What’s new on the web
Sep 10 2010 by Andrew Jackson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner
IT’S official – everyone hates email.
The kids hate it because it’s not instant enough (they much prefer online chat and text messaging) and grown-ups hate it because it eats up so much time, gobbles their attention and energy and is still beset by spammers, scammers and viruses.
There must be an easier way.
Google’s Gmail service (www.gmail.com) is one of the biggest in the world and has just launched a new tool to make email slightly easier to cope with. It’s called Priority Inbox and it works by automatically separating your email into different categories. First, there’s the stuff that actually matters such as personal messages from loved ones or from your boss. This gets put at the top so you see it.
Then there’s the stuff you do probably want to see, but isn’t important. Lists you’ve subscribed to or announcements from web services you use. It may or may not be interesting, but it’s not urgent. This sort of email isn’t spam, but some people call it ‘bacn’ – pronounced “bacon”.
Finally, there’s everything else. Stuff that probably doesn’t matter.
Google sorts all your messages using similar technology used to separate out spam. It admits that to begin with Priority Inbox might make some mistakes and file important messages as bacn, or vice versa. But it will learn and get better over time.
MEET YOU BY THE FRIDGE
Ever fancied having your own mini Facebook, just for you and your mates? Perhaps one for your class or club? The Fridge is a good place to start. Sign up in an instant with your email address and, once confirmed, you can create your own web-based group, which works just like a Facebook page. Upload pictures and videos, have discussions, post comments, anything you like. Except that your group is private, owned by you and only people you invite get to join in. It’s a super-secret web club for the taking, and it’s all free. Start your club at www.frid.ge.
BROWSING AROUND... EDUCATIONAL SITES FOR KIDS
:: Rockwatch for geology and geography
www.rockwatch.org.uk
:: Practice maths at Count On
www.counton.org
