Information Systems: Jason's Web Site Tips:
I use three computers and multiple browsers... How can I manage my bookmarks effectively?

April  11th, 2008
By Jason Levy

Bookmarks have been around since the dawn of the internet, dating back to the Mosaic browser in 1993.  It was a great feature that allowed users to store and catalog web page locations and retrieve them later.  It is hard to comprehend surfing the internet and not having our handy bookmarks within a simple mouse click.  In 1993, it wasn't uncommon to spend $2,000 for a computer, so it wasn't likely you would need to manage bookmarks on more than one computer.  As time passed, computers became less expensive, internet cafes opened, and computer labs became common place in libraries and colleges.

Ok, so here's the problem and perhaps you can relate - at work I have one computer, at home I have two desktops and a laptop (don't ask why I have so many computers).  Wherever I sit, I always seem to need a bookmark I created on another computer.  See the screen shots below.
Bookmarks (aka "Favorites" in Internet Explorer) Bookmarks in FireFox

You have a few options to manage your bookmarks across multiple computers, and they are all free.  There are many more alternatives than the three I am listing below, but for simplicity sake, I am referencing the three I believe will be the most helpful to you.  Although, I recommend that you only use one suggestion listed below. Otherwise, you are back to the same problem of managing bookmarks at several locations!

  • Visit Netvouz (www.netvouz.com).  After you create an account, you have the ability to import bookmarks from your computer.  Initially, you will need to log into your account from each computer, with each browser (Internet Explorer, FireFox, Opera, etc...), then follow the instructions to import your bookmarks.  In the end you will use this web site solely to manage your bookmarks.  It is a cool feature because you can access your bookmarks from any computer in the world.  The web site is kind of plain in my opinion, but it gets the job done.  You also have the ability to tag your bookmarks "public" and share them with friends, family, or anybody!  Be cautious with this option!

  • Yahoo Toolbar - Do you have a Yahoo email address?  Even if you don't, you can create an account and install the Yahoo toolbar.  Then you can follow relatively simple steps to import your bookmarks.  More details can be found here --> http://us.config.toolbar.yahoo.com/toolbar/features/bookmarks/index.php?intl=us

    I personally like the Yahoo toolbar and have been using it for years.  It offers more than just bookmarking (weather, airport information, sports scores, along with security features to prevent pop-ups and spyware, plus more...), but I'll let you read up on this if you are interested.

  • Google Toolbar - The Google toolbar is very similar to Yahoo's toolbar and also a great place to manage your bookmarks.  More information can be found here --> http://toolbar.google.com/T4/index_pack_xp.html

Centralizing and organizing your bookmarks in one place allows you to access them from anywhere in the world.  It is also noteworthy to mention that if your computer crashes, and your hard drive has bit the dust, you can sleep well knowing your bookmarks will still be available!

Please feel free to contact me with questions.
Good luck!
Jason