THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, February 13, 1995 TAG: 9502130215
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E3 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: THE GATEWAY
EXPLORING THE COMPUTER WORLD
SOURCE: By DEBRA GORDON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
CYBERHEARTS.
Cyberchocolates.
Cyberpoetry.
It's all out there, everything you need to make this Valentine's Day truly cyber-romantic.
From on-line florists and chocolatiers, to e-mail valentines, to downloadable heart graphics, the Internet has it all.
To start, point your Web browser at Cupid's Cove, a home page designed by the Louisiana marketing firm of Blake & Associates (http://www.neosoft.com/citylink).
More than 22,000 people a day are accessing the site, said owner Carol Blake, who is already building her company's St. Patrick's Day site.
``I've found my niche in life,'' she said of her year-old company that specializes in marketing client's products on the Internet.
At Cupid's Cove you find the Tunnel of Love, with links to on-line vendors peddling flowers (natch!), chocolate and even Passion Play, a board game you play with your beloved (you rolled a three; take one piece of clothing off your beloved and kiss his/her skin).
There's a link to the Web Personals (SWM looking for love in all the on-line places) and a link for wine resources on the 'Net (attend a virtual wine tasting, then order the wine). At Cupid's Love Recipes you'll find such delectables as Cupid's Cyberspace cupcakes and Cupid's red velvet ice (made with cranberries).
Need a quick, inexpensive (read: free) gift? Print out the Valentine coupons. What cyberwidow wouldn't appreciate a surf-free night (I promise, not even to get my e-mail); a night without reading Internet books or magazines; dinner for two (excluding pizza and I promise not to talk about the Internet); or a virtual date (wherever you want . . . on-line).
Perhaps the most popular link at Cupid's Cove is the Kissing Booth. Surfers with a graphical interface are greeted by two large, wet, red lips. Sound cards provide the smacking, kissing noise.
Who posed for the lips, Carol?
``Those are virtual lips,'' Blake said virtuously.
But what if you've forgotten a gift? Then you'll have to go 'net shopping. Chocolates? Try http://www.hersheys.flowerlink.com/html/hersheys/hersheys.html to order such luscious treats as Hershey's Hugs 'n Kisses in a cherubs tin.
Too lazy to buy a card? Or even to send an e-mail valentine? Then surf over to the Raleigh News & Observer's home page (http://www.nando.net) and link onto the Cyrano Server. Fill in the blanks (do you want a steamy or romantic valentine? What is your beloved's favorite food? favorite clothing? the adjective that best describes your beloved? and your beloved's most attractive feature).
I tried this for my husband, and here's what I wound up with. . . .
My love, I can imagine myself kissing your cuddly body and slathering you with various oils and shrimp (my husband's favorite food). Your eyes are my anchor in the stormy sea of life; I wonder how I ever made it through a day without you. Please meet me dressed in your tight shirt (favorite piece of clothing) on Valentine's Day and we will celebrate our fantastic love together. Yours deliciously, Debra.
Uh, I wonder if I can still get to the drugstore. MEMO: If you have any ideas or comments for The Gateway, contact Tom Boyer at
boyer(AT)infinet or call 446-2362.
by CNB