#4: Yahoo! Widgets…!!!

Yahoo Logo

[For informational purposes only.]

It seems like most of the press about Web2.0 and “webovvations” comes from the Google center of the universe in California. What I’m happy to present today is a flashy, beautiful tool Yahoo! created for users like us: the Yahoo widget. Mac users have long been known for using specialized widgets that the user can create or download to specialize their computer. Well, now window users can share in the same enjoyment.

First, visit widgets.yahoo.com. Here you’ll find a directory listing of all of Yahoo!’s widgets. What’s so cool about these widgets? Well, you can do a ton of cool things.

Take the zoomby widget, for example. There are a few on the site, and there should be a ton more. The zoomby widget allows you to have the pretty Mac bottom menu that moves as you scroll your mouse over it. It’s a great way to save toolbar space (for windows users) and a pretty sexy way to keep your laptop looking fresh.

While your downloading widgets like crazy, also be sure to check out the widgets “iJam”, “Ten Plus Two” and “Desktop Favourites”.

From one widgeter to another potential widgeter…HAPPY WIDGETING!!!!

#3: Google Documents

Google Docs Logo

[For information purposes only.]

Mmmm…The Google gods have given us another pot of gold. Another brick of platinum. Another…really sweet Web2.0 application.

GoogleDocs is a Google invention that allows many different internet users to upload, edit, and share documents with other users. It works much like a word document, where users can edit font, add break lines, images, embedded objects, and a lot of other different things.

The Babson Free Press (the online and print student newspaper of Babson College) has used a Google Document to manage many of their projects. They’ve benefited from the product because they’ve been able to eliminate most of their meetings, and increase productivity ten-fold.

Although, with every product there are their drawbacks. What can’t GoogleDocs do? Well, there are some limitations to Google Docs. At first, it is a bit frustrating to edit the document as it takes time to figure out the Google language of editing. If you do run into a point and scream “WHY IS IT DOING THIS!?” just have patience.

While you’re at GoogleDocs, check out Google’s other inventions in the Google lab. Many more “Googventions” will show up on this blog, but don’t wait for that. Check out the magic that is Google.

#2: 8aWeek.com

8aWeek.com

8aWeek.com’s Logo

[8aWeek.com Logo. For informational purposes only.]

Tired of Wasting Time on Facebook and Losing Track of Work-Time?

Behold, the best invention since the introduction of the amazingly distracting Web2.0: 8aweek. Those familiar with Mozilla’s Firefox extensions will have most likely seen this extension already. Here’s a breakdown of a few terms, and 8aweek:

Mozilla Firefox: The better version of Internet Explorer. Firefox allows the user a more secure and exciting online browsing experience. Why is it better than IE? Well, it was the first to allow for tabbed browsing, customizable browser interface, and extensions.

Extensions: Extensions are similar to Mac widgets. Essentially, extensions can perform neat tricks within your Mozilla Firefox browser. An example of an extension is the “IE tab browsing” widget. This extension transforms a tab in Firefox to Internet Explorer. Why is this helpful? Many web designers need to test their creations in both formats, as many users across the world are split between the two and Safari.

8aweek.com: 8aweek.com is one of these extensions for Mozilla Firefox. It’s main purpose? To save you time. Here’s how it operates:

#1 – Digg.com

Digg’s Logo

[Source: Digg.com. For information purposes only.]

Your website you have to check out today is: DIGG! You can find Digg at www.digg.com. What is Digg? Digg is the site that will have every new viral video that your best friend’s cousin has been sending you. It will have every relevant news story that’s popular on the web. It will have those stupid remixes of nerdy videos.

What it won’t have? Well, it won’t have the viral content that’s been surfacing around YouTube for a while. You know the stuff. Videos that claim “SEX!” or “Britney’s Doing Something!” or “This title is in Japanese and You Can’t Read it!”

Anyway, Digg is a site that ranks websites based on user popularity. If you see something you like, anywhere on the internet, with a Digg button next to it, Digg it! It’s popularity rank will increase on Digg’s website, and will make it more accessible for readers of the site.

A sample of a Digg Button.

[Source: Digg.com. For information purposes only.]

Then, when you visit Digg, you will see the best videos, images, and sites according to, well, the world.

It would be cliche to say it, but I’ll say it anyway: I digg it.