Animal Cams

Visit various animals live on the Net and become a full-fledged zoological voyeur. Here are some Web sites that will let you look at a giraffe, a wolf, chimps, an elephant, and lots more types of animals. Wait! I have an idea. Throw an animal party, where each person comes dressed as their favorite animal. Then visit each Web site in turn and, when you get to an animal that looks like one of your guests, the guest has to run around the room imitating the animal as it moves on your screen. Boy, talk about fun! Computers, the Internet, animals, friends -- it just doesn't get any better.


Web:

http://kids.discovery.com/cams/cams.html
http://natzoo.si.edu/webcams/webcams.htm
http://www.antcam.com/
http://www.cmzoo.org/zoocam.html
http://www.cwu.edu/~cwuchci/chimpcam-east.html
http://www.cyberferrets.com/
http://www.oinkernet.com/
http://www.wpz.org/
http://www.ywl.com/webcam.htm


Cameras on the Net

Feeling lonely and out of sorts? Why not take a moment and look at interesting people, places and things around the world? If you are stuck in a cubicle, check out the views of exotic lands. If you are stuck in an exotic land, look for a cubicle.


Web:

http://www.agocam.com/english/
http://www.cam.com/cam/
http://www.camfun.com/
http://www.comfm.com/webcam/
http://www.earthcam.com/
http://www.livecamonline.com/
http://www.vuecam.com/


New York Views

I love New York in June; how about you? The good news is you don't have to wait until June to see some hot New York action. Check out these Big Apple cameras now, and look at some totally cool NYC sights. (The only better view in town is from the camera in Donald Trump's walk-in closet.)


Web:

http://home.con2.com/easysurf/cams/
http://www.bionicsonics.com/
http://www.hudsonriverlive.com/
http://www.riotingmanhattan.com/riot_site/webcam.html


Sightseeing Cams

Do you ever feel like going on a trip without leaving the house? Why not tour the world from the comfort of your most comfortable armchair? Here are some places to start. (If you get bored, you can always turn off the computer and read a travel book.)


Web:

http://www.123cam.com/
http://www.camvista.com/england/london/
http://www.lecieldeparis.com/
http://www.nps.gov/yell/oldfaithfulcam.htm
http://www.onworld.com/cam/


Taxi Cams

Do you have trouble sleeping? If so, I bet I know why. It's because you just can't relax until you have that comfortable, secure feeling that comes from riding in a taxi. But when you are sitting at home late at night, how can you be riding in a taxi at the same time? Easy. All you have to do is visit one of these taxi cams. Before you can say, "Isn't the meter supposed to be running?" you'll be cruising in the fast lane, and before you know it, sleep will come and claim you for its own.


Web:

http://www.laavenue.com/la/livecam.htm
http://www.livetaxi.com/


Things on the Net

Stuff is good. However, having too much stuff in your house is not good. But now, thanks to the Net, you can have access to other people's stuff. This Web site has links to lots of devices that are connected to the Net: cameras, machines, robots, gadgets, screen captures, pagers, and lots more.


Web:

http://www.oink.com/thingys/


Traffic Conditions

Do you drive in a big city? If so, think about this: as you drive, you are making a small contribution to the overall traffic pattern. That is important because it just may be that people all over the world are looking at that traffic pattern right now on the Web. Take a look. See the cool color-coded map that shows you where the traffic is moving and where it's stuck. Try again during rush hour and see the pattern change. Aren't you glad you're not there?


Web:

http://www.accessatlanta.com/partners/wsbtv/traffic/
http://www.eng.hawaii.edu/~csp/Trafficam/
http://www.hamptonroads.com/traffic/
http://www.kpix.com/traffic/cameras/
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/travroad/atis.html
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/pugetsoundtraffic/cameras/


Vending Machines

The rage started with being able to check the Coke machine from the Internet. Things got out of control with the invention of CU-SeeMe. Check out coffee machines, temperature gauges, light sensors and a Geiger counter without leaving your seat. "Spy cameras" have been set up in offices and pointed out windows so you can even have a view.


Web:

http://www-cse.ucsd.edu/users/bsy/coke.html


Volcanoes on the Net

I think you and I had better get organized, so here's my plan. Let's get a bunch of people and organize them into teams. Every day, one of the teams is responsible for monitoring these Web sites, where anyone can use recent satellite photos to keep an eye on the most active volcanoes in the world. As soon as a volcano starts to look as if it is going to erupt, the team leader notifies you and me immediately, so we can give everyone instructions on what to do. In that way, the world will be a safer, more organized place. What do you think?


Web:

http://www.ssec.wisc.edu/data/volcano.html
http://www.volcanolive.com/volcanocams.html


Wedding Cams

What could be more romantic than watching someone else's wedding from a distance? And what better way to get your favorite guy or gal to agree to tie the knot with you? All you need to do is invite your friend over, prepare a candlelight meal with soft music, and then use the Net to share in a real wedding experience. Unless I miss my bet, your significant other will be in such a romantic mood that it won't be long before you have a ring and a date. (By the way, if you do decide to haul off and commit matrimony, be sure to get married in the evening. That way, if it doesn't work out, at least you haven't blown a whole day.)


Web:

http://www.littlechapel.com/0405.asp
http://www.valleyweddingchapel.com/~chapelcam/