Today I investigated several other mashup sites to get an idea of how this technology can be used. I was impressed by the range of content you can include on your start pages. You can even submit your own content, i.e. blog feed, or develop your own widgets. I searched for a directory of pre-built web parts to use in an ASP.NET 2.0 mashup but there does not appear to be any.
One of the mashups I already knew about is Pageflakes which is famous for its innovative use of AJAX. I spent some more time customizing my content on this site. I was able to add YouTube user videos and DailyMotion featured videos. I was unable to find any widgets for LiveVideo or Stickam on any of the mashup sites I looked at. On the Reading page I added some RSS feeds that interest me including Slashdot, The Code Project which is about ASP.NET, and TechCrunch. I submitted this blog’s feed and it was accepted so I’ve added a Pageflake chicklet that you can click to automatically add this blog RSS feed to your Pageflake content. This is a good example of how you can use mashups to distribute your content and promote your web site. There is also an eBay widget available for Pageflake which allows you to keep track of your bids, your auctions, or search for items. This web site is genuinely useful because on one page I can see if my favorite vlogger has posted a new video, search Google, search Wikipedia, check my eBay bids, and watch the clock!
Another mashup I looked at is Netvibes. It features a video search that includes Google Video, YouTube, and DailyMotion plus three others. I found Newsvine listed in the feed Directory under Top Headlines, US. I was able to add my blog feed and publish it on the Netvibes ecosystem. I liked the wide selection of news feeds and information sources. You can also add blog search, eBay, an aquarium with fish, and a calculator.
The most interesting thing I found on Webwag is live French TV which I wound up watching rather than exploring the site. The only channel you can watch is BFM TV. I’ve cancelled my cable TV so even French television is better than nothing. However, Webwag does not appear to have very many widgets available and even the RSS feeds are limited although I was able to add my blog feed.
Protopage has a very colorful user interface. It has the Protopuppy which appears to be a virtual pet toy. The Video Podcasts page had a lot of unfamiliar content. I only recognized the Ask A Ninja podcast because he seems to be everywhere. I was also able to add my blog feed to this mashup. I did find a widget for YouTube’s recently featured videos but it failed to index my favorite vlogger’s RSS feed.
Last, but not least, I should mention My Google, or Google IG which is their AJAX desktop (also known as “Personalized Home”). It features a wide variety of widgets. You can even add a Microsoft Outlook widget which will display emails in your Inbox, your calendar, your tasks, or your contacts. Then there are odd widgets like Buddhist Thought Of The Day, ImageShack Hosting, and tiny games like Haunted House which will randomly try to scare you. If you search for homepage content using the keyword “Williamsport” you can add my blog feed but it is not a very obvious method.
