Entertainment: the basics
Thursday 1 January 2004
The web can be a great source of information when you're looking for something to do in the modern day life of technology and entertainment.
Music
Are you a fan of Rock, Pop, Trance, Dance, Garage, Indie, R'n'B, Metal, Country, Classical, or even Easy Listening?
You can go to concerts and musical festivals, such as Glastonbury, Reading and the T in the Park gigs. The Prince's Trust organises an annual Party in the Park, which features top pop stars from around the world.
But not all concerts and gigs are about mainstream popular music. There are tonnes of events showcasing jazz, classical music and opera. You don't always have to go to a special venue to see them either. London's Royal Opera House has held open air screenings of their productions, so audiences could watch on big screens for free in places around the capital including Covent Garden and Canary Wharf.
To find your nearest musical event, why not take a look at our list of recommended links?
TV
What's your favourite TV show? Do you prefer comedy or documentaries? Do you prefer soaps or the odd bit of drama?
As well as helping you find out what's on TV, the web is full of official and fan sites for popular or cult TV programmes. As well as giving you an insight into your favourite TV show, they can also tell you whether a new series is being made.
No matter what your taste in TV programmes, there are loads of sites that can help you find something of interest on the TV. Take a look at our list of sites to find out more.
Cinema
Losing yourself in a good film at the cinema is a great way to relax and forget about the real world . The lights go down. The audience falls silent. The curtains draw and the opening credits begin.
As well as local newspapers, the web can be really useful when it comes to finding a film in your local area. Take a look at our list of sites for more information.
DVD
The DVD format (which stands for Digital Versatile Disk) has revolutionised home film viewing. Not only is the sound and picture quality sharper - you can often watch extra scenes that were cut from the final film, funny outtakes, listen to cast and director commentaries - there's loads of things you can do.
Look out for hidden special features called 'Easter Eggs'. You'll come across these on the selection menus as you click around them.
The web can be a great help if you're deciding whether to rent or buy a DVD, thanks to the hundreds of film review sites out there. You can even purchase DVDs online - but only if you're old enough to have a credit card.
Gaming
Video gaming and PC playing is now a multi-million pound industry. Video games are good fun and can often get the brain working as well as your fingertips
The web is a great source of information for gamers. You can read reviews, get some tips for tricky levels and even download extra levels.
As technology gets more advanced, video games are now giving people the option to compete against other people over the web.
Playing against other people over the web can be great fun, but remember some basic rules:
- If you are going to use chat rooms, never give out personal details, your mobile phone number or your personal address.
- Never agree to physically meet up with someone you only know by email, from a message board or from a chat room. You never know who they really are.
To find out more on music, TV, cinema or video gaming, take a look at our list of useful links.
