Pageflakes (http://www.pageflakes.com/)

Pageflakes(http://www.pageflakes.com/)

Pageflakes is designed to be a versatile, customized homepage with social features and widgets applicable for home, work, or school. Like other online desktops, users can customize aesthetics and content. The following slides will evaluate Pageflakes with an eye towards compatibility for school use. Core elements include design, security, support, budget, network and hardware considerations, curriculum, and integration possibilities.

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Pageflakes Design

Pageflakes offers 121 templates to choose from. The user can also click on Create Your Own Theme to choose or upload different elements. Users can customize the look of their site with CSS and can easily add flakes that allow them to insert their own HTML code. The ability to customize aids in making the overall aesthetics appealing. However, the Pageflakes logo and the snowflake menu button seem too bold and distracting. Pageflakes operates on both Windows and Mac platforms. Right-clicking a page and viewing a source reveals that Pageflakes can be viewed on Opera, Safari, and Mozilla. Pageflakes operated on a school desktop running Windows XP, a laptop Windows Vista, and a another laptop running Windows 7. The only problem was the trial on Windows Vista where it appears that the Javascript was disabled by an anti-virus suite.

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Pageflakes Design

Google Search Bar Placement

Prominence of Pageflakes logo

Houston, we have a problem. ~James Lovell

Users will be disappointed in the fact that the unmovable Pageflakes logo and the Google search box may get in the way of their uploaded header.The logo can be altered as far as light-dark, but the size and position can not be edited. The Google search bar appears to be in the center sometimes, and on the right other times. This seems to be dependent whether or not the user is logged-in. Those who are not logged in have the Google search box in the middle while those who are signed in see the Google search box on the right. This can be frustrating for those designing their own graphics. Pageflakes does not have any built-in features for accessibility. Using the Ease of Access options including the Narrator function does not allow the user to listen to content within each flake. A Pageflakes URL tested in the ATRC Web Accessibility Checker under the default guidelines revealed multiple issuesespecially with the HTML coding.

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Pageflakes Security

User-controlled content, except adsLogin and password requiredMinimal personal information at sign-upUser controls visibilityUsers must be 13+Privacy and Terms of Service links

Users can choose widgets and their layout. Some widgets, like Anything Flake, allow users to create their own content either through coding or WYSIWYG. Third-parties control the actual content of most widgets (e.g. RSS feeds) and Pageflakes controls the contents of the advertisements.Users can view pages that are designated as public without a password. However, to edit the content of a page you must be logged in with your password. Users also have the option to stay logged in until logging out and they have a link for help in case of a forgotten password.Signing up for Pageflakes requires the users first and last names, Email address, and a password. They also ask for optional information regarding personal interests, gender, and the date of birth. Pageflakes offers users three options: keeping the page completely private and un-viewable to those without the users password; sharing the page by inviting specific people via e-mail; or publishing the page publicly. The public option still allows the user to raise awareness by inviting specific people. Users do not have to check a box stating that they have read the Terms & Conditions, but there is a hyperlink to the Terms & Conditions page. The user is responsible for personal risk and proper behavior. Users also must be 13-years-old or older.

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Pageflakes Support, Budget, HardwareVideo tutorialsForum postsFAQsPhone, fax supportTeacher edition availableFreewith adsNo ad-free, pro version

Users will not find a tech support specialist ready to help online but help is available from forum posts and a list of FAQs. There are currently four online video tutorials on basic topics that can also be viewed through YouTube.The Pageflakes Teacher Edition supposedly offers widgets targeted more towards schools. While initially the start pages look different, the widget menu offers the exact same menu on both options.Pageflakes is FREE! But there are mandatory advertisements in both the standard and teacher edition. Once upon a time, Pageflakes offered users a chance to be ad-free, with a Pro version. However, there are no links to Pageflakes Pro and search engines fail to find hits other than advertising for this ad-free service. Pageflakes should remove this page if it has no intention of offering this option.Users need a computer (desktop, laptop, notebook, tablet) with internet capability to access Pageflakes. Pageflakes is hosted offsite and Javascript must be enabled for best results. School filters will continue to block the same Web sites within widgets as are blocked outside of Pageflakes.

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Pageflakes in a nutshellStrong aesthetics and versatilityGood user information controlUser community for help issuesFreeMinimal technical concerns8th grade plusAdvertisementsNot ADA compliantIssues with logo and reorganizing full pages

Pageflakes is a great tool for teachers. Deborah has been utilizing it in her classes already as a pseudo-library portal. Deborah has created a portal to the databases that students are accustomed to using, as well as creating pages of links to assist during an instructional period or on a particular subject area like citation.The second and fourth period Technical Applications course for sophomores and juniors at The Atonement Academy were surprised to see the work of all their classmates projected on one screen while they were working. With Pageflakes, the students can gauge their progress compared to their peers and become inspired to work more intently since anyone (i.e. their parents, the Priest, the Headmaster, and Sister Mary Margaret) can see their work at anytime. Refreshing the page also helps the teacher have an idea of who seems stuck and could use a little help.Overall, Pageflakes offers attractive pages that flex with users desires. The site seems well organized is fairly easy to navigate. Schools, and anyone, can access this service for free with a computer being the only major technical requirement. The versatility allows for the service to be integrated in multiple ways.

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