Hi, I’m Matt Balara.I solve design problems with my head.

In the beginning, there was del.icio.us. Then Ma.gnolia came along like a primped and polished hussy and seduced me away. However after almost a year, I’ve freed myself from her clutches and my bookmarks and I are returning to my tasty long—lost love.

Just like most people who use browser based bookmarking services, I started with del.icio.us. I was impressed with the whole tagging thing, the wonderful way you could wander around by clicking all sorts people, tags and links, and the convenience of having my bookmarks here and there at the same time. But I never liked how it looked, and I’d always wanted a way to rate my links in the same way that you can rate you music in iTunes (yes, I’m one of those anal people who does that).

Then Zeldman wrote about the launch of Ma.gnolia. I took one look and wanted it. It looked good, it had cute little stars for rating links, and with photos and bios it gave me a feeling for the people who’re linking. Without packing my bags, I was off. And never looked back. Not at first anyway.

Sure, I’m fickle, at least with my web too oh apps. Although not deal-closers, as a designer (and anal iTunes rater type) things like a cozy design, some personality and cute little stars are convincing, especially when compared to the cold, hard minimalism that is (anything but) del.icio.us.

But the love affair is over. Ma.gnolia is simply slow. If there’s one thing a web too oh app can’t afford to be, it’s slow. I’ve tried turning a blind eye (“But the stars are so cute! And that logo!”) but there’s no denying it, Ma.gnolia is a drag.

The most common way for me to save a bookmark is on the side: while working, writing here, reading email, &c. I need to click somewhere, type a tag or two, and be outta there. By the time the Ma.gnolia posting window even opens I’ve forgotten what it was I wanted to link. And that’s besides the fact that the script which shows my Ma.gnolia links over there in the left column quadruples the loading time for this page.

For now I’m in a transfer phase, while I immigrate links and change my WordPress code, but Ma.gnolia is definitely on the outs. It’s done, del.ici.ous bookmarks have now replaced Mag.nolia in the left column. Another plus for del.ici.ous: their linkrolls are far easier to install and more configurable than those at Mag.nolia. But as I said, I’m fickle. If anyone out there notices a marked speed upgrade over at Ma.gnolia, don’t hesitate to let me know. Maybe by then I’ll be in need of cozy again. And those stars!

Where do your bookmarks live?