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It's no good looking great if your sofa gives you a numb bum, is it? Kiss. Kiss.

Web Watch: 5 February 2008

Sealed with a kiss

by Jacqueline Alexander

There is an acronym which, when expanded, creates a wise maxim for anyone thinking about doing, well, anything. It's a saying that benefits all who adhere to it so, if you don't know it already, let me be the first to introduce you to this, once heard, never forgotten, phrase.

KISS, popularly translated to Keep It Simple, Stupid, answers to its own demands. It is also a variant of the wise words of Albert Einstein who is reported to have said, 'everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler'. Both Mr Einstein and the author of this short, not so sweet, acronym knew what they were talking about and anyone who veers from this path of righteousness does so at their peril.

I mention this only because this week's featured web site should be brilliant. Pre-launch, it ticked many of the boxes that indicate a big success is on the cards. The brains behind the site have re-emerged after successfully founding one of the web's early success stories, lastminute.com. A recent round of fundraising saw Ł5m being added to the budget of their latest project. The research and development seems to have been completed to a high standard and, judging by the continued popularity of home improvement shows, the audience is waiting with baited breath for a site that offers a comprehensive online service dedicated to interior design.

The strategy behind mydeco.com is to provide a complete resource to anyone on the verge of picking up a paintbrush. Whether that person wants to discover hidden talents in interior decoration or simply whitewash their loo, this site should be for them but, unfortunately, all is not what it seems at first glance.

Initially, I was over the moon to discover a fantastic 3D tool that allows you to plan, build, decorate and furnish a room to your own specification. With products available from over 500 different retailers, limited choice isn't a problem and it is fun to change the windows, doors, walls, furniture, fixtures and fittings. At least, it is for five minutes. Once you start changing the way you view your room and adding furniture from other sections of the site, the system goes pear-shaped. As I tried, several times, to complete my new luxurious, contemporary bedroom, the site rebelled. I was pretty sure the system hadn't taken exception to my eclectic taste in furniture but I wasn't so sure the fault didn't lie with my computer. To confirm my suspicions, I relocated to another office and set to work on rebuilding my room. I pressed on with task in hand only to be thwarted again as I was about to place a rather lovely French Bergere chair next to my newly painted sash windows. Somewhat frustrated, I decided perhaps this system, whilst an excellent idea, is a little ahead of its time.

Assuming you have more success with the 3D visualisation tool, you stand to make a bit of money from your dream room. Completed designs can be added to the gallery and should someone want to buy your chosen furniture or fittings, and they make that decision whilst in your room, you will receive a commission on the sale. Most goods seem to offer around 3% but the smallprint suggests more is available on selected items.

If the idea of online decorating brings you out in hives, other areas of the site offer you the opportunity to talk about your condition or, more importantly, the condition of your house. The DIY therapists are on tap in the chat forum - a feature that seems obligatory these days - and you are invited to discuss your problems and air your grievances. I didn't dare set foot in this area as my frustration was still bubbling just under the surface of my half painted boudoir.

Once you have swapped notes on the subtle difference between the Drummond and Ladybird shades of red, you can browse through articles written by the experts or have a nose at the latest ideas from hotels and restaurants. The site is not yet complete so there is the promise of more to come; kitchens and bathrooms are currently missing and I am sure more features will be added as the relationship between the site and its audience builds.

Unfortunately, if you experience the same problems as I did, this relationship-building is going to take a while. In theory, mydeco.com is a great idea but I am not convinced it will serve its audience well in practice. Not yet, anyway. The problem with the 3D tool needs to be addressed but, even with this feature fully functional, the site still fails to adhere to Mr Einstein's aforementioned principle. There's simply too much going on. And, when choosing a sofa, the one thing I want to do before parting with my hard-earned cash is sit in it. It's no good looking great if it gives you a numb bum, is it? Kiss. Kiss.

www.mydeco.com

Jacqueline Alexander presents Web Watch every Tuesday at 5.45pm on BBC Radio Berkshire on 104.1FM, 104.4FM, 95.4FM, 94.6FM and DAB Digital Radio. To listen in, just visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/berkshire.

What is Web Watch?

Web Watch is broadcast on BBC Radio Berkshire, published in the Henley and South Oxon Standard and published online right here at web-watch.info.

As a cross-media project, Web Watch is designed to help you find the best sites here on the Internet.

You can catch Web Watch on air every Tuesday at 5.45pm when Jacqueline Alexander sits down with Phil Kennedy during the Drivetime show on BBC Radio Berkshire to chew the virtual fat.