Ask Uncle Ralph

Everyone has heard of Dear Abby and Dear Ann Landers, and the advice columns that they wrote for years. They appeared in hundreds of newspapers. In this age of technology, those columns would most likely have been on the Internet. But they aren't, and most likely never will be. However the Warped site has spared no expense and found one advice column that will make you sit up and pay attention.

This advice column is Ask Uncle Ralph. It says that it is the "Dear Abby" for trailer trash. Uncle Ralph has lived the trailer trash life for many years. Around the trailer park he became well known for his down home wisdom and beer inspired advise. People from all over the world have sought him out, including one president, looking to improve their way of life. He has helped many. Others he has helped find free food and lodging within the county security facilities. (As you can see, his sense of humor is knows no limits).

Here you can find advice, topical jokes and cartoons, free internet radio stations, dog breeds, trailer park rules, and a photo gallery that will make you glad you live where you live. There are a few links on this site, some of which are best viewed by the adults in the house. Be sure to check the Cow Game, Full Metal Jacket, and Growing Up With Elephants.

There is quite a lot of material on this site. Just like a trailer park, there is a lot going on, and it is all over the map. So just check in with the manager and get your spot. Then fire up the BBQ and get ready to meet your neighbors.

http://www.askuncleralph.com/

Mail A Meal

Want to play a really sneaky trick on someone? Especially someone who is on a diet. If your warped personality is in just such a mood, head on over to today's site, and get ready to have some fun.....

The site is called Mail A Meal. It is a fairly simple site. There are pictures of food on the main page. Everything from pizza, a hot fudge sundae to bananas and corn-on-the-cob are shown. What you need to do is click on one of the pictures and select "Send to email recipient" and away it goes. Think of what the person who is fighting the battle of bulge will do when they get that picture of three luscious donuts on their desktop. Plus there is a recipe for all of the items shown.

The Warp-o-Meter gives this site an 8.0, not so much for the site, but the fun you can have with it. I'm getting hungry just sitting here looking at them. Excuse me while I go get a small snack.

http://www.mailameal.com/

Interspecies Telepathic Communication

Most people have had a pet that was very close to them. My wife has a toy poodle that knows where she is and where she isn't. He is moody when she isn't around, and mellow when she is. You almost have to think that they understand each other in way that only they understand. That may sound strange, but according to the Warped site today, it may not be that uncommon.

Interspecies Telepathic Communication is the name of the website. Here you can learn about the way that animals and people establish a relationship without a word being spread (or, in my wife's case, a bark). Anybody can communicate with animals. Many children communicate with animals and might even tell their parents that the dog has a stomach ache but then she is probably told that "It's just your imagination, dear." You hear this enough as a child and you start to believe that it is "just your imagination." But what is the imagination?

A big part of "imagination" is imaging, which is exactly what you do to communicate with animals. Animals communicate in pictures, feelings, emotions and concepts. Sometimes you get a picture of what the animal is trying to communicate but many times it is an emotion or concept that you pick up. When you are communicating with an animal, picture in your mind what it is you are trying to get them to do or what you are trying to tell them. Send them your emotions and feelings too. Don't worry if your animal friend is getting the right message. If you intend that your message gets there, it will. Use your intention and imagination to get your messages across.

This is an interesting concept. There have been hundreds of studies over the years about ESP and other mental items that seem to be outside the normal way we live and interact with each other. This site shows that it may not be that unusual after all, or so uncommon as the average lay person would think. The Warp-o-Meter gives this site a rating of.... Oh, he says you're going to have to read his mind, and he'll telepath it to you. Oh, brother!!

http://www.cyberark.com/animal/telepath.htm

Barry's Temple of Godzilla

Raymond Burr made his greatest acting impact as television's Perry Mason. But many people don't realize the one of his biggest breaks came in a low budget Japanese monster film. That film, released in 1954, was the start of one of the best movie monster character's screen fame, and it continues to this day.

The site is called Barry's Temple of Godzilla, and the film that started it all (with Raymond Burr) was Godzilla: King of the Monsters. This fire breathing monster is reminiscent of a cross between a Tyrannosaurs Rex and one of King Arthur's dragons.

At this site you will see how a fan can create and maintain a website that really gives shows the subject matter off. True, Godzilla is only a figment of our imagination, but imaginations are what make up nightmares. There are loads of pictures, video and movie clips here, news and rumors, online novels and trading cards. In short, it is just what the doctor ordered for anyone who has seen and appreciated this large fire breathing lizard.

The Warp-o-Meter gives this site an 8.0. He is an old movie buff, and find this much information in one place on an icon that started a whole genre of film is a great find. Finding it treated with respect makes it an even better find.

http://www.godzillatemple.com/

MoonEstates

Today's Warped site is literally out of this world. Have you ever wanted to own some land, but found it too expensive. Well, with this site, it is possible to get some property and own it, but getting there may present a real challenge.

The site is MoonEstates, which is the home ot the planets most original online gifts. At MoonEstates you can purchase right now, on line, your very own piece of land on the Moon, Mars or Venus. How is this possible, you ask? Read on.

In 1980, an American called Dennis Hope now known as the Head Cheese claimed the Moon and all other planets and moons in the solar system. He has granted MoonEstates.com the exclusive rights to sell extraterrestrial land in the United Kingdom. For more details about the ownership of the Moon and other planets and satellites go to About Us section of the website or for the whole story go to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section.

So how much is this going to cost, you ask? Well, not as much as you would think. The transaction is handled in the United Kingdom, so the payment method is in Pound Sterling, but still it is not bad. For a 10 acre parcel on the Moon, it would cost you about $175.00. Only what a small plot? The would run about $32.00. The moon isn't your cup of tea? Then how about Mars. The cost is the same there as it is on the Moon, and Venus as well. Can't make up your mind? There is a variety pack available for about $85.00, which gives you an acre on each of them.

I told you this site was out of this world. The Warp-o-Meter gives this a 7.5 rating, which makes me think it has made a purchase. So if you find out how to get there, your problems could most likely be over. At least until they find out a way to tax it.

http://www.moonestates.com/

The Atari History Museum

The release of the Xbox 360 was once again an attempt by the computer and gaming industry to redefine that genre of entertainment. It seems that each new gaming platform makes that claim. Some may be right, and some may be wrong, only time and consumers will tell. But there was, once upon a time, a company that really did set the world on end when it released its products. Today the Warp-o-mat takes us to that company.

The name of the site is The Atari History Museum. This is a site that is dedicated to the company that, for over 30 years (in one form or another), been a leader in both computer development and computer gaming. Many around today won't remember that there was a time before Microsoft dominated the computer world, and there were many competing operating systems and computer hardware vendors. It was an exciting time for both the user and the developers (who many times were one and the same).

Here you can find out an incredible amount of information about the company that gave us Pong, the first computer video game. This site is the culmination of years of research and hard work by enthusiasts with the support of numerous former and current Atari employees and is intended to provide images and information on all areas of Atari. Their mission is the preservation of all things Atari (Its history, products and knowledge). Here they succeed.

This site provides information, images and personal stories on all items produced by Atari as well as news and links to further assist any and all individuals interested in learning more about the company that helped to pioneer and shape many areas of Video Arcade Entertainment, Home Consumer Electronics, Personal Computer Systems and much, much more. You can read article, watch old TV commercials, and more. Having owned several Atari computers, it was a nostalgic site to visit.

http://www.atarimuseum.com/

Unsolved Mysteries

Everyone loves a good mystery. They have been popular ever since Edgar Alan Poe wrote the first one over 150 years ago, and they became popular when Agatha Christie started writing in the 1920's. Today, however, with all the advances in technology, old fashioned detective work has gone by the wayside. So we have tuned in to the real life crimes and mysteries that surround us. There was a show that was on for years (and still is, in syndication) that presented stories and encouraged viewer participation. That show is the subject of today's Warped site. So put on your deerstalker, the game is afoot.

The is called Unsolved Mysteries. It is the online site of the popular television show hosted by actor Robert Stack (most noted for his portrayl of Elliot Ness in the show "The Untouchable"). This was a program that focused on just that, unsolved mysteries of various kinds. It might be murder, lost siblings, mysterious disappearances, and stolen property and money. The crimes were recreated with the help original participants, using actors to tell the story.

Over the years, they have helped solve many cases, most of what today would be called cold cases. The most rewarding ones were where they reunited siblings who had not seen others for decades, or even knew the other existed. The show did a lot of good during its primetime run, and is still accomplishing a lot in syndication on the cable channel Lifetime. The Warp-o-Meter gives this site a 5.5 because of the continuing stories that are being shown in hopes of solving all of them someday.

http://www.unsolved.com/home.html

Dia De Los Muertos

Today's Warped site caught my attention because of the title. For a minute, I thought I had deja vu all over again, and there was a new Grateful Dead album. But I was wrong, but the subject matter seemed interesting, so I thought maybe a little trip south of the border would help warm so of us up, given the weather of the past few days.

The name of the site is Dia De Los Muertos, or as translated, Day of the Dead. It is a three day Mexican holiday to honor and celebrate loved ones who have died. More than 500 years ago, when the Spanish Conquistadors landed in what is now Mexico, they encountered natives practicing a ritual that seemed to mock death. It was a ritual they had been practicing at least 3,000 years. It was a ritual the Spaniards would try unsuccessfully to eradicate. Today, people don wooden skull masks called calacas and dance in honor of their deceased relatives. The wooden skulls are also placed on altars that are dedicated to the dead. Sugar skulls, made with the names of the dead person on the forehead, are eaten by a relative or friend.

The goal of the website is quite simple. Their goal is to educate those seeking information on this celebration through articles, original art, and interactive projects. It is their hope that the downloadable educational packet as well the pages found on the web site to enrich young minds as well as your own. Understanding other cultures that make up our nation is important if we are to have respect for each other. So while it is not Cinco de Mayo, it is still a holiday that can be educate us all. Maybe we can even find time to celebrate Jerry Garcia while we're at it.

http://www.azcentral.com/ent/dead/

For Sale By Mental Patient

Every so often I come across a site that really lives up to the name of what this site is all about. The one I came across today is so accurate that I am going to have the Warp-o-Meter score before we even visit it. He gives it a 10.0 for extreme warped weirdness, so of which none of us fully understand. But then if we did, we most likely would be in a rubber room somewhere.

The name of the site is For Sale By Mental Patient. Now, I have to admit that most of us are mental at one time or another in our lives. We wouldn't be normal if we hadn't been. The site, on its surface, is a website where the owners are trying to sell items. After that is where we follow Rod Sterling into the Fourth Dimension. I'm still not sure, after spending time on this site, exactly what it is all about. There are things for sale, such as Holy Smoke, the Border, and the Forbidden City of Po. The other items are there for your inspection, and you can make offers on everything that is on the site.

I have spent some time on this site, and I'm still not sure if it is real or not. But it is sure weird and warped. Well, it's past my bedtime, and while I'm not a mental patient, I am mental, and I have been a patient. I guess that should qualify me. But then at this site, that may not be a good thing.

http://home.total.net/~fishnet/

The Archive of Misheard Lyrics

Have you ever listened to a song, thought you knew what the singer was singing about, only to find out later (sometimes YEARS later) that what you heard wasn't what was said. It can be embarrassing. In fact, one entertainer, Weird Al Yankovich, has made a career of misstating lyrics from songs. But his are intentional, and most of ours are not. Today's Warped site is one that lets visitors explore the realm of chronic lyricosis.

The site is named The Archive of Misheard Lyrics. Here you will not find a few songs that have some confusing lyrics. You will find hundreds of songs, organized alphabetically. These songs are not put here by the authors, but by visitors. These visitors share their "misheard" lyrics and the stories of how they misheard them. Some are quite entertaining. The site is well organized, and not only can you look up the songs by title, but you can look up by groups and solo artists. It is not unusual to find several entries for each song. For example, The Beatles "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" has 13 entries.

The Warp-o-Meter gives this site a 7.5. I guess it has had problems understanding some of Ozzy Osborne's songe in the past, and this site helped work those issues out. But then, I don't think Ozzy understood his lyrics most of the time, so who knows what was really said.

http://www.kissthisguy.com/

The Ugliest Cars in Britain

Americans have long had a relationship with automobiles that transcends all understanding. Hot rods, deuce coupes, Stingrays, all of the popular muscle cars that we remember from our youth. But along with those memorable cars were some not so memorable ones. Can you spell Edsel? Relationships with cars were not limited to just the United States however. Not only were the British enamored with automobiles like the Jaguar, the Range Rover, and the Rolls Royce, they also had their share of forgettable cars. Today's Warped site ventures into that realm of male ego and looks at some of the best of the worst.

The Ugliest Cars in Britain is a collection of what the author believes is the most hideous collection of cars that have ever had the nerve to hit the asphalt in Merry Old England. Now keep in mind that the opinions here are those of the webmaster and his associates, and what may be repulsive to them may be attractive to you. And vice versa.

Some of the names may seem somewhat familiar, such as Citroen and Austin and even Ford. (I spent two months in the Netherlands driving a Citroen AX once. It would do 35mph with a good tail wind!). In addition to the pictures and descriptions of the cars, there are links to other owners of the same makes and models, as well as links to help you find that rare part or missing piece that your particular car may be missing.

In the true British spirit, they are not interested in sensible discussions about cars, after all it is not to be taken too seriously. But as the saying goes, "misery loves company", there won't be too many lonely cyber surfers at this site tonight. I just hope they enough gas to get home.

http://www.uglycars.co.uk/

Broken Newz

With all of the technology that surrounds us these days, it is not unusual to be hit with the same newstory many different times during the day. Depending on how you get your news, you may get several different slants on the same story (many stations call that sort of slanting "editorializing"). The Internet even gets into the act, with each major news organization having their own presence on the web. Well, have I found one nesws site that puts a little different slant on the mainstream news. Boy howdy do it.

The name of the site is Broken Newz. Broken Newz is a satire news and entertainment site. All names, except when public figures are being satirized due to their own stupidity, are made up and purely coincidental if connected in anyway. The stories listed on this site are not real (really). Broken Newz is only intended for a mature audience, and not for your mothers or wives or daughters. (Maybe your sweetheart, but I'll leave that up to you).

Currently you can read about Barry Bonds supporting Pete Rose's Hall of Fame ban, the top 10 party places to go on spring break, and (my favorite headline) Marines to Congress: "Bite This". The variety of stories here is really unique, and once you have set down and read all of them, you'll realize that while they may be satirical, they could just as easily be read by your favorite info-babe or -dude. The Warp-o-Meter gives this site an 8.0 based on the Marines headline, but found other equally socially condemning stories as well.

http://www.brokennewz.com/

Mobility Site

The times they are a changin', as Bob Dylan sings in one of his greatest hits. That is not only true in the music world, but in some of our favorite websites and techno toys. This week, HP announced that they would shifting emphasis from their iPaq Pocket PCs to "converged devices", whatever that means! Along with those changes from the manufacturer side, the websites for users of those devices have changed as well. One of the more popular ones for us technonerds who used iPaqs is/was ipaqhq.com. But that site, like Fawkes the Phoenix in the Harry Potter books, went down in flames and was reborn as the subject of today's Warped site.

The name of the reborn site is Mobility Site. It has changed it's emphasis from a strictly HP iPaq Pocket PC site to one that follows and reports on the new trend in mobile devices. It has expanded the focus to include not just iPaqs, but other Pocket PC platforms as well. They also now cover cell phones (especially the smart phone variety) and MP3 and digital music gadgets. What makes Mobility Site so interesting is the variety of user forums they have and the participation of the members. The new platforms are just getting going, but given time they will be just as hopping as the current iPaq ones.

I was a little disappointed in HP saying they were moving towards converged devices. I work in a location where cell phones cannot be used, but the need for a Pocket PC or Palm device is there. With the recent announcement for the new UMPC (Ultra Mobile PC) platform, the worlds of computing and communication are becoming more alike than different. It looks to be a fun year for geeks everywhere.

http://www.mobilitysite.com/

VEOH

In the mood for a good movie tonight? Want to see a movie but you're too lazy to get up and go to the video store. Or if you do, you find out they are out of what you want to see. Well, if that's the case, you will LOVE the Warped site we have lined up for today. It's not all first run movies, but what you see is what you'll get.

The name of the site is VEOH. It is a site that has a large collection of videos and movies from a wide variety of sources. This variety includes home made videos (sort of video blogs, if you will), old cartoons and TV shows (if you're looking for Gumby, look no further), and a great collection of cult and public domain classics. You can watch short previews of the films, and then download them if you like (free registration is required). There are 3 Stooge shorts, old movie serials, and some of the films that are considered the worst ever made. Even the all time cult classic "Night of the Living Dead" is here. There are some great gearheard videos, as well as some garage band music videos as well. Be sure to check out the Channels section for them.

The Warp-o-Meter gives this site a 7.5. It likes the contents, but a few more cartoons would probably been a little better. Either that, or it spent too much time in the most popular section. You'll just have to visit the site and see for yourself.

http://www.veoh.com/

The Tacky Postcard Archive

I can remember when you could send a post card for a penny. That was why they were called penny postcards, I guess. But they became a mainstay of communications, back in the days before email and cell phones. I used to get them from my grandmother when I was in the navy, regular as clockwork. They were also used by people on vacation to send back to the folks at home ("Having a wonderful time, wish you were here"). Over the years those post cards have become quite an art form, and today we look at a site that shows some of the best.

Called The Tacky Postcard Archive, you see one of the most interesting collection of postcards I have ever seen. They do live up to their motto, "Preserving the bad taste of our era for future generations". Some of these cards have to be seen to believe.

They are divided into galleries such as Good Intentions, Badvertising, Celebrity Corner, and Statue Wary to name a few. Then they feature some holiday cards, including St. Patrick's Day. But not only are the cards shown here, there is an option to send them via modern day email to a friend. Cards for anniversaries, birthdays, graduation, get well, and bon voyage are just a few that you can send.

The Warp-o-Meter gives this site an 8.0. I guess the cost of sending post cards these days has gotten to him. But not matter what it costs to send one, you have to admire the ones that are preserved for posterity at this site.

http://tackymail.com/

The Kid From Brooklyn

Today's Warped site is one that I came across from an email that was sent to me by a friend. It contained a video clip of someone describing his experiences in getting a cup of coffee at a local Starbucks. He describes the scenario in quite descriptive language, and you do get his point. So I did a little research on him, and came up with the site that is featured today. Be warned, the language in these videos can get a little colorful, so be mindful of young ears listening in.

The name of the site is The Kid From Brooklyn. It is the website of one Michael Caracciolo. He is the president of a ticket company in New Jersey. However successful he has been in that line of work, he has missed his true calling. He should be an actor instead. He has all the qualities necessary for success in front of a camera or on a stage.

As you will see from his videos on the site, he is a very conversational person, his voice easily projects, given his physical size (six foot six inch 400 pounds). At this site you will be able to listen to him, just like you were having that conversation, even if it is a little one-sided. The material recorded here is ad-libbed, improvisational and spontaneous. It contains profanity which is offered only in support of demonstrating dramatic intensity and the context of the material. He offers his opinions on everything from Bill Clinton to holidays, from the Super Bowl to Donald Trump's Apprentice, music, food, in short, just about anything under the sun.

This is a wonderfully refreshing site. I really like Mike and the way he tells it like it is, or at least how he sees it. I totally agree with his feelings about Starbucks. So does the Warp-o-Meter, who gives the site a 9.5. Mike makes his phone numbers and email address available on the site, so you can drop him a line or dial him up. I'm going to be giving him a call when my daughter and I head for the Big Apple to see a game a Yankee Stadium. Oh, that reminds me, be sure to listen to his monologue on Yankee Stadium.

http://www.thekidfrombrooklyn.com/

King Tut Exhibit 2006-2007

The study of the ancient Egyptian Kings and the Pyramids and all that kind of stuff has long fascinated the world. Movies and television shows have been made about it, books have been written about it, and many great mystery novels have used it as a setting. The Valley of the Kings is where the action is, so to speak, when you are talking about mummies in general, and King Tut in specific. But now the King is on the road again. After an absence of 26 years, he is on the road again.

The King Tut Exhibit 2006 - 2007 has been going on since June 2005. What makes this tour so unusual is the technology that is being used to explore the King and his secrets. Groundbreaking CT scans of the pharaoh King Tut are on display in the National Geographic exhibition "Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs," as the tour is officially known.

The scans of Tutankhamun that will be featured in the exhibition were captured through the use of a portable CT scanner, donated by Siemens Medical Solutions, which allowed researchers to see through the mummy's wrappings and for the first time, to compile a three-dimensional picture of Tutankhamun. These never-before-seen images will be on display in the final room of the exhibit, along with other dramatic images and video footage. The scanning of Tut's mummy is part of a landmark, five-year Egyptian research and conservation project, partially funded by National Geographic, that will CT-scan the ancient mummies of Egypt. In my regular day-to-day job, I repair CT scanners, and the technology is truly fascinating.

The exhibition will place fifty of King Tut's burial objects found when Howard Carter discovered the tomb in 1922 in their historical, religious and sociopolitical context to show the changes occurring in Egypt in the late 18th Dynasty (1555 B.C. to 1305 B.C.). Key items include Tutankhamun's royal diadem -- the gold crown discovered encircling the head of the king's mummified body that he likely wore while living -- and one of the gold and precious stone inlaid canopic coffinettes that contained his mummified internal organs.

There are items from other ancient Egyptian kings, all well categorized and presented. You can lean a lot about the site on the site, but it is well worth the trip to see these priceless items up close and personal.

http://www.chiff.com/a/king-tut.htm

Furby Autopsy

Today's site, by it's title may sound a little, well, warped. That should make it very appropriate for us to look at. And after you spend sometime here, you will agree that it truly belongs with us.

The name of the site is Furby Autopsy. For those who don't remember, Furbies were little animated toy pets that were hugely popular several years ago. My kids had them, your kids probably had one, they were all the rage. But like any good toy, they had an expected life. After that life was up, most of them most likely ended up in the garbage or land fills or on a shelf somewhere. But the owner of this site was not about to let theirs go peacefully. They wanted to know why it died. So did they call CSI or SVU or anyone else? Nope, they did it themselves.

Essentially the site describes how to disassemble a furby, and see how it works, or in this case, how it doesn't work. The procedure is very well described, and even the technical side of the device is discussed. All of the inputs and outputs are described, as well as a way to hack into the furby (why is there a picture of Chucky in my mind right now?).

This is really a pretty cool site. The Furby was so popular, that it doesn't surprise me that a site like this popped up. They were (and still are) pretty popular little creatures. The Warp-o-Meter gives this a 9.0 rating.

http://www.phobe.com/furby/

Alien Abduction Experience & Research

Today we have a Warped site that is out of this world... sort of! If you have experienced the subject matter, then you'll know what I'm talking about. If you haven't, then you are in for an eye-opening experience. Either way, it will be a site that you will never forget.

The site is called Alien Abduction Experience and Research. In the movie "Independence Day", Randy Quaid's character was laughed at and humiliated because he claimed that he was abducted by aliens, and taken to their spacecraft. Well, he would have been happy visiting this site. This site is the world's largest research center and support group into the Alien Abduction Experience and UFOs. There are pictures, books, movies, DVDs and CDs all relating to this phenomenon.

For example, did you know that there are Alien alphabets, insignias, maps and star charts? They are right here. Do you want to know about crop circles and crop formations? About 2/3 of the way down the page, and you have your answer. There is a huge amount and variety of material here, and it should be of interest to believers and non-believers alike. There is even a connection alleged between Jesus and UFOs. NOW that I have to see.

The Warp-o-Meter gives this site a 9.5, feeling that it captures the true essence of what the Warped Site of the Day is all about. It also feels it is a pretty cool site. So live long and prosper, earthlings.

http://www.abduct.com/

About Famous People

Everyone has had a desire to be famous. Andy Warhol refers to everyone having their 15 minutes of fame. But given the chance, most of us would want more. Today's Warped site is one that gives visitors a glimpse at how the other half lives. But wait! It doesn't just give you the current crop of famous people, but it goes way into the past. So strap on your time machine, and lets get goin'.

This site, called About Famous People, is a one stop site to learn all about those famous men and women in history. You'll find Presidents, First Ladies, Civil War Generals, Actors, Great and Fascinating Women, Musicians, and much, much more. The information here is quite interesting, and a great place to bone up for your next game of Trivial Pursuit.

For example, I bet you didn't know that Benjamin Harrison (you know him, former US President) was not only the first President to have electricity in the White House, but was also the first President to receive an electric shock. After getting a shock once, he refused to touch a switch, and often went to bed with the lights on. Year later Lyndon Johnson (you know, another President from Texas) made sure the news when he went around turning off the lights, to help save the government money. Boy could we use that kind of thinking in Washington now (and he was a Democrat!).

There is an in depth section on the Beatles, of all famous people. Not to be left behind, there is also the best Elvis site that I have seen anywhere. There is so much interesting material here, the Warp-o-Meter overloaded and couldn't give it a reading. But rest assured, this site has something for everybody, young or old, rich or poor, famous or wannabe.

http://www.aboutfamouspeople.com/

Don's Boss Page

Having a bad day at work? Bored with too much (or not enough) to do around the office. Do what millions of Americans do, and surf the net. But what happens if the boss catches you? End of the world? End of your job? Well what you need is a good dose of today's official Warped site. It can help make those long days go by real fast.

The name of this wonderful site is Don's Boss Page. As more and more employees gain Internet access from their desktops, surfing the web on the job is becoming a serious issue for both workers and supervisors alike. To what extent should employees be allowed to surf the web on company time? It's an issue that's become a little more complicated recently with the increasing popularity of Don's Boss Page (http://216.92.237.226) (using the numbers is a way to bypass some sensing software), a web site that's devoted to helping employees fool their bosses into thinking they're hard at work -- when they're actually cruising the web.

At first glance, Don's Boss Page appears to be nothing more than a spreadsheet, complete with number columns and bar graphs. Scroll down the page, however, and a wealth of features are revealed -- from tips and tricks for at-work "stealth surfing" to downloadable panic buttons that users can place on their own web sites. There's also pre-recorded typing sound effects to help workers sound busy while sleeping in their cubicles, and a directory of worker-friendly sites. In addition, a floating "Personal Protector" window allows users to surf the far corners of the web while keeping Don's Boss Page, and job security, a short click away.

The Warp-o-Meter really, really liked this site. It gave it a 10.0 for originality, and for the shear cheek of what it is trying to accomplish. I will be trying this site out on Monday at my office, just to see if it works, you understand, a little Internet "research". But if you try this at your place of employment, well, you're on your own.

http://www.donsbosspage.com/

The T.W.I.N.K.I.E.S. Project

When I found the subject for today's Warped site, I thought to myself, "Why hadn't someone done this before". Then I noticed that it was done several years ago. But the test results are still valid, and they have to be accurate, They were done by a major university.

The name of the site is The T.W.I.N.K.I.E.S Project. T.W.I.N.K.I.E.S. stands for Tests With Inorganic Noxious Kakes In Extreme Situations. T.W.I.N.K.I.E.S. is a series of experiments conducted during finals week, 1995, at Rice University. The tests were designed to determine the properties of that incredible food, the Twinkie. Having been a fan of twinkies for more years than I care to remember, I was interested and surprised at how original some of these tests were.

There is the Rapid Oxidation Test, or how well can a twinkie survive fire. The Radiation Test put a one in a microwave for 10 minutes on HI, and you can guess the results. The results of the Gravitational Response Test were quite surprising. The same twinkie was dropped six stories not once, but twice. There was minimal damage to it, but the test was inconclusive as to why it survived the second time. There are some other experiments that can be researched as well.

This is an interesting site. It shows that the youth of America can apply what they learn at school in a very positive way. However, if I was paying for my child to go to college, I would wonder why this was going on during finals week. The Warp-o-Meter liked it however, and gives the site a 9.5.

http://www.twinkiesproject.com

Frogland

One of the main characters in the Harry Potter books has a pet frog named Trevor. When you were growing up, did you ever have a pet frog or toad? Have you ever had frog legs for dinner? If it seems that I have frogs on the brain, it's only because I have been spending sometime on today's Warped site. It promises a hopping good time.

The name of the site is All About Frogs. It is a family friendly site that has just about everything you would want to know about our little amphibian friends. There are weird frog facts, frogs in the news, a pet central where you can get the latest information about caring for your friend from the frog doctor. There are cool games, and artwork, and even a recipe for making frog bread. My favorite part is the Stupid Frog Joke of the Day. The current one is:

(please note: no actual frogs were harmed in the making of these silly jokes!)

What's red and green and goes 175 miles an hour?
A frog in a blender.

What do you get if you add milk?
Frog nog!

What happens if you drink frog nog?
You Croak!

If I was still writing the Family Site of the Day, this is a site that I would feature. But rather than send it over to Ron (who is writing that site), I decided to keep it for myself. You don't have to be weird to like frogs, but you have to admit that the are not mainstream for pets. Maybe you do have to be somewhat warped to like them, I don't know. I'll leave it up to you, dear reader. Where is Kermie when you need him?

http://allaboutfrogs.org/froglnd.shtml

Your Virtual Greeting Awaits

Today's Warped site is on a subject that everyone is familiar with, many have given, and many have experienced. This is one site that is designed to share with a friend, so don't bother waiting or looking for a lot of explanations about it. Just read on!

The site is called Your Virtual Greeting Awaits. It is a different type of site, one that gives greetings in a most unusual way. I don't want to spoil it for you, except to say that it is offbeat, wacky, and nostalgic at the same time.

The Warp-o-Meter gives this site a 9.0 (I guess it's in a nostalgic mood tonight). If you are tired of virtual hugs and flowers, this is one site you will remember (again and again and again).

http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~abusch/greeting/

Ghosts & Spirits of Spiritualism

For centuries people have wondered what happens in the afterlife. Both well known and unknown, famous and infamous, all have searched for what happens when we die. Houdini, the famous escape artist, went so far as to leave a code known only to a few people so that when he communicated from the other side, they would know it was truly him. Hank Williams sang about the mysteries of life's other side. Today we take a look at that other side, and the ghosts and spirits who live there, and the photographs that they have been caught in.

The name of the site is Ghosts & Spirits of Spiritualism, and is part of the Psychics and Mediums Network Website. This is a site that explores what happens after the dearly departed have departed. These images of spirits and ghosts are from a lost Spiritualist archive of original glass plate photographs. The history of some of these remarkable spirit manifestations have been lost. But the pictures here tell a story, and while some may doubt their authenticity, they look real to me.

You can discuss your own ghost and spirit stories with other believers, and even share your photographs with this site. Many of the pictures shown here are very old, and were transferred from glass plates when photography was in its infancy. They have only recently seen the light of day, and are being shown here for the first time. There is also an interesting article on ghost photography.

The Warp-o-Meter gives this site an 8.5 for both the subject matter, and the way it is dealt with. There is a term in the law world that the best evidence is the actual evidence of the matter under investigation. These photos are truly the best evidence in this matter.

http://www.spiritualists.org/

Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences

By the time you read this it will all be over. The months of hype and commercials and self posturing by the movie industry will have wrapped up their annual award ceremony. It will be time to start thinking about next year, and what we have to look forward to. But now let's head over to where the awards happened earlier, and see what is left laying on the floors, in the seats, backstage, and in the rafters. Think of yourself as being a virtual janitor and you're part of the cleaning crew.

The site is the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Tonight they held their 78th annual awards ceremony at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, right next door to the world famous Chinese Theatre, and just across the street from where the first ceremony was held in 1928.

Here you can read about winners (such as Best Picture "Crash", Best Actor Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Best Actress Reese Witherspoon) and the losers (such as the Harry Potter franchise, with four films and not one award!). In a few days you can revisit the history of the movies, but for now you can see all of the intimate details of the night. The Governors Ball, the Nominees Luncheon, and just about anything else associated with the night.

The Warp-o-Meter is a true film buff, and for that reason gives this site a 7.5. For anyone who wants to know anything about the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, this is THE place to see and to be seen at.

http://www.oscars.org/

Cockeyed.com

In South Pacific, Nurse Nellie sings about being a cockeyed optimist. Well, today's Warped site may not be optimistic, but is certainly is cockeyed. Buy you'll have to see it to believe it, so click on, MacDuff!

The site is called Cockeyed.com, and is a site that features some very interesting topics. It is difficult to categorize this site as photographic, scientific, animal, vegetable or mineral. It is a collection of lists, photographs, stories, and experiments. For example, have you ever wondered how much is inside a mustard container. If you stop here, you will not only find out that answer, but you'll see how you can do it yourself at home. Or how much wrap is there inside a Glad Clingwrap container? Here you will see how to find that out, and some interesting uses for that cling.

Some of the science moments include Boiling Hot vs. Cold Water Freeze-Off (which freezes faster!), and where does that water defrost faster, in a sealed cardboard box or sitting inside a refrigerator? There is some humor on the site as well. Check out the pictures of how they dug the pellets out of Dick Cheney's friend Harry Whittington. You will appreciate the picture of the procedure.

The Warp-o-Meter gives this site an 8.5. It has wide range of material, and it is well written and presented. It also presents new material on a regular basis, so every time you come back, there'll be something new.

http://www.cockeyed.com/

Microsoft Origami

Today's Warped site is on that could be defined as needing user participation. I will point you to a site that promises to show you the future. But what kind of future, you ask? Well, that is where the user participation comes in. But click on and it will all become clear.

The site today is called Microsoft Origami. Now most everyone knows that origami is a form of visual / sculptural representation that is defined primarily by the folding of the medium (usually paper). What does that have to with this site? Well, plenty. Apparently, Microsoft has the Origami Project, and is set to unveil it on March 9th of this year. But what it is, and what it does, have the Internet rumor mill working overtime. That is where your participation comes in. Today's site is the official Microsoft site, and it doesn't give much information (but it is pleasant to watch the videos). So if you do a Google or Ask Jeeves or Dogpile search for Microsoft Origami, then you will see what it is all about. I won't tell you here, but if the speculation is accurate, it could make for a VERY interesting holiday shopping season.

The Warp-o-Meter gives this site a 9.0, for the shear simplicity of it, as well as the aura of mystery that surrounds it. Put a check mark on March 9th on your calendar and be ready to see what this is all about.

http://www.origamiproject.com/2/

Amateur Science

Students in school today are faced with a technology challenge that our parents (or ourselves, for that matter) never dreamed of. It is really tough being in school now, given that a pencil and paper and notebook won't cut it. When I mention notebook, my daughter thinks I'm talking about a laptop computer, and a peechee is something that is really neat. Where does the time go to? Today's Warped site is one that will help breakdown some of the technological walls that are in school. At least I think it will. I HOPE it will. If nothing else, it will bring out the geek in whoever visits it.

The site is called Amateur Science. Right away I liked it because their site of the month was Lateral Science, a look at science articles and experiments from the 1850's. There are many interesting stories at that site that sound like science fiction by today's standards, but at the time were taken quite serious. There are is quite a collection of links on this site, such as the Society for Amateur Scientists, and Scientific American. There are quite a few discussion groups, and with a little hunting, you can find an area that is to your liking on just about any subject.

For anyone who is looking for an interesting science project, or just wanting to impress a friend, this is the site to use. Most of the projects here can be done for free or very little cost. Don't be afraid if your friends think that you're geekish or a nerd. Just remember that Thomas Edison and Albert Einstein were thought to be different when they were growing up.

The Warp-o-Meter gives this site a 6.5. The variety here is quite impressive, and while the site may not have much of a warp factor to it, the geekishness shines through all over the place.

http://www.amasci.com/amasci.html

The TARfiles Times

It is that time again. Reality TV fans, rejoice. TAR is on again. It is one of the best of the reality shows on television, and one of the most widely traveled. Call it a travelogue for the new millennium, call it trash tv, call it whatever you want. But there are thousands of fans of the show, and they all hang out at one of the best fan sites for any show. Today's Warped site is paying it a visit, since they are our kind of people.

The site is called The TARfiles Times, and in case you are wondering, TAR stands for The Amazing Race. It is in its 9th incarnation, which started on February 28th. This is a reality show that pits teams against each other in a race around the world for a first prize of one million dollars. There are contests along the way, which reveals how strong the relationships of the teams really are.

What is so unique about this show, and attracts so many viewers, is the variety of locations around the world that are shown, and the real side of life in those countries. The culture and traditions of the locations are highlighted in the travels, so a real "you are there" feeling comes through. The contests on the show also tend to reflect the area they are in. This comes through in the website, as the current show, as well as past ones, are discussed. That is most likely what attracts viewers of all kinds to this show.

If you have ever traveled in a foreign country, then you will be able to relate to this show. The Warp-o-Meter gives this site 7.5, making it the most warped reality show site we have visited.

http://www.tarflies.com/