The Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California • Page 60

E2 TUESDAY. AUGUST 12. 1997 LOS ANGELES TIMES KID AROUND New and soon-to-be moms and dads can check out a BABY-ORIENTED WEB SITE, with classic kids books, baby photo contests, a bulletin board and recipes for "Incredible Cravings." It's at http:www.the babynet.com. A Scam artists work by mail, phone or in person. But there are ways to spot their tricks.

Hubble's Lens Has the Galaxy in its Site By DAVID COLKER, times staff writer Remember Hubble? Several years before the Pathfinder mission justifiably captured the attention of millions with its remote-controlled exploration of Mars, the Hubble Space Telescope was launched into orbit to peer more deeply into space and back further into time than ever before possible. Best known for an embarrassing flaw and then heroic resurrection as a scientific instrument, Hubble has been quietly orbiting the Earth every 75 minutes since 1990, taking pictures of objects chosen by astronomers and They're IA physicists. Earlier this year it captured an image so far away that it goes back 13 billion years, not long after time as we know it began. Breathtaking stuff. You can see the historic photos and read all about it in terms even we nonscientists can mostly understand at http: oposlte.stscl.edu edupublnfoPlctures.

html, a Hubble site operated by NASA's Space Telescope Sci Cons ou think you could never be swindled by a con artist until it hap By Sondra Fatrel Bazrod SPECIAL TO THE TIMES pens to you, as it did to these Southland residents. Maria, a ence institute. Fading star. Eta carinae, via Hubble. You have to be a bit patient.

The site gets an A for its bountiful pictorial and scientific riches, but its creators might have to be held back a grade in the Web site organizational department. The site opens with a group of tantalizing, small images, but no explanation of what they show or what they lead you to if you click on them. Also on the page are some text links, with alluring titles such as "1997 Releases." OK, so they're scientists, not advertising mavens. If you click around at random, you're sure to find some fascinating stuff. But here's a guided tour of some of the awe-inspiring links.

The first one is of use only if your Web browser can handle Java (if you have a fairly recent copy of Netscape or Internet Explorer, you're probably OK). You start out by clicking on the small picture of the Hubble spacecraft, which leads you to a page with many more links. Here you can click on links to read about the history of Hubble. But eventually, you'll want to click on the link labeled, "Where is HST?" That takes you to the "Satellite Tracking" page. Scroll down and click on the "Spacecraft" graphic, and then sit back for a moment to let Java go to work.

Your reward for all this clicking is a map of the world that shows the current location of not only Hubble above the Earth, but also Mir and a shuttle if one happens to be orbiting at the time. There is another part of the site you should see, and probably the easiest way to get there is to simply put this address in your browser http:oposlte.stscl.edupublnfoPR9623.html. Once there, you can see some incredibly beautiful images of a doomed star, Eta Carinae, that is coming to the end of its life with a sky show highlighted by explosions of huge, colorful clouds of gas and dust. Cyburbia's e-mail address is davld.colkerlatlmes.com. homemaker, was approached by a man on the street who said he'd won the lottery $1 million.

Because he was in this country GEOFFREY GRAHN For The Times illegally, he said, he feared being deported if he tried to cash in his ticket. As he was asking Maria to help him, another man stopped to see if anything was wrong. The "lottery winner" repeated his story, offering to share his winnings with both of them. the date. There are many variations on this scheme.

In one instance, rather than the con artist be a no-show, the con artist takes the victim's money, gives the victim a pouch alleged Play, Then Get Serious By LYNN SIMROSS, special to the times Portable video games have just gotten smarter. The new game.com system offers not only multiple games, but personal organizer and communications features. Due out later this month from Tiger Electronics, game.com, like Nintendo's Game Boy, offers a variety of games with graphics, animation, speech and music that can be played on its black and white screen by inserting different cartridges. The screen is touch-sensitive, meaning a user can play games or activate other functions bv touching thu Sffpon with a finaar -wm ab llllfjVl Irt a stylus, which is included. Its built-in Solitaire is fun to play, as is the TECHNQWATCH They phoned a number he gave them and verified that he was a big winner.

What Maria didn't know was that the person on the telephone was a plant, as was the man who'd "happened" along. On cue, the latter insisted on putting up good faith money before taking the ticket to cash. He left, returning with $5,000. The lottery winner then asked Maria if she wanted to be counted in and found her eager. He quickly drove her to the bank, where she withdrew $8,000 and handed it over.

He, in turn, gave her the lottery ticket and told her to meet him and the other man later to divide the winnings. But when Maria went to cash in the ticket, she was told it was altered and invalid. The two men failed to show up, of course, at the agreed meeting place. Maria, bilked of $8,000, was afraid to tell her husband, but finally reported the con to police. Lt.

Kenneth E. Welty, who heads the BuncoForgery Division, LAPD Bunco Section, says lottery scams are common. The con artist simply buys a lottery ticket, using the numbers from a recent winning ticket, and alters to contain the lottery money and disappears. Opening the pouch, the victim finds only paper beneath a few greenbacks. Welty says, "People are trusting by nature" and inclined to help.

He points out, however, that basic greed often gets people in trouble and some have lost their life's savings. Bunco a form of fraud, specifically a street crime involving trickery differs from other types of fraud in that there is no product or service involved. Rather, the perpetrator targets those he has determined have enough readily accessible cash to make it worthwhile and plays upon their avarice or ignorance. Typically, there is an offer of something for nothing. Sgt.

Barbara White of the L.A. County Sheriff's Department Forgery-Fraud Detail says, "If they can tap into someone's emotions, they can get money out of them. This can be done at your door, on the phone, with a flier or postcard or a meeting on the street. Even worldly people will fall for this. Your emotions override your logic." Please see SCAMS, E6 Don't discuss your personal finances with anyone.

Don't expect to get something for nothing, especially from strangers on the street. Don't draw cash out of a bank at the suggestion of a stranger. Check out a suspicious charity through the LA. County Department of Social Services or your local city hall. When solicited by phone, ask for the exact name of the organization, look up the number and call before donating.

Overcome your embarrassment and call police if you suspect a scam. If asked, do testify in court to help stop this kind of crime. There are hundreds of variations on the above rackets. As Lt Kenneth E. Welty, head of LAPD's BuncoForgery Division, says, "If it's too good to be true It is." Numbers to know: LAPD bunco section, (213) 485-3795.

L.A.County Sheriffs Department Fbrgeryf raud Detail, (562) U.S. Postal Service crime hotline, (800) 6546896. Lights Out game card that comes with the unit. Other cartridge games will be available for $19.95 or $29.95. Titles include: Batman Robin, Duke Nukem 3D, Mortal Kombat Trilogy, Wheel of Fortune, Henry, Indy 500, Quiz Whiz and Jurassic Park: The Game.com includes a built-in organizer.

Lost World. Game.com's more serious side includes built-in organizer functions, among them a phone directory, calendar and calculator. There's also an Internet cartridge and cable ($19.95) that enable a game.com user to plug into a computer modem to access text on the Net and e-mail capability. $69.95 at major retailers or call Tiger Electronics, (888) 844-7767). Ring Masters: Miracle Plant Coaster is a great idea.

It is a 100 acrylic coaster that can be slipped under plant or flower pots to keep tables, floors or carpeting clean and dry. Each dark green coaster can absorb more than eight times its weight in liquids in case you've overwatered, and a nonslip vinyl backing protects surfaces from water damage or scratches. The lightweight Miracle Plant Coasters are stain and mildew resistant. A set includes two 8-inch and two 10-inch coasters. t9.99 a set, including shipping and handling, from RPM Inc (800) 872-8201.

LIFE STYLE EDfTOfc TERRY SCHWADRON SUNDAY: "90s FAMILY M.9??!. Consumer issues and trends. (213) 237-7812 WEDNESMY: BO Health and fitness. (213) 237-6502 THURSOAYi Fashion, style and home design. (213) 237-7896 Point your browser to http:www.latimes.com and click on News Mail: Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053 Phone: (213 237-7707 Fax: (213) 237-4888- E-mail: LifeAndStylelatimes.com Traditions, changes in family life.

(213) 237-3407'.