Content
All four desktops share the same basic layout: a page full of drag-and-droppable boxes that can be organised into tabs.
RSS feeds
The process for adding feeds is like that of a standard RSS reader: you provide the feed address of the site you want to add, and your Web desktop will pull the content into a neat little box on your page.
To find feeds, look for the RSS or XML button on your chosen site -- most will have one. Many sites also feature buttons that will add the site's feed directly to your Web desktop of choice.
Buttons for adding feeds
If you can't find the RSS feed, fear not: Netvibes, Pageflakes and iGoogle will find site feeds if you provide the main URL. Live.com won't, but does allow you to search for feeds by site name.
A big point of difference between the sites is how the content of posts can be viewed. iGoogle and Live.com direct you to the source site, while Netvibes and Pageflakes offer the option to read full posts in a pane that opens on your desktop page. Pageflakes also has a particularly nifty Reader mode, which switches the layout to a format similar to Bloglines or standard RSS readers. It's a neater way to view articles if you've subscribed to 1001 feeds.
iGoogle Facebook gadgets
Podcasts
Technically a podcast is obtained in the same way as an RSS feed, but some Web desktops treat them differently. Netvibes incorporates a nifty little audio player that allows you to listen to podcast episodes from within your Netvibes page. Pageflakes has a podcast module that works like audio player software -- just add your feeds to it and they'll play within the iPod-shaped box on your page.
There is no such special treatment within Live.com or iGoogle; podcast feeds can be added to your page, but click on the latest episode and you'll be taken to the source site to listen.
Widgets
These interactive apps go by a variety of cutesy names, but all refer to the same thing. Their purpose can run from the practical (e-mail, calculators, to-do lists, our very own CNET.com.au app) to the downright silly (amusing cat photos, the Hot Or Not module).
Different start pages offer different widgets, but modules written for Netvibes can also run in iGoogle and Live.com. If there is a site you'll be using frequently via your page -- such as a Web-based e-mail account or a social network like Facebook or MySpace -- check what widgets are offered in a few start pages before committing to one. There can be subtle differences: some Facebook apps allow you to update your status, but have problems handling quote marks and double up on the "is". Others will let you write a wall post directly from the module.
| Cute name | Selection | Where to find them | |
| Netvibes | Widgets | About 115,000. Organised into 14 categories, including Technology, Games, Tools & Services, News and Travel. Stand-outs include eBay, Facebook, Flash (displays any flash animation), POP3/IMAP4 mail. | Via the Add Content link on your page or in the Ecosystem. |
| Pageflakes | Flakes | Around 240,000. Organised into 16 categories, including Politics, Technology, Lifestyle, Offbeat and Diversions. Examples include E-mail (configure POP3/web accounts and compose from window), Pageflakes Central (showcases new flakes and features), the Anything Flake (add your own HTML). | Big Flake button on your page or in the Community. |
| Live.com | Gadgets | About 1500. Mostly focused on American or niche interests. Some simple games like Marioworld. | A very small number available from homepage, others found in the Gallery. |
| iGoogle | Gadgets | Several thousand, including into nine categories. Many Google offerings such as Google Docs, Maps, Finance and Picasa. A heap of games including Blackjack and Tetris. | Through the "Add stuff" link on the homepage. |
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NetEx
04/03/2008 07:57 PM
Well done review. If you want more analysis on Netvibes and its competitors you can check this site: http://netviber.blogspot.com/
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Flakey
06/03/2008 08:25 AM
Agreed that iGoogle is pretty boring. I however, think users that "want to consolidate all their Web 2.0 profiles (Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Flickr)" or create public and private pages, Pageflakes is not only capable but equally comparable to Netvibes.
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vincent
08/03/2008 08:35 PM
I agree with the verdict, new version of Netvibes "Ginger" is the best start page ever... I love the universe feature too :)
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Fact checking anyone?
09/03/2008 03:26 AM
The article has several factual errors. It seems someone got lazy. I'll hit iGoogle only for brevity: iGoogle has over 40,000 gadgets (not including RSS feeds) http://www.google.com/ig/directory?synd=open iGoogle has tab/page sharing (check the little down arrow next to your selected tab)
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Afkarweb
14/03/2008 05:52 AM
I use NetVibes and I'm very glad ! And now u can create "Universes" and share items with friends or ... customers
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Oo
15/03/2008 01:43 AM
Netvibes rules ;)
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Mike
20/03/2008 12:53 PM
Actually, I prefer Pageflakes. To each his/her own. But I'm sticking with Pageflakes. :)
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matt
22/03/2008 09:29 PM
Another start page to consider is Odysen at http://www.odysen.com. A couple of the key differences include 1) the ability to integrate as many news feeds as you want into one widget (saving space, being more efficient) and 2) free-formatting widgets, allowing you to change the size of the widget to whatever you feel is most appropriate to the content. There is also a blog available for feature updates and page examples at http://odysen.blogspot.com.
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Mnate
28/03/2008 09:45 PM
I started using Netvibes (Ginger) recently, and I'm absolutely blown away by it's content options, interactive design, and it's incredibly clean look. Personally, I don't think that iGoogle or Live.com come close to comparison.
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Pablothehat
15/04/2008 07:31 AM
I have been using Netvibes for a couple of years now and I am still finding new stuff...Fantastic!!!
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Justin Nango
16/04/2008 10:29 AM
Exhaustive analysis. Good work. Apparently the French scene is pretty active of start pages. A new start-up recently appeared on the radar: http://www.personall.fr/. They use this web 2.0 tool to build personalized intranets.
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DTRA
29/04/2008 11:25 AM
If you're in New Zealand, and you just want a boring old quick link start page, try http://www.kiwihomepage.co.nz/
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