Plug Into Congress

March 28, 1997 - The newspaper Roll Call is online. The Web site contains news and information about Congress. Visitors may obtain coverage on policy briefings, read commentaries from columnists such as Morton Kondracke and Charlie Cook and search the classifieds. In addition, visitors may participate in Roll Call's contest and quizzes. Visit Roll Call's Web site for more information.

Usenet Directory on the Web

March 28, 1997 - Reference.com provides information on newsgroups, mailing lists and Web forums online. The Web site includes an index of over 100,000 mailing lists available on the Internet and a searchable database directory. In addition, by registering with Reference.com users can post messages, store queries at the site or have them e-mailed. Visit Reference.com for more information.

Getting Schools Connected

March 26, 1997 - NetDay is a grass roots, volunteer effort dedicated to wiring schools nationwide for networking and Internet access. NetDay East includes public, private and alternative schools in the Greater Washington region. Approximately 225 volunteers are needed around the area to help schools, including the Arlington Science Focus School, in Arlington, Virginia, Saint Jerome School in Hyattsville, Maryland and Washington, D.C.'s Hendley Elementary School. Visit NetDay East's Web site for information on how to get involved.

Auto Networking Online

March 25, 1997 - Reston, Virginia-based AutoNetwork allows visitors to search for car dealerships across the country, apply for financing and negotiate a price without the use of a salesperson. In addition, visitors may place their vehicle for sale on AutoNetwork's database and obtain links to different car manufacturers and other car-related Web sites from its "Newsstand".

Music on the Web

March 24, 1997 - Chuck Levin's Washington Music Center (WMC), based in Wheaton, Maryland, is an online music store serving musicians around the world. From their Web site, visitors may obtain information on musical instruments and related accessories and fill out a request form to receive information on other products not found on the site. The site also includes information on training and consulting seminars along with class schedules and fees. Visitors may join a mailing list to receive notification on special events and sales via e-mail.

Classrooms in Outerspace

March 21, 1997 - Outer Orbit, an educational initiative to help kids in the classroom learn about space and space exploration, recently launched its Web site. The site addresses space explorations through classroom activities and provides links to other space-related sites on the Internet. In addition, the site includes a library and links to space-related magazines and newspapers. Outer Orbit was developed Space News, a biweekly newsletter addressing business and political issues affecting the space industry. Space News is owned and operated by the Army Times Publishing Company of Springfield, Virginia.

Government Information Listserv

March 20, 1997 - GOVPUB is a discussion listserv devoted to state and local government information on the Internet. The purpose of the listserv is to provide an open discussion forum for state and local providers of public information in digital formats. Topics include a wide variety of issues including how to integrate interactivity into a service design, how interagency collaboration occurs and how state and local governments are securing ongoing funding for their electronic publishing efforts. To subscribe to GOVPUB send an e-mail to listserv@listserv.nodak.edu and type "subscribe GOVPUB FIRST_NAME LAST_NAME" in the body of the message. The North Dakota Higher Education Computer Network is the network host for GOVPUB.

Area Hotel Goes Online

March 20, 1997 - The Sheraton Premiere at Tysons Corner recently launched its Web site. The site includes information on guest and dining services and the various meeting facilities available. Recently, the Sheraton Premiere announced the completion of their meeting room telephone network with T1 access and nearly 200 lines. Visit the Sheraton Premiere's Web site for more information and to make reservations online.

Local Executive Recognized

March 18, 1997 - Federal Computer Week (FCW), an online guide to federal information technology, recently recognized Kimberly J. Jenkins, Executive Director for Highway 1. Jenkins was acknowledged in FCW's "1997 Federal 100" which recognizes individuals who have made the greatest difference in the government systems community especially in the development, acquisition or management of information technology in the federal area. Based in Washington, D.C., Highway 1 is a nonprofit organization dedicated to demonstrating advanced computing applications in the legislative environment and the democratic process. Visit FCW's Web site for more information.

Internet-Based EDI

March 17, 1997 - Proxicom , Inc., based in McLean, Virginia, and Mobil Corporation recently announced the deployment of an Internet-based Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) solution that will enable Mobil to transact business with its hundreds of lubricants distributors. Mobil distributors can submit purchase orders directly through their Web browsers, execute product buy-backs and receive invoices and transaction acknowledgments via the Internet. Visit Proxicom's Web site for more information.

Electronic Business Cards

March 14, 1997 - The Washington Business Journal recently added a Business Card Exchange service to its Web site. The Exchange is a free online networking opportunity for business people. By searching the Exchange, visitors may seize opportunities to do business with other Exchange members, find out who else has a business card online and keep an electronic eye on the competition. Visit the Washington Business Journal's Web site to view a sample card and to create an e-card.

Country Music Online

March 13, 1997 - countrycool.com recently launched its Web site. Visitors may listen to interview excerpts from the show via Real Audio. The site also includes information on upcoming interviews with artists. In addition, visitors may e-mail their comments about the show to the host and enter a contest by signing their guest book. countrycool.com was created and produced by Walcoff & Associates, Inc. of Fairfax, Virginia.

Voice E-mail

March 12, 1997 - Digital Equipment Corporation recently released Digital Voice Plugin, a free browser that allows users to record and send voice e-mail directly from a Web page without the use of additional software. Recipients can listen to Voice Plugin messages with most e-mail and audio applications. Since the plugin functions as an element of a Web page, rather than a separate application, Web publishers can place it wherever feedback is desired on their site. Visit Digital Voice's Web site to download a free copy.

Opportunity for Advertising

March 11, 1997 - America Online (AOL) recently announced the opening of its chat rooms to advertisers. Using AOL's ad server technology, advertisements will be placed in the public area of the "People Connection" section and refreshed and rotated every 60 seconds. Advertisers will be able to rotate up to four creative executions in any single ad space they buy. Members will be able to click the ads to go to the advertiser's Web site its AOL content area or custom-created application. Visit AOL's Web site for more information.

WWF Launches Site

March 10, 1997 - The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) recently launched its Web site. The site includes information on species at risk, how to contribute to WWF and tips on ways to preserve the environment. In addition, visitors may test their conservation I.Q. and obtain information on WWF's Climate Change Campaign. Visit the site for further details and for information on WWF's international networks.

Pay-Per-View On the Internet

March 7, 1997 - CyberCash, Inc. recently introduced the Digital NewsStand, a pay-per-view site for finance, industry, computing, entertainment and world news. Currently in its public beta testing, Digital NewsStand enables Web publishers to offer daily and/or limited-time views of their digital content. Using CyberCash's CyberCoin service, consumers may purchase a daily edition of posted digital content for a specified price. All proceeds from the beta period will be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. For more information visit CyberCash's Web site.

WT Online Expands

March 6, 1997 - Washington Technology (WT), a newspaper for Greater Washington technology companies, recently expanded its Web site. New features include a calendar of industry events, an archives search function and access to late-breaking news between print editions. In addition, WT Online includes information on proposed government procurement actions, sales of government property and other procurement information and resources in the federal market.

Chamber Offers Web Site Package

March 5, 1997 - The Greater Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce (BCC) is offering its members a specially-priced Web site design and maintenance package as part of BCC's Member Affinity Program. Through an arrangement with NeuroSystems Inc., based in Maryland, the package includes a home page with a company profile hosted for one year, one color photo or company logo and a complimentary link on BCC Chamber's Web site for six months. Visit BCC Chamber's site for more information.

Fly Over N.Y. City

March 4, 1997 - This month, Discovery Channel Online (DCOL) presents a month-long feature on New York City choppers. The series, entitled "Choppers Over the City", will allow viewers to go along as crews face unexpected rescues and pursuits around the City. DCOL visitors will be able to participate in activities such as flying a helicopter flight simulator and are encouraged to correspond with the crew via e-mail. In addition, the choppers' Web page includes a list of links pertaining to helicopter-related information. Visit DCOL this month to jump in on the action.

Invading the Net