Cool Tools – Personal Portals by Peg Burnette

A personal Web page or portal is a Web page that can be set up quickly and easily with a customized look and personalized functionality. Mini apps called widgets or gadgets provide an array of functions that typically include RSS feeds, podcasts, e-mail, calendar, clock, weather, calculators, to do lists, photos and socialization using text, audio or video chat. Drag and drop, and the ability to create subpages (tabs) provide easy arrangement of the content. Some are mobile-friendly. Other considerations include cost (most are free), ease of use, functionality, visual appeal (most provide “themes” or other customization), options for sharing, privacy, and advertising.

Some personal pages are included as part of a suite of personalization options offered by search engines such a Google and Yahoo, while others are independent free-standing applications.

iGoogle http://www.igoogle.com

An iGoogle page is easy to create with drag and drop functionality. Tabs help organize categories of content. Use any of Google’s many gadgets or create your own. Users can select from a number of visual “themes” and there is no advertising. The iGoogle page integrates other Google accounts. iGoogle pages cannot be made public.

MyYahoo http://my.yahoo.com

A MyYahoo page is easy to use and integrates with other Yahoo services, such as mail and groups. Other options include weather calendar, stocks, movies, sports, horoscope, and others.

MyYahoo pages do have advertising. There is no opportunity for content sharing.

Pageflakes http://www.pageflakes.com

Pageflakes offers a simple interface that is easy to use. The page is highly customizable with a large selection of widgets. It integrates with Web 2.0 services such as RSS, Facebook and Twitter. Content is automatically provided based on your location. You can share your page with everyone or with a specified group. There is advertising.

Webwag http://www.webwag.com

Webwag is available in multiple languages. The page is mobile-friendly and you can create your own widgets. Tabs provide content based on personal preferences. There is no advertising.

ProtoPage http://www.protopage.com

ProtoPage’s customizable personal homepage is also mobile-friendly. Use it to read your own selection of news and blogs, keep bookmarks, to-do lists, sticky notes, and more. You can make the page visible to the public.

Peg Burnette Visiting Assistant Health Sciences Librarian and Visiting Assistant Professor Library of the Health Sciences-Peoria [email protected]