Nearly a year ago, my professor suggested that I use Netvibes to organize my life on the web. I added it to my mental “to-do list,” but I managed to keep putting it off. Thanks to my Information Architecture Web 2.0review assignment, I finally had the chance to explore Netvibes.

Netvibes is a Web 2.0 application that provides users with a personal home page. Once a user creates an account, they can customize their Netvibes home page by adding various widgets. These widgets allow the user to personalize and organize their digital lives.

Users have two customizable pages. One is a personal page, and the other is public. The personal page can only be viewed by a logged in user. The public page is open to anyone. Users may alter the theme, wallpaper, and colors of each page and its widgets. The widgets are customizable and movable, so users can tailor their pages to appear as they like.

There are over 180,000 widgets that users can add to their home page. These widgets work in conjunction with popular Web 2.0 applications. Users have the ability to create their own widgets which they can post and share. In addition, users can add RSS feeds that will update on their home page.

Netvibes propagates the dissemination of information among its users. It connects users to various Web 2.0 applications and RSS feeds. It allows users to constantly stay in loop with their favorite applications and feeds.

Most search engines and ISP providers offer personal home pages to users. Google has iGoogle, and Yahoo has My Yahoo!. They both allow for the personalization of content; however, they are lacking in options. Netvibes provides more widget and customization options. Its main purpose is to connect users to other sites; whereas, iGoogle and My Yahoo attempt to keep users from straying from the sites services.

Overall, I think Netvibes is an important tool for the active Web user to have. It allows users to keep up with their favorite web activities. I do think Netvibes should give users more layout and theme control, so that the users can truly make Netvibes their own.