ABSTRACT
Internet hoax sites are published to display Webmasters’ creative abilities, to provide sites for exercise in Web site evaluation, and for the sheer fun of it. Such sites present erroneous and often outlandish information as fact. Disclaimers that explain that such sites are not “real” are usually present but inconspicuous. Probably the most famous and extensive site is the one touting the wonders of Mankato, Minnesota. According to the homepage, hot springs in the area allow the town to enjoy balmy weather even during Minnesota’s notoriously harsh winters. Travelers can, according to the pages, enjoy an underwater world park featuring a tube beneath the Minnesota River, a pyramid that bears a striking resemblance to the Egyptian pyramids, a mountain ski area, and numerous other incredible attractions, backed up by staged photos and fictitious references. This site was developed by a University of Minnesota professor for the purpose of sharpening student skills and providing an evaluation site for others. An element of veracity is lent to the site by the fact that there really is a town of Mankato. One would think that such unlikely claims would be obvious tips that the site was bogus, but amazingly it has managed to fool many unwary Internet surfers, some of whom actually made trips to Mankato to enjoy the diversions. The Mankato Chamber of Commerce even objected and asked the professor and his students to take down the site because it was misleading and detracted from Mankato’s true charms. This delighted the site’s developers, who are continually revising and gleefully updating the site, adding even more false claims. A companion site named New Hartford, Minnesota, extols the virtues of a mythical wonderland, a completely madeup town supposedly located in south-central Minnesota, and is linked to the Mankato site.
