ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, August 13, 1996 TAG: 9608130075
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
Seeking a fresh locale on the Web? Try Stale
SAN FRANCISCO - On the Internet, things that are hip and cool can get stale pretty fast.
Less than six weeks after Microsoft Corp. launched its on-line magazine Slate, some New York writers have created a detailed parody called Stale. And the name isn't the only twist. There are electronic links to the Slate articles that are spoofed on Stale.
Jumping back and forth between Slate and Stale on the World Wide Web, it's easy to lose track of which is which. But the line ``Join us or die'' in Stale is a distinguishing feature.
Slate was started by Microsoft, the biggest maker of personal computer software, to stake out some territory in on-line publishing. The company hired veteran political editor and commentator Michael Kinsley to lead Slate, which began publication in late June.
Some people, including Stale creators Daniel Radosh and Michael Tritter, have been put off by the notion that Microsoft is publishing political journalism and by the tone Slate has exhibited toward the free-wheeling Web.
``They come off as saying that they're on a mission to civilize the Web, as if they're the only ones who can make it safe for America,'' Radosh said Monday.
For those who want to take a look, here are the Web addresses:
Stale is http://www.stale.com
Slate is http://www.slate.com
- Associated Press
Domestic coal production falls
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Domestic coal production fell 3 percent to 19million tons during the week ended Aug. 3 from 19.5million tons the week before, the Department of Energy said Monday.
The U.S. coal industry produced 18.1million tons in the same week last year, according to the department's Energy Information Administration.
Wyoming ranked first among the 25 coal-producing states with 4.4million tons. West Virginia was second with 3.3million tons, and Kentucky was third with 2.9million tons, the agency said. The week's production accounts for bituminous and lignite coal. The week ended Aug. 3 was the latest available.
- Associated Press
LENGTH: Short : 49 linesby CNB