A couple years ago, Kiwibeak redesigned their homepage that included a directory based on using icons for various categories. Yahoo!, the second most-visited web page by US users, is presumed to have been monitoring the Kiwibeak homepage. For the fledging site in 2006, reports many possible, continual visits from the internet giant followed by a design overhaul of their web page that adopted the use of small icons representing different categories for their services.

Old Yahoo homepage with categorical icon navigation on left nav

Now one step farther, Yahoo! has introduced a new version of their homepage, which allows users to add their favorites (non-Yahoo sites) to a revamped left icon nav bar. The idea is very similar to the idea and claim that Kiwibeak.com has promoted in use on their homepage: A user-built directory that is ‘all-inclusive’ of the web, links to not just one company’s services, but links to all the -other- content available on the web. Obviously many other available startpage beta sites, past and present, attempt to offer a similar resource as well, but design-wise in this case, it is clear that the closest website copycatted is Kiwibeak.

In 2008, Kiwibeak also restructured their homepage/directory design to include: a) a icon-based left nav bar to specific sites and tools, b) a middle column for news and features, and c) a new expandable ‘accordion’ icon-based directory. The directory categories expand to display 3 columns of subcategories and links. Kiwibeak’s advertising model is largely based on incorporating small relevant, graphic ‘micro-ads’ within the directory.

Kiwibeak screenshot of 'Travel' directory open with small micro ad

It seems that in late Summer 2009, Yahoo with  their homepage redesign has appropriated this general layout idea. The left icon nav suddenly is larger, slightly resembling the Kiwibeak directory. The left nav is editable by users to build a similar, personal ‘directory’ of links. Sometimes instead of clicking on the link and being taken directly to the desired site, a window expands (much like a Kiwibeak expandable directory) and includes not one micro ad, but one mega ad!

Yahoo pseudo-directory link expands to include embedded content with large ad

The latest Yahoo! homepage, 2009

While it seems there may be an advantage to the Yahoo! system that relies on the user to build and customize their own directory, is this really an advantage to have exterior content served directly on a homepage? Also, It looks like the new homepage is still focused on delivering Yahoo’s own content/services, with the scheme that users will find it nice that they can add a few of their own links, but then tire of the work involved and fall back on Yahoo’s services. Additionally, in order to use this ‘directory’ feature you have to be a registered user and signed in. Who wants to login to your homepage? I don’t. Especially when the requirement to login jeopardizes user privacy.

Tags: directory, homepage, new yahoo homepage, startpage, web culture, yahoo!.

Looking for a some great, free media players for your PC that will play all the different formats out there, convert with ease, and are robust enough to cover practically all the bases? We’ve put together a small list of what we feel are the best of the best, completely free, lite (place no heavy processing demands on your computer) and are really ace software. All of these can be currently found in the ‘Computer Stuff’ directory on Kiwibeak.com.

Audio

1. Quintessential Media Player 5.0 [downloads] /Classic Player 4.51 [on Tucows]

The original Quinessential Player and version 4.51 (QCD) have been a long-time favorites for music/mp3 aficianados who demand a simple and straightforward music player for Windows. Somewhat recently, Quinnware (qmp) introduced their Quintessential Media Player which looks to be more focused on skins, managing a media library, but also the ability to handle most audio formats (either by default or through an extensive plug-in library). Also present is the new ability to play basic video files.

For those who just want a really, really simple & easy music player and converter, most will probably prefer the classic player, version 4.51. You still have to install plug-ins for converting to mp3 or FLAC formats, but it’s painless (through quick-n-easy executables. This classic player version has by default a somewhat ‘techie/sci-fi’ skin, but it just works and displays well. Through using the right-click context menu, you can very quickly access and set preferences (from the top-left menu drop-down button) or, by right-clicking on a track, convert between formats in a breeze. Still comes highly-recommended as the best. You can still grab a free copy off of Tucows here. For the main Quinnware website, click here. Also currently available on the Quinnware site is their very first original player version from 1998 (not sure if this is the same as the stellar QCD 4.51).

Video

There are 3 essential video players for serious videoheads out there, all with what we see as one big advantage over each other:

1. GOM Player [homepage] *All-around, except DVD

GOM Player rocks. It’s just a very nice, lite yet robust player with a pleasant design that handles the practically any format of encoded video. You can access a diverse list of preferences covering practically every possible setting for audio, video, subtitling, screen capture, playlist, playback, aspect ratio, and more. Cons: DVD menu playback is often troublesome and encoding compatibility is not 100%. You’ll want to have one or both of the following players in your arsenal.

2. KMPlayer 2.9.4.1434 [download on softonic] [Korean site] *DVD

A recent discovery when DVD menu issues started occurring with GOM Player. This Korean media player has a slick look to it, but most importantly is lite and plays DVD, menus and all, perfectly fine—fast and easy.

3. VLC Media Player [download] *Troublesome or rare formats
The cross-platform open-source multimedia framework, player and server. Simply, this player will play anything and everything. Although, perhaps, not as lite and not nearly as many features, as say, GOM Player. For troublesome or corrupted files, this is the best bet.

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Comments, Opinions? Know of any other great media players that you think are great? Please share in the comments section…

Tags: audio, free, media players, PC, video.