iGoogle and web applications

When I first experienced iGoogle, first thing in my mind is what application can bring business value. Unlike weather, time, or art tool, is there any application small and easy to be used by end users. On the other hand, it can also benefit the community. Then I come across the Amazon search tool, which I feel is one of the best to be used by every one.

When buying stuff online, unlike shopping in grocery, we are unable to compare product and ask people's advice. Therefore, 2 aspects are affecting people's decision most, 1) what other people's comments on the product, 2) what are similar products.

One tool can help comparing similar products, make sure you have used it well before you go shopping online. It is an application written in Adobe Flex 2, a new programming language that is able to move traditional windows application to Web based.

Now we are talking Web 2.0, what is it, Blogging, Wiki, AJAX, community sharing, Web services. Another important concept for web 2.0 is we now going to face "the Platform of Future", that is more applications will be used in web. There will be less dependency on operating system, less need for software installation. Its benefit is obvious, having better security & support, less maintenance cost. IT people call it Web 2.0, none- IT can call it business 2.0.

Google introduced iGoogle today (May 2nd 2007), a personalised web platform. It has hundred applications or gadgets allowing customer to customise. The trend is Google and other IT companies will bring more and more business related application to web based, such as Microsoft's Word, Excel, Visio. Microsoft is not far behind on this either, its windows presentation foundation to be release in 2008 is really fascinating.

Make sure you have searched Amazon properly before you go shopping online - search Amazon