Here's a warm, fuzzy moment to kick off the week.

Irvine computer maker Gateway Inc. sponsored 1,000 Web sites so military families can keep in touch with their loved ones abroad.

Two Orange County Web design companies teamed up to create WebsitesForHeroes.com, which has grown after the military barred soldiers from social networking sites MySpace and YouTube a few months ago.

The sites use special compression technology that "shrinks" photos and videos as they're uploaded, so it doesn't put as big a strain on the military's bandwidth.

The compression software is from Irvine-based DigitalPost Interactive, which runs the Web site TheFamilyPost.com.

Michael Sawtell, DigitalPost founder, teamed up with Terry Gniffke, chief executive of Caliber Media Group in Newport Beach to run the site.

Gniffke is a retired Marine and a Vietnam veteran.

"When Terry saw this, being a former Marine, he was almost in tears," Sawtell said. "He said, 'We've got to take this to another level.'"

Gniffke took charge of officially launching the site in October, using Sawtell's proprietary software.

He's working to get the word out with military colleagues and Camp Pendleton officials.

A year subscription is about $100.

The family sites have a calendar tool, space to upload photo slideshows, video clips and a message board.

Unlike MySpace and YouTube, which are littered with advertisements, Websites for Heroes has none. Its password protected so that sensitive material won't be posted for all to see.

The soldiers "use the sites to keep their families at ease," said Mike Maloney, spokesman for the site. "It's to show them that there is a sense of normalcy. They can be involved in their children's lives."

The two plan to approach other OC companies for sponsorships.

"Getting a huge company like Gateway involved is a great start," Sawtell said.