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 The lack of love is for an (apparently) outdated feed reader that can’t even find half the feeds I give the exact address for.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!
Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is a really well written article.
I will be sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful info.
Thanks for the post. I will definitely return.
Remarkable issues here. I’m very glad to look your article.
Thanks a lot and I’m having a look forward to contact you.
Will you please drop me a mail?
I do accept as true with all the concepts you have offered for your post.
They are very convincing and can definitely work.
Still, the posts are very quick for beginners. Could you please prolong them a little from next time?
Thank you for the post.
That is really interesting, You are an overly professional blogger.
I’ve joined your rss feed and stay up for in quest of more of
your fantastic post. Also, I’ve shared your web site in my social networks
Nice blog here! Additionally your web site loads up fast! What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate hyperlink on your host? I desire my web site loaded up as quickly as yours lol|
Do you have a spam problem on this blog; I also am a blogger, and I was curious about
your situation; we have developed some nice practices
and we are looking to swap techniques with others, please shoot me an e-mail if interested.
I have learn a few just right stuff here. Definitely worth bookmarking for revisiting.
I surprise how much effort you place to make one of these great informative web site.
Spot on with this write-up, I honestly think this amazing site needs much more attention. I’ll probably be returning to read more, thanks for the
advice!
Excellent beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your site, how could i subscribe for a blog site? The account helped me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear idea|
Someone necessarily lend a hand to make critically posts I might state.
This is the first time I frequented your website page and
so far? I amazed with the research you made to create this particular submit amazing.
Magnificent process!
It’s the best time to make a few plans for the long run and it’s time to be happy.
I have read this put up and if I could I desire to
suggest you some attention-grabbing things or tips.
Maybe you can write next articles relating to this article.
I desire to learn more issues about it!
Thanks for some other informative site. Where else
may I am getting that kind of info written in such a perfect means?
I have a venture that I’m simply now operating on, and I’ve been at
the glance out for such information.
Fantastic post however , I was wondering if you could write a
litte more on this topic? I’d be very grateful if you
could elaborate a little bit more. Kudos!
I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your website.
It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me
to come here and visit more often. Did you hire
out a designer to create your theme? Exceptional work!
I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your site.
It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire
out a developer to create your theme? Great work!
Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point.
You definitely know what youre talking about, why throw away your intelligence on just posting videos
to your blog when you could be giving us something informative to read?
Do you have a spam issue on this site; I also am a blogger, and
I was wondering your situation; we have created some nice
practices and we are looking to swap strategies with other folks, be sure to shoot me an e-mail if interested.
Asking questions are actually nice thing if you are not understanding something entirely, however this article provides pleasant understanding yet.|
I am extremely impressed along with your writing abilities and also with the format to your
blog. Is this a paid subject matter or did you customize it your self?
Either way stay up the nice quality writing, it’s rare to peer
a nice blog like this one these days..
I’m not sure where you’re getting your info, but good topic.
I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more.
Thanks for excellent info I was looking for this information for my mission.
After looking into a handful of the articles on your website,
I honestly appreciate your way of writing a blog.
I saved it to my bookmark webpage list and will
be checking back soon. Please check out my web site too and let me know your
opinion.
Excellent post. I certainly appreciate this site. Stick with it!
I feel this is one of the such a lot significant information for me.
And i am glad reading your article. But want to observation on few basic issues,
The site taste is ideal, the articles is in reality nice : D.
Good process, cheers
I’m curious to find out what blog system you have been utilizing?
I’m experiencing some minor security issues with my latest blog and I’d like to find something more secure.
Do you have any recommendations?
May I just say what a relief to uncover someone who really understands what they’re talking about online.
You certainly know how to bring a problem to light and make
it important. More and more people should look at this and
understand this side of the story. I was surprised you
aren’t more popular given that you surely possess the gift.
Hello there! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good gains. If you know of any please share. Thanks!|
I read this article completely about the comparison of latest and earlier technologies, it’s awesome article.|
This is a topic that’s near to my heart… Cheers! Exactly where can I find the contact details for questions?
Hello there, simply became aware of your blog through Google, and located that it is truly informative. I’m going to watch out for brussels. I will appreciate in the event you continue this in future. Lots of other folks will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!|
Do you have any video of that? I’d care to find out more details.|
Hey there! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could locate a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having trouble finding one? Thanks a lot!|
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.|
It’s impressive that you are getting thoughts from this piece of writing
as well as from our argument made here.
I’m really loving the theme/design of your weblog. Do you ever run into any browser compatibility problems? A couple of my blog audience have complained about my site not working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Firefox. Do you have any recommendations to help fix this problem?|
I really like reading an article that will make people think.
Also, thank you for allowing me to comment!
It’s appropriate time to make some plans for the long run and it’s time to be happy. I have learn this submit and if I could I want to recommend you few attention-grabbing issues or suggestions. Perhaps you can write next articles referring to this article. I want to learn more issues about it!|
I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here. The sketch is attractive, your authored subject matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get bought an edginess over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come further formerly again as exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this hike.|
I blog quite often and I genuinely thank you for your content. This article has really peaked my interest. I will take a note of your blog and keep checking for new information about once a week. I opted in for your Feed too.|
Hi there! This post could not be written any better! Reading through this article reminds me of my previous roommate! He continually kept preaching about this. I most certainly will forward this article to him. Fairly certain he’s going to have a great read. Thank you for sharing!|
You could certainly see your skills in the article you write. The world hopes for even more passionate writers such as you who are not afraid to say how they believe. Always follow your heart.|
Hi there, I desire to subscribe for this webpage to get hottest updates, so where can i do it please help out.|
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 are going to a famous blogger if you aren’t already 😉 Cheers!|
Hey! This is my first comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and tell you I genuinely enjoy reading your blog posts. Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums that deal with the same topics? Thanks!|
Hey there! I’m at work browsing your blog from my new iphone! Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to all your posts! Carry on the great work!|
I all the time used to read paragraph in news papers but now as I am a user of net so from now I am using net for posts, thanks to web.|
After looking over a number of the blog posts on your website, I seriously appreciate your technique of writing a blog. I book-marked it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back in the near future. Please check out my website as well and let me know how you feel.
Hi there, constantly i used to check webpage posts here early in the morning, because i like to learn more and more.|
Hi there friends, good paragraph and fastidious arguments commented here, I am genuinely enjoying by these.|
I’m not sure where you’re getting your information, but great topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more. Thanks for great info I was looking for this information for my mission.|
Wonderful blog! I found it while searching on Yahoo News. Do you have any tips on how to get listed in Yahoo News? I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Appreciate it|