Forbes.com: Google Loses French Trademark Appeal: " French appeals court upheld a ruling against Google's advertising policy in a decision published Wednesday, ordering the Internet search engine to pay euro75,000 (US$100,300) in damages to two companies whose trademarks it infringed.
The court in Versailles, west of Paris, found that Google Inc. was guilty of 'trademark counterfeiting' and ordered it to pay the damages originally awarded to French travel companies Luteciel and Viaticum, as well as costs.
The companies' founder, Fabrice Dariot, filed the suit because Google users carrying out searches on the names of their registered trademarks including 'Bourse des Vols' - which means 'Flights Marketplace' - were offered ads for rival companies such as low-cost airline easyJet. "
Thursday, March 17, 2005
Friday, March 11, 2005
Google Responds to Cloaking Accusations
eweek.com
Report summarises this issue which has been rumbling around all week: "Google has taken the unusual step of removing some of its own Web pages from its Web index after reports that the pages used a search-optimization method frowned upon by the search engine.
Search-engine watchers this week widely noted the appearance of so-called 'cloaking' on a set of user support pages on Google's AdWords advertising program. The pages were displaying different title information to Google's Web crawler than to regular visitors to the pages."
Report summarises this issue which has been rumbling around all week: "Google has taken the unusual step of removing some of its own Web pages from its Web index after reports that the pages used a search-optimization method frowned upon by the search engine.
Search-engine watchers this week widely noted the appearance of so-called 'cloaking' on a set of user support pages on Google's AdWords advertising program. The pages were displaying different title information to Google's Web crawler than to regular visitors to the pages."
Thursday, March 10, 2005
Google personalises news site
This feature emphasises Google's user centric focus and is a move to let users organise search results according to their own criteria rather than by algorithmic determined ranking (or date in the case of news.)
This raises the question of when and how they will launch personalisation of the main index search results and how this will impact on search engine optimisation?
CNET News.com reports that: "Google began testing new customization features on its news aggregation site Wednesday in a salvo against competition from Microsoft...
Google's News: FAQ: "What is customized news?""We've made a number of improvements to Google News that allow you to customize your News front page by creating sections that focus on topics you care about, for instance, your favorite sports team, technology, or celebrity... "You can also design your custom front page by mixing and matching existing standard sections from the 22 regional editions of Google News from around the globe."
This raises the question of when and how they will launch personalisation of the main index search results and how this will impact on search engine optimisation?
CNET News.com reports that: "Google began testing new customization features on its news aggregation site Wednesday in a salvo against competition from Microsoft...
Google's News: FAQ: "What is customized news?""We've made a number of improvements to Google News that allow you to customize your News front page by creating sections that focus on topics you care about, for instance, your favorite sports team, technology, or celebrity... "You can also design your custom front page by mixing and matching existing standard sections from the 22 regional editions of Google News from around the globe."
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
Google Search: adds weather feature
Google Search: weather palo alto, ca: "2 results stored on your computer - Hide - About
Google adds Weather feature - en q=weather palo alto%2C ca btnG - 10:56am
Google Web Search Features - 165 University Ave Palo Alto CA) in the - Nov 29"
Google adds Weather feature - en q=weather palo alto%2C ca btnG - 10:56am
Google Web Search Features - 165 University Ave Palo Alto CA) in the - Nov 29"
Monday, March 07, 2005
Google desktop search out of beta
CNET News.com: "Google has introduced a full version of its desktop-search software, with a developer's kit and support for the Firefox and Netscape browsers."
LSI - latent semantic indexing according to Google
Google Groups : SEM 2.0: "Google says...
Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI) is a novel, patented information
retrieval method developed at Telcordia Technologies, Inc. By using
statistical algorithms, LSI can retrieve relevant documents even when
they do not share any words with a query. LSI uses these statistically
derived 'concepts' to improve search performance by up to 30%.
http://lsi.research.telcordia.�com/ "
Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI) is a novel, patented information
retrieval method developed at Telcordia Technologies, Inc. By using
statistical algorithms, LSI can retrieve relevant documents even when
they do not share any words with a query. LSI uses these statistically
derived 'concepts' to improve search performance by up to 30%.
http://lsi.research.telcordia.�com/ "
Friday, March 04, 2005
Reviews of listed businesses added to Google local search results
MediaPost
Google has added reviews of listed businesses to local search results, in addition to the recently integrated interactive maps.
Shankar Gupta writes:
"The reviews are pulled from other sites, such as CitySearch.com, Gayot.com, and Amazon.com. They include both editorial critiques and user opinions culled from those sites. But, unlike AOL and Yahoo!, Google does not offer users the chance to post their own reviews directly to the search site. In addition to reviews and maps, Google offers other information gleaned from sites it has indexed, such as business hours, payment types accepted, WiFi availability, restaurant menus, amenities, and even inspection data from the Department of Health's Web site. This most recent set of upgrades to Google's search offering is representative of the high-speed development of the local search area,
Google has added reviews of listed businesses to local search results, in addition to the recently integrated interactive maps.
Shankar Gupta writes:
"The reviews are pulled from other sites, such as CitySearch.com, Gayot.com, and Amazon.com. They include both editorial critiques and user opinions culled from those sites. But, unlike AOL and Yahoo!, Google does not offer users the chance to post their own reviews directly to the search site. In addition to reviews and maps, Google offers other information gleaned from sites it has indexed, such as business hours, payment types accepted, WiFi availability, restaurant menus, amenities, and even inspection data from the Department of Health's Web site. This most recent set of upgrades to Google's search offering is representative of the high-speed development of the local search area,
Google tech deals with hardware failure
CNET News.com
Article covers hardware and programming used by Google... "Google's secret of success? Dealing with failure...The technical wizardry behind Google's successful search engine may come down to a blindingly obvious insight: PCs crash"
Article covers hardware and programming used by Google... "Google's secret of success? Dealing with failure...The technical wizardry behind Google's successful search engine may come down to a blindingly obvious insight: PCs crash"
Quirky rant about spam
Spam for the soul: "Roy Rivenburg, Times Staff Writer
Who would have dreamed that spam holds the keys to enlightenment? Like many ignorant humans, I used to consider junk e-mail a nuisance. But once I opened my mind as well as my inbox, I discovered an amazing truth: All I really need to know I learned from those weird proverbs and quotations in spam messages.
A few examples:
'Never play leapfrog with a unicorn...."
Who would have dreamed that spam holds the keys to enlightenment? Like many ignorant humans, I used to consider junk e-mail a nuisance. But once I opened my mind as well as my inbox, I discovered an amazing truth: All I really need to know I learned from those weird proverbs and quotations in spam messages.
A few examples:
'Never play leapfrog with a unicorn...."
Google: A $50 Billion "One-Trick Pony"?
www.businessweek.com
Ben Elgin asks if Google's focus on text based advertising, key to it's success, could also prove to be it's downfall
"Google remains almost entirely dependent for growth on search -- a business that's poised to slow... Its focus on Web-searching -- an increasingly limited arena -- may be blinding it to big opportunities elsewhere"
Ben Elgin asks if Google's focus on text based advertising, key to it's success, could also prove to be it's downfall
"Google remains almost entirely dependent for growth on search -- a business that's poised to slow... Its focus on Web-searching -- an increasingly limited arena -- may be blinding it to big opportunities elsewhere"
Saturday, February 19, 2005
Google gets dodgy - new toolbar feature slated
CNET News.com
"Google's browser toolbar is raising eyebrows over a feature that inserts new hyperlinks in Web pages, giving the Internet search provider a powerful tool to funnel traffic to destinations of its choice. "
"Google's browser toolbar is raising eyebrows over a feature that inserts new hyperlinks in Web pages, giving the Internet search provider a powerful tool to funnel traffic to destinations of its choice. "
Google insiders make millions on sales
marketwatch.com
"It was a sweet Valentine's Day for Google insiders, who collected billions in stock sales this week following the last big lockup expiration after the company's initial public offering six months ago, according to regulatory filings."
"It was a sweet Valentine's Day for Google insiders, who collected billions in stock sales this week following the last big lockup expiration after the company's initial public offering six months ago, according to regulatory filings."
Friday, February 18, 2005
Google blazes trail to Oregon
CNET News.com Google has bought 30 acres of land from the Port Authority of The Dalles, Oregon, for a new technology infrastructure facility, the Web search giant said Thursday.
Saturday, February 12, 2005
Google to host some Wikimedia projects."
Google hosting - From Meta; discussion about Wikimedia projects
"Google Inc. has made a proposal to host some of the content of the Wikimedia projects.
The terms of the offer are currently being discussed by the board. The developer committee has been informed of some of the details via email. A private IRC meeting with Google is planned for March, 2005.
Please note that this agreement does not mean there is any requirement for us to include advertising on the site."
"Google Inc. has made a proposal to host some of the content of the Wikimedia projects.
The terms of the offer are currently being discussed by the board. The developer committee has been informed of some of the details via email. A private IRC meeting with Google is planned for March, 2005.
Please note that this agreement does not mean there is any requirement for us to include advertising on the site."
Thursday, February 10, 2005
Google Blogger booted
Internet Daily Frank Barnako MarketWatch
"Postings to Mark Jen's blog, 99zeroes.blogspot.com, ended Jan. 27. On the Web log, he wrote about his work. An example: "I spend the bulk of my time thinking of new features or products that customers would want (read: stuff that I want) and then I organize people to build it. It's great!"
Jen's removal from the Google (GOOG: news, chart, profile) payroll was confirmed by a company representative, to Cnet. Jen's not the first person to lose a job because of blogging...
Bottom line: While Microsoft has shown itself to be tolerant and supportive of blogging by employees, Mark Jen apparently found his new bosses weren't quite so with it.
By the way, one of the tenets of Google's corporate philosophy is to encourage expression. "Democracy on the Web works," is how it's worded. Here's the rest of it."
"Postings to Mark Jen's blog, 99zeroes.blogspot.com, ended Jan. 27. On the Web log, he wrote about his work. An example: "I spend the bulk of my time thinking of new features or products that customers would want (read: stuff that I want) and then I organize people to build it. It's great!"
Jen's removal from the Google (GOOG: news, chart, profile) payroll was confirmed by a company representative, to Cnet. Jen's not the first person to lose a job because of blogging...
Bottom line: While Microsoft has shown itself to be tolerant and supportive of blogging by employees, Mark Jen apparently found his new bosses weren't quite so with it.
By the way, one of the tenets of Google's corporate philosophy is to encourage expression. "Democracy on the Web works," is how it's worded. Here's the rest of it."
Google Discusses Strategy With Analysts
Forbes.com
Google met withWall Street analysts "to review a wide range of topics, including their financial outlook.
Reflecting its iconoclastic culture, Google has banned its management from projecting profits - a policy that limited the disclosures made to the roomful of analysts who make the earnings estimates that influence the company's stock."
"Key points:
Google is likely to require its users to begin providing personal information to use some of its products and services,
Google executives operate under the assumption that 70 percent of the company's resources should be focused on its search engine, even though it accounted for virtually all the company's 2004 revenue of $3.2 billion. Another 20 percent of Google resources is devoted to search products, such as the shopping comparison site Froogle, and the remaining 10 percent is focused on experimental services, such as a three-dimensional mapping program called Keyhole and an online social networking site called Orkut.
Don't be surprised if many of Google's products, including its widely read compilation of recent news stories, remain in the test phase known as "beta" for as long as five years. Page said the "beta" tag is a sign that Google engineers still anticipate making significant improvements to the service.
A hiring spree that has added 2,300 employees in the last two years still hasn't been enough to satisfy Google's expansion plans. Google co-founder Sergey Brin said the company would like to hire employees at a more rapid rate, but has trouble finding enough applicants that meet its high standards.
Page downplayed recent media reports that the company is preparing to branch into new directions by introducing a Web browser, a service for registering Web domains and telephone service over the Internet. "Most of the things we read are a surprise to us," Page told analysts""
Google met withWall Street analysts "to review a wide range of topics, including their financial outlook.
Reflecting its iconoclastic culture, Google has banned its management from projecting profits - a policy that limited the disclosures made to the roomful of analysts who make the earnings estimates that influence the company's stock."
"Key points:
Google is likely to require its users to begin providing personal information to use some of its products and services,
Google executives operate under the assumption that 70 percent of the company's resources should be focused on its search engine, even though it accounted for virtually all the company's 2004 revenue of $3.2 billion. Another 20 percent of Google resources is devoted to search products, such as the shopping comparison site Froogle, and the remaining 10 percent is focused on experimental services, such as a three-dimensional mapping program called Keyhole and an online social networking site called Orkut.
Don't be surprised if many of Google's products, including its widely read compilation of recent news stories, remain in the test phase known as "beta" for as long as five years. Page said the "beta" tag is a sign that Google engineers still anticipate making significant improvements to the service.
A hiring spree that has added 2,300 employees in the last two years still hasn't been enough to satisfy Google's expansion plans. Google co-founder Sergey Brin said the company would like to hire employees at a more rapid rate, but has trouble finding enough applicants that meet its high standards.
Page downplayed recent media reports that the company is preparing to branch into new directions by introducing a Web browser, a service for registering Web domains and telephone service over the Internet. "Most of the things we read are a surprise to us," Page told analysts""
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Google Maps
Google Maps beta
Note local search and directions buttons...anyone fancy testing and comparing to Yahoo, mapquest and TT map providers if they provide similar for USA???
Goodbye Mapquest (by Jeremy Zawodny) who says little but gets lotsa comments...
Note local search and directions buttons...anyone fancy testing and comparing to Yahoo, mapquest and TT map providers if they provide similar for USA???
Goodbye Mapquest (by Jeremy Zawodny) who says little but gets lotsa comments...
Gizoogle - Fo all you beotches who wanna find shiznit
Gizoogle - Fo all you beotches who wanna find shiznit
Bootylicious Britain Total Travel Guide: Research, Plizzan & Book Hotels ...
Bootylicious Britain travel guide & directory of accommizzle & attractions wit photos, maps & transport 411 fo' England, Scotland & Wales. Book hotels, ride ...
www.totaltravel.co.uk/
Wales Travel Guide: Visitor Info & Accommodizzles Directory
Bootylicious Britain. Wales region guide. Tha country of Wales has always been fiercely independent. These days gangsta a gangsta of Welsh thugz ...
Bootylicious Britain Total Travel Guide: Research, Plizzan & Book Hotels ...
Bootylicious Britain travel guide & directory of accommizzle & attractions wit photos, maps & transport 411 fo' England, Scotland & Wales. Book hotels, ride ...
www.totaltravel.co.uk/
Wales Travel Guide: Visitor Info & Accommodizzles Directory
Bootylicious Britain. Wales region guide. Tha country of Wales has always been fiercely independent. These days gangsta a gangsta of Welsh thugz ...
Google Search: Hornsbury Mill
Google Search: Hornsbury Mill compare and contrast FP to stand alone....
"Accommodation, Function Venue Hornsby Mill
... County Ground. Hornsbury Mill Eleighwater Chard Somerset | Reservations: 01460
63317 | Email. � 2004 Hornsbury Mill and Totalwebsites.
www.hornsburymill.co.uk/ - 8k - 7 Feb 2005 - Cached - Similar pages
Hornsbury Mill - Location
Add your link here! Email us. Hornsbury Mill Eleighwater Chard Somerset | Reservations:
01460 63317 | Email. � 2004 Hornsbury Mill and Totalwebsites.
www.hornsburymill.co.uk/site/links/ - 6k - 5 Feb 2005 - Cached - Similar pages
Hornsbury Mill
Welcome to Hornsbury Mill a charming 19th century working water mill set deep in
the heart of Somerset, where contemporary capability blends effortlessly with ...
www.totaltravel.co.uk/travel/west-country/ somerset/southsomerset/accommodation/hotels/hornsbury-mill - 16k - Cached - Similar pages "
"Accommodation, Function Venue Hornsby Mill
... County Ground. Hornsbury Mill Eleighwater Chard Somerset | Reservations: 01460
63317 | Email. � 2004 Hornsbury Mill and Totalwebsites.
www.hornsburymill.co.uk/ - 8k - 7 Feb 2005 - Cached - Similar pages
Hornsbury Mill - Location
Add your link here! Email us. Hornsbury Mill Eleighwater Chard Somerset | Reservations:
01460 63317 | Email. � 2004 Hornsbury Mill and Totalwebsites.
www.hornsburymill.co.uk/site/links/ - 6k - 5 Feb 2005 - Cached - Similar pages
Hornsbury Mill
Welcome to Hornsbury Mill a charming 19th century working water mill set deep in
the heart of Somerset, where contemporary capability blends effortlessly with ...
www.totaltravel.co.uk/travel/west-country/ somerset/southsomerset/accommodation/hotels/hornsbury-mill - 16k - Cached - Similar pages "
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