  Who
doesn’t want to know the latest happenings in science ? Science means
progress. Science probes the past and helps us to face the future. It
gives us new gadgets - and new hopes.
So it pays to keep track of what’s new in the world of science and
technology. The best thing is to log on to the web.
But the web has thousands of science and technology sites. Which
one(s) to choose is a big question.
So we have done the hard wok for you. Here, in no particular order,
are the best science sites on the web.
If your favourites have been dropped or if you think one or more of
them don’t belong here, write to us with your suggestions.
New
Scientist: What is perhaps the world’s best weekly science magazine has
an equally good, comprehensive website at
www.newscientist.com.
The print version is expensive and there is no digital version yet,
so here’s your best bet to read the NS for free. Includes videos as
well.
Popular Science: Check it out at Popsci.com. It’s American and it
shows. Popular Science, the monthly magazine, does have a very
reasonably priced digital version, but the website is very comprehensive
and up to date too.
Most
of the full stories from the print version are online, with videos.
 Cars, gadgets, aviation, entertainment and gaming, environment -
whatever it is, Popular Science has it.
Popular Mechanics: Almost identical to Popular Science, but with more
emphasis on cars, DIY and mechanical stuff. www.popularmechanics.com is
a great site worth a click.
Science Daily: If you don’t care much for technology but want to read
about pure scientific research this is the place to be.
Don’t be put off by the somewhat cluttered look. The editors have
tried to accommodate all the breaking news on the page - but its pure
gold. Point your browser to
www.sciencedaily.com.
It’s got a separate ‘video news’ section too.
National Geographic: The site (www.nationalgeographic.com) draws
heavily from the magazine and video shows, but has up-to-date science,
technology and environmental news with an interactive element. The
photography and videos are as always sensational and the writing is
top-notch. Not to be missed at least once a week.
Nature: Well, it is a scientific journal as opposed to a mass market
publication like NS or BBC Focus, but the website www.nature.com does a
good job with the latest news. Do remember that you need a subscription
for full versions of some articles, but it does not hurt to look. Also
try its American equivalent Science (www.sciencemag.com)
 Discover:
One of the best science magazines around, Discover has a very good
website. Check out Discovermagazine.com. In addition to science news, it
has very interesting fact boxes and 'things you don't know about'
sections.
Discovery: Easily confused, but this is the Discovery Channel's
website with a good news and video feature selection, given its link to
the channel. To complicate matters further, Discovery has launched its
own science magazine, which is available only in Asia. Check out
dsc.discovery.com
Science Central: Another very good science site, very orderly and
pleasing to browse. www.sciencecentral.com is a very good resource if
you yearn for science news. Often has stories that other sites miss or
do not carry.
Scientific American: Forgetting this one would have been a crime. The
site itself is not very attractive, but the reading material is simply
first class. There are stories from the magazine as well as web
exclusives. And if you still can't get enough of it, try the Smithsonian
( www.smithsonianmag.com) for a round up of not only science, but also
art, history and culture. |
