BEST OF THE WEB
The winning sites represent a broad range of political and religious beliefs. These sites are rated according to how well they serve their audience, not on the values they promote.
Gulf War Veterans Resource Pages |
Everyone has heard about Gulf War Syndrome. But Gulf War veterans have other problems in common. For instance, some self-employed, recalled reservists returned to find their businesses ruined by their absence. Others have trouble deal
ing emotionally with their war experiences. Whatever their needs, Gulf War vets will likely find support and advocacy at the Gulf War Veterans Resource Pages site.
What's most impressive about the site is the dedication of the people who run it. You can always count on well-maintained archives and pertinent news flashes. Finding information is a breeze using the graphical menus. If what you need isn't at the site , you can search the Internet using the WAIS engine, with the click of a mouse button.
Gulf War vets can submit stories about their experiences or connect with other vets. Surveys track trends among the site's constituents. No other Web resource does such an effective and elegant job of promoting the cause of a needy group.
 The National Coalition for the Homeless |
The National Coalition for the Homeless works to involve the homeless and formerly homeless in solving this national problem. Many resources, such as reports, directories, and conference information are available here for anyone wishi
ng to help out. Legislative updates, educational material, and links to other Internet resources are here also. Everything is well-labeled and easy to retrieve.
One interesting feature: You can hear the stories of homeless firsthand by downloading sound files. The site also has a well-written profile of one family's path to homelessness. The presentation and quality of the material found at the National Coalit ion for the Homeless site make it first-rate.
 Religious Freedom Home Page |
U.S. citizens are free to worship as they please. The Religious Freedom Home Page explains those rights in full constitutional and legislative detail. For example, you get not only the full text of the laws protecting religious freedo
m, but background information on religious freedom cases.
Few sites of any kind are as easy to navigate as this one. A simple icon-based menu takes you to the major categories. From within those categories, options are spelled out clearly. I particularly liked the option that let me learn what an issue or pie ce of legislation meant to me, whether I'm a citizen, lawyer, legislator, chuchgoer, or doctor. Intelligent use of real-time audio further enhances the site.
If you feel that someone is preventing you from practicing your religion of choice, the Religious Freedom Home Page is your best Internet source of ammunition to fight back.
![[Best of the Rest]](bestrest.gif){kind=small}
| 4. Vote Smart Web |
Not sure for whom you should vote in '96? The folks at Project Vote Smart have developed this site to provide you with unbiased information on state and federal elections. The database is comprehensive and easy to use. If you do have trouble understand ing the information, you can call an 800 number for help.
| 5. Global Recycling Network |
If you want practical information on recycling, this is the place to go. You will find links to sites of companies that sell recycling products, stock quotes on recycling companies, and a good reference library. Not yet implemented at the time of this review was a listing of commodity prices for recycled material.
| 6. Space Activism Home Page |
This site wants the human race to boldly go where it has never gone before. It's main purpose is to provide information to build grass-roots support of the U.S. space program. You'll find instructions on how to express your views to your congressman an d plenty of reference material to back up your points.
| 6.(tie) Envirolink Network |
Envirolink bills itself as the best source of environmental information on the Internet. That just might be true. You'll find everything from resources for activists to environmentally safe products. Smart design makes navigation a breeze.
| 6.(tie) Environmental News Network |
If you follow environmental news out of concern or professional interest, you need this site. With news from a number of major wire services, it provides not only the hottest stories and product information, but a good library as well. The $25 yearly m embership fee is money well spent.
| 9. Greenpeace World Wide Web |
Greenpeace, best known for its aggressive environmentalism, has built a wide-ranging site for friends of the Earth. You get news bulletins, instructions on taking action, and a comprehensive library. A WebChat feature keeps you in touch with Greenpeace supporters around the world.
| 10. Electronic Frontier Foundation |
The EFF site is the first place to go on the Internet for resources on privacy and freedom of expression in the digital age. The libraries are extensive and well organized, and you can link directly to related Usenet news groups. EFFector, the EFF's ne wsletter, is also available here.
| 11. Center for Democracy and Technology |
Like the EFF, the Center for Democracy and Technology is concerned about maintaining civil liberties in the use of computers and technology. Its site is a clearinghouse for relative legislative information and other resources.
| 12. The First Amendment Center |
An independent operating program of The Freedom Forum, this site acts as a watchdog on First Amendment (freedom of speech) issues. Recent topics covered include the defeated flag-burning amendment to the Constitution and religion in schools. A keyword search engine helps find archived material.
| 13. Tobacco BBS |
This frequently updated site provides late-breaking stories about the dangers of smoking. You get legislative and FDA updates, information on lawsuits, and research data. The site encourages visitors to take action, and provides instructions for doing so.
| 14. Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR) |
Don't trust the media? Media watchdog FAIR documents cases of press bias, and its site serves as a clearinghouse for some of its material. Infrequent updates mar an otherwise excellent resource.
| 15. 20/20 Vision |
This organization provides ways for busy people to protect the environment and promote peace. This site lists a number of action alerts and tells you how you can have an effect by taking only 20 minutes of your time. You also get links to other environ mental sites.
| 16. Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility |
The CPSR group has long been a force for promoting the ethical use of computer technology. Its site is notable for its hot topics list and sizable archives on subjectss such as encryption, civil liberties, and community networks.
| 17. The National Rifle Association |
Whether you love them or hate them, the folks at the NRA have one fine Web site. It clearly explains the group's mission, posts up-to-date news, and provides plenty of background information to make its case. You'll read plenty of stories about folks who've run afoul of the government because of their guns, and you can link to other related pages. The NRA site isn't the prettiest on the Net, but it gets the job done.
| 18. The Home Recording Rights Coalition |
Ever wonder why it's nearly impossible to copy a videocassette? This site has the answer and explains why you should have the right to do so. It is a valuable clearinghouse of legislative information, FCC documents, and other resources on copying both audio and video products for noncommercial use.
| 19. The Freedom Forum |
The Freedom Forum is devoted to promoting "free press, free speech, and free spirit for all people." Its site is home mainly to informational and inspirational articles, reports, and speeches, many from well-known activists. You get both quality and qu antity of content here.
| 20. International Service Agencies |
The ISA is a collection of about 55 charitable agencies that serve the needs of those suffering from hunger, poverty, war, disease, oppression, or natural disaster. Its Web site organizes the online resources of these agencies for convenient access.
| 21. Stop Prisoner Rape |
This cause gets little attention in the mainstream press, so the people behind this site took to the Internet to get their message across. Here, you'll find accounts of abuse behind bars, plenty of statistics, and updates on what's being done to stop t he problem. Warning: Some of the material is very graphic in its depiction of prisoner experiences.
| 22. National Organization for Women (NOW) |
The NOW site promotes such women's causes as economic equity, abortion rights, and stopping violence against women. Here, you will find the official NOW stands on the issues, the text of the monthly NOW Times, and information on how to join NOW.
| 23. The Activist's Oasis |
The Activist's Oasis site provides "practical tools for troublemakers." If you are looking for online resources for activists of any ilk, this should be your first stop. YouÕll find useful links of all types here organized by type of cause. Reso urces for journalists are included, and all the links seem up to date and active.
| 24. Surfrider USA |
Surfrider USA is an organization devoted to preserving U.S. coastlines. Its Web site calls attention to endangered beaches and encourages people to take action to save them. Judging from stories posted on the site, this group has been effective.
| 25. The Progress and Freedom Foundation |
The conservative Progress and Freedom Foundation's mission is to renew America's sense of the future. Its site provides information on foundation projects, conference proceedings, and stands on legislative issues. Good design makes this site easy to na vigate.
|
YOU'RE VISITOR LE FastCounter THANK YOU! |
Cyberbubba name, design and related
marks are trademarks of Cyberbubba
Copyright© 1998
Cyberbubba All Rights Reserved.
disclaimer