Geeky Roll Call

If there's one thing the internet is known for, it's giving us geeks a place to hang out. Plus, we see all sorts of new, geeky things that enrich our lives, teach us something new, and are really, really awesome. Below is a growing collection of great websites that are relevant to our interests. I will keep adding to them as I discover them. (Or are clued in.) For the truly geeky, this includes a retro collection of great geeky sites from the past, particularly the 1990's.


Current Roll Call

Cracked
Looking for a place that over-analyzes pop culture? Or perhaps you'd like to know some sexy, if not horrifying secrets about history that they did not teach you in school. Or you just like to read informative and funny articles in list form. This place is great for all of that and more.

Fark.com
If you are looking for a great news aggregate, this might be the place for you. News stories range from breaking news, to politics, video games, or cats. (If you're in a bad mood, the Caturday threads will cheer you right up.) Not only do you get silly headlines, but the comment threads are some of the best on the internet. I've been a member for a long, long time and I still check back every day.

How It Should Have Ended
This is probably my favorite YouTube channel. If you've ever watched a movie and thought to yourself "That makes no sense. Here's what they should have done," you are in good company. They tear apart movies with gleeful abandon, and it's hilarious to boot. Not only will they cover current movies, they've also gone back and looked at classic movies from the past. In addition, the Superhero Cafe scenes are not to be missed.

NoSleep
This is my favorite Reddit forum. Entirely user generated, we gather around the internet and swap scary stories. The quality varies, but when you see a story with over a thousand upvotes, you really should take a look. This forum hosts some amazing talent.

Snopes
This is the Urban Legend Reference Pages. Whether it's a rumor you see in your Twitter feed or on Facebook, or something you get in a Fw:Fw:Fw: email, chances are that this site will be able to confirm or debunk it for you. So if you want to be the one who valiantly tries to bring truth to social media, or just like being the office killjoy, this site's for you.

TV Tropes
Come on, you know you want to click on that link. What's the harm of reading it just a little? Maybe you might click on just one or two of the links to see where they go. Why not? You're a responsible adult who can handle it. Besides, you can quit any time you want and get back to more important things. What's the worst that could happen?





Retro Roll Call

Cynic's Corner
This was one of my favorite websites in the 90's and early 2000's. The Cynic had a definitive voice in his reviews, and if you wanted a site that tore your geeky pursuits to shreds, this was the place to go. For those of us who hate-watched Voyager, and who didn't really, this site provided a wonderful catharsis. While no longer reviewing, it's still around. So take a look.

Delta Blues
Review Jim Wright made a name for himself in the 90's reviewing Star Trek Voyager. While others also reviewed the much maligned franchise, he had a unique spin on his reviews. They went beyond just rehashing the story but offered deeper analysis. For geeks who love to over-analyze our pursuits, it was wonderful to find someone doing it for us.

Jammer's Reviews
Back in the 90's, we geeks discovered that watching geeky television wasn't enough. We wanted to go online and see what other people had to say about them. This site, Jammer's Reviews, was one of the first. It's been going strong for 20 years, and has all his review going back two decades. It's a site I still visit on occasion, as it takes me back to those early internet days. Plus, he's still actively reviewing.

The Lurker's Guide to Babylon 5
This website is a must for any fan of Babylon 5. While the series is long over, the website endures. Babylon 5 was one of the first shows with a storyline that spanned multiple seasons. Since back then there was no such thing as streaming and DVD collections, and B5 wasn't in reruns until its 5th season, viewers needed the internet to keep track of all the various plot elements, and this website was the best. As an added bonus, the show's creator, JMS, was very active in online message boards. His posts and discussions with fans are also archived on this site, and they add some great behind the scenes flavor to the series.

Television Without Pity
It's a shame that this site now has to be listed in the retro category. It was my go-to place anytime I found myself hate-watching a show. This site has a massive archive, and if you happen to be binge-watching a show on its database, you might enjoy perusing the recaps or the discussion boards.