Finding Cutting Edge Web Sites

Web Site Spotlight:
The FWA: Favourite Website Awards

I found myself asking recently, 'How do I go about finding some sites with new ideas and fresh designs?'

Many of the search engines have ceased or hidden provision of web directories that use to be the standard in search interfaces. These directories followed the sort of premise of being a phone book style index of known web sites, bringing together sites that share topics and ideas. The problem was keeping up the indexes and maintaining the content relationships.

With the decline in these indexes we also lose the chance to explore information and ideas we may not have ventured into otherwise. Provided with only a search field you must now initiate your starting point for exploring the web, and thereby limit your experiences to realms where you are already familiar.

I really get excited when I discover sites like FWA that help me to find new experiences and explore ideas that would not occur to me offhanded. I urge others to explore the sites highlighted at FWA and contribute some links. I'd also like to invite suggestions of sites that you use that also encourage the discovery of inventive and inspiring sites.