Hot Wires

UNDERGROUND IN CYBERSPACE

As a generation of paper billionaires tear their hair out over fortunes uncollected, it may be time to take advantage of one of the Web's more successful operations: pranks. Mischief-makers have discovered nontraditional uses for such upstanding destinations as the partyplanning site evite.com, where invitees can check out guest lists before R.S.V.P.-ing (and where, by rigging a fabulous-looking R.S.V.P. list, troublemakers have reportedly lured undesirables to parties that don't exist), and notifyus.com, a self-described "interactive messaging transaction engine" for customer notification by phone (which also, as it turns out, works for prank calls). For those who prefer their mischief made to order, there is synge.com, which will send anonymous insults tailored from a list of categories (hygiene, appearance, personality, and relationships) and rudeness levels (rated 1 to 5). And for the kinder, gentler insulter, there is gentlehints.com, which, along with a tactful letter regarding the victim's halitosis, dandruff, or tendency to talk too much, will deliver mouthwash, shampoo, or an egg timer. But pinstruck.com, which constructs and sends electronic voodoo dolls, captures the real spirit of on-line pranks. After warning that its product may not be for the "sensitive, paranoid or superstitious in iture," it insists, "Remember, revenge is always an OPTION."ANNE FULENWIDER