Ma.gnolia is a social bookmarking website with an emphasis on community. It has an attractive layout that is easy to read, but there are a few issues with web usability that can confuse first-time users and frustrate experienced users.
As social bookmarking sites go, Ma.gnolia does a fine job at storing bookmarks, but isn't the best website for searching through public bookmarks. Instead, the focus is put on joining groups and becoming part of the Ma.gnolia community, which Ma.gnolia does well by allowing personal messages and public discussions.
- Store bookmarks with a click of the button
- Attractive layout
- Good community features
- Startup tutorial for new users is lacking in fundamentals
- Poor web usability in areas
- Save and organize your bookmarks
- Search through public bookmarks
- Join groups and engage in discussions
Ma.gnolia is not the best choice for users new to social bookmarking websites. The signup process is simple and straightforward, and they do allow users to sign in using an OpenID account, which is nice. However, the tutorial new users are greeted with does not contain information on adding a button to the browser's toolbar. Instead, users are invited to visit the help section.
The website does contain a nice tutorial on social bookmarking, so there is help available, it is just not given to the user at signup, forcing the user to go find it themselves.
As for usability and layout, the interface is clean and simple. It is not as plain as some other social bookmarking sites, which is nice. But there are a few web usability issues with the interface.
For example, it can be confusing on how to search through public bookmarks. You must click on the "more options" beside the search box to see the drop-down list allowing you to search through public bookmarks. Also, after you search through the public bookmarks, this drop-down box resets to searching through your private list forcing you to go back and re-choose to search through public bookmarks.
Despite these issues, Ma.gnolia offers a good service for those that want to become more involved in the social aspects of bookmarking. Joining groups is an easy process, and the ability to start discussions and send private messages helps connect people together.
Another nice feature of Ma.gnolia is its ability to store a copy of the website, which can be handy since websites can change or even disappear completely.
