Thread: The new Google Sidewiki tool collates comments from web surfers worldwide

It's very common these days for websites to host comment and forum sections, allowing visitors to have their say in response to content or to communicate with one another.


However, commenting facilities Like these are by no means universal and where they do exist, moderation or other usage
limitations may be in place. Google Sidewiki bypasses these ii by attaching its own commenting and communication systerr any website. In this way, Sidewiki users can contribute additi comments or communicate with each other, even if a website doesn't itself offer such facilities. Here's how to get started.

Firefox. By following this Workshop your browser will have both Google Toolbar and Sidewiki installed. Launch a web browser, click once in the Address or Location bar, replace what's there with Jsidewiki and press Enter. When the Sidewiki home page appears, left-click once on the Install Google Toolbar with Sidewiki button.

The checkbox below as per your preference (we suggest remo\ both ticks) and then click the Accept and Downl button. When the File Download dialogue box appears, click Say and choose a location to store the setup file - the Windows Deskt is always a good bet. The download is just 2MB, so won't take v( long to complete. When finished, locate and double-click the setl file (called 'GoogleToolbarlnstaller _ en32 _signed.exe'). If a Security Warning dialogue box appears just click Run.

When complete, the web browser will restart with the Google Toolbar in place. A Google 'Thank you' message will be displayed the first time: clear this by clicking OK. A second message will appear to ask if'enhanced features' should be enabled in Google Toolbar: as this is a requirement to run Sidewiki, click the Enable enhanced features button.

Sidewiki is now ready to roll. As noted, Google Toolbar is also installed but won't be our focus here. For more help on
using Google Toolbar itself, on the toolbar click the small down-pointing arrow alongside the spanner icon and choose Google Toolbar Help from the dropdown menu. To see how Sidewiki works, start by visiting a popular website and then click the Sidewiki button on the Google Toolbar.

A Sidewiki panel will appear on the left-hand side of the browser window. If other Sidewiki users have already commented about the visited website, a 'Read entries' link will appear at the foot ofthis column - just click it. As the BBC home page is very popular, lots of comments have indeed already been made.

The right of the Sidewiki pane to scroll through the main 'page' of comments, or click the Previous and Next links to explore more. Note that the comments on tbe opening Sidewiki page will either be there through luck of timing (ie the first comment to be made), or because other Sidewiki users have voted them 'useful' comments. To cast a worthiness vote on a comment, first click to highlight the comment and then click ei!her Yes or No alongside the 'Useful?' label.

The 'Create an account now' link just below the main sign-in form and follow the prompts. Back in the Sidewiki pane, click the 'Sign in to write an entry' link, enter your Google account details and click the Sign in button. Type a title and comment into the boxes provided, altering or removing your name should you wish to remain anonymous.

Other Sidewiki user who visits the home page fron now will be about to read our comment. Remember, this comment is stored by Google, not the BBC. It will be viewable only to other Sidewiki users. Want to spread your pearl of wisdom further? Click the Share link below the comment and choose onl of the communication options. Alternatively, click Edit to make changes or, to remove.

The behaviour ofSidewiki. To see these, click the down- pointing arrow alongside the Sidewiki button on the Google Toolbar and choose Sidewiki Options. Click to place ticks in the 'Enable notification bar' and 'Show notification .. .' checkboxes and, whenever you visit a page with Sidewiki entries, a small bar will appear in the web browser window to let you know.

We've visited a new website that has Sidewiki entries. A bar has appeared on the left-hand side ofthe screen. Ifwe click the small right-pointing chevron the Sidewiki pane will sweep into view. Similarly, the pane can be made to vanish by clicking this same chevron. To disable the Google Toolbar (and Sidewiki with it), click the View menu, point to Toolbars and then click to remove the tick alongside Google Toolbar.