Daniella Beattie points the spotlight to her favourite websites.
This is a bit of a cheat as a website, as I am recommending this as an alternative browser. Opera is great as an office tool as it does not attract pop-ups, etc. It allows you to open multiple tabs instead of new windows, and if you leave your tabs open when you shut down, when you reopen they will still be there in the same order. It also has a service called widgets, where you pick from the web small programmes that run when your browser is active, with anything from a binary clock to the weather report.
Home to the Association of British Theatre Technicians, essential for up-to-date legislation and general information.
3. http://www.theregister.co.uk
News, reviews and opinions on whats new in the IT and technology industry. Some aspects of modern theatre require a certain understanding of what is current, and even possible with the technology available. This site is great for hearing about this first.
Once you have found what you want to make on www.TheRegister.co.uk, then you have to find the bits to make it. If RS do not have it, it does not exist. This site provides online and telephone ordering for any electrical and engineering parts you need.
5. http://www.dhalighting.co.uk
This is a specialised website for use by lighting designers and professionals in the industry. They sell small metal or glass inserts to place inside lanterns, which allow us to project any pattern we like on to a wall or floor to create an image or atmosphere. These Gobos are a hugely important tool in my designers palate and the website is a great way of navigating the hundreds of different designs to choose from, as well as allowing you to make your own.