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here used to be an overarching special effects/sculpture theme to this page, but my tastes have shot off in so many different directions since then it's probably best to approach the content here as just being A Random List Of Stuff I Like. By the way, I'm actually being sincere when I recommend these things, nothing appears here because sponsors paid me. What, you think this page receives enough hits to attract paying advertisers?

Some items may contain nuts. I was proud of that joke last time, it stays.

The Internet is truly the miracle of our age. It's like having the world's vastest, most comprehensive library in a little box in the corner of your room, the teachings of humanity's greatest minds at your fingertips. So why not do as I do, and use it solely for looking at trivia and nonsense all day long?

I'd rate NeoGAF as the best games-related website on the Internet -- which may seem strange at first glance because it's really just a public message board. However, the people on there often post breaking news well in advance of the big lumbering commercial sites, and I'll take 'word on the street' impressions written by individuals who actually paid with their own money to play a game over buttered-up professional reviews any day of the week. The commonplace hate-fuelled, text-speaking problem-child idiocy that infests a lot of forums is thankfully absent too. (For contrast, read the user comments on the average YouTube page to see illiteracy, bigotry and stupidity all lined up in a row.)

I would've recommended Eurogamer for their even-handed reviews, but then they went and gave a 7 out of 10 score to Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition: The Definitive Version Of One Of The Finest Games You Will Ever, Ever Play. The same reviewer would probably describe the Taj Mahal as a decent bit of bricklaying. A travesty, ladies and gentlemen, I'll think you'll agree, but normally that site does a respectable job.

Gametrailers has all the latest... do I really need to finished this sentence? Gamestracker will help you find you the best deal online for a game you're looking to buy, and Play-Asia is a trusted site for importing gaming exotica from the Far East.

"I used to spend a fortune buying DVDs and games I only played once. Now that I subscribe to an online rental scheme I enjoy more films and games than ever before, and all for only £10 a month!" Based on a true story.

As you might've gathered, two of my favourite pastimes are videogames and sculpting. So imagine if someone made a videogame about sculpting? Well, that's actually a pretty accurate description of the digital modelling program ZBrush, which is instantly one of the best things ever. ZBrushCentral is the community site for ZBrush, with all the expected artists' galleries, tutorials, downloads and help centres. (By the way, your insidious American cultural imperialism exerts no hold over me... I do my bit for Queen, country and national honour and still stubbornly pronounce it ZedBrush.)

Some fantastic character modelling from both sides of the digital fence.

THE BEST PAGE IN THE UNIVERSE
THE LIFE AND ART OF VERN
Two immensely entertaining opinion/review sites, both with very distinctive and funny writing styles. I am a fan. A word of caution to minors, though: there's frequent strong language throughout. You probably hear enough of that in the school playground.

SUPERDICKERY
THE PERRY BIBLE FELLOWSHIP
LAUGHING AT BAD COMICS ART
Har har har, more funny.

Want to kill half an hour looking at a lucky dip of cool images? Come on, you're reading this, I suspect your time isn't exactly at a premium.

I would've re-listed the practical creature effects sites I've spotlighted on this page in the past, but sadly most of them have sunk faster than a boat helmed by Capt. Bernard Hill. Below is a quick rundown of the hardy survivors.

Podcasts are like the radio, except that the presenters talk about subjects you're actually interested in and don't play [insert current flash-in-the-pan teen pop sensation here] fourteen times a day.

I've lost count of the number of cult / horror / exploitation / B-movie / foreigh language film gems the Mondo Movie podcast has introduced me to. If you have adventurous taste in cinema, you should make it required listening. A big fat endorsement from me.

CARRUTH£RS arrives to crushhhh your online gaming ambitions. Or, er, let you win because he feels sorry for you.

Now, games are obviously just meant for a bit of a laugh and a carry-on (the clue's in the name). Nevertheless, there's an unfortunate minority that take them waaay too seriously, particularly when it comes to brand loyalties. Put rabid Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo and PC 'enthusiasts' together in a room and it can get like The Sharks vs. The Jets vs. The Crips vs. The Bloods, only with more social awkwardness and personal hygiene issues. As a result, some gaming podcasts are like eavesdropping in on a bunch of unlikeable fanboys bickering for an hour about geek-themed trivia you will never, ever care about.

My 'safe for normal people' podcast recommendation, then: the CAGcast. The hosts cover the week's gaming news in the appropriate agreeable, good-humoured frame of mind, and it's clear that they have enough other things going on in their lives to have the whole business in perspective.

If you own a Wii, you're probably aware of the avalanche of accessories that are available for the system. There must be some kind of white plastic drought in The People's Republic Of China by now. Most of these add-ons are completely useless, but two are great: Nyko's Wii Charge Station, which lets you charge your remotes the way you would a cordless phone - no more fiddling around with batteries; and Nyko's Perfect Shot gun housing, which is perfect for putting cannonball-sized holes in zombies in House Of The Dead and other similar shooting games. Definitely buy this over Nintendo's official 'Zapper' gun cradle - c'mon, trust me, I dare ya.

I would've listed some good artists' reference books here - maybe even including some that are still in print this time - but sadly I'm disorganised. I'll get around to writing this section soon. (Regular visitors to this site will know how 'soon' works around these parts.)