Valerie Cowan Surfs the Net

AFTER all the waiting and all the fuss, Microsoft's new operating system Windows 98 is now out.

But if you want to get the full low-down on what it can do for you before you decide to shell out £80 or so upgrading to it, a visit to Microsoft's Windows 98 is essential.

Just about everything to do with the system is here. Of course, this is the official line from Microsoft but if you want to see the unofficial yet highly-useful resource to Windows 98 and all other Microsoft operating systems check out Winfiles. It's a great place to get some impartial views.

WEBSITES: http://www.microsoft

.com/windows98

http://www.winfiles.com

New York guide

FOR anyone planning a trip to New York this site is essential.

NYToday is from the world-famous New York Times and offers news, weather, travel, lottery numbers, guides and more.

Personalised listings allow users to create their own portfolio of interests which can either be e-mailed or viewed on-screen.

So if there was a certain band you wanted to see, you can set up the site to e-mail you when gigs are confirmed. City guides and sites are increasingly popular and NYToday shows an exciting example on how you can make it a very personal experience for the user.

How many sites out there can tell you how to get a pothole fixed?

Or why rainbows are seen rarely in Manhattan?

Essential stuff, not only for travellers but for anyone who wants to see a polished, informative and easy to navigate information site.

WEBSITE: http://www.

nytoday.com

Ramblers surf

ROSSENDALE Ramblers' website is well worth a wander. It offers a calendar of walks, profiles of the walk leaders and committee members and current and back issues of their newsletter, the Rossendale Rambler. There are details of some of the group's favourite walks and links to other rambling and Rossendale sites.

WEBSITE: http://www.

wavenet.co.uk/users/spike

Women's own

THE National Federation of Women's Institutes's website has information about education programmes, campaigns and details of WI Enterprises.

While the lifelong learning programme still includes courses in cookery and crafts, its courses in home computing and technology are among the fastest growing.

f=Zurich Bd BTWEBSITE: http://www.

okukbooks.com

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.