Friday, September 18, 2009

Top 5 Web Distractions


When it comes to productivity, the internet is both the greatest tool as well as your worst enemy. We’re all guilty of indulging in a bit of web-based distraction. When a co-worker sends you a link to a funny video in an email, you can’t help but click!

Just for fun and because it’s Friday (TGIF!), here’s a Top 5 list of irresistible web distractions...


5. Bash.org


Bash.org is an online quote database of some of the most ludicrous quotes collected from online chat rooms. It’s filled with witty comebacks, pop culture references, embarrassing typos, and personal anecdotes. We warn you, however, that much of the language found in these quotes are off-color and might not be safe for work, in case your boss comes looking over your shoulder.


4. LOLCATS, et all


The term "lolcats" comes from a popular internet meme (or fad) of taking cute/silly photos of cats and adding funny—often misspelled—captions to them. The first site to showcase these images was icanhascheezburger.com and its popularity quickly spread across the web like wildfire. This inspired a boom of similar blogs where viewers of the site are encouraged to send in their own images of a similar theme.

Failblog.org collects images of hilarious sign typos and design flaws. ThisIsWhyYoureFat.com displays all sorts of confectionary abominations that will stop your heart in one bite. And LameBook.com collects snips of unfortunate messages found on social networks like FaceBook.


3. Newgrounds


Newgrounds hosts a wide variety of Flash-based animations and games. At first glance, this looks like a site designed for the younger crowd, and for the most part, it might be. However, even adults can find themselves trapped in their games section.

Many video game designers who have moved on to design games professionally found their origins in Newgrounds. Perhaps the most famous of which being The Behemoth Company, who went on to develop Alien Homonid for PS2 and Nintendo Gamecube as well as Castle Crashers, which is available for download on Xbox 360 and PS3.


2. YouTube, et all


YouTube is one of the hottest sources for video on demand. In their archives, you’ll find postings of people’s favorite TV show clips, original homemade videos, and all sorts of crazy stunts caught on cell phone cameras. The most common traps are videos with cute/funny animals. Once you see one, your eyes immediately scroll through the list of Related Videos. You’ll also find classic commercials, long-forgotten cartoons, and news clips from around the country.

Since YouTube created fast-growing interest in streaming video, similar sites have emerged. Hulu is one of the top sources for watching official streams of current and classic TV shows and movies. And for the kids, Crunchy Roll hosts a vast assortment of streaming cartoons. These sites aren’t something you want to check out while on the clock, though they are great for those at home that have a PC-to-TV setup.


1. Fark


The world truly is a strange place. Every day, Fark posts hundreds of links to the most astounding news stories from around the world. Each link is submitted by their readers and is given one of Fark’s trademark witty headlines.

Fark depends on more than just user-submitted links to maintain its reader base. To keep the community active, there are several interactive links posted in the feed. Photoshop challenges and photo caption contests take place in the comments of certain links.

While most of the stories found on Fark are humorous, there are plenty that cover serious topics, as well as amazing feats in science and nature. Each news story is fitted with a topic-related tag, which makes the site easier to browse. The site has grown so much in the past few years that it’s had to divide itself into different sections, depending on the type of news you’re looking for. (There are some hidden sections as well, but those are mostly NSFW.)

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