To be honest, the awards are pretty worthless, but somehow they got famous and sites like to brag about getting one. They were set up years ago as a career-promotion exercise by some bimbo called Tiffany Shlain who seems to be largely out of the picture; since it's now been taken over by a bunch of marketing bozos who are more interested in how they can turn it into a business, rather than actually honoring achievement.The removal of Shlain is a good thing though - she started turning up on the lecture/conference circuit because she was "The Founder of the Webbys" - anyone who has heard her speak will attest to the fact that it's an deeply cringeworthy and painful experience. If you want to hear a valley-girl's opinions on the web, "Well, y'know, it's like sooo... whatever... y'know like HTML and all that stuff...", book her for your next event.The second major problem is the judging panel. Shlain couldn't find enough people who were considered experts on the web, or took her idea seriously enough, so instead she decided to go for "industry luminaries" (aka celebrities) from elsewhere. They don't invite Bill Gates to vote on who gets an oscar, so why the f''k does "Rob Corddry from The Daily Show" get to choose which websites are better than others? Frankly, much as I appreciate his humor, I don't see why he has any greater insight into what makes a good site than you or I. Now there are a few more experts in the "academy", but it's still largely made up of random people who have nothing to do with the web at all and probably don't even view half the sites they're supposed to pick from.
saiingApr 11, 2007
To be honest, the awards are pretty worthless, but somehow they got famous and sites like to brag about getting one. They were set up years ago as a career-promotion exercise by some bimbo called Tiffany Shlain who seems to be largely out of the picture; since it's now been taken over by a bunch of marketing bozos who are more interested in how they can turn it into a business, rather than actually honoring achievement.The removal of Shlain is a good thing though - she started turning up on the lecture/conference circuit because she was "The Founder of the Webbys" - anyone who has heard her speak will attest to the fact that it's an deeply cringeworthy and painful experience. If you want to hear a valley-girl's opinions on the web, "Well, y'know, it's like sooo... whatever... y'know like HTML and all that stuff...", book her for your next event.The second major problem is the judging panel. Shlain couldn't find enough people who were considered experts on the web, or took her idea seriously enough, so instead she decided to go for "industry luminaries" (aka celebrities) from elsewhere. They don't invite Bill Gates to vote on who gets an oscar, so why the f''k does "Rob Corddry from The Daily Show" get to choose which websites are better than others? Frankly, much as I appreciate his humor, I don't see why he has any greater insight into what makes a good site than you or I. Now there are a few more experts in the "academy", but it's still largely made up of random people who have nothing to do with the web at all and probably don't even view half the sites they're supposed to pick from.
clharlem149Apr 12, 2007
71 comments
laxalootApr 12, 2007
webby-"This is madness!!"digg-"THIS IS DIGG!!!"
xbackstabberxApr 12, 2007
every vote counts!
nofunbradleyApr 12, 2007
Voted! Even though I freaking love flickr I had to vote for the DIGG!
diggnetApr 17, 2007
it will be three hours of continuosly refreshing blog covarge of the keynote. 3 HOURS!
phreakerd7Apr 19, 2007
w00t for digg. /me voted and it took minutes. Don't be lazy, children. ;)