely believable life forms. - SS
Rating: *****
Name of Site: Science Fiction and Fantasy World
URL: http://www.sffworld.com/
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Review: The great thing about science fiction is that the subject matter
is so speculative that all fans have their own opinion about every aspect
of the stories. This makes the Internet an ideal place for the genre to
grow, as readers and journalists get to hook up with one another and share
ideas on their favourite books/movies/TV shows/comics, debate the relative
realism of the potential futures and argue over which story is the ultimate
SF saga. Some even get the bug to write their own versions. SFF World
is a large, well organised meeting place and archive of articles, reviews,
interviews, short stories, synopses and voting, with the emphasis on involvement,
opinion and celebration of the huge scope of science fiction works. -
SS
Rating: ****
Name of Site: World Science Fiction Convention
URL: http://worldcon.org/
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Review: For hard-core enthusiasts, the only way to really show your dedication
to Sci-Fi is to don your best extra-terrestrial garb and attend the World
Convention. The WSFS is the home of the famous Hugo Awards, established
in 1953, and the longevity of the organisation has given it stability,
strength and sophistication, though the design of the site leaves a lot
to be desired, looking as it does like it was built some time last millennium.
The conventions are organised three years in advance to give you plenty
of time to save for the airfare and each one has its own separate site.
The main site contains mainly membership info etc. with a handful of links
taking you to some choice portals. - SS
Rating: **
Name of Site: Friends of Science Fiction
URL: http://www.fsf.com.au/
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Review: Recently given a whole new facelift, FSF provides easy access
to their Aussie domain with all the main links to the main topics and
sub topics surround a central area which reveals the content in a standardised
format. All this organisation has only netted them 74 registered users
at the time of review but no doubt the casual visitors are more numerous,
since the info provided is varied and interesting. Some areas, like links,
are still a little undernourished, but the architecture of the site gives
it plenty of room to grow as the articles, stories, reviews, news, forum
and chat room fill up with ever increasing hoards of SF fanatics. - SS
Rating: ****
Name of Site: SciFi.com
URL: http://www.scifi.com/
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Review: The popularity of science fiction has attracted the men with the
money to buy the big domain names, secure the media associations, build
the colourful web sites and sit in waiting as the fans insatiable thirst
for content draw them inextricably toward them. Technology has led to
an explosion of blockbuster movies, DVDs and TV shows all appealing to
our fascination for the fantastic and they are all well represented here
in style and a fair deal of substance. Screenings, premiers, conventions
and news as well as a special "SCIFI.COM Presents" theatre of
Flash, video and audio dramas. A little exploration and you'll soon forget
that you are a mere minion to the marketing masters and you'll actually
enjoy the role. - SS
Rating: ****
Name of Site: InSciFi.net
URL: http://www.inscifi.net/
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Review: This is the site that the fsf.com.au site, also reviewed here,
has tried to emulate an understandably so, since the design provides an
excellent means to transport yourself to hitherto unknown galaxies of
SF fandom. A fancy collection of graphic sign posts flag the most popular
films and TV shows throughout the site with breaking news and insider
info gathered for your reading pleasure, and the other features and benefits
of participating make a convincing argument to fill out the membership
form. The gallery was down at the time of review, sadly, but I almost
forgot to finish the rest of my reviews as I explored the stories, news
items and forums, with its disproportionate number of "Buffy"
threads. Already sprouting with more room to grow, InSciFi.net is one
of the choice destinations in the galaxy. - SS
Rating: *****
Name of Site: Greg Egan's Home Page
URL: http://www.netspace.net.au/~gregegan/
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Review: Mr Egan is a techno buff and prolific Sci-Fi writer who provides
a fascinating collection of works on his personal home page. He seems
like the kind of guy who likes to let his art do the talking rather than
jump on the media bandwagon to hype his talents out of all proportion.
In the true spirit of the net as we knew it before the corporations took
over, Mr Egan dishes out a sizeable offering of his works gratis, along
with some pretty spectacular animated geometrical Java applets that orient
you towards his fascinating scientific perspective which is explored in
depth via a great selection of interviews and non-fiction pieces, all
only a couple of mouse clicks away from where you are now. The universe
is truly a wondrous place. - SS
Rating: *****
Name of Site: Star Wars
URL: http://www.starwars.com/
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Review: The official site understandably offers some tasty morsels to
keep our interest piqued in anticipation of the next big offering from
Lucas Films. With plenty of cash left over from the box office and an
understanding of the obsessive nature of Star Wars fans, a virtual colony
of fans has been constructed with in depth explorations of the characters,
locations, hardware, language and technology of the amazing star wars
universe. With such juicy material to play with, visitors will not be
disappointed. In no time, you'll be storming the online shop and amassing
an army of your friends at the box office to camp outside until the next
episode premiers. - SS
Rating: *****
Name of Site: Star Wars Link Engine
URL: http://www.project-m31.com/
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Review: One obsessed Star Wars fan has decided to take it upon him to
build his very own portal/shrine to his beloved epic. With 500 or so links
categorised nicely into sections like rumours, collectibles, prequels,
role playing and fan fiction and a small set of features sites and forums,
Project-m31establishes a respectable alternative to the official site,
filling in all the blanks and exploring territory Mr Lucas is probably
quite happy to leave to the fans, while he concentrates on the challenge
of maintaining his status as the God of Hollywood Sci-Fi. - SS
Rating: ****
Name of Site: STARTREK.COM
URL: http://www.startrek.com/
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Review: Mr Roddenberry's vision of a perfect future society in a spaced
out world is getting closer every day, gratuitous commercialisation aside.
The stories, the stars, the spin offs, the merchandising, the conventions,
and the Klingon fancy dress parties - the Star Trek world just grows and
grows. The official site satisfies in a big way, with its "Trekkie'
design, studio insights, community involvement, library, galleries, synopses
biographies - 36 years is a long time in show business and this is a major
testament to Gene's inspiration. Download me Scotty! - SS
Rating: *****
Name of Site: TrekWeb.COM
URL: http://www.startrek.com/
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Review: Motivated by love alone, this fan site relies on your donations
and purchases to stay alive, unlike the cashed up official site. Naturally
the content is nowhere near as authoritative and detailed, but the enthusiasm
and personal involvement make up for it. The site takes the form of an
expanded bulletin board - news reports coupled with fan commentary and
opinion, split up by series. Gaming, live chat, conventions, scriptwriting,
opinion polls - you the fan are now a part of this great society where
peace reigns and earl grey tea materialises in front of your monitor while
you dream of writing your own episode and winning a Klingon language debate
on the future of your galaxy and the upcoming release of the digitally
remastered collectors series DVDs. - SS
Rating: ****
Name of Site: SF Timeline
URL: http://www.magicdragon.com/UltimateSF/timeline.html
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Review: Just in case you thought that science fiction began when Captain
Kirk fired his first phaser, it may be time to check out this fascinating
little journey through history. Science, technology and the human spirit
to dream of a better future has been with us for thousands of years. This
incredibly well researched and detailed timeline traces the story from
the dawn of time to the present day and beyond, with some humorous predictions
of future SF tales, including the 2010 slightly embellished remake of
the epic "Browser Wars". We just keep on dreaming imagining
and creating and in some ways you can see that science fiction is really
a major influence in the development of science fact. - SS
Rating: *****
Name of Site: Matrix Fans
URL: http://www.matrixfans.net/
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Review: If you are like me, you were blown away by Keanu and his little
trip to hell and back via his modem, and would like to find out a bit
more about the whole "Matrix" phenomenon those Wachowski brothers
spawned. Here the fans huddle round the glowing pixels and get the inside
low-down on this fascinating modern day epic saga. I was fascinated by
the discussions of the religious symbolism the brothers intentionally
peppered the script with. Truly inspirational stuff. The story continues
as the sequels - along with the speculation and gossip - promise to deliver
more knuckle-whitening, teeth-clenching, mind-blowing action accompanied
by more brilliant scriptwriting and gut wrenching music tracks. Fan fiction
and art, merchandise, discussions, even a copy of the original screenplay
will ensure you fulfil your own destiny as a life long Matrix addict.
- SS
Rating: *****
Name of Site: Rocky Mountain Institute
URL: http://www.rmi.org/
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Review: With all this science fiction populating our Internet and our
consciousness, I thought I'd include a site from a crew who are devoted
to creating a scientifically factual future as fantastic as any far out
fiction writer can conjure. While we've been living in our fictional entertainment
world, the real world has slowly been brought to the brink of destruction.
The Rocky Mountain Institute open our minds to the possibility that science
and technology can actually turn this around with amazing advances in
sustainable technologies and visionary ideas of societal transformations.
They promote and encourage real scientific breakthroughs in material technology,
energy generation, waste management and economic responsibility that,
once you see the examples of what's already happening, may well convince
you that utopia is only a shifting mindset away. - SS
Rating: *****
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