Planet Science
Earlier this month, New Scientist magazine relaunched its world wide web site, Planet Science. The new ‘improved’ look is very different, all the colourful icons that used to welcome you to Planet Science have gone. In their place is an image of the front cover from the latest issue, and lots of text. This pared down style is reminiscent of the on-line versions of other science magazines, notably New Scientist’s big brothers, Nature and Science. Try to spot the difference opposite... However, the web pundits at New Scientist claim tthey have been slaving over a hot mouse for weeks, to bring their readers more content, rather than style, with lots of new features.
So how does Planet Science at http://www.newscientist.com compare to the web pages of other science magazines? Well they all contain selected material from their respective publications, as well as special web features on hot topics, such as genetic cloning or the search for life on Mars. A useful feature of all the web pages are searchable jobs, courses and meetings databases, such as New Scientist’s http://www.sciencejobs.com. So is this an example of cloning on the internet, or does Planet Science now have more to offer?
Most of the extra features of Planet Science are found in the new NSplus section, which has material only found on the web. The supplementary material includes new sections on background reading, anything internet related (surprise, surprise) and lots of puzzles, with, for the first time, explanations of how they can be solved.
Two new sections worth a second look are Biteback and Grand-Tours. Biteback is your chance to join in lively discussions that started on the New Scientist’s letters pages. Grand-tours is the first on-line travel guide to sites of special scientific interest. This section is also supposed to be animated - if you have a browser that supports Shockwave - although they claim to be working on a version that doesn’t require any plugins.
The best new feature of Planet Science is for anyone who likes to have the Last Word. Readers of the magazine will already be familiar with the question and answer section which deals with general queries from readers about absolutely anything science related, such as why eggs are egg-shaped.
This is an area where the internet really comes into its own. It is invaluable for settling family disputes. There’s no longer a need for heated arguments about whether the actress in Green Card was Andie MacDowell or Anne Stuart Masterton. Simply fire up the nearest modem, type the words ‘Green Card’ into a web search engine, and any number of homepages by movie buffs will settle the matter once and for all.
The Last Word archive at Planet Science should become the place to look for answers to all those intriguing science and technology questions. If you’ve been wondering how those widgets in the bottom of beer cans work, whether fish fart or why men have nipples, then wait no longer. Head straight for http://www.last-word.com. And if the answer isn’t among the existing 350 Q&A’s, simply pose a new question of your own. Readers submitting answers which are then published in New Scientist also win Ł10.
This is just the beginning. Planet Science has plans for new e-mail services to keep interested readers up to date with the latest science news and jobs as well as Last Word questions. Planet science here we come.
Sarah Tomli
