Yesterday I wrote about the Rubicon Project and how they have launched into public beta. The site itself is amazing. Overall it is a brilliant package that has been put together for over a year by a dedicated team of about 40 members. This all being said, yesterday I did a test of their service and received mixed results. The code in which I implemented into my sidebar worked fine, except the placements that didnt work at all was the 728 at the top and the 160 at the bottom of the sidebar. Now, why launch a product into public beta, if it doesnt actually work at all?
Has anyone else had the same problems with the Rubicon Project?
I was lucky enough to get a chance to look at Netvibes and their new Ginger offering. As most of us already know Netvibes has to be the most popular start page on the internet at present, and with this new offering it is going to continue. Ginger is the name for the next generation start page that Netvibes is offering in February. This start page has a lot more features then their previous version and more the point is a lot more aesthetically appealing. 
The Interface
The interface in Ginger is a great deal better then what is offered on Netvibes at the present. You have a lot more options to customise your start page exactly like you want it. The theming and coding just seems to be a lot more professional than before.
More Of A Social Network
In Ginger there is a new contact section that is making Netvibes to become much more than just a start page. Slowly the site is growing into a type of social network, in which you will be able to see what your friends are looking at and ever people can follow your site. This feature reminds me a lot of Twitter, follow or being followed. Im also a fan of the activities section, kind of a mix between Facebook news feeds and Twitter.
Overall
Everyone will get there hands on the new Netvibes in February and it will be worth the wait. I have never been a person to use a start page, but because Ginger has just got a really sexy interface, I might even make the switch. Netvibes has also worked out their business model to be based around providing widgets for outside clients, but I would to see them monetize in unique ways, such as offering a sponsored section in which you can pay to be placed in a predominant spot when adding a widget. I can see they already offer a featured section, but this seems to be limited to only 6 slots. However, its always good to see a service not filled with shitty display ads!
Qtrax will be sued before they even launch if they arent careful. Qtrax is a music P2P service that is supposed to have launched a few days ago, but the site is online and no one can download their software. Plus, it has been reported that Qtrax dont have agreements with WMG and EMI when they have specifically announced that they have. So strange!
The LA Times reported that Qtrax has not signed with EMI or Warner Music Group and they are only close to coming to terms with Universal. So why are they going around saying they already have these contracts? I really think this product could be a lost effort even before it launches.
