THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

The hacker's attack appeared to be in response to Madonna's most recent response to file-swappers seeking free copies of her music. The singer put files that appear to be versions of her new songs onto networks that actually contain recordings of her saying, 'What the fuck do you think you're doing?'

The hacked page read, 'This is what the fuck I think I'm doing.' It also contained what appeared to be links to the album's songs.

Madonna's war with hackers isn't unique, but it has been one of the consistent threads of the battles over online music during the past few years. Several other artists and groups that have complained about file swapping and have seen similar attacks.

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)has been the target of repeated hack attacks during the past year. Metallica, the band that proved to be one of Napster's chief antagonists, had its site hacked at the peak of that controversy.

Madonna's release of fake files into file-swapping networks is an increasingly common way of combating Net piracy. Her own twist on the tactic, of course, earned her more attention ... and, in light of artists' sagging CD sales (including hers), attention is a desperately needed commodity.

Source: CNET News.com

Sites of the Month:

1. 205 Flava (www.205flava.com/): If you're still riding the Ruben Studdard Express, you might want to check out this site featuring tops with '205'— although the enterprising vendors here have expanded to include every area code in that nation.

2. Project VIDA (www.projectvida.org/): This site focuses on the Chicago group that seeks to '[p]rotect our community's [minority] youth and young adults from HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.' See how you can donate time and other resources.

3. Eduardo Verastegui—The Official Site (www.eduardoverastegui.com/index.htm): The incredibly luscious actor (who's probably best known as J. Lo's dancing partner in the original 'Ain't It Funny' video) has his own site. Fortunately, it's filled with photos of him in various stages of dress ... and undress.

4. The Unofficial Esther Cañadas Web Site (usuarios.lycos.es/esthercanadas/EstherCanadas.html):

Now here's something for the ladies (and the supermodel-worshipping gay men) to see. Read about the Spanish poser, get in touch with her fans, and (of course) gawk at tons of photos of her. If you want to see even more pictures of her, go to www.atpictures.com/esther/ .

I'm at westelm406@yahoo.com .