RSSMSN Testing Personalized 'Start' Page
By Nate Mook | Published March 15, 2005, 1:25 PM
Microsoft's MSN unit is testing what it calls an "incubation experiment" of a new "start" page for Web browsers. The site, located at Start.com, serves as an aggregator for RSS feeds and allows users to custom tailor its content.
The project comes as MSN properties struggle to change a lackluster brand image brought on by fast-moving rivals such as Google. MSN employees recently called on users to give their opinions on what the company can do to improve its perception among early adopters and the media.
In fact, the new Start.com takes a number of pages from Google's playbook. Along with being simple and advertising free, the site draws on RSS technology that is popular among seasoned Web users. It also utilizes advanced HTML for customization and stores preferences as a unique URL, much like Google News.
"This isn't a final product but instead is intended to show people some of the ideas we at MSN are exploring around providing a rich experience around Web-based RSS/Atom aggregation," said MSN Program Manager Dare Obasanjo.
MSN Portal Team member Venkat Narayanan stressed that his team is simply "playing around with a number of different ideas" and pointed out two versions of Start.com currently in consideration.
"We definitely would love to get feedback from folks about the site. I'm personally interested in where people would like to see this sort of functionality integrated into the existing MSN family of sites and products, if at all," said Obasanjo.
Removed my comment... It was completely off-topic...
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|This should be called: wecopygoogle.com
MSN Sandbox? Hmm...thats' like labs.google.com
Funny how the page layout for start.com looks a lot like Google.
I've just about had all I can take of Microsoft copying other people.
Microsoft, you're screwed. Google is better than you and is going to beat you at your own game.
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|totally agree with this last post... i'm not a MS hater by any means but they need to innovate as opposed to copying what other companies are doing and putting their spin on it. the rss feed aggregator is a good idea...but that won't really appeal to the masses yet cause rss is more of an end-user/enthusiast/geek thing these days...
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|nice coppy!!!
:-))))))))
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|When you do a search, I love how it opens related useful sites along with their feed links. It adds a dimension that's needed, but only if you can save the start page to your HD, edit it yourself, and launch it locally. I created my own "Start Page" in late 1995 and it constantly changes. It allows me complete control of my bookmarks without ever having to mess with a Favorites menu.
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|Microsoft probably had a team of dozens of developers and Web designers, headed by a Project Manager, with a multi-million dollar R-&-D budget to produce an interface that a Middle School class could've created in one afternoon !
The Computer Rodent
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|You might want to click on some of the links in this article as they link to blogs run by the developers. It may give you a better idea on who is working for Microsoft.
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|"You might want to click on some of the links in this article as they link to blogs run by the developers. It may give you a better idea on who is working for Microsoft."
Your favorite rodent ~did~.
They have an army of developers and Web designers spending billions of dollars a day to accomplish pretty much NOTHING !
The Computer Rodent ~ain't~ a little Microsoft-hating twerp. But facts are: Microsoft is totally incapable of producing things anymore. They got to purchase technology, now.
The DataRat
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