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 The lack of love is for an (apparently) outdated feed reader that can’t even find half the feeds I give the exact address for.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!
You should be a part of a contest for one of the highest quality websites online. I most certainly will highly recommend this site!|
Wow, fantastic blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your site is magnificent, let alone the content!|
Good blog you have got here.. It’s hard to find quality writing like yours nowadays. I truly appreciate people like you! Take care!!|
Hello to every body, it’s my first go to see of this webpage; this web site consists of awesome and in fact good material in support of visitors.|
I think that is among the so much significant info for me. And i’m glad reading your article. But want to remark on few common things, The website taste is perfect, the articles is in point of fact nice : D. Just right activity, cheers|
This website truly has all of the info I wanted concerning this subject and didn’t know who to ask. |
Wonderful blog! Do you have any helpful hints for aspiring writers? I’m planning to start my own blog soon but I’m a little lost on everything. Would you suggest starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many options out there that I’m totally overwhelmed .. Any tips? Many thanks!|
I would like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in penning this website. I am hoping to check out the same high-grade blog posts by you in the future as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own, personal blog now ;)|
Every weekend i used to go to see this web page, because i wish for enjoyment, since this this web site conations actually pleasant funny data too.|
Thank you for the good writeup. It if truth be told was a entertainment account it. Glance complicated to more brought agreeable from you! However, how can we keep in touch?|
Keep on writing, great job!|
I have been exploring for a bit for any high-quality articles or weblog posts in this kind of space . Exploring in Yahoo I ultimately stumbled upon this site. Reading this info So i’m glad to show that I have an incredibly good uncanny feeling I found out just what I needed. I so much without a doubt will make certain to do not put out of your mind this site and provides it a look regularly.|
Hi there i am kavin, its my first occasion to commenting anywhere, when i read this piece of writing i thought i could also make comment due to this brilliant article.|
Do you have a spam issue on this website; I also am a blogger, and I was wanting to know your situation; we have created some nice practices and we are looking to trade strategies with other folks, be sure to shoot me an e-mail if interested.|
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 information. Thanks for the post. I’ll definitely comeback.|
Appreciation to my father who stated to me about this web site, this webpage is actually amazing.|
Hey there! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a collection of volunteers and starting a new project in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us beneficial information to work on. You have done a outstanding job!|
It’s appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy. I have read this post and if I could I desire to suggest you some interesting things or tips. Perhaps you could write next articles referring to this article. I desire to read even more things about it!|
I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here. The sketch is attractive, your authored material stylish. nonetheless, you command get bought an edginess over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again since exactly the same nearly very often inside case you shield this hike.|
Definitely believe that that you stated. Your favourite justification seemed to be on the internet the simplest factor to have in mind of. I say to you, I definitely get irked even as other people think about worries that they just do not recognize about. You controlled to hit the nail upon the top and outlined out the entire thing with no need side effect , other folks could take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thank you|
Excellent post. I was checking constantly this blog and I am impressed! Extremely helpful info specially the last part 🙂 I care for such info a lot. I was looking for this particular info for a very long time. Thank you and best of luck.|
Hello colleagues, how is everything, and what you desire to say regarding this article, in my view its truly amazing in support of me.|
If some one wishes to be updated with most up-to-date technologies then he must be pay a quick visit this web page and be up to date every day.|
Hello friends, how is the whole thing, and what you would like to say on the topic of this article, in my view its in fact remarkable in favor of me.|
I have read so many articles regarding the blogger lovers however this post is truly a fastidious piece of writing, keep it up.|
It’s really a nice and helpful piece of information. I’m glad that you just shared this useful information with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.|
Hello there! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a team of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us beneficial information to work on. You have done a outstanding job!|
I am now not sure where you are getting your info, however great topic. I must spend a while studying more or understanding more. Thank you for magnificent information I was looking for this info for my mission.|
Unquestionably believe that which you stated. Your favorite reason appeared to be on the web the easiest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get annoyed while people consider worries that they plainly do not know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people can take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks|
It’s an amazing article for all the web viewers; they will obtain advantage from it I am sure.|
great publish, very informative. I wonder why the opposite experts of this sector do not understand this. You must continue your writing. I am sure, you have a huge readers’ base already!|
excellent put up, very informative. I’m wondering why the opposite experts of this sector don’t realize this. You should proceed your writing. I am sure, you have a huge readers’ base already!|
Yes! Finally someone writes about keyword1.|
I am extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your weblog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it’s rare to see a great blog like this one today.|
Thank you, I have just been looking for info about this subject for ages and yours is the greatest I have came upon so far. But, what in regards to the bottom line? Are you certain concerning the source?|
This is the perfect site for everyone who wishes to understand this topic. You know so much its almost tough to argue with you (not that I really will need to…HaHa). You certainly put a new spin on a subject that’s been written about for years. Wonderful stuff, just wonderful!|
Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you penning this write-up and also the rest of the website is really good.|
At this moment I am going to do my breakfast, after having my breakfast coming yet again to read further news.|
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you writing this post plus the rest of the site is extremely good.|
What’s Going down i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I have found It absolutely helpful and it has aided me out loads. I hope to contribute & help different customers like its helped me. Good job.|
Great, thanks for sharing this post.Thanks Again. Cool.
Hi there, You have done a great job. I will definitely digg it and personally suggest to my friends. I am confident they will be benefited from this web site.|
This page certainly has all of the info I needed concerning this subject and didn’t know who to ask.
Major thanks for the blog post.Really thank you! Keep writing.
I am really impressed with your writing talents and also with the structure for your blog. Is this a paid subject matter or did you modify it yourself? Either way keep up the excellent high quality writing, it is rare to see a great weblog like this one nowadays..|
As the admin of this web page is working, no question very soon it will be well-known, due to its quality contents.|
Fascinating blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A design like yours with a few simple tweeks would really make my blog jump out. Please let me know where you got your design. Appreciate it|
Hmm is anyone else having problems with the images on this blog loading? I’m trying to find out if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog. Any responses would be greatly appreciated.|
WOW just what I was looking for. Came here by searching for meta_keyword|
Woah! I’m really enjoying the template/theme of this blog. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s difficult to get that “perfect balance” between usability and visual appeal. I must say that you’ve done a excellent job with this. Also, the blog loads very fast for me on Firefox. Outstanding Blog!|