Sandor Panton of Top5Jamaica.Com, in association with the Gleaner Online, guides you through what's new, cool and interesting on the Internet. From Jamaica to the wider Caribbean and the rest of the World, this is the 'Week on the Web'.
THERE IS a growing global and online movement encouraging Jamaicans all over the globe to show support for Jamaica on Independence Day 2005 (August 6), by wearing clothing with the colours of the Jamaican flag.
Some in Jamaica may be a bit puzzled about this. However, it's often said that Jamaicans tend to embrace their country a lot more when they are actually outside of it, and this is a global call to join in on this symbolic celebration of Jamaica's independence.
For more information, see http://www.jamaicans.com/funstuff/wearyuhcolors.shtml
JAMAICA'S WORLD RECORDS
Asafa Powell is the holder of the world record for the men's 100 metres sprint, but did you know that another famous Jamaican holds the world record for the most women's world athletics medals?
Merlene Ottey holds this record, with 14 World Championship medals won between 1983 and 1997. More information is just a click away at http://www.guinness worldrecords.com
GOOGLE EARTH
Google has done it again, adding yet another interesting service in the form of Google Earth - http://earth.google.com.
Google Earth is Google's new satellite imagery software which can be downloaded for free at the link above.
While it may not be of much use to the average person, viewing high-resolution satellite photos of rooftops in Kingston made it worthy enough to hold my attention for more than just a few minutes.
For online readers in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada, Google Earth is also integrated with an index of business listings in those countries, so, for example, you could visually map directions to businesses such as restaurants and banks.
HOW BIG IS THE INTERNET?
Just how big is the expanse of virtual space known as the Internet or the World Wide Web?
A new study estimates the accessible Web to be at least 11.5 billion pages (as at the end of January, 2005).
'Accessible' in this instance means the part of the Internet can be accessed and indexed by the major search engines.
For full details, see http://www.cs.uiowa.edu/~asignori/web-size/
WEBSITES OF THE WEEK
This week's websites of the week were considered specifically for The Gleaner's online readers who are currently located in South Florida, U.S. and its environs.
http://www.kingston21.info - Kingston21.Info is a comprehensive online directory of Jamaican-owned or operated businesses and organisations in South Florida. From hairdressers and barbers to real estate agents and lawyers, the site's 21 categories already have over 800 listings.
http://www.partyinc.com - For younger or party-loving Jamaicans in Florida, PartyInc.Com provides details of upcoming Jamaican parties and entertainment events in South Florida, as well as photos and reviews from past events.
