With winter approaching fast, it will come as no suprise that snow is also (hopefully) on it’s way.

With heavy snowfalls forecast for the end of this week, I thought it would be a good time to dust off the great #uksnow map website.

The #uksnow map site was created by a chap called Ben Marsh and whilst it’s a simple idea, it has been executed brilliantly. It basically searches twitter posts for the #uksnow hashtag and some extra information. It then plots the fact that it is or isn’t snowing in that area on a map.

It obviously depends on the reliability of the tweets, but with a lot of users, it’s easy to see the areas where it’s currently falling.

To use the service, simply post a tweet in the following format:

#uksnow [postcode] [x]/10 [comments]

Postcode = the first part of your postcode
x = severity of the current snowfall

So, a post of:

#uksnow m1 10/10 Loads of snow here now

this would show on the map as a blizzard in the middle on Manchester.

You can view the map at http://uksnow.benmarsh.co.uk/ which updated live from peoples tweets.

Out of the many millions of websites out there, there are some I am a regular visitor of. Maybe it’s curiosity or to pass an hour or so, or to glean some great specialist information.

I’d like to tell you about 6 of my favourite websites. It’s by no means a conclusive list – there are many more I frequent – and they may well feature in a “part 2″ of this list when I get round to writing it.

So without further delay, here’s my first six recommended websites:

1. Secret Bases

This website, whilst at first seeming a little tricky to navigate, is absolutely packed full of information about well,  erm, secret stuff! Army bases, cold war stuff, police, tunnels and loads more. It’s all excellently presented and well researched.

Visit Secret Bases.

2. 28 Days Later

No, nothing to do with the hit movie, this site is a forum based and all about “urban exploration”.

Ok, some of the stuff these guys get up to, I could not possibly condone on a law abiding website like fidgetwith.com, but struth! What these guys have not been down or climbed up isn’t worth it! Their explorations are all well documented and often include fantastic photography.

Visit 28 days later

3. SABRE – The Society for All British and Irish Road Enthusiasts.

Ok, this might be a little too anoraky niche for many, but if you want to know anything about British roads, signs or transport, these people know. I feel confident that if I took a photo of a small stretch of road anywhere in the UK and asked them, they would tell you exactly where it was. It’s a forum based site and they are a friendly bunch.

Visit SABRE

4. Overclockers UK forums

Attached to the popular Overclockers UK computer store is the OCUK forums. It’s a busy community of IT professionals and computer novices alike. Great for PC advice if you have a problem or need advice on buying kit. It also has a lively General Discussion forum for “off topic” banter.

Visit OCUK forums

5. Skyscraper City

Another forum based site. Sky Scraper City is all about urban living, construction and architecture.

Each area of the world has it’s own section, and goes down to town or city level. It’s incredibly busy and it’s handy to find out what is going on in a city near you.

Visit Skyscraper City

6. Digital Spy

Possibly THE definitive entertainment website in the UK with reviews, spoilers and entertainment news. They also have very lively forums for you take part in discussion on TV programme, broadcasting and much more. Well worth bookmarking.

Visit Digital Spy

I hope you enjoy them, but don’t forget to check back here too!

Just when you thought it was safe to go back onto the Internet another site pops up to make you think “What? Really??”.

This time it’s the turn of website Awesome Reminders.

For $10 (around £6.50) per month you can have a real live person call you daily to tell you how “awesome” you are.

The site promises:

With Awesomeness Reminders, a real person will call you every day to tell you how much you rock. If you’re not around, we will leave you a voicemail.

There is also a page on the site which lists all the countries they currently offer the service to – which stangely looks like a screen cap of a VOIP providers site:

The site design leaves a lot to be desired but they do promise the service is real (albeit in a tongue in cheek capacity). They also claim a total of 73 “subscribers” who have their ego polished on a daily basis by the service.

Is the service they offer a good idea? Or is it a case of “a fool and his money are soon parted”? Take a look for yourself here.