A lucky few users got to test out Yahoo’s new home page last week. One of the key changes is the added ability to log into third party email accounts such as Gmail directly from start page. The new page also lets users add RSS feeds, both Yahoo-branded and otherwise, to their page. A widespread release of the new Yahoo start page has not been announced.Yahoo is not the only web-based service currently in the redesigning business. Twitter is also planning an aesthetic overhaul as well. The new Twitter features a revamped color customization tool, the removal of the Archive tab, and several general usability tweaks. Several more features, such as easy access to Twitter Search, will be added in future updates. The Twitter team is also asking users for their opinions. All you have to do is send them a message starting with “@Twitter.”

The mobile edition of Google Maps received a huge update last week. Maps users now have the ability to access Google’s Street View technology directly from their phones. Google has also added a so-called “walking mode,” allowing users to get directions that are optimized for foot travel. The new Google Maps for Mobile  is available now for most Java-equipped phones and Blackberry devices.

Elsewhere, Mac and Linux users who want to try Google Chrome have a reason to be happy, thanks to CodeWeavers. The compatibility kingpins have officially released Crossover Chromium, a Chrome derivative designed to operate on non-Windows operating systems. Built upon the venerable Windows emulator WINE, Chromium is said to have all of the functionality of its bigger brother, sans the auto-updater. While it isn’t meant to be a replacement for the real thing, Chromium is great for those who want to take Google’s browser for an early spin. Unlike most CodeWeavers projects, Crossover Chromium is completely free.

Sonia Simone of Copyblogger has seven great tips for people who need a little help writing their blogs. According to Simone, the trick is to look at your blog as a garden. Each idea in said garden s a seed. Spend time with each idea, and make sure that each idea is properly thought out. As the idea grows beyond a couple of paragraphs, more ideas could be added. In time, she writes, you’ll have a blog that is not only interesting, but actually fun to work on as well.