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Friday, August 26, 2005

Google Rolls Out Desktop Search 2

This past Monday, Google rolled out a new beta version of its widely acknowledge desktop search software, offering features such as integration with Outlook, a sidebar with nifty widgets to display photos, headlines and much more. After taking a few moments to actually sit and play around with the product, I would have to say that Google has definitely out-done its rival Microsoft in the desktop search battle.

For more information Microsoft's desktop search tool, please review my past entry titled "MSN Release Desktop Search."

The Google software contains three major components:

Outlook Toolbar: This is an embedded toolbar and allows users to search through their email without actually leaving Outlook.

Sidebar: This is a window page that is designed to automatically update itself based on users' interests, as expressed by the Web sites they visit, with little or no manual configuration. Among its many windows, Sidebar offers the scratch pad tool, weather data, news, RSS and Atom feeds from the Web, links to open browser windows and an e-mail preview.

Quick Find: A search feature which is designed to let users search the web, search and find files on their hard drives, and even launch applications.

One customizable option that I found truly enjoyable is the option that is given to the user as to where they would like to display main Deskbar. Users can either opt for a compact view, where the Deskbar sits in the Window's taskbar, or they can choose a "Floating Deskbar" option which will allow the tool to be dragged anywhere on the desktop. This is truly a feature that all can appreciate.

Overall, the Google Desktop is a new and easier way for users to gather the information they desire. With this move, Google no doubt has the folks over at Microsoft and Yahoo! very nervous as they continue to step deeper and deeper into territory currently held by Microsoft--which has its own notepad and search features--and Yahoo, with its My Yahoo personalization efforts.

Download Googles New Desktop (Beta) Tool

 posted by Karl Ribas
Friday, August 26, 2005
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Friday, August 19, 2005

SES Conference - San Jose

Hey all, sorry for the delay in my post. As I announced in my last entry, I was attending the Search Engine Strategies conference all last week and am now just getting caught up.

The conference itself, if you haven't already heard, was truly remarkable. This years show featured a couple new tracks as well as several new sessions which ranged everywhere from analyzing search algorithms based on search engine patents to a discussion where panelist shared some of their most valuable search engine related tools.

The expo hall was a real treat as well. It featured more vendors (compared to Decembers show in Chicago) and even a few that I was unaware of until there SES debut. Needless to say that I flew away with mountains of information and ideas to test and plan for future projects... which usually happens with me after attending these types of shows.

Other Highlights of my trip:

Yahoo!'s Search Night Off - Yahoo! declared that Monday night would be "Search Night Off" and even went on to host a fun filled evening with food, drinks, and yes... even roller coasters. That's right, roller coasters! Yahoo! went that extra step and rented out Paramount's 6 flags Great America and invited SES attendees to join in on the fun. I of course could not resist and was one of the many who attended.

Google Dance 2005 - On Tuesday night, Google was kind enough to invite everyone on over to their pad for a little gathering known as the annual Google Dance. Its nothing too fancy... it's just your basic backyard barbeque. Yeah... not really. In my opinion (and that's the only one that counts on this blog), Google not only remains the number one search engine on the Internet, but they also throw the best SES evening parties. Image you average everyday patio party... now imagine it for about 1, 000 or so people and on Google's budget. Very Nice!

Webmaster Radio's Search Bash - As if 2 long nights weren't enough, try waking up on time after a third and after attending the Webmaster Radio's Search Bash. I was a true walking zombie. Webmaster Radio, among other sponsors, hosted a party at San Jose's :Studio 8." This was your basic "club" scene with flashy lights, loud techno-style music, and a full bar and dance floor. If you're ever looking for a good time... take a bunch of Search Engine Marketers, add in some alcohol, throw them into an environment with loud music, and stand back to watch. Very entertaining!

Yahoo! Store Developers Meeting - Just like last year, after the SES show ended on Thursday I jumped into a car with fellow All Webbers Michael Roebuck and Kelly Wilson, along with a few other designers, and headed for Yahoo!. After about a half hour of shopping in the gift shop, we were invited behind closed-doors to get a quick peak at a couple of Yahoo! Stores future projects and then out for a few drinks with the developing team. Truly a great time. YAHOOOOO!!!!

San Francisco - On Friday Michael, Kelly and I took a train up to San Francisco for the day. Nothing to big as it was just your normal tourist-type activities. We stopped by SBC Field (home of the San Francisco Giants) and then moved on to Fisherman's Wharf for a little shopping, sight seeing including a boat ride in the bay, and of course clam chowder.

All in all... a great trip. If your interested, I have created a page with a few of my SES photos. You can check them out here: www.karlribas.com/pictures-ses-aug-05.htm. Enjoy!

 posted by Karl Ribas
Friday, August 19, 2005
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Friday, August 05, 2005

Yahoo! Makes 'Sense' of AdSense

This past week, Yahoo! officially launched (BETA - US only) its long-awaited self-service contextual ad network. Much like Google's AdSense, this program will extend the reach of paid listings through small and mid-sized publishers as well as provide website publishers a fast and easy way to display relevant Yahoo! ads on their website's content pages... and earn money while doing so.

The network, which has been expected to launch for months now, will complement Yahoo!'s existing network of larger publishers, including CNN, ESPN, and NBC. Up to 2,000 publishers will be invited to join the beta test, with a full launch expected by the end of the year. This makes sense to me. By helping the broader publishing community maximize the value of their sites, Yahoo! is aiming to create an even more rewarding Internet experience for publishers, advertisers and users.

It's fair to say that this is not just Yahoo! trying to cash in on another Google idea. This is not another Google Adsense. This is a Yahoo! venture that pays attention to quality of sites in the network, strives for openness in its policies, and offers advertisers more control... which are several of the issues marketers have raised about Google's network.

With the launch of Yahoo!'s new ad network, advertisers will no doubt benefit from increased competition in an area that has been ruled by Google, and publishers will have another revenue-generating option for their sites.

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Just as an off-subject reminder, Its once again time for SES conference to make its way over to San Jose California... which is where I will be all next week. To me, the San Jose show is like the "Super Bowl" of SES shows, seeing how almost every major Internet company seems to reside near by. Hopefully I will have time to drop by and visit with Yahoo! and Google again... last year was a blast!

Oh, I just remembered that I may or may not be blogging next week. I figure if I come across some down-time I may be posting then, but looking back at my previous experiences... I will have no such down-time and will be resuming the following week. What I do know is that I will definitely have plenty to blog about. Until next time....

 posted by Karl Ribas
Friday, August 05, 2005

                        

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