DIGITAL L.A. : MTV WHIPS UP A `WEBRIOT'.

Byline: David Bloom 

The folks over at MTV took another serious step toward integrating their powerful television brand with the Internet this week, when they started broadcasting ``WebRIOT,'' a new TV game show that allows 25,000 viewers to play online while watching the program.

``You won't believe the technology that's gone into this show,'' said co-executive producer Brad Anderson. ``I've produced a jillion TV shows - and never anything like this.''

It works like this: Host Ahmet Zappa asks four contestants a series of annoyingly obscure music-trivia questions. The faster they answer, the more points they get. If they're wrong, they lose points. The winner is whoever has the most points after three rounds.

That's all straightforward enough, but the magic occurs when show viewers are also online.The first 25,000 to queue up at the ``WebRIOT'' site (at www.mtv.com or through AOL keyword: MTV) before the show starts (at 5 p.m. Pacific time daily) can play against each other and the on-air contestants.

Online players must download a small program that synchronizes their computer with those of other players, said MTV Online vice president Rick Holzman. The program ensures no one, even those with fast computers, gets an unfair advantage.

``We make it so computer speed is not an issue,'' Holzman said. ``The only things that processor speed affects on our system are the fancy wipes (transitions between questions) and stuff.'' And when the show isn't on the air, MTV Online users can still play on their computer. If ``WebRIOT'' is a hit, MTV next plans to write a Macintosh version of the software and expand the number of possible simultaneous players.

And MTV plans more such cross-media programming.

``We're trying to get more Internet DNA into the TV gene pool,'' Holzman said. ``We're allowing (fans) to be more participatory. It's about letting the user break down the glass wall on TV.''

Gadgets we like

Computers are fine things, but they're not always kind to the human side of us. Microsoft, assuaging some of the bad karma from Windows' more annoying habits, has an excellent new keyboard to help you dodge repetitive stress injuries and similar problems.

The Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro ``splits'' the keys so they're at more comfortable angles for each hand and adds a nicely curved wrist rest across the keyboard's length.

That's standard for an ergonomic keyboard. But this one also has hot keys to ease using your browser and multimedia functions, other programmable hot keys, a sleep button, two USB ports and markings for common key combinations. And you can connect through either a USB or PS/2 port. It's terrific. The keyboard retails for $75 but can be found for as low as $50.

Holiday cheer

Kick off the holidays in fine form Monday night when VIC, which sponsors tons of useful and fun events for the interactive and new media businesses, has a fund-raising party from 7 p.m. to midnight at the Century Club, 10131 Constellation Blvd. in Century City.

About 20 interactive companies will demonstrate their products, and the event will also raise money for Undershare, an unusual nonprofit that provides underwear to the homeless through some of the area's many shelters. Bring a package of undergarments and get $10 off admission, which makes it free for VIC members and $20 for nonmembers. Call [phone] for information.