Marshall Kirkpatrick at Read/Write Web has a scathing review of the Google Nonprofit Widget Builder. "Google Stiffs Nonprofits, Launches Second Rate Widget Builder." I'm battling a second rate washing machine from Kenmore right now, so I didn't actually put my hands on it. Marshall says there is little customization and no customization. He suggests checking out the easy to use SproutBuilder instead.
Are nonprofits spoiled children? Anyone have a different take on the Google Nonprofit Widget Builder?
On a side note, the crappy customer service I'm getting from Sears/Kenmore and my attempts at live broadcasting of the repairman visit (it isn't his fault - he's a good repairman with good people skills -- it was the fact the guy who was scheduled to come out got really sick and they still scheduled him and canceled him 3 times in a row!). Chris Brogan has a good piece on customer service and different channels.
While I'm writing this, the repairman just called me over and told me he had some bad news. It seems like the first repair person - a month ago - misdiagnosed the problem and I need another part that is no longer standard stock on the truck. This guy is good though - he put in a emergency request. Well, never thought I'd be airing my dirty laundry or that washing machine would be a web appliance.
The Google widget builder is great if you just want a Google gadget. I don't know that it's Google's responsibility to build a complete end-to-end solution for non-profit widgets. There are plenty of other great services out there for non-profits, including my latest favorite Clearspring.
And Marshall's criticism about Google App Engine providing scaling for profit orgs is off base. Google App Engine provides scaling for anyone that signs up for it, profit or non-profit alike. Just because the widget offerings don't provide the same level of scaling doesn't mean that they're giving non-profits a bad deal. Just means that their widget offerings aren't necessarily ready for prime time.
I'm not saying that the Google widget builder is great - it has plenty of limitations. I just don't think that Google is trying to stiff non-profits. Seems like they're just playing catch up in the market and haven't gotten to first-in-class yet.
Posted by: Kevin Conroy | April 10, 2008 at 07:13 AM
And I wonder why Donna's picture is showing up next to my e-mail. Weird!
Posted by: Kevin Conroy | April 10, 2008 at 07:14 AM