Webscape

By Kate Russell Click Webscape-r

Kate Russell gives us her latest selection of the best sites on the World Wide Web.

Pixelgirl Presents

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If you use your computer a lot, you are probably getting bored of looking at the same old desktop design and icons.

Pixelgirl Presents holds the answer with a great collection of arty bits and pieces to spruce up your desktop.

These wallpaper and icon sites are always popular, and despite the girlie name everyone will find lots of great desktop designs and icon updates to tickle all fancies.

You can access the icons, desktops, articles and tutorials using the navigation panel on the left.

There are Mac and PC friendly options in all categories - a nice touch - as well as a selection of resolutions for most wallpapers, so you should find something to fit your needs.

All the downloads in this section are free to use, many submitted by surfers of the site itself. But avoid the link to the online shop if you do not want to look at the things you have to pay for.

Of particular note in the tutorial section are the guides on how to change your desktop and icons, both for Mac and PC users. Everything you need to set you on your way to a contemporary computer creation.

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Investopedia

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Next up, an information packed website I found when surfing for advice about making investments. I found everything I wanted to know and more detailed at Investopedia.

As the name would suggest, this site bills itself as an encyclopaedia of information pertaining to investing in stocks and shares.

Ever wondered exactly what that entailed? Well, wonder no more.

There is a bunch of great guides to the basics in various types of investments if you click the link to Learn the Basics under Tutorials in the main navigation panel on the left.

I know the titles of the articles look a bit daunting, but have a read and you will soon be catching on. They are written in really plain terms.

One of the things I really like about this site is that you can surf the content based on your level of experience so far. Just click the links to Beginners, Experienced Investors, Active Traders or Retirement under Home in the links panel along the top of the page to access these areas.

There are also tools and quizzes to test your knowledge. Have an explore and see what you uncover.

Please note: The opinions expressed are those of the author and are not held by the BBC unless specifically stated. The material is for general information only and does not constitute investment, tax, legal or other form of advice. You should not rely on this information to make (or refrain from making) any decisions. Always obtain independent, professional advice for your own particular situation.

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Insultingly Stupid Movie Physics

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Are you one of those people who watches a movie, and shouts out "No, that's not possible" whenever you see or hear something that goes against every law of physics?

If so, Insultingly Stupid Movie Physics is definitely a place you will feel at home. It is part of a larger website at intuitor.com which takes a more serious look at the world of physics and maths.

The sections include a run down of the stupid physics regularly portrayed in movies such as flashing bullets and the hero's habit of flying backwards through plate glass windows when shot at from a moving car.

Each description goes through the movie physics, and explains why it is not possible in the real world.

There are also reviews of many modern movies and the physics they employ, and of particular note, a classroom guide to help teachers relate the subject of physics in the movies to their students.

A really fun way of looking at physics.

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Puzzle Pirates

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And finally a little bit of yo ho ho to round off your day. We are talking serious pirate talk here, and an online world of adventures at Puzzle Pirates.

This website does require a java application to be downloaded to your PC. It could not be any more obvious on the opening page where you click to download, then follow the onscreen prompts to complete installation and registration.

Next you are prompted to create your pirate's onscreen persona, and then you begin undertaking missions to earn pieces of eight and make your mark in this world.

Like most games this one is best to explore on your own. All the missions are based on puzzle type games, such as Tetris and you can access them by clicking Ahoy in the navigation panel on the right.

The other pirates you see walking about are actual players that you get to compete against, so watch out for any chat you want to join in with onscreen.

One last word of caution before I leave you to explore your new home, there are some options to buy in game items for real cash, but there is plenty of free stuff to do too, so do not feel obliged to shell out.