I chose iGoogle for my uber homepage. Why? Mostly because I already had other accounts at Google, and frankly, isn't that the point of consolidating / centralizing all your web stuff? The customization features at iGoogle seemed pretty good. I moved a few things around and added a list feature Listy. Personalized "start" pages like this might be useful, but as with others of these web tools, it will take time playing with it to see how useful. The good news is that iGoogle seems flexible enough so that you could change it as you discover how it could be better set up to meet your needs.
It strikes me that this whole 'store your computer stuff on the web' trend is most useful for those in situations where they need to access things from various computers, and where the information they store there is more recreational than critical and does not need to be particularly secure. Of course, more and more of us do use various computers to do our work and social tasks.
About these list features. I don't know about you, but many of my lists have to travel with me into the store. I tend to use little slips of paper, so having to print out a whole sheet for 3-4 grocery items does not seem to be progress. On the other hand, if I was a cell phone user, I could send the list to my phone thus eliminating the need for paper -- but adding cell phone fees to my life. If it isn't one thing, it's another.
I have used shared electronic calendars in other contexts and they can be very useful in work settings. I took a look at Google's calendar feature - visually very nice, easy to use. I'm not sure I have a need for it in my personal life - but I can see that those with a more complex set of people and variables to coordinate might find it really handy.
It strikes me that this whole 'store your computer stuff on the web' trend is most useful for those in situations where they need to access things from various computers, and where the information they store there is more recreational than critical and does not need to be particularly secure. Of course, more and more of us do use various computers to do our work and social tasks.
About these list features. I don't know about you, but many of my lists have to travel with me into the store. I tend to use little slips of paper, so having to print out a whole sheet for 3-4 grocery items does not seem to be progress. On the other hand, if I was a cell phone user, I could send the list to my phone thus eliminating the need for paper -- but adding cell phone fees to my life. If it isn't one thing, it's another.
I have used shared electronic calendars in other contexts and they can be very useful in work settings. I took a look at Google's calendar feature - visually very nice, easy to use. I'm not sure I have a need for it in my personal life - but I can see that those with a more complex set of people and variables to coordinate might find it really handy.
