Sweets for the sweet: Recipe site a chocoholic's delight Jan. 14, 2001   By JIM BROOKS While most of us may be trying to avoid sweets as part of our New Year's Resolution-inspired diets, I stumbled across a Web site recently that would please anyone with a sweet tooth. GimmeCandy.com, as the name implies, is devoted to candy -- or more correctly recipes using your favorite candy-aisle delights. Granted, some recipes will very familiar to most people. Who hasn't heard of putting M&M candies in regular cookie dough? But have you tried Heath Bar Biscotti, or Rolo Cookies? The recipes go far beyond desserts and sweet treats to include breads, beverages, sauces, pies, cakes and more. The site has a search engine to allow users to quickly zero in on the recipes using that favorite candy bar or confection of choice. There's a lot of variety here, and everyone will find at least one recipe using their favorite candy or candy bar. Even my favorite non-chocolate candy, Smarties, are included in a wide range of recipes (I'm afraid only true Smarties fans would appreciate Smarties Party Muffins though). For more information, visit the Web site at www.gimmecandy.com. NET GROWTH. Despite the stock market "correction" that sent values of Internet-related companies spiraling downward, the Internet continues to show significant growth, a survey finds. The number of Internet hosts -- which includes mail servers, Web servers, workstations and other Internet-connected devices -- has surpassed the 100 million mark worldwide. That figure represents a 45 percent increase from just a year ago, the survey said. The survey estimates the number of Internet users worldwide at more than 350 million. The growth rate of new Internet hosts in the U.S. shows signs of tapering off because the Internet usage is nearing full penetration, the survey said. Telcordia predicts the growth rate outside the U.S. will continue at a rapid rate. NAPSTER CLONES? As it has done so many times in the past, software giant Microsoft Corp. is turning its sites on a software product and preparing to release its own version. Microsoft is preparing a clone of the popular Napster peer-to-peer file sharing system. Its development codename is Farsite. According to a ZDNet.com story, Farsite is being designed for corporate networks, and would allow file sharing without the use of common server. The file-sharing technology can work with any sort of media, and isn't limited to just music. But if peer-to-peer digital music sales and transfers actually become an area where there's money to be made, you can expect Microsoft to jump in with its Farsite technology to grab its share of the market. Another file sharing technology similar to Farsite -- code-named Oceanstore -- is being researched by The University of California at Berkeley. Like Farsite, Oceanstore is planned to use no centralized directory on a server as Napster uses. Both technologies are still in research and development stages, according to ZDNet. Napster faces some potentially tough times ahead, even after unveiling its latest upgrade complete with a link to CDNow music e-commerce Web site. The link is visible proof of Napster's relationship with Bertelsmann AG, which agreed to drop its copyright-infringement lawsuit against Napster after it agreed to become a secure, pay-for-use Web site. But other record labels still have copyright infringement lawsuits against Napster. One label, Universal Music Group, announced last week it was unlikely to pursue any settlement with Napster until a court rules on whether Napster violates copyright law. To download the latest Napster software, visit www.napster.com. While the legal wrangling continues, you can still buy your own Napster gear, complete with the Napster cat logo. Visit the Napsterstore.com for details. NET DECLINE. A Louisville, Ky.-based high-speed Internet-access company laid off more than half of its employees last week and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Darwin Networks provided high-speed access to businesses and multiple dwelling buildings like apartment buildings and dormitories. Darwin laid off 300 employees and removed its top two officers in November. Former state finance secretary Pat Mulloy was named CEO. In a press release announcing the Chapter 11 filing, Mulloy cited the company's heavy debt and the downtown in the investment market for high-speed Internet companies as reasons for the move. The company began in March 1999 with 15 employees and quickly became a force in the high-speed Internet market. The bankruptcy may give Darwin time to restructure their debt load to better match their revenues, an investment analyst said. "Chapter 11 is like a roach motel. Many come in, but not many come out," he said. Comments and questions about this column may be sent to jbrooks@myoldkentuckyhome.com, or visit www.myoldkentuckyhome.com on the World Wide Web. | HOME |