Hi:

I've just published a book called _Cyberpl@y:Communicating Online_. It's
about playfulness in communication online. A good part of the book is about
play with fonts, letters, and symbols, and the history of ASCII art, famous
ASCII artists like Joan Stark, and a related form of colored art based on
ASCII art, created and played on IRC. You can learn more about the book at
its companion Website, at URL http://atar.mscc.huji.ac.il/~msdanet/cyberpl@y/

The book is for a general audience as well as researchers and students.
There are lots of illustrations--42 color plates and 91 in black and white.
More information, including the table of contents, resources and links,
ordering information, etc., is available at the above URL.

Brenda Danet
Yale University/Hebrew University of Jerusalem