Web Watch

Museums

The Unusual Museums of the Internet webring comprises 75 weird, wacky and occasionally wonderful websites, including: the toilet seat art museum, the world of Dr Seuss collectibles and the virtual museum of the iron lung. See the Web at its best, and worst, at www.unusual museums.com

Many Irish museums and galleries have their own websites - a good way to find them is to go to www.altavista.ie and search for "museum" or a specific name. A comprehensive list of museums, with basic information, is available at www. entertainmentireland. com/ museum/

Fancy checking out a museum or two while you're on holiday? The excellent Internet Art Directory lists the latest international shows and museum details - everywhere from Bilbao's Guggenheim to Australia's Museum of Contemporary Art. The site also offers information on US museums, galleries, auctions and antiques. At www.gallery-guide.com

Skip the museum and simply browse and buy online from museum shops around the world. Search by category: jewellery, sculpture, prints and posters, stationery and toys. There is even a special Valentine's Day gift wrapping service. At www.museumshop.com

Explore thousands of real and virtual museums online from this amazing database - on subjects from anthropology to children's stuff and sports. At: www.museumstuff.com

The Exploratorium, based in San Francisco, offers webcasts and interactive online versions of museum exhibits, such as the Brain Explorer and a cow's eye dissection. At: www.exploratorium.edu

Next week: Ask an expert

smarriott@irish-times.ie