I have spent hours upon hours trying to find the “perfect” startpage. I have come to the conclusion that there is none; at least for me. I want a way to include feeds, mail, pictures of Hob and Istar, my Vimeo vids, my calendar, and more. All of the startpages pretty much offer these things, but in different ways.
I, like many others, started with igoogle, which was fun for about 15 minutes. Not too long after I designed my page to my satisfaction, they forced a lot of dead space on users by moving the tabbar to the left. That, and the fact that theming is so very limited meant that I needed an alternative, which led me to Netvibes. Netvibes is one of the best presented options I’ve used, but the lack of true customization leaves me a little unsatisfied (for instance, there is only one theme that does not have glaringly white widget backgrounds and the “extra” customizations, such as tabs, look cheap). Do not let their claim to have 1000s of widgets woo you…most are third party widgets, which always look tacky and include links to the widget’s “home”. Blech.
Pageflakes was my next trial, and I really like the flexibility it offers, but the native design looks very 1995, and not in a good way. It is by far the worst looking option, but has some really great flakes. Shame, really.
While searching for ways to overcome the issues I have with the above-mentioned sites, I found a link to Protopage. This is my preferred page, and I love it up to 95%. The lack of love is for an (apparently) outdated feed reader that can’t even find half the feeds I give the exact address for. I can circumvent this problem by using Feedburner feeds, which seem to work 100% of the time, but it’s still a gripe. Another gripe I had was that my thumbnail images weren’t showing up in my own feeds, but they were in everyone else’s feeds. I solved that problem by not using the “singlepic” function of the Nextgen Gallery plugin. Again, this is a non-issue with other readers, so I’m not sure why Protopage can’t handle them. Since there is no real calendar option beyond the most basic, I’m able to use my ics calendar from Netvibes, and include it as a widget on Protopage by use of the “webpage” widget. Niiiice. Widgets can be free positioned and resized, colored any way you want, and choosing a background is much easier than in other services. There are basic ads at the top of the screen, but you can close them forever (or until you reload) with one click, then they collapse. Not too bad.
The latest, and definitely most fun, option I found this weekend is Schmedley. Since Schmedley is so new, there is very little to choose from, but given a few more “schmidgets” and the option to resize the schmidgets (they are HUGE), this will become my favorite. The Gmail reader is wonky as hell, as it pulls emails from archived and trashed mail and never from my inbox, but the POP Mail seems to work a little better. The retro design of the logo and amazingly cool backgrounds make this a top contender for me. I just hope development continues!
If you try any of these out, let me know what you think!
Wow, this piece of writing is good, my younger sister is analyzing these kinds of things, therefore I am going to tell her.
Thanks for your marvelous posting! I really enjoyed reading it, you can be a
great author.I will make sure to bookmark your blog and definitely will
come back from now on. I want to encourage yourself to
continue your great work, have a nice afternoon!
I am curious to find out what blog system you’re using?
I’m experiencing some minor security issues with my latest blog and I would like to find something more safe.
Do you have any solutions?
Good day! Would you mind if I share your blog with my twitter group? There’s a lot of people that I think would really enjoy your content. Please let me know. Cheers|
I simply could not depart your web site prior to suggesting that I
extremely enjoyed the standard information an individual provide in your guests?
Is going to be back frequently to investigate cross-check new posts
My partner and I absolutely love your blog and find many of
your post’s to be precisely what I’m looking
for. Would you offer guest writers to write content to suit your needs?
I wouldn’t mind creating a post or elaborating on many of the subjects you write about here.
Again, awesome weblog!
Hurrah! At last I got a website from where I be capable
of really obtain useful information regarding my study and
knowledge.
It’s very simple to find out any topic on web as compared to textbooks, as I found
this paragraph at this web page.
I pay a visit everyday some web sites and sites
to read articles or reviews, except this website offers quality based content.
I’ve been surfing online greater than 3 hours lately, but I never found any fascinating article like yours. It is beautiful worth sufficient for me. Personally, if all webmasters and bloggers made just right content as you did, the net might be a lot more useful than ever before.
Hi to all, as I am actually eager of reading this webpage’s post to be updated on a regular basis.
It consists of nice information.
These are genuinely enormous ideas in regarding blogging.
You have touched some good points here. Any way
keep up wrinting.
It’s going to be end of mine day, but before finish I
am reading this great piece of writing to increase my experience.
Having read this I believed it was very informative.
I appreciate you taking the time and energy to put this informative article together.
I once again find myself personally spending a significant amount of time both
reading and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worth it!
Hey! Someone in my Facebook group shared this website with us so I
came to take a look. I’m definitely loving the information. I’m bookmarking and will be tweeting
this to my followers! Exceptional blog and terrific design and style.
Hey there! I simply would like to give you a big thumbs up for the great info you
have got here on this post. I’ll be coming back to your web site for more soon.
I’ve been browsing on-line more than 3 hours lately, but I
by no means discovered any attention-grabbing article like yours.
It is pretty price enough for me. In my opinion, if all web
owners and bloggers made just right content as you probably did,
the web will be a lot more useful than ever before.
Thanks for your marvelous posting! I quite enjoyed reading it, you happen to
be a great author.I will remember to bookmark
your blog and definitely will come back in the future.
I want to encourage yourself to continue your great work, have a nice morning!
Thanks in support of sharing such a nice thinking, paragraph
is pleasant, thats why i have read it fully
Have you ever considered writing an e-book or guest authoring on other sites?
I have a blog based upon on the same ideas you discuss and would love to have you share some stories/information. I know my
readers would enjoy your work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to send me an e mail.
Excellent post. I was checking constantly this blog and
I’m impressed! Very useful info specifically the last
part 🙂 I care for such information much.
I was seeking this particular info for a long time.
Thank you and good luck.
May I simply say what a comfort to find someone who genuinely knows what they’re
discussing on the web. You definitely realize how to bring a
problem to light and make it important. A lot more
people have to look at this and understand this side of
your story. I was surprised that you are not more
popular because you definitely have the gift.
What’s Going down i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I have found It
absolutely helpful and it has aided me out loads. I am hoping to give a contribution & help other customers like its aided me.
Great job.
Hey there! This is kind of off topic but I need some
guidance from an established blog. Is it tough to set up your own blog?
I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty fast.
I’m thinking about setting up my own but I’m not sure where to start.
Do you have any tips or suggestions? Many thanks
Having read this I believed it was rather informative. I appreciate you spending some time and energy to put this content together. I once again find myself personally spending a significant amount of time both reading and posting comments. But so what, it was still worth it.
Thank you a bunch for sharing this with all of us you actually understand what you are speaking approximately!
Bookmarked. Kindly also discuss with my website =).
We can have a hyperlink trade arrangement among us
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my
blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates.
I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this
for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this.
Please let me know if you run into anything.
I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.
I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was
great. I do not know who you are but certainly you’re going to a famous blogger if you
are not already 😉 Cheers!
Great information. Lucky me I came across your blog by chance (stumbleupon).
I have bookmarked it for later!
Every weekend i used to pay a visit this web site, as
i wish for enjoyment, since this this site conations genuinely pleasant funny information too.
Greetings from Los angeles! I’m bored to tears at work so I decided to browse
your website on my iphone during lunch break. I love the information you present here and can’t wait to take a look
when I get home. I’m amazed at how fast your blog loaded on my cell phone ..
I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, fantastic site!
This is a great tip especially to those new to the
blogosphere. Short but very precise info… Appreciate your sharing
this one. A must read post!
Hello! I simply would like to offer you a big thumbs up for
your great info you have got here on this post. I will be coming back to your blog for more soon.
Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your website and in accession capital to assert that I get in fact enjoyed account your blog
posts. Any way I will be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently fast.
I’m now not sure the place you are getting your information, however good topic. I must spend some time learning more or figuring out more. Thanks for fantastic info I was searching for this information for my mission.|
This is a topic which is close to my heart… Best wishes! Where are your contact details though?
Hey there! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could find a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having difficulty finding one? Thanks a lot!|
Hey! I’m at work browsing your blog from my new apple iphone! Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to all your posts! Keep up the fantastic work!|
It’s really a nice and useful piece of information. I’m glad that you simply shared this useful info with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.|
Good information. Lucky me I discovered your website by
accident (stumbleupon). I have saved it for later!
What i don’t understood is actually how you’re not actually a lot more neatly-favored than you might be right now. You’re very intelligent. You understand therefore significantly in terms of this topic, made me in my opinion imagine it from numerous varied angles. Its like men and women don’t seem to be fascinated until it’s something to do with Lady gaga! Your individual stuffs outstanding. At all times handle it up!|
I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you make this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz answer back as I’m looking to design my own blog and would like to know where u got this from. thanks a lot|
Ahaa, its pleasant dialogue regarding this piece of writing at this place at this weblog, I have read all that, so now me also commenting
at this place.
I’ll right away take hold of your rss feed as I can not to find your email subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you have any? Kindly allow me recognize so that I may just subscribe. Thanks.|
I’m not that much of a internet reader to be honest but your blogs really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your website to come back later on. Many thanks|
Good way of telling, and fastidious piece of writing
to take data concerning my presentation subject matter, which i am going to deliver in academy.
Hey there just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know a few of the pictures
aren’t loading correctly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking
issue. I’ve tried it in two different web browsers and both show the
same outcome.
Hello There. I discovered your blog the use of msn. This
is a really well written article. I’ll make sure to bookmark it and come back to read extra of your helpful info.
Thanks for the post. I will definitely comeback.
Right away I am going to do my breakfast, once having my breakfast coming yet again to read additional news.|
Pretty portion of content. I simply stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to assert that I get in fact loved account your weblog posts. Any way I will be subscribing for your feeds and even I achievement you get entry to constantly fast.|