Monday, October 16, 2000		Entertainment

Like the modern technology, the definition of fun is also changing fast. A generation ago, listening to radio and going to clubs was fun. Then TV took over and fun got restricted to the drawing room where whole family used to sit and watch TV programmes. With the advent of private TV channels, the horizon broadened and the people started taking part in quiz and competition on TV.

Further advancement in technology has limited fun to the desktop. Now, the Internet has become a major source of entertainment. Though people may have their own definition of fun, yet for a majority of persons, fun on the Internet mainly includes online games, chatting and online contests. There are several popular sites for online gaming and chatting. But there are not many genuine contest sites on the Internet.

One of the popular contest sites is www.contest2win.com. This is a great site to visit and is always very much happening. You can find ongoing contest sponsored by various companies and can take part in it.

But for participating one needs to become a member of this site by registering oneself. There are a number of contests going on this site and one can take part in as many contests you want. If you win any of these contests, you get the prize offered by the sponsors. The prizes offered on this site includes set of speakers and Yamaha CD player, trip to USA, gold coins, air ticket in India, movie tickets, Sony discman, Pepe merchandise, DVD players, CDs, cassettes, Infosys shares, computers, designer bikes and Palm pilots.

Normally, one can find 25 to 35 contests contest going on this site. Go ahead and take a plunge. You never know, it could be your turn next.

Another great site is prizes2b1.com. This site is also similar to the contest2win.com. Here you collect reward points that you can exchange for prizes. For taking part in the contests, you need to register first and then take part in ongoing contests.

It also has a section on auctions, where you can find cool deals and hot bets. Auction sites are popular abroad and in India also, this fever is catching on. On this site, you can maintain the account of reward points and get prizes on the basis of it. The prizes include audiocassettes, audio /video CDs, books, stand microphone, modems, scanner, headset microphone and speakers. So, all you need to do is play and win these fabulous prizes.

Similarly, you can also find some very interesting contests on a very happening site, www.rediff.com. This is a very comprehensive portal and has a number of channels, including chat and contests. In the contest channel, you will find some dream contests, where you can get real cool prizes like TV sets, music systems, mobile phones, motor cycles, refrigerator, washing machines and airline tickets. It has everything that will leave you spellbound.

However, since this is not a specialised contest site so the number of ongoing contests is not much and the duration is also longer. But the prizes being offered in contests on this site are good. Recently, Ford Ikon offered a contest on this site, which is now closed. However, you can still win a lot of prizes like Bajaj motor cycle, Panasonic TV, Modi Xerox, prizes from Electrolux and Kelvinator.

— I.V.