Web site visitors who use Google Toolbar now have access to a global comment and annotation system called Google Sidewiki.  This toolbar addition allows users to comment on any webpage on any server and have it visible to any visitor.

I am not sure how I feel about this technology.  I think it could be helpful but mostly I think it is another avenue for spammers and posting of non-useful information.  I would like to see it succeed and be a place to write reviews for businesses or helpful visitor information for towns.

As it is right now, I am not sure that it is getting into the hands of the right users.  I don’t know very many “web savvy” people that are fans of the “google toolbar” or any toolbar for that matter and needing to have that installed is something that can work against google sidewiki.

I installed and test drove google sidewiki this afternoon and I have to say I am pretty indifferent.  I may have to delete it just because I really hate the extra toolbar on my browser but other than that I don’t really mind it.  If you are interested in giving it a try download it here and leave me a wiki.  If you find it enjoyable and useful be sure to let google know so that they can continue to support and develop it.

An important day in history has come.  One of the first “social networking” sites has closed down.  Geocities was a place to create and host a free website and was quite popular throughout the 90’s.  When I think of Geocities, I see bad page backgrounds, sites full of animated gifs, and poor navigation.  However, it brings back fond memories of getting my start in programming and building web pages.  I am sad to see such a large part of the history of the internet shut down.
http://mashable.com/2009/04/23/geocities-shutdown/