I know i’m posting this a bit late, but it’s better late than never!

Open Web Awards had a total number of 50,000  nominations, 80,000 total votes in the first round, and 90,000 votes in the final round! Basically OWA 2008 was a big success!

Mainstream & Large Scale Social Networks

Winner: Netlog
Runner-up: Platinum Lounge

It was pretty much expected that Netlog will win the final race. The only surprise was that Platinum Lounge made it to second place. A bit weird, but great for Platinum Lounge

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Embeddable Widgets

Winner: Qoof
Runner-up: Sprout

I would have chosen Sprout over Qoof, just for the basic reason that sproutbuilder gives you more flexibility.

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Blog Plugins

Winner: ShareThis
Runner-up: AddThis

WOOT! ShareThis won! This was a very close battle between the two companies and due to the many plugin users.

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Social News

Winner: Help a Reporter Out
Runner-up: Hubdub

Nothing to comment here.

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Social Networking Applications

Winner: Artition
Runner-up: Digsby

IMO the applications differ in way too many points to be able to make comparison between them. Overall, i would prefer Digsby over Artition simply for the features that socialize you.

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Social Bookmarking

Winner: Diigo
Runner-up: ShareThis

DIGG didn’t win!, however Diggo won which is a great website which connects all types of people and where you can really find great sites(unlike on SU).

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Search & Social Search

Winner: Scour
Runner-up: Artiklz

TBH i never heard about Artikz, but i did hear and use Scour almost on a daily basis.

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Sports & Fitness

Winner: Gyminee
Runner-up: FitFiend

Gyminee makes you be fytee! It contains challenges, Workout tracking, Diet monitoring,basically it’s the ultimate workout website.

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Photo Sharing

Winner: ipernity
Runner-up: TinyPic

In this category TinyPic = fail, really. I can’t really imagine howcome it only got to second place and didn’t conquer the top of the pyramid.

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Video Sharing

Winner: ffwd
Runner-up: YouTube

FFWD is the best video sharing network which gathers the best videos on the web, it’s cool that youtube didn’t get the 1st place.

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Start Pages

Winner: Google
Runner-up: iGoogle

What could i comment here? Winner: Google, runner up: (iGoogle) Google. I think it’s impossible for Google to beat himself.

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Places & Events

Winner: Doodle
Runner-up: Muchmor

Not much to comment here either. I only have one thing to say: wasn’t this supposed to be a contest for global audience? Who cares about discovering Canada besides canadians?

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Travel

Winner: SpottedByLocals
Runner-up: GeckoGo

SpottedByLocals is one of the best websites you can use to get guidelines,pictures and stories about cities all around the world! It really deseves first place.

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Music

Winner: Noisetrade
Runner-up: Last.fm

Oh no! Last.fm didn’t get first place . IMO nothing can beat Last.fm, especially now that it got accquired by CBS.

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Social Shopping

Winner: Pikaba
Runner-up: A Full Cup

Compare before you buy! pikaba helps you choose from a huge variety of stores and products. Even though you can find great offers, i prefer shopping from trusted websites.

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Fashion

Winner: Coolspotters
Runner-up: Polyvore

I’m not into brands like D&G and silly stuff like that. I prefer buying quality stuff, regardless of brand.

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Celebrity & Gossip

Winner: Oh No They Didn’t
Runner-up: BollyScoops

Among all celebrity blogs i only read WWTDD.com,  i really like the author’s posts and attitude.

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Mobile Applications

Winner: Evernote
Runner-up: MocoSpace

Umm…unfortunately i DON’T own an iphone, so none of the above mentioned Mobile apps apply.

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Dating & Romance

Winner: Zoosk
Runner-up: DateHookup

I find these sites stupid. People go on websites like this to hook up with the most beautiful chick around. YEAH RIGHT!

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Wiki

Winner: Encyclopedia Dramatica
Runner-up: WikiHow

Wikihow should have won. I really like the guides from there and they can really help someone out.

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Politics

Winner: Politics4All
Runner-up: CreateDebate

I’m not really into politics, meaning that i can’t comment here.

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How-to

Winner: A Full Cup
Runner-up: College Cram

Being a college student i have to go with College Cram which is a great resource for students, and even though some would consider using ideas plagiarism, it’s better to have ideas and get a passing grade than not getting a passing grade.

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Environmental

Winner: Ecomii
Runner-up: Gazelle

I like Gazelle more just for the basic fact of their slogan: “Get Cash for your Gadgets”. Basically Gazelle buys your out-of-use gadgets.

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Non-Profit Causes

Winner: Stop Political Calls
Runner-up: SocialVibe

I really like SocialVibe which helps you gather funding for benefical causes. It’s a great thing to help those in need.

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Online Games

Winner: Playfish
Runner-up: Power Pets

I find Power Pets a bit childish, while Playfish gets you to work you brain while playing.

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Niche Social Networks

Winner: The Star Tracker
Runner-up: Wadja

I The Star Tracker applies only for Portughese people, not for everyone, and because of this i wouldn’t have granted it first place.

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There you have it! All the OWA 2008 winners along with my thoughts about the winners and runner-ups. See you at OWA 2009!

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