Users of Google News now have the ability to add comments to individual news items. Comments give people related to a news story the chance to directly respond to it. These comments are linked to alongside the normal media coverage for that story. This feature helps provide more perspectives on a particular story without sacrificing the quality of our coverage. Additionally, these comments provide a unique insight, because they come from individuals who otherwise may not have had an opportunity to share their responses.
Gmail's codebase has been revamped and this allowed Google to push out more of Gmail's features to Google Apps users. Employees, students and other Google Apps users will soon start seeing useful features like these:
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Gmail Upgrade Introduced To Google Apps
Users of Google Apps, say "thank you" to users of Gmail. Now that they've acted as something similar to guinea pigs, you'll be receiving a nice, if not overly significant, upgrade.
Google Apps Get UpgradeRemember the "beta" tag hanging around Gmail's neck? Well, this could be one of the reasons it's there. On the Official Gmail Blog, Jeremy Milo wrote, "Sometimes . . . we like to listen and learn from users before launching updates to businesses, schools and organizations that use Google Apps. Gmail's revamped codebase was one such case . . ."
Milo later listed a handful of the relevant features. A faster interface, group chat from the browser, a streamlined contact manager, colored message labels, improved keyboard shortcuts, and bookmarkable messages and searches all got named.
Celebrations don't seem to be breaking out across the Web, but these features should be welcome; even if (aside from the "faster interface" bit) the improvements are things most people won't use, larger organizations are more likely to delve into them.
No guinea pigs, either real or metaphorical, were hurt during the testing stage, by the way - the upgrade seemed stable at all times.
Google Apps Get UpgradeRemember the "beta" tag hanging around Gmail's neck? Well, this could be one of the reasons it's there. On the Official Gmail Blog, Jeremy Milo wrote, "Sometimes . . . we like to listen and learn from users before launching updates to businesses, schools and organizations that use Google Apps. Gmail's revamped codebase was one such case . . ."
Milo later listed a handful of the relevant features. A faster interface, group chat from the browser, a streamlined contact manager, colored message labels, improved keyboard shortcuts, and bookmarkable messages and searches all got named.
Celebrations don't seem to be breaking out across the Web, but these features should be welcome; even if (aside from the "faster interface" bit) the improvements are things most people won't use, larger organizations are more likely to delve into them.
No guinea pigs, either real or metaphorical, were hurt during the testing stage, by the way - the upgrade seemed stable at all times.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Yahoo Vs. Google Moves Up A Notch With 'Attack Ads'
Yahoo is taking off the gloves in its fight with Google for Web users.
The Web portal has launched its first-ever attack ad campaign, claiming that its revamped search service works faster and gets users better results than Google GOOG, the Web's most-used search service.
In one radio ad that began airing nationally this month, an announcer proclaims that "search engines like Google get you lost in all of the links, but not Yahoo (NASDAQ:YHOO) search." The ad also calls attention to Yahoo search's drop-down menu that offers alternative words and phrases users can click as they type in words during a search.
"You won't find that on your Google page," the announcer intones.
Yahoo YHOO has positioned the ad as a humorous reminder that Google isn't the only search service, says Raj Gossain, vice president of marketing for Yahoo search.
"We're not trying to be nasty to them; I have a tremendous amount of respect for what they have done," Gossain said. "But our challenge as the No. 2 player in the market is to remind users that there is an opportunity to make a choice."
March figures aren't available, so it's uncertain if the ads are working. In February, Google's share of Internet searches in the U.S. rose to 59.2% from 58.5% in January, according to comScore Networks. Yahoo's share slipped to 21.6% from 22.2%.
Many people don't even know that Yahoo offers Web search, Gossain says.
"It's just a habit that people have of always going to the site of our friends up in Mountain View," he said, referring to Google's Silicon Valley home base.
Shahid Khan, a partner at IBB Consulting Group, says that Yahoo needs to act, but that using attack ads is surprisingly bad form on Yahoo's part.
"It just shows how desperate Yahoo has become that they would stoop to this level," Khan said.
But Barry Parr, an analyst at Jupiter Research, calls the ads a worthwhile gamble.
"They have a tough problem and not a lot to lose" by trying the ads, he said.
Yahoo remains the most-visited Web property, but it hasn't gained ground in search against Google. Worse, earnings and sales gains have stalled in the last year-plus, and it's the subject of an unsolicited takeover attempt by another fierce Google rival, Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) MSFT.
Yahoo revamped its search service in October.
The new service gives users more than just links to Web sites. For example, a search for "10,000 B.C. movie" gives users a little box with viewer ratings, a link to a description of the film and a list of showtimes at local theaters.
Yahoo is trying to give its users short cuts to the information they want, Gossain says.
"We try to package a lot of great information, basically giving users answers they are looking for right at the top of the page," he said.
Some of Yahoo's new features aren't unique. Search company Ask, Ask a unit of IAC/InterActiveCorp (NASDAQ:IACI) (OTCBB:IACPP) IACI, offers a similar drop-down menu for Web search users. Google is testing such a feature.
"Yahoo is doing some interesting stuff, but it's pretty consistent with what everybody is doing with search," said Greg Sterling, head of Sterling Market Intelligence.
Google has never paid for ads to push its search service.
"We welcome competition that helps deliver useful information to users and expands user choice," Google said via e-mail when asked about Yahoo's new ad campaign. "Having great competitors is a huge benefit to us and everyone in the search space -- it makes us all work harder, and at the end of the day our users benefit from that."
Newstex ID: IBD-0001-23988742
Originally published in the March 25, 2008 version of Investor's Business Daily.
Copyright (c) 2008, Investor's Business Daily, Inc. All rights reserved. This article is protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Investor's Business Daily, Inc. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content
The Web portal has launched its first-ever attack ad campaign, claiming that its revamped search service works faster and gets users better results than Google GOOG, the Web's most-used search service.
In one radio ad that began airing nationally this month, an announcer proclaims that "search engines like Google get you lost in all of the links, but not Yahoo (NASDAQ:YHOO) search." The ad also calls attention to Yahoo search's drop-down menu that offers alternative words and phrases users can click as they type in words during a search.
"You won't find that on your Google page," the announcer intones.
Yahoo YHOO has positioned the ad as a humorous reminder that Google isn't the only search service, says Raj Gossain, vice president of marketing for Yahoo search.
"We're not trying to be nasty to them; I have a tremendous amount of respect for what they have done," Gossain said. "But our challenge as the No. 2 player in the market is to remind users that there is an opportunity to make a choice."
March figures aren't available, so it's uncertain if the ads are working. In February, Google's share of Internet searches in the U.S. rose to 59.2% from 58.5% in January, according to comScore Networks. Yahoo's share slipped to 21.6% from 22.2%.
Many people don't even know that Yahoo offers Web search, Gossain says.
"It's just a habit that people have of always going to the site of our friends up in Mountain View," he said, referring to Google's Silicon Valley home base.
Shahid Khan, a partner at IBB Consulting Group, says that Yahoo needs to act, but that using attack ads is surprisingly bad form on Yahoo's part.
"It just shows how desperate Yahoo has become that they would stoop to this level," Khan said.
But Barry Parr, an analyst at Jupiter Research, calls the ads a worthwhile gamble.
"They have a tough problem and not a lot to lose" by trying the ads, he said.
Yahoo remains the most-visited Web property, but it hasn't gained ground in search against Google. Worse, earnings and sales gains have stalled in the last year-plus, and it's the subject of an unsolicited takeover attempt by another fierce Google rival, Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) MSFT.
Yahoo revamped its search service in October.
The new service gives users more than just links to Web sites. For example, a search for "10,000 B.C. movie" gives users a little box with viewer ratings, a link to a description of the film and a list of showtimes at local theaters.
Yahoo is trying to give its users short cuts to the information they want, Gossain says.
"We try to package a lot of great information, basically giving users answers they are looking for right at the top of the page," he said.
Some of Yahoo's new features aren't unique. Search company Ask, Ask a unit of IAC/InterActiveCorp (NASDAQ:IACI) (OTCBB:IACPP) IACI, offers a similar drop-down menu for Web search users. Google is testing such a feature.
"Yahoo is doing some interesting stuff, but it's pretty consistent with what everybody is doing with search," said Greg Sterling, head of Sterling Market Intelligence.
Google has never paid for ads to push its search service.
"We welcome competition that helps deliver useful information to users and expands user choice," Google said via e-mail when asked about Yahoo's new ad campaign. "Having great competitors is a huge benefit to us and everyone in the search space -- it makes us all work harder, and at the end of the day our users benefit from that."
Newstex ID: IBD-0001-23988742
Originally published in the March 25, 2008 version of Investor's Business Daily.
Copyright (c) 2008, Investor's Business Daily, Inc. All rights reserved. This article is protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Investor's Business Daily, Inc. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content
Google Wants FCC To Consider 'White Space' Spectrum For Handset Broadband
Google on Monday outlined a new effort to put its considerable clout behind using the so-called "white spaces" in the wireless spectrum to create another wireless broadband delivery vehicle for consumers.
Richard Whitt, Google's Washington telecom and media counsel, said the company's Android handset effort could result in handsets for the white spaces as early as December 2009. The white spaces refer to largely unused spectrum that resides next to broadcast TV spectrum.
Whitt said he envisioned a sort of community approach to the use of the white spaces similar to the way Wi-Fi is currently used. "We view it (white spaces) as a big tent," he said in a conference Monday.
His comments came less than a week after the conclusion of the Federal Communications Commission's 700 MHz auction, which was dominated by mobile phone service providers Verizon Wireless and AT&T. Google didn't win any licenses in the 700 MHz auction, but it was successful in its earlier effort to encourage the FCC to set aside spectrum for the open use of interchangeable devices and services on part of the 700 MHz band.
In a letter filed Friday with the FCC, Whitt said: "The vast majority of viable spectrum in this country simply goes unused, or else is grossly underutilized. Our nation typically uses only about 5% of one of our most precious resources... The unique qualities of the TV white space -- unused spectrum, large amounts of bandwidth, and excellent propagation characteristics -- offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to provide ubiquitous wireless broadband access to all Americans."
To date, the white space spectrum has suffered from complaints about possible interference and connection problems, but Whitt indicated Google was confident the problems could be overcome. The company proposes the use of geo-location measures to protect broadcast TV and $10 beacons to protect wireless microphones as solutions to potential problems with white space spectrum. Whitt said tests using the beacons have shown the approach to be "almost foolproof."
"We are proposing a 'safe harbor' for wireless microphones in channels 36-38," he wrote in the FCC letter. "No TV white space device would be permitted to transmit in these channels. This will also protect medical telemetry devices and radio astronomy services, which are licensed to use channel 37."
The idea of using the white space spectrum has been endorsed also by Microsoft and Intel among others, but has been opposed by broadcast TV interests. Whitt said any device without geo-location and database access would not transmit unless it obtains a "permission to transmit" signal.
Whitt also raised another hurdle: "politics as usual." While he didn't cite potential opponents by name, he noted that "some cellular carriers" want to see the white space relegated to backhaul usage.
Whitt suggested white space networks could be built on mesh or peer-to-peer architectures and he noted that the propagation features of the technology are so favorable that relatively few towers would be necessary. It could be established on a nationwide basis and could be operating by the end of 2009.
Richard Whitt, Google's Washington telecom and media counsel, said the company's Android handset effort could result in handsets for the white spaces as early as December 2009. The white spaces refer to largely unused spectrum that resides next to broadcast TV spectrum.
Whitt said he envisioned a sort of community approach to the use of the white spaces similar to the way Wi-Fi is currently used. "We view it (white spaces) as a big tent," he said in a conference Monday.
His comments came less than a week after the conclusion of the Federal Communications Commission's 700 MHz auction, which was dominated by mobile phone service providers Verizon Wireless and AT&T. Google didn't win any licenses in the 700 MHz auction, but it was successful in its earlier effort to encourage the FCC to set aside spectrum for the open use of interchangeable devices and services on part of the 700 MHz band.
In a letter filed Friday with the FCC, Whitt said: "The vast majority of viable spectrum in this country simply goes unused, or else is grossly underutilized. Our nation typically uses only about 5% of one of our most precious resources... The unique qualities of the TV white space -- unused spectrum, large amounts of bandwidth, and excellent propagation characteristics -- offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to provide ubiquitous wireless broadband access to all Americans."
To date, the white space spectrum has suffered from complaints about possible interference and connection problems, but Whitt indicated Google was confident the problems could be overcome. The company proposes the use of geo-location measures to protect broadcast TV and $10 beacons to protect wireless microphones as solutions to potential problems with white space spectrum. Whitt said tests using the beacons have shown the approach to be "almost foolproof."
"We are proposing a 'safe harbor' for wireless microphones in channels 36-38," he wrote in the FCC letter. "No TV white space device would be permitted to transmit in these channels. This will also protect medical telemetry devices and radio astronomy services, which are licensed to use channel 37."
The idea of using the white space spectrum has been endorsed also by Microsoft and Intel among others, but has been opposed by broadcast TV interests. Whitt said any device without geo-location and database access would not transmit unless it obtains a "permission to transmit" signal.
Whitt also raised another hurdle: "politics as usual." While he didn't cite potential opponents by name, he noted that "some cellular carriers" want to see the white space relegated to backhaul usage.
Whitt suggested white space networks could be built on mesh or peer-to-peer architectures and he noted that the propagation features of the technology are so favorable that relatively few towers would be necessary. It could be established on a nationwide basis and could be operating by the end of 2009.
Google Spreadsheet Gadgets
Google Spreadsheets as part of the Google Docs added some brand new features. The ones which are worth mentioning are: better revisions comparison through color highlights, change notifications, and a Google spreadsheet gadgets directory.
Revisions highlights
In Google Spreadsheet, the new changes during revisions are now highlighted for easier understanding; just click on the Revisions tab. This is especially useful when more than one users are jointly editing a particular Spreadsheet.
Instant Notifications
Notification rules – see the Set Notification Rules link on top – can automatically send you an alert when the spreadsheet, or a specific cell within it, changes. You can opt to receive a daily mail or immediate notification mail as it happens.
Spreadsheet gadgets
You can now add gadgets to the spreadsheet by picking a cell range and then clicking Insert -> Gadget at the top bar in Google Spreadsheets. I’ve pondered a Google Docs feature directory before as this can open up a huge number of interesting options without cluttering the interface. And … wow, this just boosted Google Spreadsheets into a different league. Currently available gadgets include:
- Motion chart: Its a nice gadget and can display a certain number over and over using Flash Animation.
- Gauges: Adds gauges (as pictured below) with dials visually indicating the cell values
- Table: You can add tables with grouping and filtering features
- Heatmap: A world map is connected to your cells containing an ISO country code, and then add color of different intensities to the countries
- Web search and image search: It can displays a result from Google by searching your cell value
- Organization chart: This can draw a hierarchy based on cells containing names (pictured)
Moreover you are not kimited to existing gadgets but can develop your own ones too!
Google Adds Bells and Whistles to Japan Home Page
Google Japan has updated its minimalist home page with more graphics and direct links to some of the company's services.
The move is the latest in a series of updates that has seen its local home pages in several major Asian nations updated to take advantage of fast broadband connections. In May last year it kicked off the update with a renewal of its South Korean site and later in 2007 added extra features to its Taiwan and Hong Kong sites.
The new Japan site has a row of four tabs underneath the search bar each of which displays different icons. The default "recommended" tab has direct links to Gmail, YouTube, Google Infrastructure, Google Maps and its transport navigator, providing the shortest route between two spots using public transport.
The second tab has links to Google's picture, blog and desktop search services and a dictionary; the third tab links to the Google Calendar, Documents, RSS reader and toolbar, while the final tab has another link to YouTube and connects to Picasa, Blogger and Google Earth.
The site was updated to provide quicker links to Google services, said Atsuko Doi, a spokeswoman for Google Japan. She said many users, especially new users, don't know where to find additional Google services and the icons are intended to make that easier.
Japan is one of a handful of markets where Google doesn't dominate the search market. Yahoo Japan has the crown as number one portal in Japan and also leads Google in searches although the latter is starting to catch up with Yahoo thanks in part to the growing popularity of YouTube.
Yahoo sites attracted a combined audience of 43 million Internet users in January versus 33 million for Google sites, according to recent data from comScore.
The move is the latest in a series of updates that has seen its local home pages in several major Asian nations updated to take advantage of fast broadband connections. In May last year it kicked off the update with a renewal of its South Korean site and later in 2007 added extra features to its Taiwan and Hong Kong sites.
The new Japan site has a row of four tabs underneath the search bar each of which displays different icons. The default "recommended" tab has direct links to Gmail, YouTube, Google Infrastructure, Google Maps and its transport navigator, providing the shortest route between two spots using public transport.
The second tab has links to Google's picture, blog and desktop search services and a dictionary; the third tab links to the Google Calendar, Documents, RSS reader and toolbar, while the final tab has another link to YouTube and connects to Picasa, Blogger and Google Earth.
The site was updated to provide quicker links to Google services, said Atsuko Doi, a spokeswoman for Google Japan. She said many users, especially new users, don't know where to find additional Google services and the icons are intended to make that easier.
Japan is one of a handful of markets where Google doesn't dominate the search market. Yahoo Japan has the crown as number one portal in Japan and also leads Google in searches although the latter is starting to catch up with Yahoo thanks in part to the growing popularity of YouTube.
Yahoo sites attracted a combined audience of 43 million Internet users in January versus 33 million for Google sites, according to recent data from comScore.
Google Transit
Google Transit is the multinational’s newest project, focusing on integrating public transit timetables and information into its Google Maps service. It is being trialled in Australia, with only Perth partially covered at the moment.
Return to the article
Creating a HTML “friends” page from a Google Reader subscription list
Google’s Social Graph API crawls the web and extracts publicly available relationship data (edges) for people on various public pages marked up with XFN or FOAF metadata (nodes). Like many others, I have accounts on Twitter, Flickr, FriendFeed, etc., which are all great sources to crawl for social graph edge relationships, but a number of interesting relationships were still hidden inside my private Google Reader subscription list.
This short guide demonstrates how I extract that information and publish it publicly via plain HTML decorated with XFN markup. (See an example.)
…
The process involves using Google Reader to manage your blogroll to 1) give a common label to the people whose blogs you read, 2) name those subscriptions appropriately, 3) share those subscriptions publicly, 4) find your public user id, and finally, 5) write a script that reads the subscription list and republishes it as HTML on your own site.
Step One: Using the “Manage Subscriptions »” link at the bottom of the left-hand panel in Google Reader, create a new folder called “people”. You can call this “friends”, “blogroll”, whatever — the important thing is that this label is used to tag every personal blog you want in your public blogroll. Note that these are blogs written by individual people, not collections of people.
Step Two: Next, go back over each of these subscriptions and use the “Rename” button to set the name of the blog to be the name of the author. Some blog feeds are already published this way by their author. Others, such as John Gruber’s Daring Fireball, set the blog title to the name of the site, not the person. In those cases, go back and rename the feed “John Gruber”, or whatever.
Step Three: Using the “Settings > Tags” menu, find your new “people” label and toggle the “private” sharing status to “public”. Doing so will reveal a number of new features, such as “view public page”, “email a link”, “add a clip to your site”, and “add a blogroll to your site”. These are all interesting features, and something you might want to explore more fully later, but in our case we’re doing something a little different.
Step Four: On the same “Settings > Tag” screen, look at the URL for the “view public page” link. It should read something like:
http://www.google.com/reader/shared/user/16671002588179970970/label/people
That 20 digit number is your public id. Jot this down — you’ll need this for the next step.
Step Five: This is the hardest part, in that it involves a bit of programming (or the ability to cut and paste and modify python code), and a server that you can run scripts on.
In this example, we’ll be using a python script to take the JSON-formatted output provided by Google Reader to build a data structure composed of dicts and sequences with the help of the simplejson library, and subsequently using Django templates to render this data as HTML.
Google Docs: Spreadsheets Now With Gadgets
It seems Google way to compensate their shortcomings and lack of features in their Docs offering will be through Gadgets, and i must say that is quite a smart move on their behalf, after all, they have invested a lot of money, resources and time in developing a very robust Gadget Platform so, why not bring that into Google Docs too?.
The first step in this direction is in the Google Spreadsheets where now you will be able to select Gadget while working on them.
The new gadgets work thanks to a new data visualization API that is tied to the gadgets, so the gadgets nature at this moment are information displays and visualization laden gadgets, the spreadsheet gadget can also be reused as iGoogle Gadgets and if a change is made into the document linked to a certain Gadget, the gadget will also update the data and display such changes.
This is without a doubt a interesting development and i wonder what else they plan to do with something like this.
If you want to know more about this, you can use the following link:
Google Spreadsheets Adds Gadgets via Google Operative System
Technorati Tags: Google, Google Docs, Google Docs Gadgets, Google Spreadsheet Gadgets, spreadsheet gadgets
Google "Gadgets" provide new way to look at data
BEIJING, March 20 (Xinhuanet) -- Search engine giant Google unveiled Gadgets for Spreadsheets in Google Docs on Wednesday, allowing people to create graphical representations of data in spreadsheets and publish them on Web sites.
New nifty features added provide consumers new ways to look at data in their spreadsheets. Google has put up a gallery of specialty gadget to choose from. They include gadgets to display data on a pie chart, map, time chart, funnel chart, Gantt chart, pivot table, and on a heat map if it's geographical data. Users can even create interactive charts like those used by Google Finance and for motion charts.
These visuals can also be pushed out to appear on an iGoogle home page or any other site and will be dynamically updated as changes are made to the spreadsheet.
Google is doing something interesting with its Gadgets platform, making gadgets a data source for spreadsheets as well as a data distribution method for developers.
These new features are reported to be added to their other tools (Word Processor and Presentation) in the future.
Jonathan Rochelle, senior product manager for Google Docs spoke about these new features, "If we have a new idea for visualizing data, we can create that as a separate feature that can be pushed out to users of Google Docs' spreadsheet."
(Agencies)
New nifty features added provide consumers new ways to look at data in their spreadsheets. Google has put up a gallery of specialty gadget to choose from. They include gadgets to display data on a pie chart, map, time chart, funnel chart, Gantt chart, pivot table, and on a heat map if it's geographical data. Users can even create interactive charts like those used by Google Finance and for motion charts.
These visuals can also be pushed out to appear on an iGoogle home page or any other site and will be dynamically updated as changes are made to the spreadsheet.
Google is doing something interesting with its Gadgets platform, making gadgets a data source for spreadsheets as well as a data distribution method for developers.
These new features are reported to be added to their other tools (Word Processor and Presentation) in the future.
Jonathan Rochelle, senior product manager for Google Docs spoke about these new features, "If we have a new idea for visualizing data, we can create that as a separate feature that can be pushed out to users of Google Docs' spreadsheet."
(Agencies)
Google searches rules to pay overdue taxes
BEIJING, March 22 -- Google Inc, owner of the world's most-used internet search site, said it paid back taxes on the income of some of its employees in China.
"After discussions with the appropriate tax authorities and clarification of the tax rules as they applied to Google China, the company paid taxes that were overdue," the California-based company said.
"Google did not evade payment."
The Shanghai Securities News yesterday reported that Lee Kai-fu, Google's president in China, paid five million yuan (708,600 U.S. dollars) in back taxes after an audit by Chinese tax authorities.
Google declined to comment whether Lee was among the employees that didn't pay taxes on time, Bloomberg News said.
Google hired Lee from Microsoft Corp in July 2005 to run the company's development center in Beijing, but Microsoft sued to stop Lee, saying he would be violating an agreement not to work for a competitor for a year.
"After discussions with the appropriate tax authorities and clarification of the tax rules as they applied to Google China, the company paid taxes that were overdue," the California-based company said.
"Google did not evade payment."
The Shanghai Securities News yesterday reported that Lee Kai-fu, Google's president in China, paid five million yuan (708,600 U.S. dollars) in back taxes after an audit by Chinese tax authorities.
Google declined to comment whether Lee was among the employees that didn't pay taxes on time, Bloomberg News said.
Google hired Lee from Microsoft Corp in July 2005 to run the company's development center in Beijing, but Microsoft sued to stop Lee, saying he would be violating an agreement not to work for a competitor for a year.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
MyMedicalRecords.com Collaborates With Google on Personal Health Records
LOS ANGELES, CA -- 03/17/08 -- MyMedicalRecords.com, Inc. ("MMR"), a leading provider of Web-based Personal Health Records ("PHRs"), announced that it will be integrating with the Google Health platform, which is expected to be launched later this year.
Google's CEO, Eric Schmidt, previewed Google Health at the annual conference of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) held last month. The company also announced that it is testing the Google Health product in a pilot program with the Cleveland Clinic.
MyMedicalRecords.com is collaborating with Google Health to build a two-way interface that will enable users of Google Health to transfer information from their Google Health account into an MMR account and vice versa.
MMR is a highly-secure, easy-to-use, and comprehensive personal health record (PHR) that uses proprietary, patent-pending technology to give patients and healthcare providers the ability to upload images, such as x-rays, CT scans, and MRIs, fax medical records and other important documents, and to have doctors' notes dictated into an account. The information is then accessible from any Internet-connected computer anywhere in the world with no special hardware or software. An Emergency Login feature enables an Emergency Medical Provider to access important information in the event of a medical emergency.
"Once launched to the public, we believe Google Health will enable healthcare providers and patients to share vital information," said Robert H. Lorsch, CEO of MyMedicalRecords.com. "We are excited to have the opportunity to integrate with Google Health and look forward to individuals using MyMedicalRecords.com in conjunction with all the features and benefits of Google Health."
ABOUT MYMEDICALRECORDS.COM
MyMedicalRecords.com, Inc. (MMR) is a leading provider of Web-based personal health record and vital document storage solutions available to consumers, employers, healthcare providers, insurance companies and brokers, unions, professional organizations, and government agencies enabling individuals and their families to have greater control over their health and well-being. MMR also provides physicians with a low-cost way to digitize their patient back files and day-forward files on a just-in-time basis. Using proprietary patent-pending technology, MMR offers an easy-to-use, secure and convenient online personal health record (PHR) solution that enables documents, images and voicemail messages to be transmitted in and out of the system using a variety of methods, including fax, file upload and e-mail. MyMedicalRecords.com also serves as a virtual safe deposit box for storing any important documents, including insurance policies, financial records, advance directives, deeds of trust and wills, providing an emergency-preparedness tool that protects valuable information from being lost or destroyed by fire, flood, earthquake and other disasters. For more information visit www.MyMedicalRecords.com.
Google's CEO, Eric Schmidt, previewed Google Health at the annual conference of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) held last month. The company also announced that it is testing the Google Health product in a pilot program with the Cleveland Clinic.
MyMedicalRecords.com is collaborating with Google Health to build a two-way interface that will enable users of Google Health to transfer information from their Google Health account into an MMR account and vice versa.
MMR is a highly-secure, easy-to-use, and comprehensive personal health record (PHR) that uses proprietary, patent-pending technology to give patients and healthcare providers the ability to upload images, such as x-rays, CT scans, and MRIs, fax medical records and other important documents, and to have doctors' notes dictated into an account. The information is then accessible from any Internet-connected computer anywhere in the world with no special hardware or software. An Emergency Login feature enables an Emergency Medical Provider to access important information in the event of a medical emergency.
"Once launched to the public, we believe Google Health will enable healthcare providers and patients to share vital information," said Robert H. Lorsch, CEO of MyMedicalRecords.com. "We are excited to have the opportunity to integrate with Google Health and look forward to individuals using MyMedicalRecords.com in conjunction with all the features and benefits of Google Health."
ABOUT MYMEDICALRECORDS.COM
MyMedicalRecords.com, Inc. (MMR) is a leading provider of Web-based personal health record and vital document storage solutions available to consumers, employers, healthcare providers, insurance companies and brokers, unions, professional organizations, and government agencies enabling individuals and their families to have greater control over their health and well-being. MMR also provides physicians with a low-cost way to digitize their patient back files and day-forward files on a just-in-time basis. Using proprietary patent-pending technology, MMR offers an easy-to-use, secure and convenient online personal health record (PHR) solution that enables documents, images and voicemail messages to be transmitted in and out of the system using a variety of methods, including fax, file upload and e-mail. MyMedicalRecords.com also serves as a virtual safe deposit box for storing any important documents, including insurance policies, financial records, advance directives, deeds of trust and wills, providing an emergency-preparedness tool that protects valuable information from being lost or destroyed by fire, flood, earthquake and other disasters. For more information visit www.MyMedicalRecords.com.
Now use Google Analytics to Track Google Docs
Since the release of Google Docs, it constantly has seen new developments, with the most recent addition till now being the Offline accessibility option. But now as if it all wasn't just enough, you can now track your published documents with Analytics. This change was first seen and reported by Blogoscoped.
In order to track your published content, you would need to enter your Google Analytics account's tracking codes. This feature at present it seems is being rolled out and debugged while it is in its testing stage. Once you have published a document, you will be shown a small message: "Tracking visitor traffic with Google Analytics."
Below is the screenshot for viewing the source code of a published document: the highlighted Google Analytics tracking code “UA-18065-1” is used by Google, whereas the other tracking code would be related to your account.
This certainly is something that most of us had been looking forward to. But it would know that right now, this new option is frequently being updated and so at times you would not be able to use all the features of the new application. Still, at least now we do have something to look forward to, what do you say?
Click2Map Adds Template and Database Features to Google Maps
Metz, France (PRWEB) March 15, 2008 -- Earlier this week, Click2Map released the new version of its online Google Maps™ editor. The addition of a powerful template system coupled with a highly versatile database engine allows professional users to store data and use it wherever they need to in fully customizable templates.
Click2Map (www.click2map.com) is a powerful online mapping application published by the Click2Map company. Click2Map puts all the power of Web 2.0 at the service of its users: its familiar point-and-click interface makes creating and sharing interactive online maps a snap. Everyone can now create rich and customized online maps without writing a single line of code.
Click2Map's editor allows users to create markers and POIs using a familiar application environment and provides convenient access to existing markers. Advanced users appreciate the possibility to create an unlimited number of maps including unlimited numbers of markers and optional groups.
Importing groups and markers now takes another dimension with the possibility to use variables extensively: all the information stored in your personal database can now be inserted wherever needed in each and every marker thanks to Click2Map's dynamic variable engine! No matter how many personal data categories and fields, Click2Map automatically generates the corresponding variables that you can instantly use: creating large quantities of personalized markers has never been easier!
Click2Map's enhanced import/export system provides an efficient means to integrate existing data into online maps and to exchange information with third party applications. The recent addition of an exclusive statistic engine helps professionals track their maps' consultations and the way they're used by visitors: the popularity of each map and marker can now be tracked in real time.
By allowing companies to create fully customized online Google Maps™ based on their existing data, Click2Map provides them with unprecedented means of promoting their business online.
Click2Map (www.click2map.com) is a powerful online mapping application published by the Click2Map company. Click2Map puts all the power of Web 2.0 at the service of its users: its familiar point-and-click interface makes creating and sharing interactive online maps a snap. Everyone can now create rich and customized online maps without writing a single line of code.
Click2Map's editor allows users to create markers and POIs using a familiar application environment and provides convenient access to existing markers. Advanced users appreciate the possibility to create an unlimited number of maps including unlimited numbers of markers and optional groups.
Importing groups and markers now takes another dimension with the possibility to use variables extensively: all the information stored in your personal database can now be inserted wherever needed in each and every marker thanks to Click2Map's dynamic variable engine! No matter how many personal data categories and fields, Click2Map automatically generates the corresponding variables that you can instantly use: creating large quantities of personalized markers has never been easier!
Click2Map's enhanced import/export system provides an efficient means to integrate existing data into online maps and to exchange information with third party applications. The recent addition of an exclusive statistic engine helps professionals track their maps' consultations and the way they're used by visitors: the popularity of each map and marker can now be tracked in real time.
By allowing companies to create fully customized online Google Maps™ based on their existing data, Click2Map provides them with unprecedented means of promoting their business online.
Google's Online Maps Gets New Jersey Commuters On Time
In an example of the growing use of Google's mapping capability, New Jersey Transit's public transportation system will partner with the search engine company to provide trip planning for commuters utilizing the utility's extensive system, the largest statewide public transportation system in the U.S.
The partnership integrates Google Maps on NJ TRANSIT's Web site. NJ TRANSIT provides scheduling data for its 164 rail and 60 light rail stations along with information pages for each station. Customers can then find local businesses at locations convenient to their travel routes on the system.
Google Transit delivers visual depiction of commuters' routes on geographical maps while also displaying departure and arrival time for individual travelers.
"For visitors to the region or the occasional rider who is less familiar with New Jersey's public transportation options it gives them a starting point for learning about NJ TRANSIT and is a key too for attracting new riders to our system," said NJ TRANSIT broad member Kenneth Pringle, in a statement on Monday. The system is also planned for eventual use across multiple transit providers as they come online in the future.
Much of the origins of Google Transit can be traced to the company's transportation routing operation that picks up and delivers Google employees headed to work at the company's Mountain View, California, headquarters. Two Google employees developed basic pieces of an advanced Transportation Routing system in 2004 and filed a patent for it. The patent, US20060149461, was published in July 2006. Additional features can be added in future iterations of the system, features like GPS linking between commuters and bus drivers and others.
Google said more than 30 transportation agencies in the U.S. and internationally offer trip planning using its system. Travelers can log onto the system to obtain specific departure and arrival times along with estimated trip duration. Utilizing Google Maps, the system provides driving directions as well as the location of local businesses and specific landmarks.
The NJ TRANSIT application is an example of how Google cobbles together various technology pieces including its search and mapping technology and creates a sweeping application useful to a wide audience.
The partnership integrates Google Maps on NJ TRANSIT's Web site. NJ TRANSIT provides scheduling data for its 164 rail and 60 light rail stations along with information pages for each station. Customers can then find local businesses at locations convenient to their travel routes on the system.
Google Transit delivers visual depiction of commuters' routes on geographical maps while also displaying departure and arrival time for individual travelers.
"For visitors to the region or the occasional rider who is less familiar with New Jersey's public transportation options it gives them a starting point for learning about NJ TRANSIT and is a key too for attracting new riders to our system," said NJ TRANSIT broad member Kenneth Pringle, in a statement on Monday. The system is also planned for eventual use across multiple transit providers as they come online in the future.
Much of the origins of Google Transit can be traced to the company's transportation routing operation that picks up and delivers Google employees headed to work at the company's Mountain View, California, headquarters. Two Google employees developed basic pieces of an advanced Transportation Routing system in 2004 and filed a patent for it. The patent, US20060149461, was published in July 2006. Additional features can be added in future iterations of the system, features like GPS linking between commuters and bus drivers and others.
Google said more than 30 transportation agencies in the U.S. and internationally offer trip planning using its system. Travelers can log onto the system to obtain specific departure and arrival times along with estimated trip duration. Utilizing Google Maps, the system provides driving directions as well as the location of local businesses and specific landmarks.
The NJ TRANSIT application is an example of how Google cobbles together various technology pieces including its search and mapping technology and creates a sweeping application useful to a wide audience.
Google Looks to the Skies for New Browser Application
For those of you who don't want to waste time downloading the Google Earth software but still want to be able to search for planets and galaxies and take an in - depth look into celestial bodies, then Google has just made your day!
They have released a new browser version of its Google Sky application so we can all explore the universe quickly and easily.
There are a few new features that come with this version of Google Sky including galleries of some of the best shots from the Hubble telescope, plus you can even listen to podcasts and look at historical maps of the sky.
The video below explains the key features of Google Sky, as well as introducing Google Mars and Google Moon which produce some amazing images:
Lior Ron, Google Product Manager explains in the Official Google Blog the advantage of releasing Google Sky in this format. "This release brings the universe to every browser and makes Sky accessible to just about anyone with an Internet connection - from school children to professional astronomers - in 26 different languages."
So if you are interested in exploring the cosmos then Google Sky is definitely worth checking out.
Google Adds Source Code Browsing
Google Code is one of the popular open-source project hosting places on the web. And since its Google, it gets press coverage, it is stable and fast and gets a lot of quick features with a simple interface. Subversion or SVN (a new world CVS), which is popular for code-sharing and version control system is used on Google Code. Google added a new code browsing feature on the projects SVN to help view code.
The Google Announcement reads:
In one Dilbert cartoon, Dogbert confronts a long-winded technology "guru" by showing him some actual code, which blows him away. It's funny because it's true: some long, abstract discussions can turn into short, concrete ones when you can point to code.
We hope you find that the details make this tool a joy to use. For example, it's easy to get straight to the source code of a file, yet still see some of its recent history right on the same page. And, you can flip through revisions of a file with just a click. Stay tuned as the tool matures and evolves into something even more exciting in the months ahead.
I don't know about Dogbert, but I find this new feature extremely useful and is what I would normally do offline, after I download anything off the SVN. A look at the Google Gears SVN makes an interesting read. It is really a nice addition to make and its pretty fast with all the AJAX stuff with jQuery. Google congratulates Jason Robbins and Jenan Wise who added this feature and we would like to add to the congratulations!!
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Behind the Lens: Google features can be imitated on your own
A Google Street view zooms in on part of Massachusetts Street. Some of the features that attempt to “upload” the physical world online can be reverse-engineered to work with your camera.
One of the newest additions to the always-increasing offerings from Google is steerable panoramic images shot along the streets of American cities, including Lawrence.
They call this new feature Google Street View. It can be a little frightening from a privacy standpoint to know that anyone, anywhere can zoom right into your front doorstep online. Regardless, the technology is here to stay, and we can only expect more features that attempt to “upload” the tangible, physical world onto the Internet.
Today, we’re going to reverse-engineer the photographic technology behind Google Street View, which is actually quite simple if you have the right equipment.
Background
If you are unfamiliar with Google Street View, you can check it out at: http://maps.google.com/ help/maps/streetview/index.html.
Google hired drivers in hundreds of U.S. cities to mount cameras on the tops of their cars and traverse the streets.
Capturing the panoramas
The cameras are mounted pointed to the sky on a stabilizing platform. The camera lenses likely used the 360 One VR lens attachment made by Kiadan. More info on it can be found at http://www.kaidan.com/Detail.bok?no=101.
This lens attachment makes one-shot 360-degree panoramas as easy as shooting any photograph. The camera lens shoots a photograph into the reflective spherical half-dome, and the world is captured immediately in 360 degrees. The image is then inverted using imaging software.
Mapping the photos
Similar to the time-stamp feature that records exactly when a photograph was captured, “geo-tagging” is a relatively new technology that records exactly where an image was captured. Some newer cameras even have the GPS feature built-in. The image and image coordinates are instantaneously recorded in a database and then are plotted to a Google Map. More info on geotagging photos without a built in GPS feature can be found here: www.robogeo.com.
That is the quick and dirty guide to geotagging panoramic images to Google Maps. The next time Google comes to town, you might want to draw your blinds.
For a list of the best urban images captured by Google Maps Street View, check this out: http://blog.wired.com /27bstroke6/2007/05/request_for_urb.html
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Google Sky: hands on, plus Top 10 uncommonly cool sights
When I was young, my parents had a copy of the National
Geographic Atlas—the one that weighs around 30 pounds.
While the maps of Earth were fascinating, what held my attention were
the pictures of the heavens.
Starting with the solar system, then the constellations, then our galactic
neighbors, and finally a depiction of the known universe at the
time, the Atlas was fascinating.
On Friday, Google—after showing
everyone what the Earth,
our moon, and Mars looks
like—turned its attention to Google Sky. While previously available as an addition to Google Earth, this new version is accessible through a web browser and makes sharing images as easy as sharing a hyperlink to a web page. In what follows, we briefly review Google Sky while pointing out some of the most interesting and impressive destinations to be found... in outer space.
Hands on with Google Sky
At first glance, Google Sky has an interface—and response
speed—very similar to that of Google Maps. There's the familiar zoom level bar on the left, and one can scan via a set
of buttons or by dragging the mouse around the screen.
I spent some time exploring the universe from my sofa, which is what Google Sky is all about. To help you understand where you are and how to get where you might like to go, the Google Sky screen displays the right ascension (RA) and
declination (DEC) of where your pointer is at all times (RA and DEC are coordinates in the equatorial
coordinate system that astronomers use to pinpoint astronomical bodies). Along with simply being able to view our Universe, Google has added a trio of interesting overlays, each with user controllable
transparency. Understanding these is key to getting the most out of Google Sky.
For scientific inquiry, one can overlay the cosmic
microwave background (CMB) radiation or the infrared (IR) signature of the universe on top of the visual sky that you are looking at; unfortunately this only worked at zoom levels
above a certain point—often too big to see any of the features of
individual bodies. I imagine this is not a shortcoming of Google's code, but
a lack of detailed survey data. The length scale of a single
astronomical body (galaxy, supernova, etc.) compared to the entire
universe is just too disparate.
Searching the heavens
Google naturally provides a search feature so
you can find your favorite heavenly body by name or description. I began my investigation by searching for some recent newsworthy astronomical events. Sadly this is where the wheels start to come
loose. Going back over a sampling of recent Nobel Intent
stories on dark
matter, a
"death star," a supernovae
of unprecedented size, and random
X-ray surprises, I didn't find any relevant materials. These objects were apparently all too obscure, which suggests that Google has much more work to do in mapping astral phenomena to the news.
Still, there's plenty to check out. Google Sky
has a collection of pre-selected heavenly bodies for people to look
at. Starting with our Solar System, it had images of all the
eight planets plus Pluto, although no mention of Ceres or Eris. Next up in the pre-selectable
feature set were the constellations. Selecting this not only allowed
one to see a given constellation, but it connected the dots—literally—between the various stars that each constellation is composed from. This feature combined
with the historical overlay is very interesting.
After the constellations, Google Sky has a large collection that it
calls the "Hubble Showcase," referring to images captured
over the past few decades by the Hubble
Space Telescope. The images here are quite beautiful, but are
nothing new. Honestly I can find better images of each by, perhaps
ironically, doing a simple Google image search for them. When viewed in
Google Sky, you essentially see a high
resolution image of the selected body or phenomenon pasted
onto the low resolution surrounding star field. Each has a
pop up box with information and a link to learn more about the
image or object. After the Hubble collection, there is a category for
what they term "Backyard Astronomy," which is really a collection
of images of approximately 100 different galaxies.
Seeing the invisible
Up to this point, all the images shown have had one thing in common:
they are in the visible light spectrum. Visible light only shows us a small
picture of the entire universe; non-visible spectra such as
ultraviolet (UV), infrared and X-ray hold a whole other world of information.
Here is where Google Sky becomes very cool. There are three more
sections that highlight fantastic images from the Chandra X-Ray Observatory,
the GALEX
Evolution Explorer (UV), and the Spitzer Space
Telescope (IR). What makes these very cool is that under
each selected body there is a slider that will change the displayed
image back and forth between the visible and invisible spectrum.
For instance, if one looks at Cassiopeia A as it would be seen in
the visible
spectrum, you would see a small amount of hot gas. However, if
you look at its X-ray
spectrum, far more information can be gleaned—in fact
the X-rays observed from this supernova remnant offered
up clues as to the origin of high energy cosmic rays.
Similarly interesting things can be seen using IR and UV—in the
visible spectrum, very little of interest can be seen, but outside what
humans can see without the aid of technology lies a plethora of
interesting dynamics. However, it must be pointed out that the zooming
functionality doesn't work so well when moving between two different
spectra. If one image is not sized similarly to the other, the function
ceases to work, and you will only see one spectrum regardless of what
you do with the slider.
The Top 10
The following is a list of 10 of the best images I found while using Google Sky. This is not meant to be an objective list, but I would argue that these are all places not to be missed if and when people visit the Universe:
- If you ever want to see the beginning of a galactic
collision, be sure to visit the outskirts of NGC2207. - While most likely seen before, The
Pillars of Creation in the Eagle Nebula are one of Hubble's
crown jewels—be sure to look at their X-ray spectrum as well for
hidden clues as to new stars forming. - For more galactic collision action, see the Mice
galaxies, NGC 4676. - For further proof that Einstein was right, have a look at
an extreme example of gravitational
lensing. - For things that go (or went) boom, have a look at Chandra's
images of Kepler's
Supernova Remnant, and the remnant of supernova G292.0+1.8.
Note that both are basically invisible in the visible spectrum. - Since the majority of our readers reside in the northern hemisphere, I suggest having a look at something you will never see here in the night sky: the Southern Pinwheel Galaxy is quite a sight.
- While the CMB represents the earliest views we have of the universe, it is worthwhile to check out the galaxies furthest from us, taken courtesy of Hubble's Deep Field imager.
- Finally, check out a pair of nebula, the Crab
and Rosette,
that show their colors in the infrared spectrum courtesy of Sptizer.
In the end, Google Sky is a fun and educational tool. The ability to view astronomical bodies in various
spectra is by far the coolest feature, and I encourage
readers to check it out.
Going into this, I had hoped for a
free-wheeling romp around the universe; what I got was a guided tour at
the local science museum. While not bad, it fell short of my hopes. I do encourage fans of astronomy to look into it, if only
to perhaps discover something new on the 'pre-selected' menus. Just keep in mind that for
just about every highlighted body, I was able to find better images
faster elsewhere on the web.
Tips for making information universally accessible
Many people talk about the effect the Internet has on democratizing access to information, but as someone who has been visually impaired since my teenage years, I can certainly speak to the profound impact it has had on my life.
In everyday life, things like a sheet of paper—and anything written on it—are completely inaccessible to a blind or visually impaired user. But with the Internet a new world has opened up for me and so many others. Thanks to modern technology like screen readers, web pages, books, and web applications are now at our fingertips.
In order to help the visually impaired find the most relevant, useful information on the web, and as quickly as possible, we developed Accessible Search. Google Accessible Search identifies and prioritizes search results that are more easily used by blind and visually impaired users – that means pages that are clean and simple (think of the Google homepage!) and that can load without images.
Why should you take the time to make your site more accessible? In addition to the service you'll be doing for the visually-impaired community, accessible sites are more easily crawled, which is a first step in your site's ability to appear in search results.
So what can you do to make your sites more accessible? Well first of all, think simple. In its current version, Google Accessible Search looks at a number of signals by examining the HTML markup found on a web page. It tends to favor pages that degrade gracefully: pages with few visual distractions and that are likely to render well with images turned off. Flashing banners and dancing animals are probably the worst thing you could put on your site if you want its content to be read by an adaptive technology like a screen reader.
Here are some basic tips:
1. Keep web pages easy to read, avoiding visual clutter and ensuring that the primary purpose of the web page is immediately accessible with full keyboard navigation.
2. There are many organizations and online resources that offer website owners and authors guidance on how to make websites and pages more accessible for the blind and visually impaired. The W3C publishes numerous guidelines including Web Content Access Guidelines that are helpful for website owners and authors.
3. As with regular search, the best thing you can do with respect to making your site rank highly is to create unique, compelling content. In fact, you can think of the Google crawler as the world's most influential blind user. The content that matters most to the Googlebot is the content that matters most to the blind user: good, quality text.
4. It's also worth reviewing your content to see how accessible it is for other end users. For example, try browsing your site on a monochrome display or try using your site without a mouse. You may also consider your site's usability through a mobile device like a Blackberry or iPhone.
Fellow webmasters, thanks for taking the time to better understand principles of accessibility. In my next post I'll talk about how to make sure that critical site features, like site navigation, are accessible. Until then!
In everyday life, things like a sheet of paper—and anything written on it—are completely inaccessible to a blind or visually impaired user. But with the Internet a new world has opened up for me and so many others. Thanks to modern technology like screen readers, web pages, books, and web applications are now at our fingertips.
In order to help the visually impaired find the most relevant, useful information on the web, and as quickly as possible, we developed Accessible Search. Google Accessible Search identifies and prioritizes search results that are more easily used by blind and visually impaired users – that means pages that are clean and simple (think of the Google homepage!) and that can load without images.
Why should you take the time to make your site more accessible? In addition to the service you'll be doing for the visually-impaired community, accessible sites are more easily crawled, which is a first step in your site's ability to appear in search results.
So what can you do to make your sites more accessible? Well first of all, think simple. In its current version, Google Accessible Search looks at a number of signals by examining the HTML markup found on a web page. It tends to favor pages that degrade gracefully: pages with few visual distractions and that are likely to render well with images turned off. Flashing banners and dancing animals are probably the worst thing you could put on your site if you want its content to be read by an adaptive technology like a screen reader.
Here are some basic tips:
1. Keep web pages easy to read, avoiding visual clutter and ensuring that the primary purpose of the web page is immediately accessible with full keyboard navigation.
2. There are many organizations and online resources that offer website owners and authors guidance on how to make websites and pages more accessible for the blind and visually impaired. The W3C publishes numerous guidelines including Web Content Access Guidelines that are helpful for website owners and authors.
3. As with regular search, the best thing you can do with respect to making your site rank highly is to create unique, compelling content. In fact, you can think of the Google crawler as the world's most influential blind user. The content that matters most to the Googlebot is the content that matters most to the blind user: good, quality text.
4. It's also worth reviewing your content to see how accessible it is for other end users. For example, try browsing your site on a monochrome display or try using your site without a mouse. You may also consider your site's usability through a mobile device like a Blackberry or iPhone.
Fellow webmasters, thanks for taking the time to better understand principles of accessibility. In my next post I'll talk about how to make sure that critical site features, like site navigation, are accessible. Until then!
Google Code Source Code Browser Released
Jason Robbins and Jenan Wise have released a new Ajax source code browser for Google Code project hosting:
We recently launched a new source code browsing tool as part of Google Code’s project hosting feature. This new tool makes it easy to navigate through a project’s Subversion repository. Key features include: fast directory browsing tree, syntax highlighting, history of changes, and easy-to-read diffs. See it yourself under the “Source” tab of any project that we host.
The new system certainly feels fast, and uses jQuery to flip around in short order, jumping through the revisions of your system, expanding into new directories, etc.
This change required a change to my Google Code greasemonkey script that adds a direct link to the trunk. It now takes you right to the trunk of the code in the new browser!
We recently launched a new source code browsing tool as part of Google Code’s project hosting feature. This new tool makes it easy to navigate through a project’s Subversion repository. Key features include: fast directory browsing tree, syntax highlighting, history of changes, and easy-to-read diffs. See it yourself under the “Source” tab of any project that we host.
The new system certainly feels fast, and uses jQuery to flip around in short order, jumping through the revisions of your system, expanding into new directories, etc.
This change required a change to my Google Code greasemonkey script that adds a direct link to the trunk. It now takes you right to the trunk of the code in the new browser!
Click2Map™ Adds Template and Database Features to Google Maps™
Click2Map's powerful online Google Maps™ editor now offers database and template functionalities. Creating fully customizable interactive professional online maps from existing data is finally possible.
Click2Map (www.click2map.com) is a powerful online mapping application published by the Click2Map company. Click2Map puts all the power of Web 2.0 at the service of its users: its familiar point-and-click interface makes creating and sharing interactive online maps a snap. Everyone can now create rich and customized online maps without writing a single line of code.
Click2Map's editor allows users to create markers and POIs using a familiar application environment and provides convenient access to existing markers. Advanced users appreciate the possibility to create an unlimited number of maps including unlimited numbers of markers and optional groups.
Importing groups and markers now takes another dimension with the possibility to use variables extensively: all the information stored in your personal database can now be inserted wherever needed in each and every marker thanks to Click2Map's dynamic variable engine! No matter how many personal data categories and fields, Click2Map automatically generates the corresponding variables that you can instantly use: creating large quantities of personalized markers has never been easier!
Click2Map's enhanced import/export system provides an efficient means to integrate existing data into online maps and to exchange information with third party applications. The recent addition of an exclusive statistic engine helps professionals track their maps' consultations and the way they're used by visitors: the popularity of each map and marker can now be tracked in real time.
By allowing companies to create fully customized online Google Maps™ based on their existing data, Click2Map provides them with unprecedented means of promoting their business online.
About Click2Map:
Click2Map SARL is a leading French provider of GeoWeb Solutions. Click2Map is its flagship product, an easy to use online application to create, manage and publish online professional maps without any knowledge of programming. Click2Map SARL also provides full technical support and customization of its Click2Map Editor and Maps Generator.
Click2Map is a trademark of Click2Map SARL. Google Maps is a trademark of Google Inc.
Google I/O
Mark your calendars for May 28th and 29th for the Google I/O event held at San Francisco's Moscone. The event will focus on new technologies that Google offers to help developers make new killer apps. The event promises to talk about technologies like Google Gears, Open Social and Google Android.
According to the Google I/O site the below speakers scheduled to appear.
Learn first hand from Google engineers like David Glazer, Alex Martelli, Steve Souders, Dion Almaer, Mark Lucovsky, Guido van Rossum, Jeff Dean, Chris DiBona, Josh Bloch, and many more leaders in the field of development.
Those are some pretty heavy hitters. If you are able to attend it promises to be worth your time (especially if your work is paying for the trip).
Below are just a sample of some of the sessions that you could attend (this is the social portion of the event).
According to the Google I/O site the below speakers scheduled to appear.
Learn first hand from Google engineers like David Glazer, Alex Martelli, Steve Souders, Dion Almaer, Mark Lucovsky, Guido van Rossum, Jeff Dean, Chris DiBona, Josh Bloch, and many more leaders in the field of development.
Those are some pretty heavy hitters. If you are able to attend it promises to be worth your time (especially if your work is paying for the trip).
Below are just a sample of some of the sessions that you could attend (this is the social portion of the event).
Friday, March 14, 2008
Google Ad Manager Launched
Google (News - Alert) has announced it will release the beta version of Google Ad manager, a complete set of tools and programs created for the convenience of publishers of all sizes. It is designed to help users inventory management, production enhancement, save time and help them to increase their revenues.
Until now, publishers were using third party networks to fill their ad space. They used ad inventory like DoubleClick (News - Alert) revenue center to employ a direct sales force to manage and sell their space. And yet they experienced difficulties in managing and sending their content without delays. The Ad manager was developed with the concerns of the publishers in mind, according to Goggle.
Google Ad Manager is a free, hosted ad and inventory management tool that can help publishers sell, schedule, deliver and measure their directly-sold and network-based ad inventory. It enables the publishers to work more on their advertising rather than their ad management. Ad Manager helps publishers maximize their inventory sell-through rates.
Last week Google acquired DoubleClick, as an assurance to its customers that it is working hard for continued development and enhancement for publishers by making use of the wonderful features presented by DoubleClick. Google Ad Manager effectively complements the DoubleClick Revenue Center with its main focus on publishers of large sale items.
Google Ad Manager is still in beta and is available to publishers by invitation only. If you're interested in learning more about it or would like to be considered for the program, visit the Google Ad Manager site.
Nathesh is a TMCnet Contributing Editor
Don’t forget to check out TMCnet’s White Paper Library, which provides a selection of in-depth information on relevant topics affecting the IP Communications industry. The library offers white papers, case studies and other documents which are free to registered users. Today’s featured white paper is End-to-end Billing and Network Management, brought to you by Comarch (News - Alert).
Until now, publishers were using third party networks to fill their ad space. They used ad inventory like DoubleClick (News - Alert) revenue center to employ a direct sales force to manage and sell their space. And yet they experienced difficulties in managing and sending their content without delays. The Ad manager was developed with the concerns of the publishers in mind, according to Goggle.
Google Ad Manager is a free, hosted ad and inventory management tool that can help publishers sell, schedule, deliver and measure their directly-sold and network-based ad inventory. It enables the publishers to work more on their advertising rather than their ad management. Ad Manager helps publishers maximize their inventory sell-through rates.
Last week Google acquired DoubleClick, as an assurance to its customers that it is working hard for continued development and enhancement for publishers by making use of the wonderful features presented by DoubleClick. Google Ad Manager effectively complements the DoubleClick Revenue Center with its main focus on publishers of large sale items.
Google Ad Manager is still in beta and is available to publishers by invitation only. If you're interested in learning more about it or would like to be considered for the program, visit the Google Ad Manager site.
Nathesh is a TMCnet Contributing Editor
Don’t forget to check out TMCnet’s White Paper Library, which provides a selection of in-depth information on relevant topics affecting the IP Communications industry. The library offers white papers, case studies and other documents which are free to registered users. Today’s featured white paper is End-to-end Billing and Network Management, brought to you by Comarch (News - Alert).
Google Sky Brings the Heavens Online
Attention amateur astronomers, your online stargazing options are looking up thanks to Google Sky.
Google has extracted the recently released night sky browser out of Google Earth and released it on the web. While Google Sky is still part of Google Earth, it is also joining Google Moon and Google Mars with its very own URL and new collection of Google Maps-like features.
Google Sky allows you to pan and zoom through the stars just as you would terrestrial maps and even provides URLs for linking directly to deep space objects.
As with the Google Earth component, the online version features a number of image galleries showcasing shots from Hubble and other telescopes. There’s also an option to switch to alternate views like infrared or microwave.
As with all of Google’s map related projects, developers can overlay Google Sky with their own KML files to add extra data and markers.
Google Book Search Integration
Using the newly released book viewability API in Google Book Search, Plymouth State University’s Lamson Library and Learning Commons is one of the first libraries to move beyond simply listing their books online and open them up to reading and searching via the web.
Take a look at how this works with books by Plymouth authors Bruce Heald and Joseph Monninger. The “Browse on Google” link in the New Features section leads to extended previews of their works where you can browse excerpts of the books and search the full text.
Matthew Batchelder wrote the JavaScript that makes it work, and all the features are incorporated in the current version of Scriblio. To implement it in an existing Scriblio installation, take a look at Matt’s script how it’s included in the theme’s header.php. You’ll also need to make sure your site’s catalog records include ISBNs to link with (I’ll be adding support for LCCNs and OCLCNs soon). If you’re using the standard MARC or III importers and your source records contain ISBNs, you should be all set.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Google AdManager Launches Limited Beta
Google quietly allowed new users to apply for there ad serving platform today. This is probably the first Google product since analytics that I am really really excited about.
So what is it? Basically Google Ad Manager is a hosted solution similar to OpenX (formally known as OpenAds… and even more formally known as PhpAdsNew). I guess that is the easy way to say it. The bottom line is that they are going to destroy OpenX and everyone like it with this product. I really like the OpenX guys. They were guests on my radio show not to long ago. I would have much rather seen Google aquire them but… I guess that did not make business sense.
Anyway so what this will do is give you a easy to use platform to sell your ads on your website. I have said in many many many posts, panels, and speaking at conferences that Adsense is one of the worst ways to monetize your blog and direct ad sales was the best way. The only issue with doing ad sales yourself is you need a person to handle it (if you dont have time) and also you need to maintain the ad server.
What are the other features of Google Ad Manager? Well the first things that come to mind is the analytical data on your site. You will be able to give advertisers data that Google can provide. Demographics/geotargeting/ctr and all kinds of things. Also having a easy place where users can “self serve” is a massive benefit.
I think the benefits are pretty obvious but you can read about all of them here on the features page.
So what are the negatives? Well the only one I can really think of is privacy issues that come with it.
So if its free what does Google get out of it? Well for 1 you can use Adsense to backfill your inventory. I think the biggest feature is just getting more users into the Google system.
So you better go and sign up for admanager now. I suspect these invites will be hotter then gmail and ypn (if you remember those selling on eBay) to the right people.
From there FAQ:
- What ad management problems is Google Ad Manager designed to solve?
Many publishers with direct ad sales experience the following problems:
- Confusing, slow, and complicated workflows
- Inflexible site tagging
- Uncertainty about which ad source to deliver to optimize yield
- Unreliable inventory forecasting
- High ad-serving costs
In response to these challenges, we designed Google Ad Manager to offer you:
- A clear user interface: Increase your staff’s efficiency and productivity.
- Simplified tagging: Tag your site only once.
- Yield optimization: Automatically maximize your CPMs.
- Reliable inventory forecasting: Always know what inventory is available to sell.
- Higher ROI: Save costs, because Ad Manager is free.
- Is Google Ad Manager right for me?
Please consider Ad Manager for your business if you:
- Operate a website with reserved and network ad inventory.
- Sell your ad inventory directly to advertisers (or plan to sell directly to advertisers in the future).
- Want to improve the efficiency of the sales process and feel confident in your forecasting.
- Need a consistent way to deliver ads that make you the most money.
- Find that some of your inventory always remains unsold because you couldn’t accurately forecast availability.
- Is Google Ad Manager really free?
Yes. There are no sign-up, ad serving, feature, or support costs for Google Ad Manager.
- Does Ad Manager require exclusivity?
No. Ad Manager doesn’t require exclusivity. You’re free to use other ad management
and ad serving products along with Google Ad Manager or switch to another provider at any time. - Will I be restricted to AdSense as my ad network?
No. You can use any ad network you like. With Google Ad Manager, you can optionally enable AdSense to deliver the best-paying ad source for each impression.
The Lost Features Of Google
Google created tons of products in the past. And some of them, they removed again after finding that they didnt work, required too many resources, didnt take off, or were overshadowed by legal concerns. Here are some of the lost Google services and features.
 |
| The Lost Features of Google |
Whois Searches
Years ago, Google tried allowing you to enter a search like whois example.com to find out who registered example.com. Perhaps this feature was open to abuse by automated screenscraping, or perhaps Google just didnt want to get into the privacy issues connected with this. In any case, its no longer available, though it would be really useful. Jon Gales back in January 2004 on the speed removal commented, This has to be the shortest lived feature of Googles short history. First saw it on the 7th and last saw it on the 9th, Well, the record would be beaten by Google X, further below.
Replacements: You can bookmark this whois.net URL in Firefox; afterwards, open the bookmarks properties via right-clicking it, and in the keyword field, enter whois. Now when you type e.g. whois example.com into the address bar, you will get to an instant result.
(Also, in theory Subscribed Links are made for custom oneboxes, though a directory search for whois doesnt return anything useful. A search in the iGoogle gadget directory is a little more helpful.)
Google X
Google X of 2005 was a variant of the Google homepage showing an animated navigation, much like Mac is doing. It was even disclaimed to be a Mac OS X homage... and perhaps thats what got it into troubled trademark waters. Chikai Ohazamas official announcement of the invention in the Google blog sounded innocent enough ...
I gave it to a few friends in the company, who gave it to their friends, some posted it on their blogs, others sent it around on mailing lists, and it eventually made its way to Marissa Mayer, who liked it enough to say, when do you want to put it up on Labs? So after some spit and polish from some enthusiastic Googlers and the keen eye of the UI team, Google X is here. I hope all of you enjoy it " especially Mac users, who Im sure will appreciate its lineage.
... but on that very same day, Google X vanished again.
Replacements: Perhaps its not a real replacement, but the Google Korea homepage (in the Korean-language version) comes rather close to the original X effect. Added to that, cached copies of the X page are still walking the internet every now and then (and getting cease & desisted by Google every now and then, too).
Google Answers
Google Answers was a paid question & answer service with around 500 researchers worldwide (I also answered there in 2002). Researchers often went to a great length to tackle even low-paid questions, though Google slowly cut off the traffic to the site, perhaps figuring its not scalable or something. After a while, they shut down the service completely, and turned the site into an archive.
Replacements: Uclue.com is a great replacement, with many ex-Google researchers on-board. If you want a free service instead, theres Yahoo Answers (less suited if youre pressed for time and looking for high-quality answers only, but very social).
The Google SOAP API
SOAP itself, that perhaps for many cases somewhat over-complicated data exchange/ interaction format (competing with dozens of other formats), is used by less and less sites. Originally, you were able to sing up for a free key with Google for their SOAP Search API and then query for results. However, the SOAP API was very unstable in its later life-time and today its completely disabled for new sign-ups (though you can continue to use existing keys, if you accept the instability of the API). Part of the reason why Google might have got rid of this service is that it cant place ads on the target site, because your code fully and easily controls just how to display search results... which is what made the service really neat to use, too.
Replacements: Google suggests you use the AJAX Search API for your site search needs, but unfortunately its somewhat inaccessible/ unusable in certain situations (e.g. Im using it on this site, and it wont let you use the browser back button when you enter multiple consecutive queries). Yahoo on the other hand offers a nice option for server-side scripts " the Yahoo search web services.
Google Related Links
Google related links was started in April 2006, and cancelled in July 2007. Its what Google might think of as a service which, thrown to the wall like spaghetti, didnt stick. What the service did was display a widget box containing tabs like Related, Searches or News. Clicking on a tab showed you a link that was supposed to be contextually relevant to the page the widget was embedded on. Sounds a little bit like AdSense, except nobody got paid for clicks! By now, this service ended... and for all those widgets which may still be included somewhere, a simple Google search box displays instead.
Replacements: Google in 2007 told me, Through our evaluation of the Labs product, we identified the most compelling functionalities of Related Links and integrated them into new and improved products, like the AJAX Search API and AdSense Link Units. Perhaps Google gadgets can also be used to spice up your page (at least those gadgets which can be dropped into a web page, which is not the case with all of them), albeit theyre not context-targetted.
Paid Google Videos
Were not quite sure what were going to get, but we decided wed try this experiment.
(Larry Page while announcing Google Video in 2005)
There are a couple of corpses in Google Videos basement. Like the now discontinued searching for close captions, which was in fact (oddly enough) all the original service ever did. Also at one time, you were able to downloaded DRMified, paid videos in the US. Started in January 2006, the service got the CBS Corporation boss Leslie Moonves excited, as she spoke of the ability to leverage content to a new audience getting exposure to millions of users. NBAs David Stern said Google was nothing short of revolutionizing the way people access media.
Well, the paid videos service was shut down roughly 1 1/2 years later... and, in true DRM tradition, you were then not able to playback all those videos you actually acquired (OK, Google was nice enough to give you a 4 days advance notice and a Checkout voucher... though, under pressure, they later somewhat expanded the time period in which your videos worked, and also offered a real refund).
Curious what Google Video and other services looked like 2 years ago? Check out the video museum.
Replacements: PirateBay.org, perhaps (because paid video services will often send you a DRMed file which you cant use in many contexts).
Google RealNames Support
RealNames were one of those dotcom hype inventions that sounded just to good to fail. Founded in 1997, the idea was that instead of typing long and clumsy addresses with double slashes, people would just enter a keyword into the address bar. Google got on-board too, and integrated the RealNames database into the Google search results; if youd enter a registered RealNames keyword, a kind of onebox would pop up on top of the results. Larry Page back then thought, The addition of Internet Keywords complements our advanced search technology by giving users the option of using company, product and brand names to navigate to specific web pages.
For some reason, the RealNames service didnt take off though " perhaps no one likes having a single company overtake the address bar to make money. Wikipedia explains the RealNames downfall: RealNames was dependent on maintaining its association with Microsoft that enabled the RealNames service on Microsofts web browser. RealNames shut down operations in 2002 following a decision by Microsoft to redirect the 1 billion page views per calendar quarter that RealNames were resolving from the browser address bar into the MSN search engine. Ouch.
Replacements: Google.coms feeling-lucky button does pretty much the same, but is scalable, and doesnt require people to register anywhere. Also, if what the user entered doesnt seem to be a URL, browsers like Firefox typically connect address bar entries to websites anyway (via Google search, again). Guess that makes Google (and AdWords) the successor to RealNames.
Uncompromising Stance Against Censorship
| Google does not censor results for any search term. The order and content of our results are completely automated; we do not manipulate our search results by hand. We believe strongly in allowing the democracy of the web to determine the inclusion and ranking of sites in our search results. | Document Not Found Sorry, the document you requested is not available. You can visit the main page. | It is Googles policy not to censor search results. However, in response to local laws, regulations, or policies, we may do so. When we remove search results for these reasons, we display a notice on our search results pages. |
Actually, Google early on started self-censoring in countries like Germany or France (at least back in 2003). In 2005, Google started to censor some News sources in China (they never disclosed which), and in 2006 expanded this to web search results as well (again, they never disclosed which). People inside and outside the company were and are divided as to whether or not this compromise, as opposed to trying to push for uncensored results, helps Chinese searchers in the long run. Today, many Google or Google partner services, from book search to maps, are partly censored in Google China (and not always with a disclosure on search results).
Replacements: Going to Yahoo or MSN is no alternative if you prefer uncompromising search engines, as they also self-censor (and often, worse). But if youre in China, you may still be able to use Google.com, or if its inaccessible, be able to try a censorship circumvention tool (though there may be risks attached to do doing so).
Google Local
Business look-up service Google Local isnt really lost " its merged with Google Maps. To quote Marissa Mayer, this is Googles so-called San Angeles/ Los Diego strategy. You take large products and throw them at the wall merge them together into the biggest possible nucleus " this, Marissa argues, helps people remember the products a company offers.
Replacements: Google Maps, or one of its many clones.
Google Catalogs
Google Catalogs is a searchable directory of scanned catalog pages. It was always a little quirky, but now seems largely dead... some of the newer catalogs are from 2006, with lots of catalogs from 2002 and beyond still around as well. If you search for iPhone, you get a whooping 2 results... which however are errors in character recognition as well as a completely different product, as the catalogs are from years before Apple actually released the product. The special discount offer if you buy a second Ionic Breeze Quadra Silent Air Purifier by July 31, 2002 might not be that universally useful either.
Replacements: Why use a paper-based catalog if theres Amazon, eBay, and Google Product Search (the former Froogle)? And then, if Google continues to scan as much as they can get their hands on, perhaps one of these days catalogs will move into the Google Book Search project.
Google Directory
Similar to Google Catalogs, this is a bit of a zombie project (not in the sense of shoot its brain, but of half living/ dead). The Google Directory once had a spotlight backlink right from the Google homepage, but today this clone of Open Directory/ dmoz.org data is largely unlinked. It must be one of those rare places where Google.com hosts info on Female Clown Fetishes or Sneezing Fan Fiction.
Replacements: The best replacement for this DMOZ clone is perhaps DMOZ itself, though (search engine optimization aside) interest in any kind of directory has somewhat faded as its hard to scale.
Blogger Pro
I was one of those (few?) people who actually paid to use some of Bloggers premium features back in 2003. Oh well, it got me a hooded sweater with the orange B logo when Google announced all pro features are now available for free.
Replacements: Googles Blogger continues to be occasionally down, I heard (this blog moved from Blogger to a homemade system due to this instability, among other reasons). If you want something more premium, perhaps WordPress, TypePad or Tumblr are for you.
GNS, Google Number Search
Truth be told, I dont know if this feature still exists. But its based on WAP, and as WAP is pretty much dead (for all the right reasons), it may well be discontinued. What did Google Number Search do? According to Google in 2000, GNS is designed to enable users to enter search queries approximately twice as fast as conventional methods. For example, using the new GNS functionality, a user can spell the word super by simply typing a 7 for s, 8 for u, and so on. By pressing only five keys (78737), GNS enables a user to search for the word, super. With conventional input methods, a user would have to press 12 keys (777788733777) for the same word.
Replacements: Well, GNS sounds like a feature that should be built-in to phones, and it pretty much is, at least since a long time. No replacement needed!
GoogleScout
In 1999, Google got rid of its beta and officially launched at www.google.com. The focus of their accompanying press release however wasnt the new address or the official launch... it was GoogleScout! What was that? Well, clicking the link GoogleScout below a search result snippet returned a list of related pages for that URL (if I understand it right, that is... does anyone know of a good video of Google from around 1999/ 2000?).
Replacements: Nowadays, you can click the less extravagantly named Similar pages link, still printed below every result snippet.
Google Deskbar
Google Deskbar (screenshot by Google Tutor) was a search box integrated in your operating system taskbar as part of the Google Desktop installation. There was even a Google Deskbar API, and an official help group along with it. This help group is now a ghost forum, with message subjects ranging from $$$$$$ GET $7000 BY WORKING 2HR A DAY$$$$ to sexy and hot pics.
Replacements: Well, one pointer posted in the Deskbar API forum was actually potentially helpful: SmokeyBox, which the author says is a little application that I created to take the place of the now-defunct Google Deskbar. Also, you can still download Google Desktop itself, which offers somewhat resembling functionality.
Google to launch offline calendar feature?
It looks like Google is preparing to add offline functionality to Google Calendar. A few days ago the folks at the Digital Streets blog noticed that Google seemed to have added some code to the Google Calendar page that would bring up a prompt to install Google Gears for access to 3 months worth of calendar data while you're offline. But once you install Google Gears, nothing happens.
The plot thickened on Thursday when Googlified noticed a new option in the settings section of Google Calendar. Go ahead and check, odds are you'll see an "Offline" tab in your own calendar settings. When you click the tab, you're told to download Google Gears. Unfortunately, once you install Google Gears, nothing seems to happen. Visiting Google Calendar with Gears installed just brings up the plain old Google Calendar with no option to save your data for offline viewing. But we get the feeling that Google wouldn't be adding features to the Google Calendar settings menu if the company didn't plan to activate those features soon.
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