E-mail Lists.
FIRST TO KNOW BULLETIN
The First To Know Bulletin provides information on breakthroughs in medical science on a first-to-know basis. This newsletter comes weekly from the people at Ivanhoe Broadcast News. The newsletter keeps tabs on the state of the art in medical science in its ongoing battle with disease.
Regarding medical information on the Web with suspicion is a good general rule. That rule applies here as well, but Ivanhoe submits to the strictures of HON (the Health On the Net Foundation), an organization dedicated to providing legitimate health information on the Internet. Check out HON's principles at
http://www.hon.ch/HONcode/Conduct.html
To subscribe to the First To Know Bulletin, visit the Web site at
http://www.ivanhoe.com/docs/survey.html
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MERRIAM-WEBSTER'S WORD OF THE DAY MAILING LIST
Unlike ears and noses, they say the vocabulary of the average person stops growing by his or her mid-twenties. If you are like me, you regularly struggle against this cruel natural law. Well, Merriam and Webster are on the scene to help. As the title suggests, this list delivers a new word every working day. The good people at M-W break it down with a definition, a phonetic pronunciation key, an example sentence showing common usage, and interesting historical footnotes with which you can impress your coworkers. Isn't that what life is really about? Tell your boss that she's wonderfully obdurate and walk away smiling at your own obfuscation. To subscribe, send a blank e-mail to
or visit the Web site at
http://www.m-w.com/service/subinst.htm
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I WANT MY MP3 MAILING LIST
Bill Mann has become a self-styled expert on this new Internet audio format: He's released a book about MP3, available through Amazon.com, and he maintains a weekly MP3 mailing list. If you are not yet familiar with MP3, it is a format for digitizing music that enables music lovers to download music via the Web. And we're talking scads of music here. The rush to find a way to capitalize on this technology has spawned a variety of sites dedicated to housing MP3 music libraries--all free for download to the enterprising Web surfer. This mailing list gathers up all those loose ends and dead ends that can cause three hours to go by in what seems like three hours--you know, those times when you still haven't found what you are looking for. (Hey, that sounds like a good song lyric). Each week the list points you to the latest sites taking advantage of new refinements in this emerging technology.
To subscribe, send a blank email to
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FLY FISHING NEWS
You're either a fly-fisher or you aren't. It's one of those avocations with very little middle ground. If you are, it's one of those license-plate-frame kind of feelings. With this mailing list, you get in touch with others who share the burning desire to fly-fish. That's not just any ol' fishing but the challenging art of dropping a nearly weightless fly 20 yards across a swift stream. It's all for the moment when that lunker decides to rise from a hidey-hole to what it thinks is a tasty mayfly (or whatever hatch your fly tries to mimic). I have always believed in benefiting from the experience of others, and here is a place to develop the nuance required of the expert fly-fisher. To subscribe, visit the Web site at
http://www.IBOATs.com/chat/newsletters.html
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KATHY SMITH LIFESTYLES MAILING LIST
The good folks at Fidget.com have enlisted fitness guru and columnist Kathy Smith to compile a weekly fitness newsletter. You'll find tips for working up a good sweat, getting the most out of time spent in a computer chair, responses to reader questions, and dietary recommendations. It makes me thirsty just knowing that someone is out there thinking about fitness as much as Kathy Smith most assuredly is. Don't look for any miracle fitness fixes here--Kathy is all about hard work and positive mental attitude. Get fit, get happy, get the Kathy Smith newsletter. To subscribe, visit the Fidget Web site at
http://www.fidget.com/enews/syndicated.cfm
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HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH NEWS
The people behind Human Rights Watch have picked a hard row to hoe. They go to the places where some of the most terrible things on Earth are happening; one current example is Russian brutality in Chechnya, Albanian versus Serb brutality in Kosovo... oh, yeah, we said just one example, didn't we? This mailing list delivers all of the Human Rights Watch press releases and public letters--information you won't get from the local news team. It may not all be good news--it's almost certainly bad news--but Human Rights Watch performs a very important role by holding politicians' feet to the fire where the dignity of human life is at stake. To subscribe, send a blank email to
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GREEN EARTH TRAVEL NEWSLETTER
Having traveled with a vegan, I know firsthand that being one involves lots of questions about ingredients, lots of impatient looks from waitpersons, and lots of meals consisting of dry toast. The people at Green Earth are here to help. In addition to planning package Trips of the Month, they review destinations from a vegetarian-centric point of view. Luckily vegetarian cuisine has come a long way since its introduction into American culture, so if you're not vegan or vegetarian--but your traveling companion is the vegetarian restaurants won't leave you eating a handful of salted sprouts. Also expect to find an occasional tasty recipe or two. To subscribe, visit the Web site at
http://www.vegtravel.com
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LOCKERGNOME NEWSLETTER
The more time you spend with your computer, the more you appreciate good computer advice. LockerGnome features a crack team of computer geeks (I mean that in the most respectful sense, of course) who compile a wide range of information for your daily or weekly perusal.Helpful OS information for Windows 95 through 2000 as well as NT--is this newsletter's mission. It offers scads of useful, high quality freeware download addresses to enhance your operating system, networking capabilities, or gaming enjoyment. One section is devoted to interesting Web sites, and the Gnome Tip delivers useful nuggets of advice about your computer that range from the money saving to the headache relieving. To subscribe, visit the Web site at
http://www.lockergnome.com
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WRITERS DAILY
I can't maintain a daily review of the sprawling world of mailing lists without having readers occasionally focus my attention on individual lists that suit their fancy. Today's list showed up in my box as a suggestion, and goes by the title of Writers Daily Quote. As you've guessed, this list delivers the daily two cents of anyone who has ever weighed in on the nature of the craft, the isolation, the struggle, and/or the delight that is writing. Writers Daily Quote can serve as a kick-start on those cold mornings of the mind, when the noise of the clicking keys reminds you there's nothing to say that hasn't already been said before, and said better besides. To subscribe, send a blank e-mail to
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IGN.COM NEWSLETTER
Internet Game Network, known by its abbreviated dot-com moniker, IGN.com, features a newsletter that lets you control frequency and content. This male-centric information center offers in-depth gaming news; science fiction tidbits from movies, books, and comics; and information on men's issues--all delivered in a configuration of your own design. If you are one of those men who feel confused about how to fit his hunter instincts into today's world, you've got a sympathetic corporate friend here. This isn't to say women won't find something of interest here; some of them love games and science fiction too. If you don't find the idea of a "Babe of the Week" feature too offensive (and that goes for men AND women), check out the IGN site at
http://www.ign.com
and click the Newsletter link.
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THE WEIRD SITE E-ZINE
Expect the wacky truth from this e-zine that goes by the apropos name, The Weird Side. Take this headline, for example: "Twins Lorraine and Levinia Christmas, en route in their cars to deliver Christmas presents to each other in December near Flitcham, England, collided. Neither was seriously injured." As long as no one is seriously injured, that ought to be the motto of this list, where very little except the cow is sacred. Come to think of it, I'm sure the cow is fair game here too. If you are just too busy to scour the Internet, world news, and pick friends' brains for the wackiness all around, let The Weird Side do the work. To subscribe, send a blank e-mail to
or visit the Web site at:
http://www.theweirdsite.com
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THE MYSTERY TOUR MAILING LIST
The Mystery Tour is yet another e-zine that consolidates information ranging from useful computing sites and tips to fun information for kids. These e-zines are collectively doing their level best to make my daily mailing list review unnecessary. This one compiles information from a wide range of lists and newsletters and forwards the most useful bits and links to its subscribers on a weekly basis.
The Mystery Tour focuses primarily on computer-related information, from tips on using AOL to Windows troubleshooting, but you can also expect to find funny headlines, quotable quotes, and an occasional recipe. I tried a rigatoni recipe I found there and it was--well, I screwed it up, but it sounded delicious from the instructions. Roll up for the magical Mystery Tour at
http://www.direct.at/beejay
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ORCHID GUIDE DIGEST
I haven't yet tried to grow orchids myself, since word has it they can be suicidally fickle. Some are so delicately beautiful that I know some day I'll try. Until then I can get my enjoyment vicariously by subscribing to this digest version of the Orchid Guide mailing list. You'll find cultivation tips, species information, and orchid events, as well as the orchid travel experiences of subscribers. Raising plants can be both satisfying and demanding, and orchid growers know the sensitivity required to respond to a plant's every need. The Orchid Guide Digest will help you learn to communicate better with your plant. To subscribe, visit the Web site at
http://www.orchidguide.com/ogd/subscr.htm
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ENTERTAINMENT FLASH
Sometimes you just have to know what Cameron Diaz has been up to--or Leonardo, or even that little girl from the Pepsi commercials who channels throaty American icons. We love our media stars here in America, and this e-zine gives you a weekly dose of personality news you can use. An MSN product, Entertainment Flash is a kind of email People Magazine. If getting the 411 on the scenes behind the scenes helps take your mind off your own frustrations, then go to it. Here is an opportunity to get the straight dope direct to your desktop--rather than having hard copy lying around your desk for people to smirk about. To subscribe, visit the Web site at
http://newsletters.msn.com/home.asp
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AUDUBON ADVISORY MAILING LIST
The Audubon Society is about a lot more than just birds. The latter reputation, gained primarily from the fact that founder John Audubon was an ornithologist by profession, sells the organization short. Every month while Congress is in session, the Audubon Advisory updates subscribers on a wide sampling of legislative news relating to habitat, conservation, and animal welfare issues. A recent edition featured a thorough analysis of Clinton's 2000 budget in relation to these environmental concerns. If you're wondering where all the frogs have gone or what our government is doing to stem the deforestation of the rainforest, this list might be right up your alley. To subscribe, send an email to
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ZDNET AUCTION MAILING LIST
Sometimes you are just too busy to monitor all the Internet auction sites in search of that screamin' deal on a naked lady oil lamp like the one your grandma had. Maybe you don't even know what it is you want until you see it. In either case, ZDNet has a newsletter for you. ZDNet's lackeys scour the ZDNet auction site, noting items of interest, which the newsletter then forwards directly to your inbox. Personally, my weakness is for wacky clocks. I love vintage promotional bar clocks from Marlboro or Saint Pauli Girl, and these sometimes turn up at such auction sites. This newsletter eases my mind, troubled as it is by the idea that I'm missing an opportunity to bid on some item I might not be able to live without. To subscribe, visit the Web site at
http://www.zdnet.com/filters/email
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HARD AT WORK NEWSLETTER
Thank goodness the modern workplace isn't what it used to be. Gone (mostly) are the days of "friendly" pats of encouragement on inappropriate parts of other people's anatomies, the linear career path, and gossiping one's way to the top. Well, maybe that last one hasn't completely disappeared. At any rate, this monthly e-newsletter addresses all the troublesome workplace issues. Brought to you by the folks at hardatwork.com, this newsletter works hard to deliver workplace news you can use, contests for solving mock workplace dilemmas, and general-interest items, like how to get that raise you've deserved for so long. The e-newsletter delivers to your box a distillation and directory of the useful information its content creators have put together, as well as wisdom from other subscribers on what works at work. To subscribe, send an e-mail to
and type
subscribe rock
in the body.
Or visit the Web site at
http://www.hardatwork.com
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PERSONAL HOROSCOPES
It is far easier to correct a small mistake right away than to let it sit, is it not? Jade Wise, an astrologer whose Web site offers full-blown readings for free or for a fee, delivers daily pearls of wisdom tailored to you and your astrological ilk. If the pairing of horoscopes and the daily newspaper was a stroke of genius for the newspaper publishing industry, imagine the postmodern beauty of pairing horoscopes and mailing lists. Indispensable glimpses into our cosmic future can come daily to our homes or offices with little more ecological impact than the burning of a few watts of electricity. Jade's daily horoscopes are available as a mailing list. Just send a blank e-mail to
substituting yoursign with the real thing. So if you were a Gemini, like me, you would type
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PUNK 77
This list keeps the punk-rock torch lit by trading information on the who, what, and where (never mind the why) of that venerable institution, the punk scene. Though the punks of 1977 would have preferred to send their message by throwing computers out the window, punks in the year 2000 use their computers to maintain a sense of community across vast geographical distances. Like many subcultures, punk rock has embraced the Internet and finds it a perfect medium to network band and show information, swap stories, meet like minds, and occasionally spew the vitriol we all appreciate and expect from punk rock. To subscribe to this list, send a blank e-mail to
Or visit the Web site at
http://www.geocities.com/punklist
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CYNDI'S LIST MAILING LIST
Much as we sometimes wish it weren't so, the nut generally falls pretty near the tree. Once you've accepted this, you may begin to wonder where the tree first started to grow. This list helps you track down those roots by pointing subscribers to new online genealogical resources as they join Cyndi's List, a sprawling archive. Judging by the million-plus hits at the Web site, genealogy is a thriving Web subculture. The Cyndi's List mailing list might just provide that missing link in your own quest to trace your heritage back to some king or queen (or at least an overlord). To subscribe, send an e-mail to
Type the word
subscribe
in the body of the e-mail.
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ASTROLOGY METAPHYSICAL PSYCHOLOGY
Here's a list to aid in your quest to reacquaint yourself with your spiritual side. Described as a list for intuitives, tarotists, astrologers, and metaphysicians incorporating the mythology of the universal mind, this list may sound a bit intimidating to the armchair metaphysician. Not to worry--all are welcome here to drink the cup of abundant love and compassion. It may not be your bag, but only the hardest of hearts could read this list and not come away touched by the unrelenting positiveness of the frequent posts. Many embedded links lead you on your journey to explore the further reaches of your soul. Like my mom always used to say, you can never have too many angels in your posse. To subscribe, send a blank e-mail to
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NITRATE NEWSLETTER
If you like thoughtful reviews of current films and commentary on cinema issues, the Nitrate Online mailing list might interest you. Once a week you get lengthy copy on new releases as they enter the Nitrate Online Web site. If you don't like to refer to movies as films, this might not be the best list for you--but if you are cautious about your media intake and like a primer from a trained professional, Nitrate Online could help you separate the wheat from the chaff. Recent editions include an interview with director of Mansfield Park, Patricia Rozema, reviews of The Beach, Onegin, and The Girl Next Door, as well as a preview of the 50th Berlin Film Festival. To subscribe, send a blank e-mail to
and type
Subscribe
in the subject line.
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SCIFISPACE WEEKLY NEWSWIRE
Here we have a fine example of a newsletter done well and that's not as easy as it looks. SciFiSpace Weekly Newswire, from the Web site SciFiSpace, has all its bases covered: It's informative, brief, well written, well designed, and accurate. Each week's edition contains updated news items and rumors in the world of science fiction (Gillian Anderson may star in the next Star Wars film; possible release of a sequel to the 1980s vampire soap opera The Lost Boys). Plus you get a guide to upcoming online chats, sci-fi conventions, and TV and film premieres of interest. The tone is friendly and enthusiastic, and the information is useful and easy to find.
To subscribe, send a blank e-mail to
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BENT NEWS
Another cool newsletter from the folks at Sodamail.com, Bent News is a daily dispatch in the news-of-the-weird vein. Besides a nice variety of odd news items gleaned from the wires, Bent News includes regular Bent Statistics and Bent Quote items. A recent example:
Bent Statistic I: Polar bears can smell humans up to 20 miles away.
Bent Statistic II: Polar bears can run at speeds of up to 25 miles an hour.
You do the math. Online archives are also available. Sign up via the Web site at
http://www.sodamail.com/site/bent.shtml
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FIDGET.COM'S MOBILE CHANNELS
PDAs and other handheld devices are becoming more common--and more wired--every day. In fact, many e-zines and newsletters are designed specifically for palmtop devices and even cell phones, which can receive content wirelessly. Fidget.com, a relatively new and exceptionally cool electronic newsletter directory, has dedicated an entire section to reviewing the best mobile channels for the Palm Pilot crowd. Among the heavy hitters with mobile newsletters for the asking are Slate, Salon, Fox Sports, Bloomberg, and the New York Times.
Check out Fidget's listings for the full lineup:
http://www.fidget.com
--This tip contributed by Glenn McDonald
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PHILOSOPHYSEARCH NEWSLETTERS
An ambitious and earnest operation, the PhilosophySearch Web site at
http://www.philosophysearch.com
maintains a searchable database of thousands of books of philosophy and literature. It's a great place to bookmark in case you need a snappy quote. The site also runs four separate newsletters: PhilosophySearch News, Philosophy Quotes, Literature Quotes, and Vocabulary Mail. The first is monthly, and the last three are daily. All are worthwhile. There's nothing like an obscure Lao Tzu invocation to push that daily staff meeting into the realm of the Tao. A recent favorite: "It is rare, indeed, for a man with cunning words and an ingratiating face to be benevolent" (Confucius). Bust out that one the next time your boss asks you to take on a new project. Subscribe via the Web site at
http://philosophysearch.com/subscribe
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NEWSREEL
The Internet is an amazing boon for movie lovers. Never before have they been able to access so much in-depth film arcana so easily--check out the supercool Internet Movie Database at
http://www.imdb.com
for a good example of what you can find on the Net. It's also become much easier and cheaper to buy video and DVD online. You can't beat the selection, and prices are almost always less than what you'd find in retail stores. Reel.com, one of the leading online video stores, now puts out a twice-monthly newsletter with detailed listings of all new releases on VHS, DVD, and laser disc. This newsletter's thoroughness makes it especially valuable--subscribe and you'll never again have to worry about missing out on new titles when they become available. When you register, you can even select what kind of content you want to track--VHS, DVD, and/or kids' films.
Sign up via the Web site at
http://www.pcworld.com/r/tw/1%2C2061%2Ctw-em0209o%2C00.html
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PETER JENNING'S WORLD NEWS TONIGHT
If you've ever secretly wished to carry on a personal correspondence with one of the nation's leading news anchormen (and who hasn't?), I have some good news for you. Peter Jennings and the staff of ABC World News Tonight run a daily e-newsletter detailing the decisions that go into planning each night's episode of news. It's fascinating stuff for the hard-core news junkie. "This will undoubtedly create a new, open relationship between World News Tonight viewers and those of us who assemble the broadcast," writes Jennings. Well, I don't know about that, but it is an interesting peek inside the process of media making.
To subscribe, check out the Web site at
http://www.pcworld.com/r/tw/1%2C2061%2Ctw-em0209y%2C00.html
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BUSY LITTLE HANDS
One of several e-zines put out by the Family Corner (TheFamilyCorner.Com), Busy Little Hands is a weekly dispatch for parents. Each issue contains an arts and crafts project for the kids, plus the occasional easy recipe and featured freebie. Designed to be quick and easy, the activities use stuff you'll find around the house (cereal boxes, for instance.) You'll also find a link to online archives in every week's delivery, plus links to various other kid-friendly resources from the Family Corner. To subscribe, send a blank e-mail to
For a full listing of all Family Corner publications, send a blank e-mail to
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PETS.COM NEWSLETTER
Besides having the funniest commercials of all the new dot-com companies, Pets.Com is a very nicely designed site with deep wells of information on anything remotely pet-related. The Web site's weekly newsletter is a good option for any pet lover. Recent topics include keeping your fish stress free (stress is the leading killer of fish, you know) and the best way to brush your ferret's teeth. I don't know about you, but I've been looking for an answer to that question for a very long time. You'll also get regular updates on the Web site's standing features--for example, legal advice for pet owners who rent, and general health advice from affiliated veterinarians.
Sign up via the Web site at
http://www.pets.com
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GEMS IN ISRAEL
This monthly e-zine is for travelers headed to Israel and its environs, and especially for those hoping to avoid the common tourist destinations. Gems in Israel seems to come from a marketing firm or travel agency somewhere in Massachusetts, and offers impressive depth of detail. One recent dispatch outlined all the significant cultural festivals planned in the year 2000. Another cool feature is that every monthly edition is stored online and regularly updated as events warrant--just browse the Web site for archived back issues. Check it out at
http://www.gemsinisrael.com
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GAMESPOT SPOTLIGHT
I can't count how many times I've turned to Gamespot.Com to get past a rough patch in my latest video game addiction. This excellent Web site provides everything for the gaming enthusiast--reviews, previews, news, tips, hints, cheats, screen shots, and generous links to other game-related content online. The weekly newsletter is a good way to keep on top of the latest developments in the gaming world. You'll also get links to the latest Gamespot features, and plenty of industry rumor and gossip. Recent coverage includes exhaustive detail on Capcom's excellent new title, Dino Crisis. Subscribe via the Web site at
http://www.gamespot.com
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JOKE EMAIL
Timing is everything. One of many, many joke newsletters out there, the weekly Joke Email list has at least one good thing going for it: It comes in early Monday morning, providing a buffer of sorts between the weekend before and the cruel week ahead. The jokes are generally harmless, though the occasional sexual or dirty word joke sneaks hrough. There's also a kid's joke newsletter for those who want to avoid that sort of thing. Check out the Web site archives for a good sense of what you're getting yourself into. You can also check out the site's collection of online Java games and the random joke generator. Sign up via the Web site at
http://www.jokeemail.com
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ELECTRONIC TALES
Our pick of the month for these long days of February, Electronic Tales is an ambitious online serial fiction project by Seattle-based writer Joel Jenkins. How's this for generous: Every weekday, you'll get an approximately 300-to-500-word installment of Jenkins' latest serialized story. This is a kind of postmodern pulp fiction project in both style and substance. Jenkins' tales range from the sword-and-sorcery variety to gun-toting rock band antiterrorists--and plenty more. Ninjas! Gunslingers! Galactic rebels! It's all absolutely free. Support your friendly neighborhood online artist and sign up via the Web site at
http://www.electronictales.com
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ONLINE FACILITATION
The concept of online communities has broadened significantly in the last few years. In the early days of the Internet, mailing lists and Usenet communities pioneered the concept. But the proliferation (and commercialization) of the Web has added many new options and factors: chat rooms, message boards, even live audioconferencing and videoconferencing are now common.
The Online Facilitation mailing list chiefly targets those who are directly involved with maintaining an online community--Webmasters, professional project managers, and mailing list and e-zine publishers. But anyone with an interest in how the Internet facilitates creation of a community will find interesting conversations here. The list can be fairly high volume; subscribe to the digest version if you want to keep it down. For subscription information, send a blank e-mail to
or visit the Web page at
http://www.pcworld.com/r/tw/1%2C2061%2Ctw-em0113o%2C00.html