The Webby Awards

Back in 1996, when Al Gore had only just invented the internet, The Webby Awards were born. A kind of e-Oscar, they recognize online excellence; Webby nominees must possess websites whose "design, creativity, usability and functionality" rise above the rest. Like the Oscars, the Webby Awards are powered by an "academy," in this case The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, which boasts such members as David Bowie and Matt Groening.

Assuming these dudes know their internets from their elbows, you can trust the IADAS's selection of Webby Award winners, which will be announced here come Tuesday, May 9th. In the event that you're an anarchist with a healthy distrust for authority, you can focus on the People's Choice Award-winners, determined by hundreds of thousands of far-flung netizens who cast their votes for freedom. Or, at the very least, their fave websites.

Austinist recommends that you tool around and get to know this year's Webby nominees and last year's winners, too. Please note that you wanna be pretty flash-enabled, here. Do not attempt this if you're using a Commodore 64, or any closely related machine.