These are wonderful stories to read to kids on Halloween. the illustrations are excellent, they are of enough varied lengths to fit into any school or bedtime schedule, and they manage that blend of fun and scary that is, well, fun and scary. Most kids over third grade at my boy's school (where I've been reading these each October for the past three years) can quote the punch line to Bruce Colville's 'Duffy's Jacket'. It's a true pleasure. I'd recommend that your elementary school's library get more than one copy.

I do like the idea of a book that approaches webcasting in the same way that one would approach short-wave radio, and in 1998 perhaps that approach made sense. But now, in the year 2000, it seems a bit quaint and unnecessary, like a 1995 Internet how-to book.

Instead of purchasing this book, I would suggest popping over to Broadcast.com. Browse the wide variety of content there, and consult the Help pages for assistance with installing media players. Sites like Yahoo Broadcast, RealGuide, and WindowsMedia.com provide more than enough introductory material for the novice, and countless media streams to choose from.

This was once a helpful introduction to web radio with stations' web addresses. It reminded me of the 1940's and 50's, exploring the AM band late into the night when you could hear Nashville, New York, Denver, Des Moines, Dallas, New Orleans, Del Rio, Havana, the world brought on the moon ether. Now it is so outdated as to be of little help. Real Player has changed vastly in two years, and most stations' web addresses are obsolete. What is needed is a yearly revision, or better still, continuous updating on line.

TJCantwell cantwell@naxs.com

Ok for casual listeners. Thats it