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All Seasons

Season 1

  • S01E01 Hackers

    • October 2, 1996
    • PBS

    A look inside the computer hacker culture. Features interviews with well-known hackers; Dan Farmer, author of a hacker program called "SATAN" and Aleph1, whose <underground.org> web site was hot linked in the recent break-in of the CIA homepage. Also features members of the Cult of the Dead Cow, an elite hacker organization, and a guide to hacker web sites. Shot on location at the Coffee.Net in San Francisco.

  • S01E02 Aliens & UFO's

    • October 9, 1996
    • PBS

    A look at various web sites that focus on aliens and unidentified flying objects. Guests include Dan Plonsie, webmaster for berkeley.edu, a site that has lots of information about UFOs and spacey topics; Jerry Bjornson, head of Abductees Anonymous, an organization for people claiming to have been abducted by aliens; and "Chris" (also known as Schwa Head) who reviews several flying saucer sites including MUFON and Schwa Corporation.

  • S01E03 Politics on the Web

    • October 17, 1996
    • PBS

    The early internet became an instant hit with political organizations and movements that had previously felt shut out of the mainstream press. This program looks at several examples of how the web was being used for political advocacy. Maureen Mason shows us the Institute for Global Communications web site which includes links to PeaceNet, EcoNet, ConflictNet, LaborNet, and WomensNet. Eric Hughes, the founder of Cypherpunks, a group working to preserve privacy on the net through encryption, explains the Cypherpunks Manifesto. Jory Bell demonstrates the Anarchists Press web site, akpress.org.

  • S01E04 Dark Side of the Net

    • October 22, 1996
    • PBS

    The early days of the web provided an outlet for people who wanted to explore ghosts, vampires, werewolves, and other scary things. This program looks at several such sites. Guests include Lady Caroline (Carrie Carolin) who runs cascade.net, a portal for Gothic sites and links to sites dealing with magic, haunted houses, Halloween, the paranormal and the occult. Vinnie Corella and Phil Simon show off their site, stepcross.com and the game Bad Mojo in which you go through life as a cockroach. Rowan Fairgrove is a witch and guides us through various witchcraft sites on the web including the Covenant of the Goddess.

  • S01E05 Women on the Web

    • October 28, 1996
    • PBS

    The internet quickly became a home for special interest groups, among them, women. This program looks at several early web sites focused on women's issues. Sites covered include lesbian.org, fatgirl.com, fatso.com, WomensNet, diva.com, creative.net (a site for the Exotic Dancers Alliance), and bitchmag.com.

  • S01E06 Games

    • November 4, 1996
    • PBS

    An episode of the Net Cafe series dealing with online games and sites about gaming. Includes Quake, Full Throttle, TEN (the Total Entertainment Network), Meridian 59, and MUD sources (Multi User Dimension). Includes a CyberBlast segment, an early experiment in downloading software through the television signal.

  • S01E07 The 3D Web

    • November 13, 1996
    • PBS

    As web designers tried to make the internet look more like the "real" world, they experimented with three dimensional online environments. This program looks at several early examples. Mark Pesci explains VRML, the virtual reality modelling language. Chris Stuart demonstrates blacksun.com, a web site that uses VRML technology. Annette Louden demonstrates construct.net, an online environment for building VRML sites. Rick Denny and Skuli Mogensen of OZ, Inc. demonstrate their 3D web tools for building avatars.

  • S01E08 Music

    • November 18, 1996
    • PBS

    Musicians were immediately hooked on the web, seeing its potential as a community builder and a creative outlet. This program looks at several early music sites including fogworld.com, the site for Fog City Records. Also turntable.com, a site that pioneered enhanced CDs and worked with such groups as the Beastie Boys. Michael Moroney, creator of virginrecords.com, guides us through his site and several music fan sites. Also featured is Severe Tire Damage, the first band ever to perform live on the internet. Josh Gabriel demonstrates Mix Man software, one of the first software programs that enabled music novices to create their own mixes.

  • S01E09 Movies

    • December 3, 1996
    • PBS

    Hollywood quickly discovered the web as a tool for promoting films. But filmmakers have also discovered the web as a new medium for sharing information and distributing their creative output. This program looks at several Hollywood oriented web sites including atasite.org, the site for the Artists Television Access organization; a site devoted to the film "Monty Python and the Holy Grail"; and lowres.com, a site that runs an online film festival. Ed Martinez, a Hollywood special effects expert, guides us through web sites focused on special movie effects. Also a demonstration of Stephen Spielberg's Directors Chair, software that lets you create your own movies and run a Hollywood production studio.

  • S01E10 Writers

    • December 18, 1996
    • PBS

    The internet spawned a new generation of writers who wrote about the Net and on the Net. This program features several well-known cyber writers including Brendan Kehoe, author of "Zen and the Art of the Internet". Also "St. Jude", author of "The Cyberpunk Fake Book", a guide to all things cyber. Another cyber writer named "R.U. Sirius", founder of Mondo 2000, talks about cyberpunk fiction and the techno culture. Also David Pescowitz introduces his new web zine, "Boing Boing", a journal of cyber doings. Shot on location at the CyberSmith internet cafe in Palo Alto, California.

  • S01E11 Comic Books on the Web

    • January 10, 1997
    • PBS

    This early Net Cafe program looks at comic book web sites. Included are Jonah Weiland's Comic Book Links, Hellblazer, Sandman, DC Universe, Spawn, The Preacher, Swampthng, Hitman, The Tick, Loving Henry, and Johnny the Homicidal Maniac. Guests include Alex Curyea, Kristen Brennan, Jhonen Vasquez and Shawn Sanders. Hosts are Jane Wither, Andrew deVries, and Stewart Cheifet. Includes CyberBlast segment, early experiment in downloading software through the television signal.

  • S01E12 Love and Romance on the Web

    • January 17, 1997
    • PBS

    One of the early drivers in the growth of the internet was the topic of dating and romance. This episode of Net Cafe looks at some early examples of sites devoted to love, in various forms. Sites reviewed include globalmatch.com; divaweb.com and its famous advice columnist Midori; Bianca's smut shack at bianca.com; divanet.com, a site offering sexy online shopping and style advice from Nina Rage; the CyberFetish UberMall, and urge2merge.com. This show also includes a look at several safe kid sites to make sure your children don't accidentally wander into some of these sites. Included are cyberpatrol.com, netnanny.com, ratedpg.com, and sheperd.net.

  • S01E13 Art on the Net

    • January 24, 1997
    • PBS

    This early episode of Net Cafe looks at art and artists on the Web including collaborative art sites. Web sites covered are sito.org, art.net, artnet.com, srl.org, metroactive.com, crashsite.com, and Fractal Painter. Guests include Lynne Hershman Leeson, Annette Louden, Lile Elam, Eric Paulos, and Jeremy Sutton.

  • S01E14 Electronic Communities

    • January 31, 1997
    • PBS

    It all started with "The Well" but now, from the regular chat rooms to "The Palace", web surfers are creating their own virtual communities independent of geography and held together by stong bonds of friendship and affinity.

  • S01E15 Weird Science

    • February 13, 1997
    • PBS

    The web became a home for unusual approaches to scientific research. This episode of Net Cafe looks at several examples including The Annals of Improbable Research, the IgNobel Awards, Telegarden, spiritofamerica.com, PigDog, The Twinkies Project, and the Mad Science Guy.

  • S01E16 Travel Sites Online

    • February 21, 1997
    • PBS

    One of the first ecommerce successes on the internet was buying airline tickets and travel packages. This program looks at some of the first online travel booking sites. Demonstrations include earthwatch.org, a site for adventure travel. Also lonelyplanet.com, one of the earliest attempts to put travel guides on line. Another site, roadsideamerica.com, offered advice on "strange and wacky" vacations. Other travel sites shown are eathere.com, terraquest.com, magna.com, epicurious.com, thetrip.com, urbanaccess.com, greentortoise.com, infohub.com, and brainlink.com.

  • S01E17 Equality and Diversity

    • February 28, 1997
    • PBS

    It is said that one of the most important social aspects of the internet is that it levels the playing field for people and provides new access for users with ideas. This program looks at several examples of sites that provide a platform for a variety of diverse interests. Guest DaMeila Drayton demonstrates Teenage Empowerment and introduces several teen chat sites that focus on topics of interest especially to teenagers. Muki Izora demonstrates oceanbank.com and the Plugged In program aimed at low-income families living in urban communities. Lisa Wahl shows us ataccess.org, el.net, and planemath.com, sites that offer accessibility for people with disabilities. Josue Guillen guides us through Labour Net, GreenNet, and PeaceNet, sites which help marginalized communities get their voices heard.

  • S01E18 Censorship Online

    • March 14, 1997
    • PBS

    The web has become home to lots of strange claims and outlandish charges, all part of free speech. But some of the people affected by these cyber writings have tried to stifle this new form of expression on the internet. This program looks at several controversial stories which have led to censorship attempts. Topics covered include the Church of Scientology and its efforts to stop online stories critical of the church; the battle between McDonalds and mcspotlight.org, a site critical of McDonalds; and annoy.com, a site that tries to push the limits of online expression.

  • S01E19 Webby Awards 1997

    • March 21, 1997
    • PBS

    There are the Grammys, The Emmys, The Oscars, and...now the Webbys. We're traveling to a San Francisco Nightclub to find out the winners of the first annual Webby Awards, hosted by Web Magazine.

  • S01E20 Health Sites

    • March 28, 1997
    • PBS

    We're now all familiar with mega health sites like webmd.com, but the idea of putting up health resources online started in the first days of the web. This program looks at early examples including thebody.com, a site focused on information for HIV and AIDS patients. Also, the Water Birthing Site; outbreak.org, a site about the spread of the ebola virus; several sites from Masschusetts General Hospital and the Harvard University Medical School; and a demonstration of i-phone

  • S01E21 Religion

    • April 18, 1997
    • PBS

    From the Big Three to Witchcraft, the web has become a major communications device for religious group. It's helping mainstream churches get in touch with their members. And it's helping small alternative religious organize.

  • S01E22 The Weird Web

    • April 25, 1997
    • PBS

    In the early days of the web, there was a lot of weird stuff going on. This show looks at some of the strange subjects explored on the internet. Weird sites reviewed include Lip Balm Anonymous, UFO Insurance, The Deth Vegetable, Mr. T, The Exploding Whale, Tattoos and Piercing on the Web, Tweety Fish, Go-Force Super Hero, and Stellarc Suspension.

  • S01E23 Science Fiction Online

    • May 2, 1997
    • PBS

    There has always been a synergy between the web and sci-fi fans. This program looks at several science fiction web sites. Guests include Forest Ackerman, a sci-fi filmmaker who runs one of the world's largest real science fiction museums at his mansion in Southern California and who offers virtual visits to his museum online. Sci-fi writer Pam Dixon guides us through great science fiction literature online. Jeff Koga is the ultimate Trekkie and he reviews several Star Trek web sites. For Star Wars fans, Michael Kubeka is our guide to web sites covering everything from Storm Trooper outfits to lightsabers. We also look at hyperion.com, a site for fans of Babylon 5 and the Douglas Adams site on the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

  • S01E24 Disinformation on the Web

    • May 9, 1997
    • PBS

    Sure, the web is full of information, but it also has lots of false information. How do you tell the difference? This program looks at the problem of disinformation on the internet. Robert Schafer shows us csicop.org, a site that features the Skeptical Inquirer, an online journal which debunks phoney online stories. John Whalen demonstrates conspire.com, a site that focuses on real and surreal conspiracy theories. David Mikkelson runs urbanlegends.com, another site devoted to debunking fake stories circulated on the web. Richard Metzger demonstrates disinfo.com.

Season 2

  • S02E01 Online Sports

    • October 10, 1997
    • PBS

    The hottest sports sites on the web serve up scores, locker room interviews, and a rich array of statistics. This week's program reviews the sports megasites, CBS and ESPN, plus takes a look at sports multimedia on the Net.

  • S02E02 Web Radio

    • October 17, 1997
    • PBS

    With improvements in audio compression and network throughput, audio is coming to the Web in a big way, with music, news, and live event coverage. Here's a look at the 21st century radio, Net style.

  • S02E03 Privacy in Cyberspace

    • October 24, 1997
    • PBS

    The Internet is a two-way medium, unlike radio and television. That means those who provide information or entertainment to you can also gather information, and perhaps be entertained by your Web habits. How much of your conduct on the Web is being watched, recorded, and analyzed? This show also includes ways hackers sniff out your personal background information and a look at the issue of protecting privacy on the Internet.

  • S02E04 TV Shows Online

    • October 31, 1997
    • PBS

    Every new television show now has an online component, from PBS to Fox to World Wide Wrestling. You can now almost watch television on the Web, or at least find out what is on TV and what is going on behind the scenes. This episode looks at the Internet as a TV companion.

  • S02E05 Finding Anyone and Anything Online

    • November 10, 1997
    • PBS

    The Web has become the ultimate phone book; you can find virtually anyone and anything around the world. This week's program looks at how to use the Net to track down that lost friend or that hard-to-find gift.

  • S02E06 Cyber News

    • November 14, 1997
    • PBS

    Watch TV, listen to the radio, read the paper, and you only get what they want you to get, when they deliver it. But on the Web, you can access news anytime you want it. During major sports and news events, millions of people are logging on to the Web to get their news. This week, we look at the best sites for keeping up on all the news fit to surf. Featured websites include CNN Interactive, Tabloid, Addicted To Noise, Music News of the World, The Palo Alto Weekly, and Netly News.

  • S02E07 The Virtual Zoo

    • November 21, 1997
    • PBS

    Even if you don't have a zoo in your city, you can still find out about animals on the web. This program looks at several sites that bring the zoo to you. Topics covered include the new web site for the San Francisco Zoo, a zoology and animals portal run by Rachel Shaw focusing on animal pets, cyberark.com, petsinneed.org, primenet.com, apenet.com, and sites about bigfoot, cryptozoology, and weird virtual pets that only exist in people's imagination. Shot on location at the CyberSMith internet cafe in Palo Alto, California. Hosts are Jane Wither, Andrew deVries, and Stewart Cheifet.

  • S02E08 Buy It Online

    • December 5, 1997
    • PBS

    Shopping 'til you drop is a lot easier, thanks to the Web. From cars to wine, you can buy or bid for a vast range of products online. This week, we'll show you how to turn the Web into your favorite shopping mall.

  • S02E09 Virtual Doctors

    • December 12, 1997
    • PBS

    The internet forever changed the relationship between patient and doctor, allowing patients to research their medical conditions online before seeing a doctor. This program looks at several web sites that provide healthcare information. Sites covered include storksite.com, womenshealth.org, healthy.net, med.stanford.edu, gennexhealth.com, quackwatch.com, and sexclinic.com. Guests include Dr. Patti Britton and Dr. Karen Sarpolis.

  • S02E10 Online Activism

    • January 9, 1998
    • PBS

    The internet changed political activism by providing a new and powerful communications and organization tool. This program reviews several web sites that serve the needs of activist groups. Among those covered are the Barron Park Neighborhood Association (BPA) web site and the Palo Alto College Terrace Residents Association (CTRA) web site. Also reviewed are smartvoter.org, lwv.org, mpac.org (a site for AMILA, American Muslims Intent on Learning and Activism), igc.org, the site for the Institute for Global Communications, and sierraclub.org.

  • S02E11 Gambling and Gaming

    • January 16, 1998
    • PBS

    The web quickly became a popular platform for game playing and gambling. This show looks at several approaches to using the internet as gaming platform. Sites covered include gamespot.com, acrophobia, NetStorm, Activision, bezerk.com, gamers.com, pgl.net, virtualvegas.com, starluck.com, and intercasino.com. Guests include Dennis Fong (Thresh), the world's most successful computer gamer, Rebecca Anderson, Anthony Schubert, Jonathan Knight, and Jon Swartz. Guest analyst is Larry Magid.

  • S02E12 Voyerism Online

    • January 23, 1998
    • PBS

    Peek-a-boo! The Net has become much more than a text-based exchange medium. People are now putting their personal lives online, with video. Featured sites include homecams.com, braindump.com, anacam.com, crl.com, simplenet.com, concentric.net/~ballhigh/colorcam.html, chatv.com, and vip.stanford.edu.

  • S02E13 Grim Reaper Web Sites

    • February 6, 1998
    • PBS

    A look at how web sites deal with the subject of death. Sites featured include an information site on cemeteries, a tribute to the passing of Jerry Garcia, a virtual 3D graveyard, the pop culture death pool, and a virtual pet cemetery.

  • S02E14 Humor on the Web

    • February 13, 1998
    • PBS

    The internet quickly became a platform for spreading jokes and humorous content of all sorts. This program from 1998 looks at some of the early humor sites on the web. Among them, suck.com, aprilfools.com, rubberchicken.com, jigsoftware.com, 40kmiracle.com, thecorporation.com, and zenda.com.

  • S02E15 War on the Web

    • February 20, 1998
    • PBS

    War is hell; virtually. This week's Internet Cafe examines what the Web has to offer for those interested in the military. From journals and war games, to activists and veterans, the Net is a veritable foxhole for virtual soldiers around the world.

  • S02E16 Group Therapy Net Style

    • February 27, 1998
    • PBS

    Getting therapy online may not be the best way to deal with personal issues, but the internet is providing new tools for self-fulfilment. Featured sites on this program include wespsych.com, sonoma-aids.org, thetherapist.com, processes.org, and support-group.com. Also a look at Internet addiction. Featured guests are psychologist Dr. Nancy Wesson and Larry Magid of the L.A. Times.

  • S02E17 Cyber Chats

    • March 20, 1998
    • PBS

    From silliness to sex, there are hundreds of specialized chat sites where you can find folks who share your interests. We've got the links to get you chatting on the Web.

  • S02E18 Home Improvement

    • March 27, 1998
    • PBS

    A survey of web sites that provide useful information for home improvement projects. Sites reviewed include improvenet.com, netguide.com, homecentral.com, gardening.com, and planetproperties.com. Also features Candi Strecker, known as the HandyGirl. Guest analyst is writer Larry Magid.

  • S02E19 Jobs and Careers

    • April 3, 1998
    • PBS

    The web has become a great place to find jobs. This show looked at several employment sites including monsterboard.com, individualsoftware.com, hotwired.com/dreamjobs, bridgesonline.com, and listfoundation.org (a spinoff of craigslist.org). Guests include Craig Newmark, founder of Craigslist.

  • S02E20 The Hollywood Connection

    • April 10, 1998
    • PBS

    As the web grew, virtually every movie put up a web site. This show looks at several early uses of the internet by Hollywood. Featured sites include moviecritic.com, film.com, hsx.com, and skinema.com.

  • S02E21 Space Science

    • May 1, 1998
    • PBS

    The web has become a major research source for space science and astronomy. This program looks at the SETI project, solar eclipses, space science education, the controversy over the Martian "face", and the lunar prospector mission.

  • S02E22 Safe Kids Safe Net

    • May 8, 1998
    • PBS

    How much should we monitor and control children's access to the web? Indeed, whether we should do it at all is one of the big questions that faces the Internet community. This week's show features guests and sites devoted to and about children and how to keep the net safe for them. Guests include Larry Magid, creator of safekids.com and Rob McHugh, producer for Yahooligans.

  • S02E23 Sex Online

    • May 15, 1998
    • PBS

    Like most new communications technologies, sex drove the early days of the Internet. This program looks at the explosion of online sex sites. Featured guests include Danni Ashe, the cover girl for the online sex industry. Sites covered include nervelink.com, danni.com, one-and-only.com, salon.com, and askisadora.com.

  • S02E24 Best SOHO Resources

    • May 22, 1998
    • PBS

    A review of online resources for small business owners. Featured sites include score.org, cheesemans.com, linkexchange.com, ivillage.com, and ideacafe.com. Guests include Larry Magid of the L.A. Times.

  • S02E25 Cool Home Pages

    • May 29, 1998
    • PBS

    As the web grew in popularity, individuals started creating their own personal web sites. This program looked at several examples. Featured sites include homestead.com, shadowsong.com, aimnet.com, gamefun.com, and webpagesthatsuck.com. Guests include Larry Magid of the L.A. Times.

  • S02E26 Money on the Web

    • June 5, 1998
    • PBS

    The internet provided new ways to manage money, invest money, and lose money. This program looked at several online financial services. Featured sites include quicken.com, digicash.com, financialengines.com, wellsfargo.com, and gomez.com. Guests include Stanford Professor and Nobel Prize winner in economics, William Sharpe and L.A. Times technology writer Larry Magid.

Season 3

  • S03E01 Portals

    • October 2, 1998
    • PBS

    The big buzzword in the late nineties was "portal". Every web site wanted to become the place people went to first so that they could monetize the traffic. This program looked at several would-be portal sites including excite.com, citysearch.com, hotbot.com, bud.com, links.net, and netscape.com.

  • S03E02 Chat Rooms

    • October 9, 1998
    • PBS

    One of the most popular activities is chatting. Of course, some chat rooms are better than others. A look at the different online options for chat, the psychology of online chat, chat safety rules, and chat netiquette.

  • S03E03 Cyber News

    • October 16, 1998
    • PBS

    There is no doubt the Internet has changed the way people can get their news. While the Net is offering new ways to get local news, it is also providing important world news for those who have moved away from their home community and culture. Featured websites include Salon, Knight Ridder New Media, Digital High, and IndoLink.

  • S03E04 Cyber Sports

    • October 23, 1998
    • PBS

    The major sports news and information sites are still very popular, with up to 5,000 sites devoted to the most popular sports. But now even obscure sports like Gaelic Football, HackySack, and Paddleball have multiple sites.

  • S03E05 Cyber Communities

    • October 30, 1998
    • PBS

    One of the early uses of the Internet was to form virtual communities of people with common interests. This program looks at several early communities including The Mining Company (now about.com), HipBONE, PlanetOut, Yahoo Clubs, and GeoCities. Guests include Scott Kurnit, founder of The Mining Company, David Bohnett, founder of GeoCities, and Megan Smith, President & CEO of PlanetOut.

  • S03E06 Investing Online

    • November 6, 1998
    • PBS

    One thing the web did was level the playing field for investors. This show looked at several online tools to help small investors. Featured sites include thestreet.com, siliconinvestor.com, justquotes.com, msmoney99.com, and etrade.com. Hosts are Jane Wither, Andrew deVries, and Stewart Cheifet. Special guest is Larry Magid, syndicated columnist of the L.A. Times.

  • S03E07 The Global Net

    • November 13, 1998
    • PBS

    In the late nineties, the world began catching up with the U.S. in internet access and involvement in the web. This show looked at the international aspects of the net. Featured sites include irishabroad.com, tonic.to, globetv.com, babelfish.altavista.com, and apc.org.

  • S03E08 Virtual Stores

    • December 4, 1998
    • PBS

    One of the tech-media's favorite stories is the boom in Internet commerce, which has proven a success both monetarily and in user popularity. We take a look at some of the e-commerce success stories.

  • S03E09 Food Online

    • December 11, 1998
    • PBS

    The food industry is enormous in the USA, and the Web has been a great outlet for those interested in everything from ordering meals, sharing recipes and chatting with fellow gourmands. We take a look at some interesting food related sites.

  • S03E10 Online Literature

    • January 8, 1999
    • PBS

    Self-publishing no longer means paying thousands of dollars to a printer for a bound book. Self-publishing can be done online and accessible to the world for little or no money. We search out the best sites for aspiring authors as well as sites for finding rare books and downloading books online.

  • S03E11 Net Games

    • January 15, 1999
    • PBS

    Computer game action is moving online. All types of games, from gory shoot-'em-ups to educational games for kids, are becoming available on the web. Online gaming offers different ways to play; against yourself, against virtual opponents, or against real people. Game sites featured in this program are everquest.com, bezerk.com, grrlgamer.com, (yes, that's how it's spelled), okbridge.com, and shockrave.com.

  • S03E12 Adventure Travel Online

    • January 22, 1999
    • PBS

    Computers and the Internet get a bad rap for keeping people alone, in dark rooms, staring at a screen. Instead many people are using the Web to find out about places they can go and things they can do.

  • S03E13 Romance Online

    • March 19, 1999
    • PBS

    We've been reading about the various perils and pleasures of finding love (and sex) online for quite a while. But now that the Internet is maturing, are opportunities for finding romance online getting better or worse?

  • S03E14 Cyber Kids

    • March 26, 1999
    • PBS

    Today there is so much great stuff online for kids! Now, more than ever, there is enough to engage them online without them having to explore the wider and less regulated world of sites designed for adults. Net Cafe takes a look at sites directed at the younger generation of Web surfers.

  • S03E15 Xtreme Web

    • April 2, 1999
    • PBS

    From super-fast connections, sites that get their input from super-remote places, the wearable Web, to a site that offers tons of interactive data about natural disasters, we take a look at sites and services that take the Web to a new extreme.

  • S03E16 Incredibly Useful Sites

    • April 9, 1999
    • PBS

    Some web sites are for fun, but many sites are just darn useful. This show looked at several practical web sites including when.com, learn2.com, instant-delivery.com, edmunds.com, and alexa.com. Featured guests include Brewster Kahle, co-founder of Alexa and founder of the Internet Archive.

  • S03E17 Humor Online

    • April 16, 1999
    • PBS

    From the joke of the day to email traffic in bawdy stories, the web has become a major platform for humor. This program looks at several early humor web sites including useless-facts.com, netfunny.com, mockingbirdmedia.com, simpleton.com, and the Berkeley Systems online game "Get The Picture".

  • S03E18 Crime and Justice

    • April 23, 1999
    • PBS

    As the Internet gets to be a bigger part of our lives, it's perhaps inevitable that it has gained some of the vices of life, too. Having been a relatively benign place to meet people and hang out, the Web is now somewhere that sees its fair share of criminal behaviour, and an often helpful medium for gaining knowledge on the topic.

  • S03E19 Webby Awards 1999 - Part One

    • April 30, 1999
    • PBS

    At the height of the dot com boom, web creators were recognized at an annual gala event called the Webby Awards. This year's awards ceremony was held at the Herbst Theater in San Francisco. Awards were given for best web site in twenty-two different categories. Emcees at the event were Marina Berlin and comedian Mark Marin. This program shows highlights from the first half of the awards ceremony.

  • S03E20 Webby Awards 1999 - Part Two

    • May 7, 1999
    • PBS

    At the height of the dot com boom, web creators were recognized at an annual gala event called the Webby Awards. This year's awards ceremony was held at the Herbst Theater in San Francisco. Awards were given for best web site in twenty-two different categories. Emcees at the event were Marina Berlin and comedian Mark Marin. This program shows highlights from the second half of the awards ceremony.

  • S03E21 Consumer Protection Online

    • June 4, 1999
    • PBS

    As online buying grew, so did concern for consumer fraud on the web. This program looked at various ways to protect online consumers. Featured sites include bloomberg.com, privaseek.com, iescrow.com, consumernet.org, and consumer-action.org.

  • S03E22 Performing Arts on the Web

    • June 11, 1999
    • PBS

    The Internet has a reputation an escape from real life. On the contrary, it is hugely popular among people who have interests well beyond their lives online. An example of this would be the various performing arts. Writers, critics, actors, musicians and fans of performance have created a wide variety of great sites geared towards sharing their love of the arts.

  • S03E23 Lions and Tigers and Bears

    • June 25, 1999
    • PBS

    Thousands of home pages celebrate people's pets and just about every animal under the sun has at least a few Websites devoted to it. And of course, a huge number of e-commerce sites now offer everything from exotic animals themselves to everything you need to keep a pet. We take a look at animals online.

  • S03E24 Hollywood on the Net

    • July 2, 1999
    • PBS

    The worlds of the Internet and Hollywood are moving ever closer. While we’re still a little way off the famed ‘convergence’ of the two, we are seeing them overlap in lots of interesting ways.

  • S03E25 Online Collecting

    • July 9, 1999
    • PBS

    People collect all kinds of strange things and many of them now use the web to extend their hobby. This show looks at several web sites dealing with hobby collections. Topics covered include the online auction of Butterfield and Butterfield, online book collectors, auctionwatch.com, the Vintage Computer Festival, and the art web site of SF MOMA, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

  • S03E26 New Age Websites

    • July 16, 1999
    • PBS

    The internet has become home to many new age organizations and movements. This program looks at several examples including astrology.net, itsyoga.com, the Berkeley Psychic Institute, the Covenant of the Goddess, reclaiming.org, and SETI@home.

Season 4

  • S04E01 Lifelong Learning

    • October 1, 1999
    • PBS

    There are Web sites for children, students, adults, and seniors to learn more about the world. We'll give you an overview of the sites available including homework helpers, online college courses, and sites specifically geared to seniors.

  • S04E02 Just for Fun

    • October 8, 1999
    • PBS

    Ever tried to make up a mnemonic to remember a phone number? Or want to know how to say "I love you" in Finnish? There are many web sites that may not be cutting edge, but are fun to visit. We'll take you on a tour of the lighter side of the Internet.

  • S04E03 E-Commerce

    • October 22, 1999
    • PBS

    Skip the mall, shop online. Whether you're looking for a best seller or a first edition, there are plenty of web sites where you can find books and more. We'll check out some great stores, auctions, and find out how safe it is to use your credit card online.

  • S04E04 Conspiracy Theories

    • October 22, 1999
    • PBS

    Did aliens land in Roswell? Were there others involved in JFK's assassination? Are organs being taken from prisoners in China and sold to rich patients needing transplants? We'll explore the World Wide Web to find out who thinks there are conspiracies taking place.

  • S04E05 Personal Finance Online

    • March 10, 2000
    • PBS

    People are turning to the Net to manage there money. Is it safe and reliable? We take a look at managing your investments online. We'll check out a site for balancing your budget, financing your next home, as well as talk about the exciting and dangerous world of day trading.

  • S04E06 Online Job Hunting

    • March 17, 2000
    • PBS

    Job hunting resources on the Internet are abundant. We'll take you to one with an electronic water cooler so you can see what people inside think about the company you're applying to as well as get tips from CareerBabe.com.

  • S04E07 Finding People Online

    • April 7, 2000
    • PBS

    Whether you wish to track your ancestors or attempt to locate your birth parents, there are hundreds of free resources online to help.

  • S04E08 Pre-IPO Companies

    • April 7, 2000
    • PBS

    A look at five promising new web site businesses and the entrepreneurs who founded them - all hoping to strike it rich in the "dot com" world! Sites reviewed include keen.com, webswap.com, getfit.com, bestoffer.com, and zing.com.

  • S04E09 New Web Entrepreneurs

    • May 5, 2000
    • PBS

    The "dot com" world continues to attract young, bright entrepreneurs who believe they can turn their great idea into a successful internet business. A preview of several brand new web businesses and the people who created them. Featured sites include half.com, epinions.com, wfn.com, eboodle.com, and elance.com.

  • S04E10 Entertainment on the Web

    • May 12, 2000
    • PBS

    Up until now, the Web has been mostly used for finding information, doing research, chatting, and exchanging email. But now the Web is challenging television as a primary entertainment medium. A look at new Web sites that offer movies, videos, music, and cartoons.

  • S04E11 Webby Awards 2000 Part One

    • August 11, 2000
    • PBS

    In it's fourth year, The Webby Awards bring together the global online community for a dazzling celebration of the medium's best and brightest. From online galleries and up-to-the second news sources to interplanetary exploration and cyber communities, The Webby Award nominees exemplify the kinds of sites that Internet users visit every day for information and entertainment.

  • S04E12 Webby Awards 2000 Part Two

    • August 18, 2000
    • PBS

    In it's fourth year, The Webby Awards bring together the global online community for a dazzling celebration of the medium's best and brightest. From online galleries and up-to-the second news sources to interplanetary exploration and cyber communities, The Webby Award nominees exemplify the kinds of sites that Internet users visit every day for information and entertainment.

Season 5

  • S05E01 New Web Sites Part 1

    • October 6, 2000
    • PBS

    Google co-founder Sergei Brin and former San Francisco 49er's quarterback Steve Young are featured guests in this episode. Brin talks about the "new" search engine called Google and how it works; Steve Young talks about his life after football which includes being Chairman of the Board of an internet startup called found.com. Also featured is Douglas Boxer, son of California Senator Barbara Boxer. He started a new web site called voter.com. Other sites reviewed include ideadollar.com and octopus.com.

  • S05E02 New Web Sites Part 2

    • October 13, 2000
    • PBS

    Boating and Books go hand in hand on this episode where we feature sites to help you buy your dream boat and a soothing voice to listen to as you sail off in the sunset. Featured guest is writer Armistead Maupin, author of "Tales of the City" and "The Night Listeners", the latter first published online at salon.com. Other guests include HotWire CEO Karl Peterson and PayPal COO David Sacks. Other sites covered include mightywords.com and boats.com.

  • S05E03 New Web Business Ideas Part 1

    • November 3, 2000
    • PBS

    Four new internet business visit the Net Cafe to get big. From online car dealerships to finding music you're in the mood for, these new websites will help you in whatever you're searching for. Featured websites include BlueMountain.com, FrogMagic.com, ModelE.com, MoodLogic.com, and BlueLight.com.

  • S05E04 New Web Business Ideas Part 2

    • November 10, 2000
    • PBS

    Four more new tech businesses visit the Net Cafe to strike gold in Silicon Valley. Late night home shopping comes to the web, a new way to get the latest news and sports on your desktop, plus a different way to receive the web - via the telephone. Featured websites include DoDots.com, YouCanSave.com, HeyAnita.com, and HopeLink.com.

  • S05E05 New Web Business Ideas Part 3

    • November 17, 2000
    • PBS

    Four new web startups complete for attention at the web cafe. A free version of the Microsoft Office, a new way to buy clothes online, an easy way to upgrade your computer without losing your data, and innovative methods of donating to charity feature this week. Websites include ThinkFree Office, My Virtual Model, PC2PC.com, and 4Charity.com.

  • S05E06 New Web Business Ideas Part 4

    • November 24, 2000
    • PBS

    Four more web startups enter the Net Cafe. From a way to transfer the web to your portable devices, a company that will pay you to surf their sites, to a company trying to make web terminals as easy to find as payphones, the Net Cafe panel discuss which businesses will last and which will fall. Websites include Marketocracy, Street Space, ClickMarks.com, and FunBug.

  • S05E07 New Web Business Ideas Part 5

    • March 2, 2001
    • PBS

    Young entrepreneurs compete to get financing for their new internet business ideas. Featured sites include customatix.com, mondomedia.com, uplister.com, and how2tv.com. Silicon Valley analyst Alex Vieux helps pick the winners.

  • S05E08 New Web Business Ideas Part 6

    • March 9, 2001
    • PBS

    Four new web startups visit the Net Cafe to try and find finding for their businesses. From an online radio station focused on finance, to a new way to tour cities on vacations, to a modern method to co-browse the web. Websites featured include UpsideFM.com, Viatour.com, HipBone.com, and NativeMinds.com.

  • S05E09 New Web Business Ideas Part 7

    • March 23, 2001
    • PBS

    From better health care to the armed forces, these new ideas will help you from day to day. These new sites can help your doctor with your medication or show off your new digital photos. Websites featured include ePhysician, Tellme.com, Shutterfly, and Military.com.

  • S05E10 New Web Business Ideas Part 8

    • March 30, 2001
    • PBS

    These new sites can help you find the music you want, or help you prepare for college. Check out these new ideas from the web. Websites featured include BuzzHits, Popular Power, eBrary.com, and Achieva.

  • S05E11 Hot New Web Sites Part 1

    • May 4, 2001
    • PBS

    Hot new sites to help you with your everyday life. You can find everything from health insurance online to legal advice when you need it. Join us for this exciting look at some of the newest and hottest on the Web today. Websites include eHealthInsurance.com, Quova.com, OpenCola.com, and LegalZoom.com.

  • S05E12 Hot New Web Sites Part 2

    • May 11, 2001
    • PBS

    More on the Hottest new web sites on the Net. Looking to get rid of old junk? You just may have what someone else is looking for! This is just one of the great new ideas we'll be showing you this week. Websites include Switchouse.com, MyPlay.com, myCFO.com, and Christianity.com.

  • S05E13 Hot New Web Sites Part 3

    • May 22, 2001
    • PBS

    This week we give you travel advice, automated contact management, conference calls, and direct access to all of you PC's files. Join us for our continuing look at the hottest new web sites on the Internet today. Websites featured include IgoUgo.com, Ants.com, BestCalls.com, and GoToMyPC.com.

  • S05E14 Hot New Web Sites Part 4

    • June 8, 2001
    • PBS

    This week we wrap up our look at the Internet's hottest new web sites. We cover everything from Health care, small business, buying DVD's, and online broadcasting. Websites include GeneticHealth.com, BigStep.com, Netflix, and GlobalViewing.com.

  • S05E15 Internet Startups Part 1

    • June 22, 2001
    • PBS

    New ideas from the Web! This week we bring you more fresh new startups from the Internet including a all-in-one catalog store and help with consumer healthcare. Join us as we start a new series on Internet startups. Websites include LiquidPrice.com, MyOnlyCatalog.com, Consumer Health Interactive, and ExploreLearning.

  • S05E16 Internet Startups Part 2

    • June 29, 2001
    • PBS

    More new ideas from the Web. This week we wrap up our look at the newest ideas online. Great ideas from streaming video job sites, Extranets services, to online accounting. Websites featured include Jobfly.com, NetLedger.com, i-tinerary.com, and Inclusion.

Season 6

  • S06E01 State of the Web Part 1

    • December 7, 2001
    • PBS

    Lot's of things are happening on the Net, and this week we talk about four sites that are reflections of the ongoing transformation of the web. Bruce Koon discusses the growing credibility of online news after September 11, Lisa Strand examines the winners and losers of e-commerce, Adam Epstein introduces Fancast's interactive fan-driven web radio platform, and Phil Carpenter showcases Sidestep.com's innovative low-fare travel search service.

  • S06E02 State of the Web Part 2

    • December 14, 2001
    • PBS

    This week, four interesting new websites are featured on Net Café. Olivia Ongpin discusses the success of Fabric8.com’s online marketplace for independent fashion designers, Paul Gardi explains the search technology behind Teoma.com, Seth Greenberg shares lessons learned from the rise and fall of eHobbies.com, and Brewster Kahle explores the mission of Archive.org to preserve the web’s history.

  • S06E03 New Web Sites Part 1

    • January 4, 2002
    • PBS

    This week on Net Café, we are talking about four interesting web sites, including QuickBrowse, HomeAtLastRescue, Real Arcade, and Fandango.

  • S06E04 New Web Sites Part 2

    • January 4, 2002
    • PBS

    On this week's episode of Net Café, we learn about more sites that are reflections of the progress of the Internet as an entertainment and global marketplace resource. Catherine Ryan showcases Novica.com’s online marketplace connecting global artisans with consumers, Benny Evangalista examines the rise of post-Napster music-sharing services, Joe Sparks discusses the success of his web animation series Radiskull and Devil Doll, and Gregg Armstrong explains how AORafting.com uses interactive content to promote white-water rafting adventures.

  • S06E05 Interesting Websites

    • February 15, 2002
    • PBS

    In this episode of Net Café, we discuss four interesting websites that are utilizing the Internet in their own unique ways for philanthropy, e-commerce and community building. Websites featured include JustGive.org, Gloss.com, Local2me.org, and Readerville.com.

  • S06E06 Interesting Websites

    • February 22, 2002
    • PBS

    In this Net Café episode, we explore the Internet to find four interesting new websites supplying information and resources on topics from babies to horses. Featured websites include Indymedia.org, Babycenter.com, Listen.com, and Saddletech.com.

  • S06E07 Nicholas Negroponte Part One

    • March 29, 2002
    • PBS

    On this special edition of NetCafé, we feature just one guest who deserves a whole half hour, Nicholas Negroponte, director of MIT Media Labs and author of 'Being Digital'.

  • S06E08 Nicholas Negroponte Part Two

    • April 12, 2002
    • PBS

    Net Café continues the second half of a special talking about the future of technology and the Internet with Nicholas Negroponte, director of MIT Media Labs, author of "Being Digital" and co-founder of Wired Magazine.