27 August 2004
	Portals and communities A PLACE TO CALL HOME FOR ANY INTERNET USER By Sasha Planting Techies, gourmets and ponytails all have a news group

There is little doubt that portals and communities represent the heart of the Internet. These are the places where nearly all Internet users go to catch up on news, browse for interesting information and chat with like-minded people. Here are readers' favourites. www.iafrica.com A one-stop site to get a little bit of everything - SA news and financial information; entertainment; online chats; downloads - you name it, you can find it here. www.iol.co.za News, classifieds and useful information as well as links to all the newspapers in the Independent Group. www.digitalplanet.co.za One of many IT sites around, this one combines community, content and commerce. It's probably the oldest and most reputable - certainly for its shopping. www.mweb.co.za Information and entertainment that is targeted at MWeb Internet subscribers. www.msn.com News and information to serve a community of users, with some services you thought you'd never want: ancestor search; the best way to find a lawyer; how to find your old friends; a free credit score; and used-car deals. www.tiscali.co.za Closer to home, news, views and entertainment - in a user-friendly layout. www.artslink.co.za An Internet service provider that focuses on the arts. Includes yearly, weekly and daily information on what's on in the arts and entertainment world. It also provides a complete Internet service. www.wheels24.co.za Motoring news, new car information, reviews, general information on everything from batteries to panel beaters to fitment centres. There is also a section on road tests and a busy online discussion forum. www.southafrica.info Great SA information all in one place. www.food24.com Menus, recipes, tips and gourmet shops. www.sadeveloper.net This is an established development community site specialising in Microsoft-orientated content and designed to encourage interaction and sharing of ideas between developers in SA. www.biz-community.co.za A daily advertising, marketing and media news resource for these industries. www.techies.co.za This is an ideal entry into the underground world of SA's techies. Ask a technical question, hire a technical person or, if you're one of them, chat online, exchange knowledge and ideas and market your services