| July 27, 2003 |
The
Gutenberg Bible at the Ransom Center
Book  lovers and biblical
historians alike are familiar with these prized passages, now
scanned and available online in astonishing
detail. The Gutenberg
Bible was the first ever book made utilizing the movable
type process in Germany circa 1454. Lovingly bound in Johann
Gutenberg's tiny studio -- only 21 copies remain today,
five of which are in the U.S. Prior to his landmark invention,
bibles and books were laboriously
written on scrolls. During the middle ages, monks
painstakingly inked manuscripts in a room called a
scriptorium. Short books could take months to finish, while
bibles could take years. As demands for wood-block pictures
and engravings rose throughout Europe, the need for a better,
faster process was evident. Gutenberg's revolutionary print
presses spread, and literacy flourished. As for his great
first
work, you can admire it in up
close, almost 600 years after it was first bound.
(in Literature) |
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| July 26, 2003 |
Blogathon
Have  you caught the
weblog bug or know someone who has? Are you a mouse potato
looking for a weekend activity that's pure spectator sport?
Want to sponsor a wild-eyed, sleep-deprived crew of
laptop-toting bloggers and contribute to a good cause? Hurry
on over to the third annual
Blogathon. For 24 long hours, beginning July 26 at 6:00
a.m. PST, this year's 538 participants will update their
weblogs every 30 minutes. Why such a need for speed? They're
raising money via sponsorships for the charity of their
choice, while typing on topics that are near and dear to their
hearts. Don't miss this year's special feature, zefrank's
collaborative Fiction Project
in support of Gilda's
Club. Keep on bloggin'... (in Weblogs) |
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| July 25, 2003 |
SpinalTapFan.com
You
 may know them as Spinal Tap,
the rock band immortalized in the 1984 mockumentary, This
Is Spinal Tap, but to their dedicated fans, the English heavy
metalers are known simply as "them guys." Thanks to the
Tap, phrases such as, "It's such a fine line between clever
and stupid," have worked their way into rock vernacular.
Incredibly, all the exploits of core band members David
St. Hubbins, Nigel
Tufnel, and Derek
Smalls are chronicled in the enormous Spinal
Tap A to Zed, which can be viewed in its entirety or
sampled randomly.
Tapheads will appreciate the importance of zucchini
in spandex and won't want to miss "Lick My
Love Pump," Nigel's symphonic opus in D Minor. Articles
and chat transcripts further elucidate the band's history and
future, while action
figures show the lads in repose. Quite exciting, this web
site magic! (in Music) |
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| July 24, 2003 |
American
Women
Want  to delve into the lives of
dynamic females who've left an indelible mark on our nation's
history? Here's the place to start. The Library of Congress
has created this gateway for you -- step through and
investigate their vast holdings on women's culture. You'll
find specific manuscripts, recorded
sounds, photographs,
and folklore collections. If you're researching a project, the
site offers helpful tips on narrowing your search by topical
materials, or you can browse the Collection
Finder to locate information by subject, date, or original
format of materials. And CyberTalks
point you to video files of lectures and readings held across
the country. Poke around and unearth some truly rare
gems while gaining a new appreciation for the women who
have shaped America. (in Humanities
> History) |
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| July 23, 2003 |
Bulwer-Lytton
Fiction Contest
Compiling  a "worst of" list for any
pop culture category usually grabs attention and sparks
spirited debate. But setting out to create something worthy of
the title of "the worst" is a daunting feat in and of itself.
This contest dedicated to praising awful prose has become one
of the highlights of the literary year. Challenging entrants
"to compose the opening sentence to the worst of all possible
novels," the contest results in fiction that can be both
teeth-gnashingly bad and strikingly humorous at the same time.
Read the very cheesy 2003
winners or browse back through the turgid musings of years
past. Named after the author who penned the infamous line,
"It was a dark and stormy night," this engaging contest shines
a bright light on the worst of all possible ramblings.
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| July 22, 2003 |
Chicago
Uncommon Photographs
Visit  Chicago's notable landmarks
through the eyes of its self-described biggest fan, Dawn M.
Mikulich. She's taken over 750 images of the city she adores
and arranged them by category and
date. Explore
the neighborhoods of the Windy City, from the bustling downtown
and the glitzy Magnificent
Mile to the Swedish enclave of Andersonville
and the serenely beautiful Lakefront
area. The birthplace of the skyscraper,
Chicago boasts a skyline to rival Manhattan. But make no
mistake, the toddlin' town is also inhabited by a variety of
wildlife
and domestic animals. Escape the urban jungle with a day trip
to the Chicago
Botanic Garden, the Garfield
Park Conservatory, and the Morton
Arboretum. Newcomers and Chicagoans alike will appreciate
the simple beauty of these vivid cityscapes. (in Photographers) |
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| July 21, 2003 |
DVDtoons
In  response to the public's growing appetite for
anime hits like Dragonball Z, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and the
many offerings of the Cartoon Network -- this database helps
fans of animation track down their favorite TV shows and
movies on DVD. You'll have no trouble Finding Nemo,
looking into your Futurama, or making Super
Friends to last a lifetime. Keep tabs on Carmen Sandiego
and other scheduled releases in the news section. Want the
inside scoop on the Wolverine DVD before you plunk down the
dough? Read the reviews for bonus
material, ratings, and screenshots. Columnists offer their toon cents, and
you can toss back some of your own. You'll even uncover easter
eggs hidden within your digital library. For die-hard fans,
the free membership gets you access to behind-the-disc
newsletters and all the SpongeBob cover art you could ever
want. (in Comics
& Animation) |
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