Enclosed please find around twelve of the most entertaining sites we've uncovered. A new site is added and an older site removed each month. Many but not all sites require some sort of plug-in. Links are provided so you may download them if needed. Have fun, we did. MARCH '00 PICK "PumaPaint" This elaborate Java-based site gives you control of a 6-foot tall, paint wielding robot. While not terribly intuitive, with frustratingly long downloads, it's fun to watch Robobrant apply your strokes. We suggest you open at least three browser windows (two for the cameras) and resize them to fit on the same screen. If you're particularly proud of your shared masterpiece, it will be mailed - not emailed - to you. FEBRUARY '00 PICK Greetings & Creativity In keeping with this month's Free Download, our pick is from Shockwave's Greetings & Creativity department. Put together your own cartoons, create personalized photo jigsaw puzzles, then send them to friend or foe. Brother George with puzzled look. JANUARY '00 PICK Psycho Golf Not your typical, pansy, online sport of duffers, Java-based Psycho Golf presents the challenge of random courses and "almost impossible to solve" greens. Add water traps, sand traps, land elevation, and gravity for a game that may well drive you over the edge. Available in four maddening sizes. DECEMBER '99 PICK Virtual Enigma This companion site to NOVA's two-hour PBS broadcast of "Decoding Nazi Secrets" explains the workings of the famous German Enigma encryption machine. Making use of Shockwave you can encrypt your own messages on a virtual machine then email them to others. Caution: the NSA might be watching. NOVEMBER '99 PICK Schwatown Midway This Java-based, online version of an amusement pier (we feel midways should have living creatures) is crammed with distractions. Play cards, hit the slots, be chased by a police car, take on a puzzle, watch 3D movies (didn't work for us), program a guitar, and more. The site and sounds are stupidly fun. SEPTEMBER '99 PICK "Virtual Singapore" If you're a homebody, like brother Tad, traveling isn't your game. So Virtual Singapore will come to you in 3D, once you grab the free Viscape Universal plug-in. We used Version 5.61.0.4125 (really). Go for a river cruise, ride the subway, play a game of pool. There are eerily few people, none of whom appear oriental – or of any known race. Granted, virtual 3D is no National Geographic, but this locale is worth the trip. JULY '99 PICK "16 Color" Childishly primitive, 16 color cinema employs Shockwave to let you draw animation online. You have about 10 seconds of running time to wow the critics. The fun part is emailing your animated .gif to those who will tolerate it and seeing your anonymous (or credited) work in the theater. Download versions available for PC and Mac. MARCH '99 PICK "SIGNMAKER" Wouldn't it be great to own your own highway? Tough. But you can create your own multilane, interstate signs at SignMaker. All you need is a Java-enabled browser. Apply a graphics application and make nifty looking invitations, Web site logos, book covers, doilies, Christmas cards. JANUARY '99 PICK "TETRA AQUARIUM" Whether you want a real or virtual aquarium this is the place to build it. Them Tetra folks lead you through designing the tropical or goldfish tank of your dreams. Pick a tank size, an environment, toys, inhabitants. When finished you can get a still picture or moving Java version (very cool), along with a shopping list. Requires: Netscape 3+, IE 3+, Windows 95+, Macintosh 7.5+. (While you can't save your Java creation, it will keep running, online or off, as long as you don't close the browser window.) OCTOBER '98 PICK "OCEAN WALK" Inspired by an actual underwater location, this VRML expedition appears peacefully simple on the surface (excuse the term) yet is filled with intricacies. Tour on a turtle, or go it alone, but leave no location unturned. (Requires CosmoPlayer or Windows WorldView).  Requires: Browser with VRML player (Cosmo) or (WorldView) FEBRUARY '98 PICK "Create It Here" The JAVA Gallery of Interactive On-Line Geometry lets you create your own geometrical Wallpaper. JANUARY '98 PICK "JTrack2" The RealTime J-Track2 site lets you follow the paths of the MIR, the Hubble Space Telescope and other satellites in realtime. You can watch earth's weather as well. See the "config" button. You gotta be able to handle Java. DECEMBER '97 PICK "GEARS" This VRML site challenges you to assemble gears and create a working machine. Requires: Browser with VRML player (e.g. Cosmo) NOVEMBER '97 PICKS "The Goddamn George Liquor Program" This Shockwave site is NOT in good taste. Entertaining nonetheless. Requires: Shockwave Plug-In. "TRAIN" This VRML site should bring back fond memories of playing with trains. Flip switch at far right to run trains at night. Requires: Browser with VRML player (e.g. Cosmo) CLICK HERE TO REQUEST THE POCKET'S MONTHLY NEWSLETTER Check Out This Month's Newsletter Copyright © 1996-2001 thepocket.com All rights reserved.