It's only a number...
Find out exactly what is going on in the world... at a glance.
Gossip by any other name
Have a chat with the literary geniuses of our history... and find out all you ever wanted to know...
Photographic evidence
Hands up everyone who has a computer full of great photos that are becoming resigned to their digital destiny... we have the solution!
Mum's the word
A gift to all mums for Mother's Day... with no calories!
Wake up in style
If you could invent the perfect way to wake up, this may just be it...
Mischief Making
Want to throw a custard pie at your least favourite MP or celebrity? Be my guest...
Zzzzzzzzz...
Join me and indulge yourself in the best National Something Day ever!
Having travelled far and wide to bring you this week's Web Watch, I am feeling a little tired and emotional. Rome, Paris, Copenhagen, Prague, Rio, New York and Australia are just a few of the places that have featured on my whistle-stop tour. And these aren't even the highlights.
As I write, I am in Liverpool, which marks the end of my intrepid travels. Unfortunately, it is also the only part of my journey that has involved a plane, train or automobile. The other destinations have all been visited using a more virtual form of transport but, my, oh, my, it has been a virtually perfect journey.
I have taken a peak at La Bocca della Verita (the Mouth of Truth) in Rome and, just for the record, I did manage to come away with my arm in tact thereby proving what an honest soul I am. Without pausing for breath, I popped over to Australia to sit on the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge. Then, it was on to Rio to soak up the atmosphere of the most famous carnival in the world. Feeling the pull of home, I travelled back to Blighty for a quick spin on the London Eye, a glimpse of Westminster Cathedral and a visit to the wonderful interior of the Temple Church as featured in the best selling novel, The Da Vinci Code.
Panoramas.dk offers you the opportunity to experience 360 degree panoramic views of over 300 locations across the world. This is not video, nor is it a straightforward photo-library. To give you an idea of what to expect, imagine standing in the middle of Times Square on New Year's Eve. Now turn around on the spot and survey the scene that greets you. Look up. Now look down. This is what you see with a 360 degree panoramic view. The image is static but you control the camera. If you want to see what is going on to the left then just click and drag your mouse to the left. It's a complete picture of a moment in time.
It's not quite the same as a world tour but it is quicker, cheaper and less tiring. Well, it would be less tiring if the library didn't include the heart-wrenching as well as the heart-warming. I found myself standing amongst the students of Virginia Tech during their minute of silence in memory of the victims of the recent massacre. With the addition of the sound track relaying the ringing of a bell for each of the 32 victims, it is a powerful experience; you seem to merge into the event and can't help feeling a little closer to their loss.
It is true that there are other sites offering video clips of various cities and famous landmarks but, even though we are watching more and more video online, it is still subject to quality issues. The time will come when these problems are sorted out but, for now, there are only a handful of well-funded, well-managed sites offering high quality video streaming that you can rely on. In the meantime, 360 degree panoramas are a great interim solution. In fact, I think the quality of the images, and the unique charm of the experience, will ensure their continued popularity even when video is a reliable vehicle for viewing online.
For those of you not content with the constraints of the our little planet you can join Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin for the first landing on the moon. If that idea appeals, you can go on to join Apollo 12, 14, 15, 16 and 17 where you will be treated to the wonder of a moonwalk from the comfort of your armchair.
This library, which is an ever-growing resource, offers you the chance to preview the locations you are planning to visit or, if you prefer your home comforts, you can gain an insight into the places you may never otherwise see. I am planning to trek along the Inca Trail later this year so I couldn't resist taking a sneaky peak at Machu Picchu. I wasn't disappointed. I can't begin to describe the views, perhaps when I return I'll find the words but, for the time being, take a look a panoramas.dk. You'll get the idea.
