One of the greatest -- and sometimes most regrettable -- features of the Web is how it functions as a constantly changing community platform that stretches around the world. Even jokers who couldn't get a cable access channel can create a Web site.

    Most people would agree that this is great for serious stuff, like the proliferation of sites funneling donations to the Red Cross and other disaster relief funds. Sometimes it's also great for not-so-serious stuff, like irreverent joke sites exacting their own kind of revenge on al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

    This week, we turn the spotlight on some of these sites that emerge in response to current news, celebrating a genre rather than a site.

    First, a few of the jokey, crude and quasi-violent sites (the easily offended might want to skip these):

    http://www.lafghanistan.com/: It's a cornucopia of irreverent Osama treasures, including a smashing (pun intended) rendition of that ol' calypso fave, "Ey Mista Talibaan."

    http://www.osamayomama.com/: Already an Internet favorite, this site lets you send a "thrax fax," read a fantasy version of a George W. speech, submit jokes, buy T-shirts or view the digitally modified photo gallery.

    www.newgrounds.com/collections/osama.html: Are you wild for Web animation? Then check out Newgrounds' library of bin Laden inspired games and Flash flicks, featuring hits like "Bad Dudes vs. bin Laden" and "Bin Blaster."

    www.artbell.com/graphics18.html: A highly hostile graphics gallery, you'll go straight from your computer to your local automatic weapons dealer. Or maybe you'll just draw fangs and devil horns on a bin Laden photo.

    http://www.osamatargets.com/: This is the place to pick up Osama gear bearing the turbaned one's image in the crosshairs with such catchy slogans as "Wanted Dead or Castrated" and "Guilty Until Proven Dead."

    It's no surprise that the parallel Web universe has a host of sites springing up to help us commiserate, inspire pride and quicken our patriotic pulse:

    http://www.americatriumphant.com/: Get a box of Kleenex because you'll need it for this site. Between the rousing music, stirring images and simple words of reflection and inspiration, you'll be ready to attach a couple more flags to your hat.

    www.craigslist.org/911/letter.from.an.afghani.html: OK, so this is a posting rather than a site, but the now famous letter by Afghani American Tamim Ansary that has made the rounds of e-mail address books and news outlets everywhere first appeared here on Craig's List.

    http://www.flagrun2001.org/: Learn about and track the progress of the newest craze in the spirit of "Hands Across America": the Flag Across America run, which started in Boston on the attacks' one month anniversary and ends in L.A. Nov. 11.

    http://thankyou.fast-networks.net: Another popular photo site showcasing images from around the world of tributes and memorials to America.

    http://www.usflag.org/: A site all about, you guessed it, flags! The Stars and Stripes, to be specific. You'll find history, etiquette, facts, patriotic essays and, of course, printable versions of flags for all your patriotic occasions.

    -- Anne Crump