Sci-Fi
Science fiction is alive and well on the Web. In particular the television science fiction shows are well represented. This month I will take a look at web pages dedicated to some of my favorite shows.
If you are a fan of Babylon 5 don't miss "The Lurker's Guide to Babylon 5."
This excellent Web site is produced and maintained entirely by fans. The home page is the starting point. It has a Babylon 5 logo at the top and the latest news about B5 under that. The rest of the page consists of links to additional information.
The first link takes you to a page with a description of the current episode. This page starts off with an overview of the plot and a number of links to information about the characters and events discussed. The next section is called "Backplot" and gives background information and analysis of the events leading up to the current episode. After that a section called "Unanswered Questions" discusses the mysteries raised by the latest events. Next an "Analysis" section gives a detailed discussion of events. Finally the "Notes" section contains discussion of the episode by J.Michael Straczynski, the creator of Babylon 5. Be careful if you haven't seen the episode yet! Everything after the overview contains spoilers, so you probably don't want to read too far until after you see the show. On the other hand, the current shows are all repeats and will be until the new season starts in the fall.
Returning to the home page the next link takes you to a page about the Babylon 5 universe and the characters who live there. This page has sections on the setting and each of the main characters, complete with pictures. Links are available to additional information such as the actors who play each of the characters.
A third link on the home page takes you to the episode list. This page is organized chronologically and has links to the individual episode pages (of which the current episode page described above is an example).
The fourth link on the home page takes you to a wealth of information about how the show is made and by whom, and a fifth link brings you a list of other sources of Babylon 5 information, many of which are on the web also.
I rate this site as excellent. The information is high quality and well presented. The total quantity of information available would be a bit overwhelming if you tried to access it all in one visit, unless you are already well on your way to becoming the ultimate B5 trivia expert. I prefer short visits on a regular basis to keep up on what is happening in the B5 universe. Also I should mention that this site is "modem friendly" in that graphics are kept to a minimum.
The Voyager site is a must see for any serious Trekker. This is the official Voyager site provided by Paramount Television and it is a slick professional interactive presentation.
The concept is that you are a new candidate crew member for the starship Voyager. You explore the many information screens available and then take short quiz to see if you are suitable crew material. If you pass the test you can add your name to the list of honorary Voyager crew members maintained at the site.
Thematically, the information screens are presented in the form of a PADD display. A PADD is the "personal access display device" you have seen the characters on the show use. Clicking on the buttons on the PADD takes you to the various information screens. It's a nifty concept and very well implemented.
The information available covers the ship itself and its technology, the various alien races encountered, and the principal crew members. It seems to have been designed to entertain rather than to provide more than you ever wanted to know about Voyager. It is heavily graphics oriented so a 9600 baud or faster modem is recommended and off-peak hours are better. A text only mode is provided, but that takes away much of the fun. Sound files are also available so if you have sound capability you can hear characters speak.
For fans of other shows there is a page with links to sites dedicated to Doctor Who, Star Trek, Red Dwarf, Blakes 7, Quantum Leap, The Prisoner, Battle Star Galactica, The X Files, and many others. Happy browsing!