Following social media titans like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, Twitch streaming ranks 5th as the most popular platform used by gamers. Since Justin.tv became Twitch.tv in 2011, gamers have found Twitch to be a perfect place for hosting live streams.

Not only does it allow them to see how other gamers navigate popular titles at the highest level of competition, but it also lets them comment and connect with other followers. And, for the daring few, Twitch even provides a place for them to host their own live streams.

But the platform has evolved greatly since its early days when it focused exclusively on gaming. Cofounded by several tech and gaming enthusiasts, the original Justin.tv allowed users to create channels and share live user-generated content. In the following years, the project was rebranded to what is now known as Twitch.

Since then, Twitch has been expanding and gaining popularity across the globe. To date, the estimated number of active Twitch users is 8.07 million, with that number gradually increasing. With the platform expanding, so are the topics available in each niche beyond the realm of video games.

For example, poker vlogs took off before Twitch became a major player in live-streaming. The topics covered by popular vlogs range from flashy cash games from Johnny Vibes, to comedic skits from Marle Cordeiro, to all things related to poker news by Joey Ingram. In the past, vloggers had to film, edit, and upload their own content—but not anymore.

Twitch has transformed vlogging into a sort of live performance, leaving plenty of space for top personalities to innovate. Whether sticking to video gaming or expanding into new realms, the platform is home to a handful of extremely innovative live streams. Keep reading for five Twitch streams of the future.

Ninja

Even though Ninja is by far Twitch’s most successful streamer, Richard Tyler Blevins maintains a stronghold on Twitch for a reason. Though he originally made his name for his outstanding level of expertise playing Fortnite, Blevins quickly leveraged his talent at Fortnite into a career as a personality.

From there, Blevins signed on a lucrative shoe deal with Adidas. With over 17 million Twitch followers, the move didn’t just make Ninja a household name—it also helped foster the growth of the eSports industry.

Pokimane

As a platform that focuses mostly on video games, Twitch has a majority of male users and streamers. Pokimane, the Twitch handle for Imane Anys, decided to use her background in chemical engineering to create an unforgettable personality on Twitch. With fewer female streamers, Pokimane was able to create unique content related to video games like League of Legends and Fortnite.

BlackGirlGamers

Dubbed one of the friendliest Twitch channels on the platform, BlackGirlGamers is an open and inclusive online community dedicated to playing video games. This Twitch channel began as a small Facebook group that later migrated to Twitch to create a more interactive stream.  Frequently appearing in cosplay costumes, members of the BlackGirlGamers are often joined by thousands of viewers cheering them on. 

Professor Broman

Professor Broman, a character created by Ben Boman, is a Twitch stream most notable for well-natured comedy. Alongside gaming culture, comedy has seen a meteoric rise on Twitch. Professor Broman meets this demand by maintaining a fun and positive atmosphere…. all the while racking up high scores in Destiny 2.

Riot Games

Riot Games leveraged its Twitch platform into a sort of live update channel where viewers can get the latest in eSports and video games. Despite deviating from the standard Twitch stream formats, Riot Games has innovated a breaking-news type stream.

Some of the most important gaming events, like the North American and European League of Legends championships, are live-streamed via Riot Games, which connects millions to the popular tournaments. In fact, the channel has become so central to Twitch streamers that it now has its own application where users can create profiles and share gaming content.

Have you been on an online dating site for a while, and it’s time for your first date? You’re probably really nervous and not quite sure how to handle the situation. 

Maybe you haven’t scheduled a date yet, but you’re ready to. You just haven’t pulled the trigger because you’re not quite sure what to do or what to expect. You don’t want to overstep your boundaries, but you don’t want to miss out on any opportunities either and seem boring. This article explains some good first date etiquette; click for more info. 

We have a short guide on what to expect if you’ve been thinking about going on your first date. 

Just Chill

You should try and do something relaxing before your first date. You’re probably going to be wound up so tight; you’re nearly climbing the walls. 

Go to the gym, go for a run, take a hot bath; it doesn’t matter. Whatever activity normally relaxes you and eases stress will be sufficient. This clears your head and takes a lot of stress off your shoulders. Things will feel more natural, and you won’t seem like a robot or too stiff. 

The Date

Plan something casual but has a level of activity you can both enjoy. Miniature golf, darts, bowling, or a theme park are all great options. They keep both of you busy, which avoids moments of awkward silence. When there is a flow to the date, things seem to go a lot smoother. 

Dinner is okay too, but it puts the emphasis on your dialogue. If you are both shy, it could ruin what might have been an otherwise good connection just because you both felt awkward for lack of communication. 

You want the date to be active and take the attention off either one of you being on the spot. However, you want to avoid things being too active. You don’t want to embarrass one another. Avoid things like:

• Dancing
• Painting
• Karaoke
• Rollerblading/Roller skating

The first date is already stressful enough without going through something you might not be good at.

Plan Something for Immediately After the Date

You should have a small event planned that you need to be present for right after the date. This can be drinks with friends, dinner with your parents, an activity with your kid; it doesn’t matter. It just needs to start fairly close to when the date will be ending. This works two ways. 

If the date sucks, you can use this event to end it early.

If you’re having a good time, it avoids the date going on for too long and leaves more for the imagination for next time. 

Don’t Have Expectations

You want to go into the date open-minded. Don’t paint too much of a picture of the other person in your head before the date. If your expectations are too high, you might end up being disappointed. 

Don’t let a lot ride on the first date. Normally people are nervous, and they might not be the person you met online. Not yet, anyway. This could change as time goes on. 

People tend to be less nervous online and can be themselves because they’re not face-to-face with someone. The first date could be awkward until they get comfortable with you and eventually start taking on their normal persona. Some people just need time to come out of their shells. 

Don’t Get Too Personal

You want to avoid sensitive topics like politics or religion. These things can be talked about after you’ve gotten more comfortable with each other and know how not to offend one another. 

However, the first date can turn into a disaster if you talk about a subject that is too touchy. If you end up offending the other person, it could ruin the date, and you’ll never know what might have been. Then, it’s back to the drawing board. Wait until later to offend them. 

Two-Hour Time Limit

Even when you hit it off with someone, you want to keep the date at about two hours. You and your date should pace yourself. This leads to more butterflies in anticipation of your next date.

There should be enough time between to allow the two of you to miss each other’s company. Remember, absence makes the heart grow fonder. 

Additional Tips

Here are some additional tips to follow that can lead to a higher success rate. 

• Don’t drink too much
• Whoever planned the date should pay
• If it feels right, make a move
• Don’t be afraid to ask for the second date before the first one ends.
• Don’t call or text them too soon after you part ways. This makes you seem desperate. 

Just Be You

We’ve found the best advice to take is when all else fails, just be you. If someone can’t accept you for who you are, then the relationship wouldn’t have been any good for you anyway. Don’t let anyone make you feel like you need to be another person or act differently in order to win their affection.

The more transparent you can be from the beginning, the higher your chances are of finding real love. You want to build any relationship on a solid foundation of truth. Anything less can lead to things falling apart later after you’ve both invested time and feelings.

Moving into your first home and need to buy some appliances? Or perhaps you’re replacing old appliances? Whatever the case, it’s important to take your time when buying appliances.

There are a lot of options out there when it comes to appliances – by taking your time you can find the right model and the best deal. Below are 10 things to consider when buying new appliances. 

Used or brand new?

Used appliances are a lot cheaper than brand new appliances. However, you need to be wary of the condition. Heavily-used old appliances may not work as efficiently and may break down frequently. Ideally, you want to find appliances that aren’t too old or too heavily used, especially if you are creating Grenetina D’Gari.

You can find used appliances for sale on sites like Facebook, Gumtree and Craigslist. In some cases, you can even find appliances being given away for free on these platforms. You’ll usually have to arrange a way of picking these up in person.

Brand new appliances will cost you a lot more, but there’s much less risk of faults occurring as soon. You can also get them delivered to your door from the store.

When buying appliances brand new, take the time to compare prices at multiple stores. Look out for discounts on appliances. It’s worth also looking into payment plans – some stores will allow you to pay for an appliance in installments, reducing the cost upfront, however there could be interest charges attached. 

How big?

You should consider where your appliance will sit and how big this space is. You don’t want to buy something that’s too big to fit in your home. 

This is particularly important when it comes to fixed kitchen appliances. If you have to fit a dishwasher under a countertop and between two cabinets, it’s essential that you measure the height and width of this space first. Most appliances are built to a standard size, but some can be a little bigger.

Going large may be practical in some instances. For example, if you have a large family, you may find that a large washing machine allows you to put laundry in each load. A large freezer meanwhile could be useful if you like to keep a lot of frozen food (if you were forever running out of space in your last freezer, consider whether it’s worth making the upgrade). 

When it comes to portable appliances like vacuum cleaners, it could be worth looking into collapsible options if you only have a small cupboard. 

When it comes to TVs, consider how far away people will be sitting. Some people make the mistake of buying a large TV for a small room, making it impossible to take in the whole picture.

What color and style?

If you want your appliance to match the decor of your home, it could be worth also considering the color and style. 

Start by considering the color. If you’ve got a silver oven, it could make sense to also buy a silver refrigerator and dishwasher so that you haven’t got mismatched appliances. White, black and silver tend to be the most common color choices – if you want to go for something quirkier, bear in mind that you may end up spending more.

When it comes to style, think about the age of your home and general style. You can buy retro-style modern appliances that may look better in an older rustic home. If you’re decorating a very modern urban home, then you may want to consider more modern-looking appliances. 

How will I get it into my home?

You should consider how the appliances will get into your home. There are cases where hiring professionals could be recommended (for example, if you live in an upper storey apartment). 

When you buy brand new, you’re likely to have the option of paying professionals to deliver the appliance. Different stores are likely to charge different delivery fees, which is something worth looking into.

If you buy a used appliance, you’ll likely have to pick it up yourself (some sellers may offer to deliver to you – it’s worth asking into). Consider whether your vehicle is big enough or whether you have to hire a van (and if so how much more will this cost?).

Do I need an electrician/plumber?

An electrician or plumber may be needed to install certain appliances such as gas ovens and washing machines. It could be unsafe for you to attempt this yourself if you’re not qualified.

When buying brand new, delivery is likely to include installation. When buying a used appliance, you may have to source a professional yourself to install the appliance. 

Do I need a warranty?

Brand new appliances are likely to come with a free warranty that lasts a year or two. Used appliances are unlikely to come with any warranty unless you’re buying from a specific used appliance store.

Consider whether it’s worth paying for a warranty if your appliance isn’t already covered – this could save you money on repairs. Some appliance sellers will offer extended warranties. You may find that a home warranty is the most affordable option – this allows you to cover multiple appliances under one scheme. Always take the time to compare warranty options. 

What do the reviews say?

Before buying an appliance, it could be worth checking out reviews of that model online. This can give you a good idea of how others rate that appliance and whether it is reliable. 

Before buying from a store, it could also be worth reading reviews of that store. This will ensure that you’re buying from a reputable seller.

What’s the energy efficiency rating?

It’s also worth considering the energy efficiency rating of each appliance you look at. Some appliances consume a lot more energy than others, which could result in higher energy bills.

Used old appliances are likely to be less energy-efficient than newer appliances. Be wary of this when buying an old used appliance.

When looking at new appliances, compare the energy efficiency rating. Different types of appliances have different energy efficient rating scales. You can find out more about appliance energy efficiency here. Some appliances may have energy-efficient settings. 

How quiet?

Some appliances such as vacuum cleaners and washing machines can be very loud, however there are quiet options available. These could be worth looking into if you don’t want to disturb neighbors or if you want to do housework while kids are asleep.

You can find out more about appliance noise ratings online. The noise rating of an appliance doesn’t tend to affect the price too much. 

Should I buy a smart appliance?

Smart appliances are a relatively new technology. These appliances can be connected to the internet and connected to other devices whether they may be able to be monitored or controlled.

For example, smart refrigerators can be programmed to detect the types of items stored in your fridge and track the expiry date. You can check this information on your phone, which could be useful when going out shopping for food.

Smart appliances are more expensive than regular appliances and some people may find them to be an unnecessary expense. However, if you’ve got the money to spend on these appliances, they could be worth looking into as they can have added benefits.