We’re a digital agency, and our web browsers work out more than Vin Diesel. But sometimes we need a break from project prototypes and content management systems; we need to entertained, informed, and maybe even inspired. So we had the Artistech team weigh-in on their favorite spots on the web.

Sara Andersen

Accounting Generalist

TSN – As an avid sports fan I check TSN daily, sometimes several times a day. It provides up to date information on my favourite players and teams and all of my favourite sports (which is pretty much all sports…except curling, I despise curling!).

TSN is easy to navigate and includes photos, scores, schedules, and highlights of various sports events. I also enjoy reading Chris Schultz (or “Schultzy” as his colleagues refer to him). His approach and descriptions of plays are always entertaining and informative.

I also have the TSN App on my iPhone so that I can keep up with my team’s schedules, scores, and news.

Yup, I’m an avid sports fan!

Julie Anderson

Creative Director, Account Manager

Etsy – Because I love handmade and unique things. They have a great UE and I’m always finding design inspiration there. Word of caution: you can easily become lost for many hours surfing through the millions of products available. With that being said, if you can’t find a product anywhere else you’re certain to find it on Etsy.

Pattern Tap – A designer’s handbag of great design elements for websites. If I’m ever stuck for direction on a particular element I just take a browse through the collections and I find my problem is solved rather quickly. You can also create your own sets to keep track of that growing list of neat sites we all stumble upon on a daily basis.

Jeff Harris

Interactive Developer

Smashing Magazine  – A lot of great articles on anything web design and development related.

Ultimate Guitar – I love playing the guitar. This is my number one resource for learning songs and tabs. Lots of good articles as well. Couldn’t live without it!

Jon Lemon

Project & Maintenance Manager

Google Calendar – This keeps us all on track, including our designers, developers, project managers and account directors. In order to meet our project objectives and not exceed the budget or timeline, Google Calendar is the way to go!

Firebug – For the developer in me, this is probably one of the greatest tools in my toolbox. Using the analogy of a mechanic with a vehicle, Firebug gives a web designer the ability to ‘look under the hood’ of a website and see how it’s running. Definitely could not live without it!

Kitzie Stern’s Kirtan Podcast – Working in a digital agency would not be the same without music. Kitzie Stern’s Kirtan Podcast is what’s playing in my ear-buds while working on the computer. What’s kirtan, you might ask? Kirtan is a very simple and powerful way to meditate. It’s effortless and joyful; the music does the work for you as you flow with the melody and rhythm. This podcast takes the stress out of the day.

Timothy Lynch

Business Development, Digital Account Director

 One of the great things that I enjoy about the Internet is the accessibility to information. Reading multiple news sites online quickly replaced the one newspaper I used to peruse over my morning coffee.

Mashable is one site that I find myself frequently visiting. It follows the continually-evolving space of social media and the digital culture.

Brad Marshall

Co-Owner, Digital Account Director

I’m a self-confessed newbie travel-hacker. I don’t even travel that often, yet I’m always looking for airfare and hotel bargains. When the opportunity does arise I want to make sure I’m getting the best deal possible.

To travel-hack effectively you can’t rely on just one site.  My inbox is often filled with travel notifications from the likes of TripAdvisor, KAYAK, Expedia, SPG, Lonely Planet, Alaska Air, WestJet, FareCompare, HomeAway, Momondo, SkyScanner, AirFareWatchDog, Jetsetter, AirBnB, Living Social Escapes, Groupon Getaways, and more. Of these, in terms of beauty and usability, I’d have pick Jetsetter as my favourite.

Nicolas Morin

Technical Director, Mobile Developer

Any developer will reach the point of replacing the dated textbook with finding programming resources online (love copy/paste).  Sites I can’t program without are:

stackoverflow – For all my iPhone development.

Google Maps v3 API - Seems like all I’m going these days are Google Maps mashups.

php and javascript – ‘Cause I’m too lazy to remember basic, trivial string and date functions.

But SoundCloud tuned in to Sasha makes programming rad!

Giuseppe Simpatico

Co-Owner, Digital Account Director

YouTube is becoming one of my most used web resources. Sometimes I use it for watching funny clips here and there, but I mainly use it as my personal collection of music and movies; I’ve created playlists featuring both. With YouTube Movies in full swing you can enjoy a classic Jean-Claude Van Damme movie without a subscription!

Vivian Turgeon

Account Director

I used to spend hours at Chapters browsing the various sections. Now I go to Great Group Reads at Booklist Online and browse right from home. Being an avid reader and belonging to a book club, I’m always on the lookout for a great escape. From there I go to Indigo to check more reviews. Then, yes, I may walk down to the library to borrow something or drop by Mosaic Books on Bernard to purchase it (if they have stock). I like supporting local.

My next favourite spot is YouTube for its music videos.  Having a “Smart TV” allows me to view on the big screen while I study, work or relax. Thank you, YouTube!

Sam Turri

Internet Strategist, Project Manager

Rotten Tomatoes entertains and informs me. The informing part involves boiling the opinions of movie critics down to a single data point, a percentage that tells you how much a film is liked or disliked. The entertaining part comes from the excerpts of specific film reviews; I love seeing the ways folks like Peter Travers or Roger Ebert can tear a crappy film apart (I’m thinking of you, Transformers: Dark of the Moon).

Okay, so that’s the stuff we love. What about you? What entertains and inspires you? Which tools make your life measurably better? Enlighten us in the comments below!