Webbys attract diverse nominees

The Webbys is the internet industry's Oscars

Al-Jazeera and fashion designer Issey Miyake are among a list of eclectic nominees for this year's Webby Awards.

The Webbys, founded in 1996, has been hailed as the internet industry's Oscars, rewarding individual and consumer websites in 30 categories.

The public has until 7 May to cast their vote for their favourite website in The People's Voice Awards.

The winners will be announced online on 12 May.

Changing lives

Reflecting the changing nature of the categories include Activism, Community, Weird, Politics and Humour.

Last year a UK site featuring punk kittens won the Weird category.

"When we started the Webbys nearly a decade ago, many people did not know what the web was. Today there is no denying the profound way it influences every aspect of our lives," said Tiffany Shlain, founder of the awards.

"Whether it's iTunes transforming the way we enjoy music or Howard Dean's Blog for America altering the political landscape, the web is dramatically changing the way we live," she said.

The BBC has been nominated in five categories - News, Sport, Education, Science and Best Practices.

There are 29 international nominees, including Danish website Lego.com, and the Brisbane City Council.

Popular music website iTunes has received nominations in several categories, as has Google and Noggin.com, a website and TV channel for under-fives.