Computer users have learned to jump on the Internet for global facts, from the latest in Asian medical treatments to the average daily temperature in Mozambique.

Now, Spokane residents can log on to a single Web site for information that’s closer to home.

Spokane.net, a Web site sponsored by The Spokesman-Review, became fully functional on Monday.

It is “the essence of Spokane,” said Tony Courtwright, the newspaper’s Web site business manager.

Like Virtually Northwest, the on-line service that was started by the newspaper in 1996, the new service offers the full texts of recent local stories published in The Spokesman-Review.

In addition, Spokane.net offers archival stories dating back to 1994. For a fee, users can search stories on specific topics, or tap into dozens of other newspapers.

In addition, users can access free information about local clubs, businesses and government agencies. They can find a good place to have dinner, for instance, or get the scoop on 50 Northwest ski resorts.

The Web site’s information is divided into four categories:

News, where users can read and comment on recent local stories.

Community, which provides links to government agencies, service groups and community services.

Channels, for specialized information about a variety of topics, including travel, sports, the outdoors, technology and entertainment, including reviews of movies and local restaurants.

Users also can access information about the same topics from newspapers in other communities.

Resources, which Courtwright described as a time-and-money-saver, provides information about local businesses. It can provide a map from a user’s home to any selected business.

The Resources category also provides access to classified advertisements, personal ads and archival news articles.

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MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: WEB SITE The Internet address for The Spokesman-Review’s Spokane web site is www.spokane.net