Even on the Internet you can't escape the importance of location, location, location. Bob Vila's old home, This Old House, is now a lot easier to find in cyberspace.

Once located on the outskirts of Time magazine’s difficult-to-navigate Pathfinder neighborhood, This Old House has a new Web home, just off one of the Internet's main drags paved by the Public Broadcasting System.

Vila has long since taken up residence elsewhere, but quality craftspeople moved in continuing the tradition of exacting, professional renovations on the popular PBS home improvement show.

The show's PBS season premiers Saturday, Sept. 25, but the new Web site is up in advance with a sneak preview of the series newest renovation project -- the This Old House team helping rebuild fellow carpenter, Dick Silva's home after a devastating fire.

The project, coupled with dramatic news footage of the actual fire, also provides a preview of what you can expect on the award-winning show this season.

Online, This Old House will mirror the television series with virtual tours of new construction and interviews with the project's professionals. The site also provides an opportunity for more in-depth articles about building techniques, innovative materials and new technologies featured on the show. Along with exclusive behind-the-scenes features about current projects airing on PBS, you'll also get sneak previews of upcoming projects, including how to wire your house for the next century.

The new Web site also offers:

About The Series. Here you can learn how to submit your home for consideration as a project and find out what time the show airs in your neighborhood.

Resource Directory. If you want to learn who makes the paint color used on the historic New England Colonial in Milton, Massachusetts, where to order ornate wallpaper hung in the Italianate Victorian in Savannah, search this database by renovation project, category, or location.

Home Renovators' Forum. Chat with other homeowners and get your home improvement questions answered on this virtual bulletin board. The pros pitch in here too.

Other Houses.Revisit past renovation projects or architectural styles previously featured on the program. On the Web you'll get virtual tours, photos, floor plans, and details to browse for other ideas.

The Magazine. Published monthly by Time Publishing Ventures, This Old House Magazine is the print companion to the series. In this area you can preview the current issue, subscribe and order back issues.

Your Old House Contest. If you've completed a renovation that makes you proud, submit photos to the contest and you could be lucky enough to have your handiwork showcased online.

The Store. This area is packed to the rafters with clothing, books, and videos emblazoned with the This Old House logo or otherwise containing still more information from the show.

Published: September 10, 1999

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