Aavaas (http://aavaas.com/)
As the name suggests, Aavaas is rooted in homes. More specifically, it tells you what you can do with your home: how to design it, what to use, how to become a master chef by using the quintessential microwave. Be it dustbins or vacuum cleaners, the blog runs you through the dos and don’ts while keeping you updated on the latest brands and their offerings. Don’t fret if you’d rather stick to your low-tech, high-efficiency lifestyle; instead, look for answers to those pestering, nerve-wracking questions like, ‘Is it time for renovation?’
The simple language and plain, functional design make this blog an easy surf. The posts too aren’t rambling and winding, and keep you informed without boring you into slumber. A simple format, with important, most blogged terms on the left and links on the right, and the text and pictures in the centre makes distraction impossible. And when you tire of reading about homes, there’s a crossword puzzle to zip you back into the mood.
GigaOM (http://gigaom.com/)
Forget the name for a minute. The site is one of the really big fish in the vast ocean of blogs: when the OM chants, nerds all over the world listen. Returning to the moniker, as Giga reveals, it’s all about tech, where it stems from, what it’s doing and, most importantly, where it’s heading. Be it the gaming industry, the future of media, new online video portals, or the now familiar Orkut, this blog will knock your socks off. Every claim is testified and explained, each argument is well thought, and it shows. Unfortunately, it isn’t the kind of blog that the average newbie will comprehend instantly.
On the design front, Gigaom easily redefines the blurring edges between a website and a blog. It’s awash with ads and content, with forms and tabs, and a business-like colour scheme. Yet, these don’t offend the eyes or challenge the speed of your left click. The posts are easy to read, the subscription is simple and mis-clicking an advertisement is very difficult. So, take a deep breath, and let the chanting help your tech-soul.
