The DVD Is Here! (Um, No Software)

The long-delayed digital versatile disc player, an improved compact disc technology that can play full-length movies, will finally be rolled out this week. But initially, the players will be available on a limited basis and won’t be very useful--software titles will not go on sale until March 24. On Wednesday, Pioneer Electronics plans to begin selling the DVL-90, a compatible DVD, laser disc and CD, at 25 stores throughout the country, including one in Studio City and one in El Toro. The DVL-90, with a suggested retail price of $1,750, is Pioneer’s top model. Later this month, the company plans to release two other models for $599 and $999. Other manufacturers are expected to introduce their own products soon.

CYBERSPACE

* Wednesday, 6 p.m.: Thomas Keneally, author of “Schindler’s List,” will discuss his book. Internet. https://www.NBC.com/chat

* Thursday 6 p.m.: Media critic and Wired magazine correspondent Jon Katz discusses his new book, “Virtuous Reality: How America Surrendered Discussion of Moral Values to Opportunists, Nitwits and Blockheads like William Bennett.” Internet. https://pathfinder.com/people/interactive/chat.html

* Saturday, 6 p.m.: Live cybercast and chat from the third annual Screen Actors Guild Awards. Internet. https://www.NBC.com/chat

* For a peek at the cover of Sports Illustrated’s 1997 swimsuit issue, go to https://www.sportsillustrated.com on Monday after 5 p.m. Other photos from the issue will be unveiled online on Wednesday, when the magazine hits newstands.

* Weather watchers will find everything about the local skies and seas at the National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard station (https://www.nwsla.noaa.gov). The weather gurus have even set up a couple of cameras so you can see what the skies look like around-the-clock in Malibu and Marina del Rey.

* From Mother Teresa to the latest Bollywood stars, https://www.indiaexpress.com is the place for India-philes. Get the latest New Delhi headline news, stock market updates and information on the best beaches on the Arabian Sea.

* If you’re planning home repairs and want to hire your own contractor, look at https://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/6040 for a set of consumer-protection guidelines and hints on planning a project.

* Oscar night is more than a month away, but you can already follow the nominees and the latest gossip at the official Academy Awards site (https://oscar.com) or at the independent films site (https://www.ilineltd.com).

* Making Hearts Sing (https://www.wildgear.com/stories/) is a collection of fables for children based on traditional values such as kindness, respect and friendship. The stories are inspired by tales from China, Russia, Japan, Korea and France.

* The Internet is a great way to visit far-away lands, but if you’re going in person, check out Foreign Languages for Travelers at https://www.travlang.com/languages/. Visitors can learn basic words and phrases for essential activities such as shopping, dining and asking directions. There are 28 languages available, making it a favorite of the CyberSkeptic’s Guide to Internet Research.

* If you’re preparing to go to college and need information about the Scholastic Aptitude Test, go to the College Board’s Web site at https://www.collegeboard.org.

* Looking for some good music? The Global Electronic Music Marketplace could be the place to start. It maintains more than 775,000 listings of new and used CDs and LPs in its database, which is compiled from 350 sources around the world. It is at https://gemm.com

Site suggestions can be sent to cutting.edge@latimes.com