Ideas

How do you compete with exporting HTML from Word or any other low-level layout tool?

I do exactly this myself. My homepage is set to an HTML file I have on my system that has shortcuts to a lot of intranet and extranet stuff I use frequently. It's more convenient than bookmarks because I can just hit the home button and hit the link I need. I just do it by editing the HTML file, but even if I didn't know HTML, I could do it by dumping from Word or any other app with HTML output. They all produce lousy HTML, but if it's just for a local homepage it's not like it needs to pass validation.

So I think it's a great idea, but once you plant the seed in a consumers mind that they might want the end result, they have lots of existing ways to get there.

where is the money :-) charity?

Like Micco said; some people already make their own start HTML pages.
Another good example of custimizeble start pages is the Speed Dial in Opera. http://help.opera.co...26/en/speeddial.html (The thumbnails will also be saved on your hard drive after they've been downloaded)

So I don't know if this will be a good idea. People can do this by themselves these days.

* Yes, you can do it yourself obviously. But, I was thinking something a little more complex then just having a list of links. You know like an actual design. Also, the majority of the people on the internet don't know how to even make a basic list in code.
* How will the site make money, adverts on the site. (Note: No ads on the users page.)
* This is a tool that helps them do it without the work. Plus, have access to more professionally designed styles.

I don't see the point of this. If it's online, how is it better than any standard start portal ( Igoogle, yahoo, whatever). If it's offline, how are you getting ads to the users?

Perhaps an example would clarify.

The idea improves the end user's quality of life. It needs to be verified for the business model and competitive advantage. Again, examples to clarify the idea will help a lot.

Great Idea but I'll make one to display changed content on my computer.

Or I will stick with the blank page.

*"If it's online, how is it better than any standard start portal ( Igoogle, yahoo, whatever)."
It is offline but there are a few things that make it better. Total control of the page, total customization, no direct affiliation forcing you to only use there tools, more data privacy, etc...

*"If it's offline, how are you getting ads to the users?"
The ads are on only on the site with the tools. The start page will be free of ads.

Okay - a site that allows you to build a start page with elements from the web. In tables or whatever, the users link to another portion of a site, build a list of links, favorite google searches, add weather or whatever. then with a click, the site publishes to your local directory

The ads are loaded and part of the start page in your directory. Each time the user loads the page, code in the ad makes a call to update if connected to the internet.

Use sites like netvibes and you're ready

Again, I can do this already with Netvibes or Igoogle. What makes this idea different/better? "Total Control of the page" ? What does that mean. I can already place what I want, where I want (without ads!) on a bunch of sites.

"No forcing you to use only their tools"? Where do the tools they are using come from if you arn't forcing them to use 'your tools'. Are you planning to integrate with google widgets and netvibe widgets then? Or open it up so anyone could code their own.. again, this is already done. What makes your system better?

The -only- advantage I can see is the 'privacy' one. Which is canceled out by the disadvantage of me not being able to access it when I'm traveling, or on another computer.

And how private is it really, when it needs to login and load my information so that it can display contextual ads? If you're not displaying contextual ads, how are you convincing advertisers that their ads are hitting their target market?

Why is Blue your Logo ?

As far as tools. On sites like igoogle and the rest they corner you in to using only there stuff. Gee, I wonder what search company is going to have the most prominent location on the page for igoogle, My Yahoo, Windows Live, etc...? They are all backing themselves to establish domination. When you use there site they push there tools and site features.

Most of the start page sites have lack of visual customization. As well as this type of table grid cookie cutter format for organization.

*"without ads!" "so that it can display contextual ads"
OK, one more time: The start page will be free of ads. Zero ads, and nothing of the sort will be on the page.

*"when it needs to login"
There is no logging in, you don't need to Login.

*"Why is Blue your Logo? "
Well, I drew it a while ago and decided I might as well put it to use.

Kevin_Cox: I believe that the users would want their Facebook profile as starting point, or web mail page they customized - there are sites that offer this (most webmail/search providers).

There are tools to 'Save pages' and setting them to homepage is easy, plus why would i want to go and look at old information, when I am beginning surfing? I am seeking new information, then i come back to review older leftovers.

There are plug ins for browsers incorporating these features too. All are free.

What is your difference?
What is the hook?
Who is your market?

Let the discussion begin ;)
Again appologies for negativity and criticism. I only expect the same in return.

Regards Ales

"go and look at old information"
Here is the difference you can have a page hosted locally and still retrieve information. But, all of the graphics are local. So, you get the benefits of both worlds. The page loads at faster speeds and you still can have new info to look at.

"What is your difference?"
More control and style.

"What is the hook?"
Could you restate the question in a different way. I am not quite sure what you meant by that.

"Who is your market?"
The general public. Though probably at first more technically inclined users.

Nice idea i like it a lot

How are you implimenting 'more control and style'. The reason that sites like google and such have a grid-system of layout - it's very easy to manipulate via dom, on a wide range of browsers. You could do a more flexible layout with absolute positioning, but I don't see how you're going to be able to mix 'ease of use' with 'no limitations on layout'.

I have no idea of the 'hook' either. "Why is this better than any of the alternatives". None of the reasons you have stated now have struck me as compelling, and I don't see anything incredibly unique about your feature set.

I just don't see why I would want to switch to an ap to configure a static homepage. Personally, I want dynamic content on my homepage. I'm very confused by what your product will provide. On the one hand, you've got 'graphics are local so it'll be faster' and on the other hand, you seem to be suggesting you'll offer all the dynamic 'tools (feeds, widgets') that the other sites offer.

To me it sounds like 'your home page will be driven by a desktop ap instead of a web server', but do all the same things with a different skin.

* Faster load time
* Graphically stylish with high quality images
* More private
* Not locked into any particular company
* More customizable
* No log-in required

Yes, you can have dynamic tools and content. Obviously you still need to be connected to the internet. But, just about everything can be hosted locally.

I think that the best way would be through the use of module templates. Where professional designers along with everyone else could make there own template sets. There will be some limitations as far as users using templates. But, as long as there are enough template options it should be more then enough. Most users tend to design there pages in a similar way except for a few changes.

Think of it like a house. So, the outer structure frame is there fist choice then the inside decorating is the second. First users pick out a house victorian, modern, colonial, etc.. Then then decorate and move there stuff around inside. With iGoogle and the rest you only get to decorate the inside you don't get to pick the house type.

It is no limitations in the sense that if you wanted you could re-code it to do anything and make any type of design.

what about a randomized start page? will i go to google yahoo ask?? or even cambrianhouse??

Again, this is a service that has no ad based revenue for paying subscribers. The rest get pushed ads.

But I ca do this myself and most can't. Sell through AARP?

"what about a randomized start page?"
That could be done.

"Again, this is a service that has no ad based revenue for paying subscribers. The rest get pushed ads."
No, no one will get pushed ads. The start page if free of ads.

cute logo...