What’s a website without a few dozen hyperlinked pages? It’s very difficult to imagine that a website can be of a single page alone. And even with a single-function or what we call ‘single-serving’. Single page single-serving websites (so named by writer Jason Kottke: picture on the right) are also much more than demonstrative showcases of web design skills - though they should be, as cramming everything into a single webpage takes some skill.

With a slapdash of quirky creativity, one page websites can be made into an interactive ‘wow’ show. We had gone through a big list of single serving websites once before and also another bunch of single-serving sites that were useful, funny, or weird.

Now, let’s update with the last two adjectives and see a few more examples of sites where someone has thought outside the box – on a single webpage with a single serving purpose.

Instant Rimshot

This is one of the earliest examples of single-serving websites, from the very early days. But you still need it to embellish that good joke you are planning to tell. Instant Rimshot follows the definition (A rimshot is the sound produced by hitting the rim and the head of a drum simultaneously, with a drum stick) and gives you quite a few to play back from the sound library.

Barackobamaisyournewbicycle [No Longer Available]

Seriously, don’t ask me what the site really intends. Try it out for yourself as one random Barack Obama non sequitur follows another. Yes, it is all completely illogical so I won’t really try to spend more words here.

Snap Bubbles

C’mon admit it. Who doesn’t like popping bubble wraps. It is almost an automatic response. Childlike? Yes! Fun? A double yes. Snap Bubbles is a bubble wrap simulator which lets you pop virtual bubbles. Not quite the same thing, but infinitely more eco-friendly. This one is definitely for the kids.

I Like Your Jacket

Aaron talked about the feel good factor and a few of the web’s friendliest sites.  We all need a compliment and I Like Your Jacket gives them to you all dressed up and ready. Copy and paste. Now, the site has its own blog too.

Am I Crazy Or Are They Crazy

Fancy a public poll to get a bit of consensus on your side when the world closest to you is not co-operating? This site lets you enter your story and scream it out to the web. Let the Internet decide for you. Readers who get the link via a tweet, RSS, or email can vote for either side of the argument. I wish all the world conflicts could be solved this way.

Has The Large Hadron Collider Destroyed The World Yet

If your paranoia quotient is off the charts, check out this single-serving website. It serves you well. Of course, I am pretty sure you won’t ever get to see a ‘Yes’ because, well…umm.

How Many People Are In Space Right Now

The answer when I last checked was 6. The link connects you to NASA’s Mission page. This is an interesting site if you happen to be a space buff.

Disclaimerfy

The site gives you a bookmarklet which you can use to add instant disclaimers and redactions with a click. Hate MakeUseOf.com? Go on a notification pasting blitz with this bookmarklet. Of course, you will see it all on your end alone.

Man In The Dark

I found this website eerie on first landing. But it is quite artful in the way it uses the movement of the mouse to make the ‘dark man’ dance or make it appear as if he is swimming underwater. The Flash game can drive away boredom for a few moments as you make it stretch and glide around the screen.

DrawMinos

Simply build and draw with dominos and watch them fall over. This site is more fun than the one above. The game is well-designed and theirs a bit of physics involved as you have to position them intricately to get the desired hypnotic effect of dominos falling in a smooth heap.

These ten apparently nonsensical single serving websites defy logic. But ‘single-serving website’ is an internet meme and part of web culture ever since the early days. There are many more from where these came from.

And if you're checking out these sites when you should be doing something else, take a look at these other websites that explain why we procrastinate.

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons