Web Gems

A web gem is a relatively unknown but nonetheless interesting website. The're listed here so that someone might see them and be introduced to a new, exciting website. You're welcome.

12/20/13

Hyperbole and a Half is a blog that uses words and drawings to tell true (and often quite hilarious) stories. Though it hasn't been updated in a while, there's a lot of content there already, and one could spend hours perusing the archives. The author's childish drawings and very colloquial story-telling style both serve to create a unique and highly enjoyable experience. This website is great for when you need a laugh.

12/13/13

The Onion is a satirical news website full of articles that can be hilarious or thought-provoking, though often both. They comment on the state of the world through articles which parody real events, people, or phenomena and exaggerate them to emphasize particular issues. One could spend hours browsing its archives, though it's important to remember that none of the articles are entirely factual. The Onion is a great time-waster, and it can also help to catch you up on various societal and political issues.

12/6/13

Welcome to Night Vale is a twice-monthly podcast, formatted as a community radio show from the fictional small desert community of Night Vale. It's alternately existential, silly, horrifying, and absolutely hilarious. It tells a disjointed story, fraught with strange happenings and interspersed with life-lessons. It has already accrued an impressive fanbase, despite not advertising and relying entirely on donations from fans. Night Vale is a great listen for when you're driving around or just relaxing, because it doesn't require you to look at anything.

11/26/13

Rainymood is a website which provides the sound of rain as a backdrop of white noise for anyone's enjoyment. As someone who loves the feeling of sitting inside on a rainy day, this is great for cozying up with a blanket, movie, and warm drink of your choice. It's pretty simple in purpose, and that is reflected in the website's clear, minimal design. It's also great for getting work done, because it can be difficult to work with either silence or distracting noise such as music, and the consistent sound of rain is really the perfect background noise to focus.

11/22/13

Nitrome is a website with a bunch of small small games with simple controls and a variety of premises that are fun and easy to play. There are new ones fairly often, though that can mean anywhere between a few days and a month. The games are all pretty similar visually, but gameplay and goals of the game vary genough for them not to be redundant. It's a fun, relaxing, and casual way to play online games, because it doesn't require a lot of time or commitment to be satisfying. I tend to play these when I'm bored but don't want to begin a new project.

11/15/13

Nimona is a webcomic set in a medieval-type location except with lasers and science and electronics and things. The main character, Nimona, is a young girl with the ability to shapeshift into whatever form her imagination can supply. This webcomic is not only funny, and clever, but rendered in a distinct and recognizable style that's easy on the eyes. Furthermore, the comic is focused on a pair of villains in a unique take on the dynamics of a hero-villain relationship. For anyone with an interest in comics with female protagonists, Nimona is a must-see. Even for those who don't fit that description, it's a fun read.

11/7/13

Coffitivity is a website that is designed to make you feel like you're in a coffee shop by providing background chatter that chases away silence without being distracting. It's useful for when you need to concentrate (especially for a creative project) or if you just feel like you would rather be in a coffee shop. This site is simple, aesthetically pleasing, and easy to use, and there are three different options for the variety of background chatter, depending on the time of day. This is also avalable as an app for smartphones. It's by far one of my favorite things to llisten to when I'm working, especially when I'm listening to music as well. It really gives the feel of working in a coffee shop.

10/29/13

Omg Facts is a website which, on a daily basis, provides various fun facts about our world and the people and things in it. This ranges from strange animals to popular movies to politicians and celebrities. Whatever the subject, each fact is sure to be interesting, and often surprising, and it updates several times a day, so you can often check back in and see new facts. More importantly, each post includes a source, so you can check in order to be sure they’re reliable. This website is fun for wasting time learning random tidbits to share with your friends.

10/23/13

This website, xkcd, is a webcomic that deals with ideas ranging from complicated and scientific to existential. It does all this using primarily simple line drawing of stick figures. I chose this as my first web gem because it is an underappreciated webcomic that has unconventional humor and broadens your worldview with science. Also, it has a connescted page which answers questions from fans about various real-world possibilities (I use the term 'possibilities' loosely). For someone who is interested in the world in a broad sort of way and wants to laugh while learning about it, this is perfect.