The Brighton University Resource Kit for Students
The Brighton University Resource Kit for Students (BURKS) is an archive with "compilers, tutorials and reference manuals for dozens of different programming languages, a dictionary of computing with over 13,000 entries...a vast amount of useful software, information about the Internet itself, and much more." BURKS is primarily intended for individuals who do not have access to an Internet connection, which is why the collection mostly consists of resources from external websites. The collection
All Catfish Species Inventory
The All Catfish Species Inventory (ACSI) serves to "facilitate the discovery, description and dissemination of knowledge of all catfish species by a global consortium of taxonomists and systematists." Contributed to by ichthyologists around the world, this Web site provides a useful portal to catfish resources and information. Features include a listing of type specimen locations, a guide to current phylogenetic studies and other projects, distribution maps, catfish news and announcements, and m
Insect Mouthparts
This Web site contains a pictorial guide to insect mouthparts, a complicated topic served well by this simple yet effective tutorial. Created by University of Ottawa entomology professor Dr. Houseman -- using material adapted from Digital Zoology (on CD from McGraw-Hill) -- this site provides labeled diagrams and high quality photos of chewing, siphoning, piercing, sponging, and combination mouthparts. Users may view images by category or click through the entire set in sequence. The photographs
Earth Observatory: Melting Snows of Kilimanjaro
Satellite photos of Mt. Kilimanjaro have become recently available from NASA's Earth Observatory, a "freely-accessible publication on the Internet where the public can obtain new satellite imagery and scientific information about our home planet." Taken in 1993 and again in 2000, these photos chronicle the dramatic disappearance of Kilimanjaro's glacial ice cap, a sensitive indicator of climate change that some scientists believe may vanish altogether by 2015. The Web site provides links to othe
Molecular Monte Carlo Home Page
The Department of Chemical Engineering and Department of Chemistry of the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art maintain the Molecular Monte Carlo Home Page. For those unaware, Monte Carlo refers to the use of "random walks" (stochastic methods) to simulate and analyze molecular systems. The main page contains descriptions of the various types of Molecular Monte Carlo such as classical, quantum, and volumetric; links to Monte Carlo tutorials including simulation basics and stochast
Wolfram Research's Mathematical Functions
Wolfram Research, the maker of the popular software Mathematica, recently added a comprehensive database of mathematical functions to its Web site. Currently, there are over 37,000 formulas that can be browsed alphabetically or divided into fourteen categories. Documents explaining general identities and notations used on the site are also available; however, users must sign the guestbook before they can be viewed. Wolfram Research hopes eventually to add a history section for many of the functi
Internet Culture
Martin Ryder, a technologist, self-proclaimed Luddite, and educator affiliated with the University of Colorado at Denver School of Education has compiled this list of online resources on Internet Culture. The resources are organized by topic areas, which include, for example, history, virtual architecture, Internet communities, psychology, norms, gender, and political structures. The Other Resources section refers to websites addressing issues such as The Digital Divide, a Theory of Technology,
Online Maps and Data
From the California Geological Survey, the Online Maps and Data site contains information focused on natural hazards. Topics include minerals, earthquakes, and landslide and erosion hazards. The site also includes the General Location Guide for Ultramafic Rocks in California. The site also has links to a publications page and a new interactive mapping program called the Seismic Hazards Mapping Web page.
The Economist: Proof and Beauty in Mathematics
This article from the magazine _The Economist_ argues that the notion of mathematical proof is now in flux and that "the use of computers to prove mathematical theorems is forcing mathematicians to re-examine the foundations of their discipline." The author discusses the differences between proofs conducted by hand and those conducted by computers, using the classification of finite simple groups as an example showing how some proofs are unverifiable. The article concludes with a discussion of t
Genome Bioinformatics
This no-frills UC-Santa Cruz Genome Bioinformatics Web site contains searchable "working drafts of the human genome and the mouse genome," which each represent "immense collaborative efforts" within the biomedical research community. Those who are active in genome research may find this Web site useful, especially for the multi-faceted genome browser that "provides a rapid and reliable display of any requested portion of genomes at any scale, together with dozens of aligned annotation tracks (kn
Temperature World
Temperature World.com gives in-depth and varied information on temperature. The site offers links to a temperature converter, world city temperatures, a printable temperature conversion table, temperature forecasts, temperature related product recalls, and information on metal temperature by color. It also contains explanations of earth temperature issues, temperature sensors and controls, organizations and standards, temperature tools, and more. A unique and thorough site, it can be enjoyed by
Flash Kit
Flash, a Web browser plug-in developed by Macromedia, is one of the most common applications for creating animated objects and effects in a Web site. This site has a wealth of tutorials and general information about "Flash and related technologies." There are literally hundreds of tutorials for both novices and experienced users. The introductory items explain concepts like basic graphics and scene creation. Other topics include interactivity, audio integration, 3D graphics, and much more. There
Technology and Religion
This issue of Topic in Depth explores the relationship between technology and religion in today's world. This first website, from PBS, features interviews with "a skeptic, a devout Muslim scientist, and an expert in the sociology of religion" who address the question, Can Religion Withstand Technology? (1). This blog from the Institute for the Future discusses how religion is making use of technology (2). One way that religion and technology interact, of course, is through the use of the Interne
Igneous, Metamorphic, and Sedimentary Rock Info
Igneous, Metamorphic, and Sedimentary Rock Info, is part of the University of British Columbia Introduction to Petrology course Web site. Visitors can learn the basics of petrology, and the specifics about each individual rock type. For example, the sedimentary rock page gives definitions, normal constituents, limestone and dolostone facts, and siliciclastic rock information. One of the highlights of the site lets users go through the process of rock classification by determining its grain size,
Sky Chart
The Sky and Telescope Web site, which is the companion site to the long running magazine of the same name, hosts the online interactive Sky Chart. Users can choose from any location on earth by inputting a city or a latitude and longitude, after which they then choose the direction they want to view in the sky. The tool allows anyone to view an image of the sky from any location on earth, which is pretty darn cool. The ease of use is another highlight of the Sky Chart, making it easily accessibl
EDUCAUSE Quarterly
EDUCAUSE Quarterly "is a practitioner's journal about managing and using information resources in higher education." It deals with many issues about implementing information technology (IT) practices as learning tools. The material is suitable for anyone interested in IT applications, but is particularly useful for those who work in computer services or other IT organizational positions. This site offers full text articles from the journal at no cost, and several back issues can be viewed as wel
Database of Zeolite Structures
The Database of Zeolite Structures is provided by the Structure Commission of the International Zeolite Association. Links include an Atlas of Zeolite Framework Types, Collection of Simulated XRD Powder Patterns for Zeolites, Catalog of Disordered Zeolite Structures, Schemes for Building Zeolite Framework Models, and Zeolite Structure References, as well as various publications. The database can be searched or browsed, and contains several useful tools such as the "input your data" link, which a
Seaworld: Water
An educational lesson plan entitled Water is offered by the Seaworld teacher resources Web site. Objectives of the unit include having students identify the three phases of water, discuss the hydrologic cycle, describe the structure of the water molecule and the properties of water, explain ocean currents, and more. The well designed lesson allows students to study various topics by reading provided text and completing the activities described such as measuring salt content in water and estimati
Climate of 2002 Preliminary Annual Review
The National Climatic Data Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has made available the Climate of 2002 Preliminary Annual Review Web site. Visitors will find numerous charts; graphs; tables; and descriptions of global temperatures, temperature trends, regional temperatures, and global precipitation. A US climate summary, as well as information on significant events, the Atlantic hurricane season, and the western US wildfire season, is also available. The site has
Oil, Out of Control
Oil, Out of Control is an in-depth Whyfiles story that follows from news coverage of an oil spill off Spain's northwest coast in 2002. This Web site offers a straight look at the issues surrounding this and other famous oil spills, particularly that of the Exxon Valdez off Prince William Sound in 1992. The authors make clear the allegiances of people quoted in the story, while clearly explaining both the science and politics of oil spills and cleanup efforts. The Web site also features a news re
