Category: Microsoft

Search 2.0: Customize & Refine Your Results Easily

November 28, 2006August 20, 2008 Bob Caswell 3 Comments

Searchmashlogo A9logo Last week I pointed out that the easiest way for Google to improve search would be to allow one query to bring up separated results by regular sites, blogs, news, photos, and/or video. I mentioned that the big three for me would be regular search results, blog posts, and news. I’d be able to get pertinent, organized results in one third the time. Why not put in my search query once and get the top 10 results from each category on the same page?

Well, it turns out Google does do some of that through its experimental site SearchMash.com. Though, personally, I’m even more impressed with Amazon’s A9.com, which offers more customizations for even better search results. Here’s how they compare:

Amazon, Do-It-Yourself Tech, Google, Internet, Microsoft, Tech Reviews, Web 2.0

The Easiest Way for Google to Improve Search

November 24, 2006August 19, 2008 Bob Caswell 1 Comment

The tech blogosphere is excited by the findings of Andy Boyd. He has a screen shot of a Google search that shows the search results giving up space for a separate section of blog results (see picture below). Among others, Techcrunch and Google Blogoscoped have their own take on what this means and where it could go.

Here’s my question: Why hasn’t Google done this already? And not only for blog searches but perhaps even for news, pictures, and/or video. The big three, for me at least, would be regular search results, blog posts, and news. I’d say that over half of my searches I do three times. Why not put in my search query once and get the top 10 results from each category on the same page?

Google, Internet, Microsoft, Tech News, Web 2.0, Yahoo

Did Microsoft & Google Switch Places?

November 10, 2006August 31, 2008 Bob Caswell 5 Comments

Microsoft_logo_2 Googlelogo_2 Is it just me, or did these two giants start adopting each other’s more classic tactics?

Google, Microsoft, Web 2.0, Yahoo

Google Buys YouTube for $1.65 Billion

October 9, 2006August 19, 2008 Bob Caswell 1 Comment

Google agreed to buy closely-held YouTube in an all-stock deal worth about $1.65 billion, its largest acquisition to date. The terms state that YouTube will initially retain a significant measure of independence, keeping its current brand, offices, and employees. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter.

Google, Media, Microsoft, Tech News

Screenshots of Google Converted Excel File

June 6, 2006August 19, 2008 Bob Caswell 2 Comments

I received my Google Spreadsheets invite this morning and began playing with converted Excel files. To start, here is a screenshot of the login screen (click on image for full size):

Google, Internet, Microsoft

Google Spreadsheet Is Here & Threatens Microsoft’s Market Share

June 5, 2006August 19, 2008 Bob Caswell 34 Comments

According to the Wall Street Journal (subscription required), Google will release a Web-based spreadsheet application Tuesday. It will first be available on a limited basis (i.e., some sort of beta). Microsoft is well aware and continues to invest in its own on-line services. Traditional desktop software (which is among Microsoft’s most profitable divisions) must change.

Update: Click here for Google’s Sneak Peak, and read on for more details…

Google, Internet, Microsoft, Tech News