As a long time miniatures gamer, I am an avid shopper, looking for figures, buildings, terrain etc. I always hated using mail order. There was just too much to do. Beg my wife for a check, complete an order form if there was one, write a letter if not, drop it in the mail. One had to send for catalogs, or phone in orders to who knows where. I remember trying to order miniatures from Skytrex in Leicestershire, England at 5:00 AM, and phone call costing nearly as much as my order.

The computer has changed all of that. I am a big fan of shopping by computer, and regularly purchase items over the 'net. The Shopping Cart will be my regular column, and will deal mostly with hobby issues on the internet. As you read this you may find that you know lots more than I do, and you may feel that you could do a better job. You have two simple choices. 1) Write your own column, silly, or 2) e-mail sites I should visit and share. You can reach me at smyths@mindspring.com.

The holy grail of all shopping, and much gaming news on the 'net is The Miniatures Page. The Miniatures Page is lovingly updated daily by Bill Armintrout, and located at http://theminiaturespage.com. This is a great site that serves a variety of different purposes. First, it offers daily hobby news. If a company is going out of business, or producing a new range of figures, or a line of figures is being re-released it is all right there. By establishing a series of message boards, Armintrout has created a range of gaming communities. Last, but certainly not least, this site has a directory of nearly a thousand manufacturers and distributors on the 'web, together with linked URL's. Trust me, if you can get your wife and kids off the computer, you can grow old surfing the directory's links. I have encountered so many great manufacturers/ distributors with electronic shopping carts it is amazing. There are a wealth of good-looking manufacturers in the Australia and Great Britain as well as the 'States, offering more than just those figures from Old Glory/Foundry. Check out Navigator Miniatures in Britain, and Cannon Fodder Miniatures in Australia. As with all aspects of this hobby, probably two thirds of the space is devoted to fantasy and science fiction stuff, but if that is not your cup of tea, there is still plenty to hold your interest if you are selective about the links you choose.

Many view shopping on the 'net to be risky, and I have heard stories, however I confess that I have never been seriously burned. Every order I've ever made, I've received. I have had some irritating adventures, some orders that were needlessly delayed, but nothing disastrous in which I've actually lost my investment. If you have 'net disasters that you believe need to be shared let me know.

I have one incredibly good experience to share. Just before Christmas, December 16th, I placed an order to the Essex Miniatures website. I love their new Dark Ages cavalry figure, and by ordering from Britain I could save money on the per package price despite the 50% shipping charge. I was shocked when the figures appeared in my mailbox on December 24t . That's eight days folks. I sent e-mail thanking them for their great service and promised to pass on the news-so now I have. Essex Miniatures Ltd is located at http://www. essexminiatures.co.uk.

While I could, doubtless, shop until I drop, one cannot live by shopping alone. Unless one is independently wealthy-and as a schoolteacher, I do not claim such a status. Sometimes I just need a few yucks. Check out Larry Leadhead online at http://www.larryleadhead.org/. Larry is drawn by our own Doug Hamm and Eric Hotz, and is more frequently right on than not. I have seen myself in at least one strip, and some of my dear colleagues in others.

I would like to close with a simple admonition. If you are able to shop for your gaming goodies at your local hobby store, I urge you to do so. They support our hobby interests despite a rapidly changing market place that stacks the deck against their success. In cases where you can't get items you need, the 'net is simply a big old mall itching for your money. Shop well.