Web Week

A gig from Google: A thousand lucky people this week test Google's new free email service before we all get the chance. The search engine is offering free accounts with one gigabyte of storage, about 100 times more than others such as Hotmail offer. Sign up now (gmail.google.com) for an email alert about the launch so you can grab the email address of your dreams.

Robots kick off: The first British national student robot football championships are being held this weekend to select a team for a European playoff in June.

A fine way to pay: The Auckland City Council has set up a system so motorists can pay parking and bus lane infringement fines online.

Compare prices: The toll, internet, interest and other rates of various companies can now be compared.

Hot time: A Russian named Elena rides her bike through nuclear accident-devastated Chernobyl and takes viewers along for the ride.

Easter essentials: Keep an eye on the weather and surf conditions and web cams. Those who eat too much chocolate can feel even sicker after reading the scary tirade at The Chocolate Addiction.

Virtual Travel in a spin: Their Circular Life uses Flash animation to cycle through scenes from a 24-hour period, allowing users to sit in one spot and watch the world change around them. Broadband connections recommended.

How fast is fast? Telecom says this year is the "year of broadband", but how fast are those Jetstream connections? Tools at DSL reports allow DSL connections to be speed-tested in a few easy steps.

Retro geeks: Those who were computing when four kilobytes was a lot of memory will appreciate a website paying homage to old computers.