One of the dubious joys of being a computer writer is the constant telephone calls.
No, not readers phoning with cheers and jeers. It's the public relations firms calling to tell me about wonderful new Internet sites.
Here's how it works: Major consumer-product company decides it needs a Web presence. Major ad agency/Web design firm is hired to create site. Major company suddenly realizes that its high-dollar site needs publicity to attract visitors. Enter major public relations firm, which embarks on major publicity campaign.
That's where I come in. Reluctantly.
It amazes me how many companies are rushing to the Web. Some follow the lead of companies such as Procter & Gamble, creating sites that mix useful information with low-key advertising of their products http://www.tide.com, http://www.pampers.com.
Others just have corporate information, or misguided attempts at cutting-edge ''new media.'' For someone with enough free time to explore corporate sites, they're easy to find. Just type the brand name into your Web browser's location field, with a ''www.'' in front and a ''.com'' in back.
For example, http://www.budweiser.com will link you to information about Bud beer, Bud racing, Bud tours and those Bud frogs; www.velveeta.com will take you to the Kraft Interactive Kitchen, which offers lots of recipes for Velveeta cheese, Jell-O and other Kraft products. (Actually, it's a great archive of classic American recipes.)
Some sites worth visit
While some of these commercial sites offer nothing but ads, others are worth a visit. Here are a few of the better ones that I've culled from the hundreds that cross my desk:
For kids:
Kellogg's Planet K http://www.kelloggs.com: The breakfast food maker has revamped this site; the original ''Kellogg's Clubhouse'' was filled with huge graphics that took forever to download. The latest version has areas to send e-mail greeting cards, a Shockwave-animated Apple Jacks clubhouse, a store of Kellogg's goods and, of course, recipes for Rice Krispies Treats.
Barbie http://www.barbie.com: Mattel has created a site to raise their ubiquitous dress-up doll to new (read: expensive) marketing heights as a pricey collectible. But little girls of all ages will enjoy looking at what is essentially an online catalog of expensive Barbie Dolls. There's also plenty of Barbie history, even an audio file of the 1959 Barbie advertising jingle.
For teens:
Clearasil Vertigo Lounge http://www.clearasil.com: The name's a mystery, but this online 'zine for teens offers interesting articles on fashion, jobs, SATs, finding a college, and of course, how to keep your skin clear of ''breakouts.'' From the master marketers at P&G.
Body Matters http://bodymatters.com: Girls with questions about puberty, sexuality and their changing bodies should visit this site from the makers of Tampax. A similar web 'zine about female sexuality is offered by the makers of Kotex products http://www.kotex.com.
For adults:
Nabisco http://www.nabisco.com: The maker of dozens of America's favorite cookies and crackers has a large site with everything from job openings to the history of mustard. There's a kids' section with games (tied to products, of course) and contests. But the main attraction is the collection of recipes in Nabisco's kitchen, including that Depression-era perennial, Mock Apple Pie.
Smirnoff Pure Thrill Hotel http://www.purethrill.com: This strange site uses the idea of a ''virtual hotel'' for a collection of Smirnoff ads and drink recipes. You can explore the hotel, stop by the casino and play blackjack, or visit the bar for information on the company. The attempts at humor are lame, but it's worth visiting for the mixology course.
E-mail Charles Brewer with questions, comments and suggestions at CBrewer@enquirer.com Charles Brewer's columns can be found at http://enquirer.com/columns/brewer