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Here are 10 Web sites, games and pointless time-wasters that made technology fun in 2000
- WWW.NAPSTER.COM
The future of the music industry, or just another good reason to hate Metallica? - WWW.GEOCITIES.COM/ELIAN_TRUE/
Post-Superbowl, you couldn’t open your e-mail without finding another Wazzup parody. The original Superfriends cartoon was hot, but the Elian Gonzalez Budweiser parody was hilarious, especially after the Associated Press tried to have it banned. - HIGH SPEED INTERNET ACCESS
Use it and you wonder how folks with dial-up access survive. - SEAMAN
The Dreamcast game where you’re responsible for the life of a virtual pet is unlike any other game out there. Seaman gets surly if you don’t feed him on time, and he’s not afraid to ask if you’re having an affair. - WWW.THEONION.COM
While America battled over dimples and chads, the Onion once again proved to be the only credible news source, reporting on Clinton’s proclaiming himself president for life and taking shots at Bush’s execution record. Funnier than ever. - SLUGFEST
When Liam Gallagher demanded to fight Robbie Williams, the folks at gameplay.com put together this brilliant brawl simulation between the two cement-head pop tarts, in which the more beer you drink, the stronger you get. - WWW.FOOTBALL.SPORTS.COM
Live, second-by-second commentary of soccer matches around the world. A lifesaver during those awkwardly timed Euro 2000 afternoon matches. - WWW.OPENLETTERS.NET
Former Saturday Night editor Paul Tough’s new first-person correspondence magazine. Usually funny, always direct and e-mailed straight to you every Sunday. - MLB 2001
for Sony PlayStation The best baseball game on the planet, almost worth staying indoors to play. - REFURBISHED TECHNOLOGY
A scanner for $80 and a zip drive for $100? Hell, yeah!
WORST
PlayStation 2
You can’t buy it, and even if you could it isn’t worth it, at least not yet. Get a Dreamcast, stick with the original or read a book.
E-books
Right, here’s the choice: you can hold a beautifully bound, full-size novel in your hands, occasionally lose your page and maybe throw it on the floor in a fit of rage or you can try to read text on a screen the size of a Pop Tart for more than 10 minutes without getting a migraine. You’ve got to be kidding. * mattg@nowtoronto.com