To continue the weekly series reviewing, exploring, and living Web 2.0…

So slow I am to get you content! Well at least this weekly gig has me getting to the keyboard.

This weeks word is startpage. I most often see it written as one word, despite the battle my spell check (one word too?) is giving me. This is a more specific subcategory to homepage (which I guess is recognized as one word). A homepage is the page that first loads when you access a website. On the personal level, it’s the website you direct your “home” button to in your web browser. Nowadays, there are actually websites designed for the sole purpose of being your customized homepage. These startpages are available to be personalized, integrated, and be a true home on the web. Web 2.0 technologies used to its fullest, thanks to ajax technology. Some are dirty, some are clean, and some are both. I’ll explore what is best for you.

Why do you need a startpage? The web is overwhelming. This of course is after information had already became overwhelming. So take a bit of internet-prozac and simplify. Too basic? The great thing about a startpage is, when your ready, most can become as big as you’d like.

What is out there (that matters):
Netvibes, iGoogle, Webwag, Pageflakes, MyYahoo!, Protopage, yourminis, Schmedley, Eskobo, Windows Live, Favoor, Gritwire, Inbox, It’sAStart, MyHQ, Symbaloo, Only2Clicks, YSP, Linkedfeed, Flock’s My World…

Definitely NOT worth your time: YSP

First off, don’t invest to quickly. The best strategy is to look around, test ‘em out, and then decide. Customizing the perfect startpage can take many hours (worth it), but you don’t want to do it multiple times over.

Most are customizable. Color, movement, tabs, and content, it’s all up to you.
So lets take a look…
The link goes to a slideshow with screenshots of each of the startpage services (in the same order as above).

Next week I’ll switch into review mode and hopefully nab you a favorite. Take a look, read a book, and add me to your newest startpage. They range from simple to snazzy. Some will put all of Web 2.0 in one place before you are ready and others will share resources. Either way, you’ll have a new homepage soon.