May
10
2010
10
2010
Google’s new UI contrasted to Yahoo’s
Take a look at the new Google UI:
See anything familiar? Inspired by this Inc. Post on Google’s similarity to Yahoo, I compared both search engines’ search results page on one image above, and the results are quite surprising.
Similarities:
- the “Show All” functionality in the upper left corner
- the Related Searches feature (called “something different” on google, ironically)
- Similar number of sponsored links above organic search results – Why the same shade of color? Who copied who first?
- Sponsored links in right hand area
- Link +text color. I understand that Blue links on white background can be more Accessible. But I don’t understand why both chose to use the same green to color the end URL
Differences:
- Interestingly, Yahoo chooses to use bold in different ways, they bold both the exact search terms and the domain name URLs, whereas Google bolds the original search terms and closely associated search terms.
- Yahoo places a version of their suggested searches “Also try:…” above the sponsored results box. I think this is very beneficial for most users, whereas Google has probably more sophisticated search tools, they are somewhat hidden on the left hand side. Need to click on “more search tools” to access them all.
- Others?
These are just a quick comparison, at surface level of these two tools. The overall value that I see from Yahoo’s search is aimed toward the mass market searcher. When my non-technical mother asks what search engine to use, I tell her Yahoo. However, I use google on a daily basis because they gave me powerful search techniques in the late 90’s and I’ve been stuck on them ever since.
Apr
28
2010
28
2010
Facebook is leaving Google in the dust
There was a startling statistic on imedia connection today, and it reported that Facebook has surpassed Google in it’s share of all web traffic. The reason? Of course the addictive, interactive nature of facebook and the nature itself: a informal place for friends, with minimal distractions other than facebook’s own ways to interact.
Google should be concerned.
May
22
2009
22
2009
Gizmo5 Business Class VOIP – will they grab Skype’s business customers?
I just received an email about a new service aimed toward small businesses. Basically the offer is for a PBX based phone system with unlimited calling. A great offer that I have not seen anywhere else, and seems like it really zeros in on the missing niche audiences that Skype is not going after.
VirtualPBX handles the call routing (internal to the company) for a monthly fee using standard PBX technology, and Gizmo5 handles the transmission of the phone call over normal telephone networks. Their focus on business customers is very smart as I don’t believe Skype has a similar offering. Skype’s business offering has just been the consumer offering with one or two more features. Gizmo5’s package really focuses on the need for businesses to have a robust internal phone system and their desire to minimize costs. Great idea. Hope to see more of this in the future.
Apr
28
2009
28
2009
Harvard can’t handle traffic spikes
Just now I am trying to login to hear the webcast describing Wolfram Alpha, the new search engine that is being developed that may rival Google. Harvard’s Berman Center for Internet & Society is using quicktime to webcast the event, and apple’s quicktime seems to be failing. It’s too bad the minds up in Boston could not figure out how to handle predictable spikes like this one.
From the screenshot below, it might even be a lack of bandwidth at Harvard’s discretion. They should have setup a MediaTemple account.
Apr
22
2009
22
2009
Great cloud analytics mashup
YouCalc is a great new startup that seeks to provide easy to use analytics displays that will bring different views together on your choice of platforms: Google Apps, Salesforce, SugarCRM, etc.
There are probably bugs to be ironed out, but the initial spirit here is very encouraging.
Apr
21
2009
21
2009
Best social media search engine
search.popurls.com This has got to be one of the best social media search engines around. It not only consolidates reddit, yahoo buzz and other social media websites, but it also provides a side by side view of a Twitter search for that term. Very useful if you do any product searches, or are doing a “buzz scan” on popular topics.
Apr
20
2009
20
2009
Never lose your dog again
After a co-worker had a 5-day ordeal tracking down her dog, I thought there must be better ways of locating a lost dog in this day and age. She had signed up for the implanted license technology that allows a vet to scan the dog’s shoulder and retrieve the rightful owner’s information. However this technology does not work if the dog is not directed to a veterinarian or shelter. Some quick searches later, and I was very impressed to learn that Garmin and other companies have come out with GPS-based tools to tag your pet, and monitor their location if they fly the coop.
I think the Garmin unit above looks a little weird, with that extremely long antenna… Maybe it’s the best in class – but this PetSafe Unit looks to be a tad but more stylish.
And doing a sort on Amazon’s best selling units, the RoamEO Pet Location System seems to be the most popular.
Apr
20
2009
20
2009
Mobile digital TV – Complete list of Cities?
After hearing of the decision to make Washington D.C. the first city to receive the new Mobile digital TV technology, I was wondering when DTV would be coming to my neck of the woods as well. Finding a complete list of the 22 cities that will receive dTV in 2009 is proving elusive, however, I did find one website which provides a somewhat reliable list. My only question is : Why isn’t Austin on this list? We have more engineers outside Silicon Valley than you can shake a stick at !! Dell, AMD, etc. Birthplace of SXSW… In fact, if SXSW rolls around next year, the major operators will definitely be hearing from the well connected to make this happen.
http://www.marketingshift.com/2009/1/smaller-markets-omvc-mobile-dtv.cfm
“Half of the cities included are no surprise, because they’re among the top 10 in the U.S, however there were comparatively-small markets that will be included in the first rollout of Mobilel DTV Broadcasting.
Middle-sized metros with participating stations include:
- Orlando- ABC, NBC
- Tampa- Ion,NBC, PBS
- Charlotte- ABC,CBS,NBC
- Columbus- ABC,CBS, CW,FOX,NBC
- Milwaukee- CW, MyNet
- Greenville- ABC, CBS, MyNet
- Norfolk- NBC, MyNet, PBS
- Providence- CBS, NBC
- Mobile- ABC,CW, MyNet
- Roanoke- CBS,NBC, PBS
- Toledo- CBS,FOX
The usual suspects include:
- Atlanta- ABC, CBS, Ion, PBS
- Baltimore- ABC, FOX, CW
- Boston- Ion, NBC, PBS
- Chicago- Fox, Ion, PBS
- Denver- Ion, PBS
- Detroit- ABC,NBC, PBS
- New York- Ion, NBC, PBS
- Philadelphia-Ion, NBC, PBS
- San Francisco- Fox, Ion
- Seattle-ABC, CBS, NBC
- Washington D.C-.Ion, NBC, PBS“
Looking at the rest of the cities, they are concentrated mostly in the Northeast and Southeastern U.S. I think the closest city to us is two states away in Denver! If anyone can explain this initial roll out list, I’d love to learn more.
