Lately I've been experimenting with Google's personal page. I decieded that it now has earned the "homepage" award for me! Here are the features: Gmail, Google News, Weather, Movies, Slashdot, Wired News, BBC, Driving Directions, Stock Market, New York Times, Quote of the Day, and Word of the Day.
Here is what I think about it all. First it's great to have a preview of your "x" number of messages on your homepage! But no support for multiple Gmail accounts. Note, If you know a "google hack" that allow you to be logged into multiple gmail accounts at the same time let me know. Google seems to not want this? The weather is nice but I use Forecast Fox instead for that purpose. I am always wanting an easier way to know whats on at the movies! It's nice to stay on top of the headlines too of course. It is useful for service calls to use the Driving Directions. I really don't use anything else but I know its useful to some of you out there too.
Next I setup Google Alerts for a new company that I do service calls for. I really like this feature! I get an email when something about that company is said online. I do not think this is a very comprehensive result but for me that is a good thing. It was one of the things that I was afraid of. The theory of "information overload" has became prevailant and this may simplify my life!
Another feature I setup is Froogle. Currently I am disappointed because I thought you can send some one a link directly to your "WishList". The only link I've found sends them to the search page to enter a email address to find someone's wish list. When tested that actually didn't work!
Next I am checking out the Google Groups - I like these because they are like Yahoo but with more control over how you get email and hopefully no spam! Very useful for tech questions too!
I am also using the My Search History - This is really revolutionary for me. I like to be able to view my previous search results to find something that I forgot to bookmark or add to del.icio.us! I don't know how it effects privacy online so I wish there was an easier way to delete items than one at a time. My suggestion would be a simple link to turn this on and off at will on the fly while searching.
Also I really like a new feature I noticed after the del.icio.us server move tonight! Now I can collapse and expand my "tag bundles"! This makes browsing my links on the delicious page much easier!
Comments