The Tampa Tribune from Tampa, Florida • 120

oe rscerie Check out Cyberscene online at http:www.tampatrib.comsectionscyber.htm ti? op to Cvlsigjsiini NAGANO Surf or should we say ski the Web as you watch the Winter Games. Ah, the Winter Olympics. It's that special time when Al Michaels may ask American hockey fans, "Do you believe in miracles?" When cross-country skiers take a short break from cutting through virgin snow to pull a gun from their backs and A- 1 I NAGANO shoot a few targets. When figure skaters start conducting preliminary interviews with hit men. Yes.

the 1998 games are getting -jr under wav. and von Daily snapshot 'Record 72 National from Nagano City Olwipic can find the official rii rQ committees to participate in Games Aeridviewof Nagano offers The game formerly known as "Overboard!" (copyright issues forced a pre-release name change) is essentially an arcade game, but it boasts impressive 3-D graphics, clever puzzles and humorous weapons and foes. As a pirate ship Tom captain, you navi- Ninnnre gate your vessel with a basic goal of blowing away other ships and gun towers while claiming ports for your own. The game offers three 3-D views, and you'll find it beneficial to switch perspectives at different times. Raising your Jolly Roger over a port yields extra ammunition and health, which you'll likely need to continue your journey.

Grab floating messages in bottles to open up the new map areas. The controls aren't too complex here, which helps makes "Shipwreckers!" fun to play right out of the box. Psygnosis (1-800438-7794, psygnosis.com); minimum requirements for PC: Pentium 133, Windows 95, 3-D graphics card, 16 MB RAM, 2X CD-ROM, sound card. Dirk Lammers perspective AS ddegalioos have now Check out this dramatic I Snowlets Owls 1 page at lOSl 111 nagano.olympic.org cjfQ flA homeue.html dfJCtvAy The site has all the info on partici- dirk lammers pating countries, athletes, events and more. You can also meet this year's mascots, the Snowlets, a pack of cute little owls named Sukki, Nokki, Lekki and Tsukki.

Speaking of mascots, check out previous stars at the Olympic Almanac site at http:www.andrew.cmu.edummdg Almanac The page lets you go back and relive the 1972 magic of Munich's Waldi, the stylish dachshund, or Lake Placid's Roni Raccoon (1980). And who could forget the comic stylings of Hakon Kristin from the 1994 games in Lillehammer. And what Winter Olympics would be complete without playing the Dick Button Drinking Game? Rules of Trudi Marrapodi's "Hi Dick" a variation of the popular "Hi Bob" Newhart game can be found at http:frog.simplenet.com "Every time Dick utters the word 'nice' or the phrases 'first 'this young lady' or 'this young everyone has to take a drink. If he says 'HOW everyone has to chug." Dirk Lammers writes about entertaining Internet sites and computer games. Reach him aXdlammersiStampatrib.com or (813) 259-8101.

chatterbox 2000 Sydney, AXJS ODy, Syd, Millie A Kookaburra, A Platypus, An Echidna The official page for the XVIII Olympic Winter Games in Nagano, Japan (http:mm.mgano.olympic.orghome-e.html), and the Olympic Almanac (http: www.andrew.cmu.edummdgAlmanac) are some decent Olympic sites. Who's online the coming weeks: Thursday Today www.msnbc.com Saturday 10 p.m. Author Jo-Ann Mapson on America Online. Discuss her book, "Loving Chloe," the sequel to her first novel, "Hank Chloe." Location: AOL Live. Keyword: AOL Live Monday 7 p.m.

Finance guru Nancy Dunnan on America Online. Discuss her book, "Dun Bradstreet Guide to Your Investments 1998." Location: Globe. Keyword: BamesandNoble p.m. Joseph Heller, "Catch 22" author, on America Online. Discuss his new book, "Now and Them From Coney teland to Here." Location: Globe.

p.m. Jazz sensation Patrice Rushen on America Online. Discuss her new album. "Signature," nominated last month for a Grammy award. Location: Bowl.

Keyword: Electra 9 p.m. Forry Ackerman, sd-fi and horror expert on the Internet. Chat about his collection of monster memorabilia. Location: http:www.realhollywood.com Buccaneer: The manual of this real-time war sim uses the kindler, gentler definition of buccaneer: "an adventurer, a trader, a plunderer and a pirate." In other words, think "Bucco Bruce," not the Tampa Bay Bucs' current skull and crossed swords logo. Wink wink.

As a buc, you choose one of six missions, then sail around the Caribbean and dock at ports to hire crew members, buy provisions and attack. The game lets you fly your Jolly Roger, or raise a country's flag you might have stolen to fool folks at a trading port. The 3-D graphics are nicely rendered, and the battle sequences are enjoyable. But this title falls short as a sim, with mission plots that seem a bit too shallow. Strategic Simulations Inc.

(1-800-234-3088, http:www.ssionline.com); $19 99; minimum requirements for PC: Pentium 120, Windows 95, 16 MB RAM, 1MB SVGA card, sound card, 4X CD-ROM. Dirk Lammers 8 p.m. Essayist Stanley Crouch on America Online. Discuss his new book. "Always in Pursuit: Fresh American Perspectives, 1995-1997." Location: Globe.

Keyword: BamesandNoble p.m. Reel Big Fish on the Internet Chat with music group that sings "Sell Out" Location: iealhollywood.com p.m. The Wired Bride on the Internet View interactive guide on using the Net to plan your wedding. Location: http:www.msnbc.com Feb. 20 7 p.m.

Dr. Joy Browne on the Internet. Discuss her book, "Dating for Dummies." Location: http:www.idgbooks. com Feb. 23 p.m.

Elisabeth Parker on the Internet Chat with Web wizard about her book, "Home Page Improvement" Location: http:www.kSgboola.comeventschtthtrnl 10 p.m. Jeffrey Kramer on the Internet Meet president -of David E. Kelley Productions and co-executive producer of ABC's "The Practice." Location: http:www.realhollywood. com From Tribune wires 7 p.m. Sttfee VIK.

author of "SAT I tor Dummies." on the internet. High school juniors can get insider tips on the exam from author. Location http:mmidgbooks.axJi p.m. Richard Carpenter on America Online. Discuss his new album, "Richard Carpenter's rmst-Arranger-Composer-Conductor." Location: Bowl.

Keyword: Asylum p.m. Susan Tedeschi on the Internet Chat with up-and-coming blues great and then listen to her perform from the House of Blues Cambridge. Mass. Location: p.m. Savage Garden on the Internet.

Listen to slick pop duo live from Australia. Location: http: www. fveconcerts.com 10 p.m. Author Christopher Reich on CompuServe. Chat about his thriller.

"Numbered Account" Location: Literary Forum. Go: Lrtfor 10 p.m. Dale Midkiffon the Internet. Chat about his new CBS series. "Magnificent Seven." Location: realhollywooe.com Any time: Spice Gins on the Internet Catch interview with female favorites of the poprock work).

Location: http:www.msntK.com Any ttme: Sex on the Weekend on the Internet Take look at addiction to cybersex. Location: http: Wednesday 10 p.m. CeCe Wmans, gospel artist on America Online. Discuss her new album, "Everlasting Love." Location: Bowl. Keyword: Electra.