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New from
Google: automatic suggestions (December 10
2004) Google is testing a new feature called Google
Suggest. An equally suitable name would probably be Google
Guess, as Google tries to guess what you are trying to find
in real time.
As soon as you have started typing Google will try to guess
what you are looking for, offering you alternative search
keywords and queries with an estimate of the number of pages
containing the relevant search keyword phrases.
Yes, Google already has a similar feature in its "Did
you mean?" links. However, you will have to click on
the relevant link to get those suggestions. These ones are
produced automatically.
How do they do it? Google says that they -- for instance --
use data about the overall popularity of various searches
to help rank the refinements it offers. They add that Google
Suggest does not base its suggestions on your personal search
history.
Google Suggest can also be used as a tool for generating alternative
search queries for search engine optimization.
The technical requirements for using Google Suggest are: Internet
Explorer 6.0 (or newer), Netscape 7.1 (or newer), Mozilla
1.4 (or newer), Firefox 0.8 (or newer), Opera 7.54 (or newer),
or Safari 1.2.2 (or newer). JavaScript and cookies must be
enabled.
Google
Suggest FAQ
Source: xcandyman at Webmaster World
Another $1.1 billion? Ah,
what the hell - it's Christmas By John Paczkowski
In the end, Oracle's $9.2 billion "best and final"
hostile bid for PeopleSoft was neither best nor final (see
"Now go away or I shall reject your offer a sixth time,
you Silicon Valley bed-wetting type!"). A month after
offering $24 a share, Oracle raised its bid 10 percent, to
$26.50 a share, and PeopleSoft accepted, bringing to an end
a rancorous 18 month battle. The transaction has been approved
by both companies' boards and should close by early January.
As one might imagine, Oracle, and CEO Larry Ellison who's
been saying for years now that the business-software industry
is overdue for consolidation, was overjoyed by PeopleSoft's
capitulation. "To us, there is tremendous value in getting
this deal done now," Ellison told analysts this morning.
"We think the economy and general IT spending are improving.
We will have twice as many customers and be the No. 1 applications
vendor in North America and in banking. We will also be strong
in health care and government. And the merger will also give
us a strong installed base to sell into."
Source silicon valley.com
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