Hi all, I use Igoogle every day since it's very beginning, and it has always evolved (thumbs up!), but from my point of view, screen real-estate customization is the main shortcoming of igoogle. I wish to put down the features/constructive criticism that I think would greatly improve it's usability and competivity:
*** Add an easy way to resize columns (in TAB options) Before inlining was disabled, I could achieve the resizable column goal without any greasemonkey script or addon. The gadget called "igoogle skin" could do it. (http://www.google.com/ig/directory? type=gadgets&url=www.JavascriptToolbox.com/gadget/skin/skin.xml). Now I'm stuck with the default width, which is not suited to my needs. **** Add an easy way to resize gadget height (in gadget settings) Right now, the way around I found is to hack the desired gadget by getting the XML, adjusting the "<ModulePrefs>" node, publishing it onto my google pagecreator webpage and add it back to igoogle (works, but unpractical) *** Add an option to pick 4 (or more) columns (in TAB options) Igoogle used to have the 4 columns mode option in the tab settings which was great when combined with the "igoogle skin" gadget. I had a little column for gadgets that takes little space. Space was optimized, and I almost never scrolled down even with a 1280x800 ! *** Add an option to allow removing the header and footer (in TAB options) Gadget footer/header removal used to be achievable through numerous inline gadgets (like my favorite one above). I understand the fact that the header makes the page much more attractive visually, but it comes down with a heavy cost : lost of more than a 1/4th of screen real estate. And the only thing usable in that 1/4th is the search bar, which I don't use it because it opens the search query *inside* the current page, and not in a new tab (AFAIK, there's no way around). If I would use that search bar as my main one, I would need to reload my igoogle each time I'm done with a search, which is long and impractical. I now have a habit of mechanically scroll down just to hide the header :-/ As for the good points: - Canvas mode is great ! The usefulness lie in the fact that putting a gadget in canvas mode and back to "Home" mode does not involve page reload. That's one thing that I liked with Netvibes over Igoogle. Switching tabs are instant with Netvibes. Now, my less-used gadget are put at the bottom, and I launch them quickly with the canvas mode on the left bar. - Chat mode is a good idea, but right now it's bugged for me and not working at all. To igoogle devs, please hear our calls, and keep up the good work ! --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "iGoogle Developer Forum" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Google-Gadgets-API?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
