Widgenie, the “all powerful data visualizer,” from LogiXML, Inc. takes data from a variety of sources and allows users to create visuals using various types of widgets (mostly in chart form). Widgenie then takes the charts and provides users different ways to share them, from embedding them in blog posts or comments, to publishing them in Facebook, iGoogle, WordPress or a user’s own web site.
Although Widgenie is still in beta, the tool can create six different types of widgets from uploaded data in Microsoft Excel and Comma-Separated Values (CSV) spreadsheets. Widgets include:tabular, animated line chart, animated bar chart, animated area chart, animated pie chart and text cloud widget. Users can even opt to use a URL instead of the six widget options offered.
The free tool also offers tracking for the popularity and usage of the widgets you create. Widgenie shows how many times the widgets are viewed and how many unique visitors are visiting.
Buzz Meter Ranking: 3 out of 4 Buzz Bees
Positive: The best feature about Widgenie is the concept of portable, online visuals. Knowing your uploaded data is accessible from any computer connected to the Internet and having it ready for use at any time is very convenient. I also enjoyed playing with the different options for presenting data. Visuals definitely make presentations and blog posts more interesting and enticing.
Negative: Right after I signed up to use the beta, it said that my password was wrong and I had to change it when I finally had access to my account. One feature I did not agree with was the text cloud widget. I created a mini cloud of just the first five letters of the alphabet and instead of having different text sized letters, they were just different colors.
Conclusion: I predict that the makers of Widgenie will be able to bring out the full potential of this tool. I applaud the creators for making it so easy to use. After getting all of the kinks out of the beta, I envision Widgenie to be a common tool for business pros and social media gurus.
One Trackback