The Best Websites that Are No More

I remember the first time I got exposed to the Internet.

It was a spring day in 1991 or 1992 and my boyfriend who had a computer showed me this wonder called electronic bulletin boards where you could talk to people online about upcoming concerts or whatever. We had just gotten U2 tickets for a Florida show and were transfixed by all the cool convos from perfect strangers coming across the computer screen about their anticipation of seeing their idols on stage.

Both Bob, my boyfriend, and I were amazed.

Fast forward to 1998. I was working as a freelance writer for a P.I. and his assistant got me online for the first time. I was immediately hooked. Soon I was perusing all kinds of websites and by 2001 I had several address books containing lists of my favorite websites.

Every time I would come across an article touting a great one, I would go check it out.

I still have those address books and now it seems they have come in handy for the purposes of this article:

Clubs:

Playpenclub.com was the domain for Playpen Arlington located at 2833 Galleria Drive in Arlington, TX that is now closed. For $40 per couple or $10 for single women you could enjoy a grand ole time till 4 a.m. They were known for having one of the best all night parties. (Source: The Russ Martin Show). A certain former deejay on a Dallas radio show said he used to take his girlfriend to the club.

Pets:

Naplesdog.com was the website for Naples Dog Magazine, a very cool publication for canine lovers in a section of Florida who loved to pamper their pets. I got a story published in their magazine a few years ago then sadly not long ago they folded. Published by Mondo Times, it was circulated in thousands of outlets but only employed four people. The Winter Issue 2007 featured a story on dog artists called "Pawcassos." (Source: Karen Conley)

Entertainment:

The site Jumptheshark.com was once featured on the Howard Stern Show and now for some reason takes you to the TV Guide website. The term is an idiom used to describe the moment of downturn for a previously successful enterprise of a television show and was named for when the show "Happy Days" had Fonzie jump a shark on water skiis. The creator of the phrase who once graced the airwaves of Stern to explain how the term came to be and how the website was born stated back in 2002 that when determining if a show had jumped the shark, he weighed such factors such as: Did the series introduce a relative like when "The Brady Bunch" brought in a cousin or was a history lesson brought into the fray; etc.

People will still use the term "Jump the shark" to describe not only TV shows but other projects and now that I think about it, you could even use it to talk about a relationship jumping the shark like when you try various romantic gestures, trips, overtures; etc. only to have your relationship fail over and over.

Alibicd.com used to be the way to go to come up with the perfect excuse per Howard Stern to cover your butt when standing up your date or deciding at the last minute you didn't want to come home just yet. With mechanic noises in the background like you were getting your car repaired, construction noise, traffic jam sound effects, or any number of audio scenarios you could be a blue collar James Bond of sorts as you faked sincerity over the phone, apologizing from the bottom of your heart that you were stuck in traffic, getting your car repaired due to a blowout; etc. Tiger Woods would've loved this!

You can still buy the CD by the same name as the former website at amazon.com.

The Texas Triangle (txtriangle.com) was one of the gay weekly newspapers based in Austin, TX that folded several years ago due to newsprint costs though many said it was the lack of advertising which made up most of the content. Known as "the great gay newspaper," the Texas Triangle, which began publishing in Oct. 1992 and competed with the Dallas Voice, ceased publication on its birthday.

Education:

Used to be that Absolutetrivia.com had a plethora of cool facts, figures, mindbenders, and such to keep your mind busy but you can find similar such items on absolutetrivia.blogspot.com where you can read such jewels such as quotes from Marilyn Monroe. (Source: Glamour Magazine).