Fat mag goes cyber

An ugly (or, at least, dull) duckling becomes a dazzling swan. We reflect on its new magnificence.

Watch, join in, eat, shop

Time Out used to be listed on the Gateway with a health warning along the lines of "don’t expect anything like the chubby magazine that rests between the Skinny Latte and the Blackberry on the coffee table of anyone who's in the flow of life in London." The website used to be just a few brief overseas destination guides and not much more. All that has changed.
Time Out still has the destination guides, but there are now 120 of them, all-singing, all-dancing, all anything a reasonable person might want to do in cities from Abu Dhabi to Zurich. Unsurprisingly, the guides vary in depth in proportion to how "happening" the places are. Alghero, a nice enough place but not thrilling, gets very decent coverage of its permanent and passing delights. Barcelona receives the full interactive treatment – pick a date, pick an artform, pick a cuisine or just go shopping.
These guides may not replace the dog-eared book in your handbag or pocket, but they provide a first-rate preview of what to expect at the other end of that bargain-basement flight.

(From the Gateway to Websites, select "Transport & tourism". Time Out is a Key Link.)

Where it’s at (and when)

Time Out London is a constituent part of the Time Out site detailed above, but if you live in London it goes to the heart of the matter. Basically, Time Out London is the listings mag in all its visually confusing, in your face, everything included glory.
However rude I might be about its appearance ("Why does everything have to be so loud?" he moans as he tugs his grey beard) the fact remains that for listings and reviews there never has been anything more all-embracing, and there probably never will.
I came across the London bit when I looked to see what was on at a Curzon cinema. For reviews of the films they are showing, Curzon link straight through to Time Out. Perhaps if the film is really slagged off, they find an alternative link, but I was grateful to be pushed into this wonderous world of events, eating and shopping opportunities to fill every minute of the day.
The New York and Chicago versions are also available, but that’s enough excitement for one Treasure Hunt.

(From the Gateway to Websites, select "London". Time Out London is a Key Link.)