My Top 5 Websites – Listography

Asking a serial blogger, tweeter and facebooker like me to list my top 5 websites is like asking an alcoholic to list his 5 favourite tipples. I gorge myself on zeroes and ones, I stuff them into my eyes and ears. At home, at the office, on the move, I’m always up for a long session or a few quick shots. And when I can’t get either, I shake like a shitting dog.

Okay maybe that is an exaggeration. Anyway Kate at Kate Takes Five has set the challenge for her Listography strand so I accepted!

My choices I have had to think carefully over. I’ve avoided the obvious social media behemoths of Twitter and Facebook. WordPress is important but it’s not a favourite – it would be like saying my desk at work is my favourite piece of furniture. I rarely shop online, so no online retailers make the cut. And no other blogs because I don’t want to be digitally stoned to death. So jack yourself in and browse this lot…

Spotify: If music is a drug, Spotify is my dealer. This online music streaming service is, basically, vital. I joined up in the early days when it was free. When they stared charging I tried to leave but found I couldn’t, so I pay them what they want, thus perpetuating the drug analogy.

That’s Like Whoa!: I stumbled upon this site quite recently and it never fails to entertain or amaze. A pot pourri of gadgets, weird art, innovations and all manner of cool stuff. The internet has been a boon to creative brains in spreading the word, and it doesn’t get much more creative than this.

Mashable: Hands up if you’re a social media geek. Yup, thought so. If you want to keep ahead of the pack in social media and digital culture, let Mashable be your guide. The latest news, stats and opinions from the parallel worlds of social networks, blogging and online media…it’s all here.

Vimeo: The buzz phrase of the last 10 years has been Web 2.0, the concept of internet use being an active, creative, sharing experience. Video sharing has been at the centre of that, and while Youtube may get all the hits, Vimeo gets all the good stuff. Innovative digital works of art mix with music videos and documentaries. There’s always something to amaze.

Tumblr: Keeping a blog can be onerous. Tumblr strips it down and allows you to share quickly and simply. The best bit though is being able to share everyone else’s stuff, and the rise of the niche blog based on weird but cool subjects. Check out Animals Being Dicks, Things Organized Neatly or I Love Charts. Mad but brilliant.

If you can tear yourself away from the above sites, be sure to visit Kate Takes Five and check out the rest of the web geek choices!