By JULIA SELDEN
While the Internet boggles the minds of many, it can also expand yours. Take a trip into cyber-space to check out the latest cool website.
The Discovery Channel Online is one of many sites listed under the 'What's Cool?' directory on the Internet.
But this site is not only 'cool,' it's informative as well. It gives you small or large bites of information that could make you conversant with just about anyone you meet, or something to mull over in your head while you're eating.
For example, you're starting a new semester, and you have your eye out for 'that special someone.' According to a 50's era girl quoted in the Discovery Channel Online's 'Ken and Barbie Get Married' site, '...if you don't find someone to go steady with by October, you just don't date that year. Everyone is all tied up.'
I didn't know that. But it sure explains a lot.
The Discovery Channel Online is packed with stories and pictures in an easy-to-follow layout. From categories including history, technology, nature, exploration and science, you can learn about the invention of the Frisbee, see pictures of the Orion Nebula sent from the Hubble Space Telescope, read about the habits of elephants in Africa or follow a tornado chaser. Whatever you find on the Discovery Channel Online, it's sure to be a heck of a lot more interesting than watching 'Saved by the Bell.'
Just jumping from link to link on the Discovery Channel Online, I was thoroughly entertained. The writers are witty and the majority (if not all) of their stories are simply interesting and of no real cosmic import. And, if you're going to be sitting in front of a screen for an hour, why not make it one attached to a hard drive and a modem? While everyone else is waiting for the 5 o'clock news to find something to talk about, you can be explaining to your roommate why ice cubes shrink in the freezer. Think of the possibilities.
The Discovery Channel Online can be found at http://www.discovery.com