General Interest
Drawing on the expertise of a team of editors who reside in Britain, Germany, Spain, Mexico, France, and a number of other countries, the City Mayors organization is an “international network of professionals working to promote strong cities and good local government.” Their website takes on all of the important urban issues of the day, including governance, affordable housing, sustainable development, transportation, and a number of other pressing issues. On their homepage, visitors will find links to recent news stories from cities around the world and direct links to thematic sections such as business, finance, environment, and development. One section that should not be missed is the “City Rankings” area, which includes helpful lists of the largest cities in the world by land area, population and density, along with a list of the most expensive cities in the world. [KMG]
http://water.usgs.gov/waterwatch/
The United States Geological Survey pays keen attention to a number of physical processes around the country, and they are no less vigilant in their efforts to study water resources. Visitors to this site will first notice the map of real-time streamflow activity right in the middle of the homepage. The data is organized into seven percentile classes that draw on historical data to illustrate how the current streamflow activity compares to activity in the past. Using a series of drop-down menus on the top allows users to look for current flood and drought watches and also access historical maps and graphs that offer some perspective on monthly streamflow. Finally, the site also contains a thorough explanation of streamflow data and how such data is compiled and analyzed. [KMG]
http://parentseyes.arizona.edu/
How does an institution help tell the story of the community it is located in? This type of endeavor can take many approaches, and the University of Arizona seems to have found a fantastic way to do so. Working with a variety of organizations and individuals throughout the greater Tucson and Southern Arizona community. Through Our Parents’ Eyes: History & Culture of Southern Arizona was started in the mid-1990s. The project was designed to bring together the diverse human experiences of the region by drawing on a wide range of documents, oral histories, historic images, and video clips. The project and this website feature a number of teaching resources, regional histories, and primary documents for use by anyone interested in the region. Some of these resources have been collected into thematic presentations, including “Words & Place: Native Literature of the American Southwest” and “War Relocation Authority Camps in Arizona, 1942-1946”. [KMG]
The world of nanotechnology and its related applications is growing quickly, and there are a number of websites that are dedicated to keeping up with the developments in the field. This site falls into that very category, as it contains links to recent news stories about the field, coupled with a database containing nanotechnology-related links to universities, research labs and institutes, and associations. Those who might be new to the world of nanotechnology will want to browse on over to the “Nanomaterials Introduction” section. Here they will find short pieces on the significance of the nanoscale, nanomaterial science, and its current (and future) applications. The site also contains a career center, where interested persons can look over job opportunities in the industry. [KMG]
http://qbx6.ltu.edu/s_schneider/physlets/main/index.shtml
Understanding how various concepts and processes in physics can be an exasperating experience for students beginning to study the field, so finding sites like this one can be quite a delight. These Java-based applets were developed at Davidson University by Wolfgang Christian, and they are a real delight. First-time visitors may wish to read through the introduction on using these physlets, and then move on to look through the different sections on the site. In total, there are over 100 physlets here, and they include those that illustrate (or animate) such processes as linear momentum, elastic linear collisions, and the movement of sound waves. [KMG]
http://www.managementhelp.org/commskls/cmm_writ.htm
Writing letters or memos in the world of business is an acquired skill, and those beginning to learn about this process will appreciate this site, which was designed by the Authenticity Counseling Company. The helpful resources offered here are divided into several sections, including “General Resources and Advice”, “Basic Writing Skills”, and “Basic Composition Skills”. One other section is worth noting as well, and this is the section titled “Some Types of Correspondence”. This is perhaps the section most relevant to business writing practices, as it includes sample memos, meeting minutes, and procedures for composing effective business emails. Overall, the site is quite a find, and visitors will enjoy making multiple visits to make the most out of the material offered here. [KMG]
http://www.moneyinstructor.com/accounting.asp
Are balance sheets, income statements and cash flow statements keeping you up at night? Well, beginning accounting students (or others with an interest in such matters) will appreciate these basic accounting lesson plans, provided courtesy of the MoneyInstructors.com website. The first section contains a number of lesson plans and worksheets that include topics such as the fundamental concepts of accounting, transaction analysis, accrual accounting and adjusting entries. Moving on, the site also contains a number of useful articles on various topics within the field, such as bookkeeping, ledgers, and profit and loss reports. The site is rounded out by a selection of helpful accounting textbooks that students may wish to look for as they continue their journey through the world of accounting. [KMG]
Foodesigns.com was created by Lisa Golden Schroeder, a veteran food stylist and writer, who recognized the need for a website where practicing food stylists and photographers could exchange techniques and advice, that would also provide information for those looking to enter this specialty within the food business. A few of the features at Foodesigns.com are reserved for members or available by subscription, such as the Tweezer Times, a bimonthly online magazine, but valuable information is available entirely free. For example, weekly tips ranging from how to make perfect chocolate curls to "green" food styling; interviews and links to portfolios of featured artists; FAQs about food styling; and listings of upcoming food styling events and educational opportunities. [DS]
