December 31, 1998 - The Smithsonian Institution Web site is designed to "increase the diffusion of knowledge". The site features information from aeronautics and space history to zoology, as well as, special services and programs provided by the Smithsonian Institution. The Smithsonian consists of sixteen museums and galleries and the National Zoo, including numerous research facilities in the United States and abroad. The Institution is dedicated to public education, national service, and scholarship in the arts, sciences, and history.

VA Police Aid Citizens Online

December 30, 1998 - The Virginia State Police Web site provides timely and accurate information about the department and encourages users to share information with their organization. The site offers information on various department programs and services including special 24-hour telephone numbers and hot-lines; statewide police office locations and telephone numbers; and a list of wanted criminals.

IEL Provides Internships

December 29, 1998 - The Institute for Experiential Learning (IEL) in Washington D.C. offers internships in the nation's capital for all majors. Their programs include the Capital Experience, the Embassy & Diplomatic Scholars Internship Program and the Foreign Policy Symposium and offer scholarships and college credits. Internship sponsors come from government agencies, businesses, law firms, and nonprofit organizations.

NVRP Unveils Survey

December 28, 1998 - The Northern Virginia Regional Partnership's (NVRP) Regional Workforce Development Coordinating Center (RWDCC) has introduced their Workforce Development Survey for the second quarter of 1998, which is downloadable in PDF format. The survey represents current conditions, due to the fact that it was conducted between March and June of 1998, and deals with workforce shortages. The RWDCC assists those looking for new jobs or skills, as well as, employers seeking to fill vacancies in their company.

Employment Site Now Online

December 25, 1998 - The Washington D.C. Metro Area Employment Site helps employers find qualified workers as well as helping skilled unemployed workers find jobs. The site includes features such as a place to submit a career seeker's resume and a place for employers to post their help wanted ads. Resumes posted on the site are looked at by over forty local companies and are identified with a specific resume number so that personal data is not displayed. Their site is secured by CyberCash and powered by Oracle.

Tyson's Helps Holiday Shoppers

December 24, 1998 - Tysons Corner Center has started to sell gift certificates through their Web site to help holiday shoppers. The gift certificates come in increments of $25, $50, $75 and $100 and i are redeemable at over 250 stores and restaurants in the Center. The site also offers such features such as shopping info and customer services.

Track Santa Online

December 23, 1998 - TheNorth American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) will be tracking Santa on December 24th and will provide updates, using satellite data and digitized imagery, through their Web site. This has been an ongoing tradition for 43 years ever since NORAD, formerly known as CONAD, had their number printed accidentally in a newspaper as Santa's "hotline". NORAD is a joint American and Canadian military organization responsible for the aerospace defense of both America and Canada.

WDCY2K Meeting Web Site

December 22, 1998 - The Washington D.C. Year 2000 Group (WDCY2K) is the largest Y2K group in the world with over 1600 people signed on to their notification list and a monthly meeting attendance average of 200 to 350 people. The meeting attendees discuss problems, share best practices and coordinate efforts to help various corporations, enterprises, government agencies, military branches and other organizations facing the Y2K problem. The group's Web site contains a preview of the next meeting as well as summaries of old meetings. There is no formal membership and no charge for attending the meetings although anyone can be added to the WDCY2K notification list and must register in advanced for a meeting.

HOST Merges Healthcare And Information Technology

December 21, 1998 - Healthcare Open Systems & Trials (HOST), in Washington D.C., is a nonprofit consortium which advocates the utilization of information technologies for improved healthcare delivery. HOST's activities include educating healthcare and technology professionals; deployment of applications in real-world healthcare settings; and the research, development and testing of appropriate technologies. HOST's broad-based international membership ranges from small consulting firms to Fortune 500 corporations, as well as healthcare providers, National Laboratories and university medical centers.

InteliData's Products Helps Online Banking

December 18, 1998 - InteliData in Herndon, is an interactive technologies company that develops and markets products and services for the telecommunications and financial services industries. Current products offered include the Interpose Transaction Engine, Interpose OFX Gateway, and the Interpose Payment Warehouse. This software allows a complete in-house online banking and bill payment solution via the Internet.

Search Real Estate Via The Web

December 17, 1998 - Washington, D.C. based Real-Agent is an online real estate search for commercial and residential properties in the Greater Washington region. Visitors to the site are able to view all property listed with Real-Agent online, select realtors, find information about the region's real estate market and learn about the region's attractions. The site also features a mortgage calculator allowing users to calculate their monthly mortgage to determine payment schedules.

Book Bike Tours Online

December 16, 1998 - Bike The Sites, a local company offering bicycle tours of Washington and surrounding areas, has recently begun accepting reservations online. Bike The Sites currently features three tours which include the city's many monuments and attractions, Mount Vernon and Civil War battlefields. Visitors to the site can learn more about the company, read about each tour and learn about custom tours.

Byte Back Aids Inner Cities

December 15, 1998 - Byte Back, a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C., provides low-cost computer training to low-income residents. Classes are offered at six locations throughout the District of Columbia and are taught by qualified volunteer instructors. Classes, ranging from computer basics to more advanced levels, last five weeks with most classes taking place on weeknights or weekends.

Netique Simplifies Gift Giving

December 14, 1998 - Netique, Ltd., based in Alexandria, is an online gift shop offering convenient shopping over the Internet. Shoppers can search for gifts by price range and category or take recommendations from the store. Netique offers same day delivery to customers in the Washington area. For the holiday season, Netique is also offering its list of holiday gift ideas and gift certificates.

DCCC Introduces Web Site

December 11, 1998 - The District of Columbia Chamber of Commerce (DCCC), a promoter of business development, tourism, and the Washington community, recently introduced their Web site. The site features a visitors guide, calendar of chamber events and other interesting information. The DCCC helps both small and large businesses by creating opportunity, solving problems, locating information, and preserving a positive business climate in the nation's capital.

ASTD Launches Online Community

December 10, 1998 - The American Society for Training and Development (ASTD), in Alexandria, has launched a new virtual community on the Internet. The ASTD assists both members and non-members with their professional development through various features. The site offers an online job bank, seminar agent and other helpful features. ASTD's mission is to provide leadership to individuals, organizations, and society to achieve work-related competence, performance, and fulfillment.

Company Helps Market Other Businesses

December 9, 1998 - E Com Communications in Takoma Park, is a marketing communications firm focusing on small and medium-sized businesses. The company helps expand these businesses through high technology and ecommerce by offering clients marketing communications, development and writing of electronic newsletters, customer surveys, as well as Web content and strategies. The firm is a member of the Potomac KnowledgeWay Netpreneur Program, the Rockville Chamber of Commerce, Women in Technology and other organizations.

IPL Answers Reference Questions

December 8, 1998 - TheInternet Public Library (IPL) is the first public library on the Internet. The site maintains a collection of online reference works, responds to reference questions, creates Web resources and evaluates and categorizes resources on the Web. The library is staffed by professional librarians with assistance from students and volunteer librarians. The IPL began in a graduate seminar in the School of Information and Library Studies at the University of Michigan in 1995.

Office of Educational Technology Now Online

December 7, 1998 - The U.S. Department of Education is currently offering the Office of Educational Technology Web site. This site was created as a response to President Clinton's commitment to bringing technology into the classroom. The site features the four pillars of their Technology Literacy Challenge, part of the President's Educational Technology Initiative, which includes links to related topics. The site also features programs, state regional contacts and federal resources.

The Fairfax County Public Library Introduces Their Web Site

December 4, 1998 - The Fairfax County Public Library Web site offers a varied amount of information including Internet and reference resources. The site allows library members to view the library's catalog and reserve or renew materials by entering their card number. The site also allows the user to view their borrowing record and features a online library card application.

AOL Foundation Announces Education Grants

December 3, 1998 - The AOL Foundation, an educational advancement tool begun by America Online, recently announced its "Interactive Education Initiative." The goal of the initiative is to support teachers, parents and others in using interactive technology to enhance student achievement. The AOL Foundation will provide grants in 1999 totaling $435,000, from which awards of up to $7,500 will be distributed among 54 teams of teachers to provide classroom support.

Fedstats Provides Searchable Statistics

December 2, 1998 - The Federal Interagency Council on Statistical Policy maintains Fedstats, a Web site providing public access to a varied amount of statistics and information produced by over 70 Federal agencies. The site is searchable through an "A to Z" format, in which the user looks through a list of subjects, or the user can use the site's search feature.

ClassWise to Aid Distance Learning

December 1, 1998 - ClassWise, created by Magideas Corporation, a software development firm headquartered in Oakton, is a software package that allows distance learning to take place over the Internet. Using this software, students and teachers can interact in real time and students also have the opportunity to review previous lectures captured by the instructor with the use of the software. ClassWise was designed as a low cost, low bandwidth solution to distance learning via the Internet.

Tech Information and Courses Available Online

December 1, 1998 - Government Institutes, based in Rockville, is an online link to information in the fields of telecommunications and the Internet. Government Institutes publishes books and CD-ROMs on telecommunications and Internet-related fields and is a source for Code of Federal Regulations and other hard-to-find government publications in print and online. The organization also participates in continuing education and on-site training for businesses.