Arts of the States  [4]

Arts of the States is a WGBH (Boston) radio show that's been going since 1993. Its mission is to collect and disseminate new musical works from around the United States. This Web site allows you to search their archive by composer, genre, instrumentation, performer or time period. And then listen. "Modern" music I noticed included works by John Adams, Milton Babbitt, Alan Hovhaness, Bob James, Vladimir Ussachevsky and Edgard Varése. [Requires RealPlayer]

  Botany Photo of the Day  [4]

"In science, beauty. In beauty, science. Daily". Indeed. Prepared by the University of British Columbia's Botanical Garden and Centre for Plant Research in Vancouver (Canada's oldest continuously operating university botanical garden), this site since April 2005 has presented a different high-quality photograph every day, together with background information. Well worth a perusal, whether you're a botanist or a painter.

  Computer Songs and Poems  [3]

Filk is a term adopted by science fiction fans. It arose out of the mistyping of the word folk. This site is a collection of parodies of popular songs that the computer savvy among us will enjoy. For example: Hark! the Screaming Students Cry; I'm a Programmer (Lumberjack Song); Somewhere over the Network.

  Gumshoes, Sleuths & Snoopers  [4]

This site is a Crime Fiction Content Database Based on The George Kelley Paperback and Pulp Fiction Collection. "Gumshoes, Sleuths & Snoopers currently provides an in-depth look at 185 detective and mystery novels originally published during the period 1930-1960. It is the result of a collaborative effort in which volunteers from near and far provided detailed information about plot, setting, characters and other thematic factors for each title." You can browse by title or, more usefully, search by keywords. So if you can't remember the the title of that detective story with lovely in the title or even who wrote it (was it Spillane, Gardner or Hammett?), you can soon find out. How about novels set in small towns? Easy.

  How Much Is Inside?  [3]

"Throughout the ages, man has pondered the question, 'How much is inside?'" Now we know. Items tested so far by the team at Cockeyed include spaghetti, paper towels, a million dollars and Vegemite.

  Kittyfeather Press  [3]

Kittyfeather Press publishes a series of occult novels for women written by Pulitzer Prize nominee Laura Stamps. "Entertaining Novels and Novellas for Pagans, Wiccans, Goddess-Worshippers, Artists, Poets, and Cat-Lovers!"

  Lemelson-MIT Program  [4]

"The Lemelson-MIT Program celebrates those inventors who have turned their ideas into accomplishments. We foster an enthusiasm for asking — and answering — the questions that change lives." Inventors featured include both the acclaimed and the unsung. Make sure you browse their Inventor Archive where you'll find, not only familiar names like Ray Dolby, Thomas Edison and Grace Hopper, but also names you've probably never heard of, such as Patricia Bianconi (artificial diamonds), Felix Hoffman (Aspirin) and John Pemberton (Coca-Cola).

  Senses of Cinema  [3]

Here's one for people who are really passionate about cinema, no matter where the movies are from, or when. It's "an online journal devoted to the serious and eclectic discussion of cinema", appearing quarterly. There are many reviews of recent work, plus biographical and analytical pieces on (and by) everyone from actor Michael J. Anderson to critic Rüdiger Tomczak. Check out the Hitchcock essay by Ken Mogg and the one by Helen Carter on Gillian Armstrong.