This is quite interesting how Microsoft can optimize better than Google for Google. Just try to search for a "search" in Google – see who the Google’s favorite is… ;)
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11
Apr 07
GOOGLE: “If you’re watching a YouTube video, we know you’re watching that video.”
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– Hey, mom, what channel is GOOGLE on today? – Hey, mom, I am bored, can you turn on the radio? |
Information right from the source
Google CEO Eric Schmidt on "How big is the market for all these Google ads":
Today, the vast majority of our revenue is in text ads correlated with searches. In the last couple of years, we have developed what are called display ad products, including banner ads, video ads, click-to-call ads, and things like that. And I’ve also said that we are pursuing the possibility of television advertising. By that I mean traditional television advertising. And we bought dMarc Broadcasting to do radio ads.
So let’s rank the probability of them being affected by targeted ads. There’s search: That’s 100 percent affected. What about radio? Is it possible to get a targeted ad right to your car right now? Not yet because we can’t target the individual receiver in your car. If two cars are next to each other, the same radio station cannot have two different ads. However, if it’s at a regional level we can do it to the zip code level. So let’s call that partial targeting.
Now, let’s look at television. Every one of the next generation of cable set-top boxes is going to get upgraded to an IP-addressable set-top box. So all of a sudden, that set-top box is a computer that we can talk to. We can’t tell whether it’s the daughter or the son or the husband or the wife in a household. All we know is we’re just talking to the television. But that’s pretty targetable because family buying patterns are pretty predictable, and you can see what programs they’re watching. And if you’re watching a YouTube video, we know you’re watching that video.
My point of going through this little treatise is to say, if the total available market is ($600 billion to $800 billion, we won’t be able to target all $800 billion. It will not be a 100 percent perfectly targetable, straight into your brain, but we should be able to offer a material improvement (in response rates) to many businesses.
9
Apr 07
GAIM vs. AOL = Pidgin
Many years ago when GAIM project was first started, it was called “GTK+ AOL Instant Messenger.” AOL naturally complained, and Mark Spencer changed the name to “Gaim.”
A few years later AOL trademarked “AIM,” and started referring to their IM services using that name. They complained.
At long last, GAIM have a signed settlement and can release a new version. There is one catch however: they have had to change the project’s name.
After a long, and secret debate, GAIM’s team settled on the name “Pidgin” for GAIM itself, “libpurple” for “libgaim” (which, as of 2.0.0 beta6, exists), and “Finch” for “gaim-text”. Yes, the spelling of “Pidgin“.
The final Pidgin 2.0.0 will be released late this week or early next week.
7
Apr 07
Verizon’s ignorance – “Linux does not support Javascript and Tables”
Checking a speedtest tool from Verizon? Would like to ask Verizon whether or not it works for you? Here is one of Verizon’s question/answers:
- Q: My computer is a Mac, PC, or Linux – will this test work for me?
A: Yes. The techniques used to build these pages are not operating system specific. However, the Speedtest tool should work for every browser that supports simple JavaScript and tables. The noted exception to this is Linux, which supports neither JavaScript nor tables.
Here is the snapshot:
Way to go Verizon! There is a good book you can buy for FiOS department to read “Linux for Dummies” :)
7
Apr 07
GOOGLE’s new baby “1-800-GOOG-411″
powered by
can’t find a girlfriend? its easy – just call 1-800-GOOG-GIRL
looking for your keys? its easy – just call 1-800-GOOG-KEYS
want another life? its never been easier – just call 1-800-GOOG-NEXT
;)
Welcome to Google Voice Local Search
Google Voice Local Search is Google’s experimental service to make local-business search accessible over the phone.
To try this service, just dial 1-800-GOOG-411 (1-800-466-4411) from any phone.
Using this service, you can:
- search for a local business by name or category.
You can say “Giovanni’s Pizzeria” or just “pizza”. - get connected to the business, free of charge.
- get the details by SMS if you’re using a mobile phone.
Just say “text message”.
And it’s free. Google doesn’t charge you a thing for the call or for connecting you to the business. Regular phone charges may apply, based on your telephone service provider.
Note: Google Voice Local Search is still in its experimental stage. It may not be available at all times and may not work for all users. We’re fine-tuning the service to get better at recognizing your requests. It’s currently only available in English, in the US, for US business listings.
When you are asked for city and state, you can:
- say the city and state like “beverly hills california”.
- say the zip, e.g. “nine-oh-two-one-oh”.
- type the zip code using the key pad, e.g. “9-0-2-1-0”.
When you are asked for a business name or category, you can:
- say a business name, like “Giovanni’s pizzeria”.
- say a category name, like “hardware stores”.
- say “go back” to change city and state.
When browsing through results, you can:
- say the listing number (e.g. “number two”) or press the corresponding key (e.g. “2”) to choose a listing or navigate between results.
- say “text message” or press “9” to receive a text message, when you are calling from a mobile phone.
- say “details” to get more information about the current listing.
- say “start over” or press “*” to start from the main menu.
- say “go back” to change business or category.