Ask.com - No Longer AskJeeves.com

Ask.com has officially launched -- without Jeeves. The newly designed site includes a new main page, new logo, and simplified inferface with new tools inluding maps, encyclopedia searching and desktip searching. Ask.com has left Jeeves behind and become more serious about competing with other major search engines. Also included in the redesign is a customizable "toolbox" where you can include shortcuts to maps, images, weather, local searching, and a dictionary.

Google Page Creator

Google is now in the web page building business. They just launched Google Page Creator -- a webpage creation tool for beginners -- to create their own web pages quickly and easily without knowing HTML. Google Page Creator is still in beta and requires users to have a Gmail account before using the service. Once you have your Gmail account you can login and get templates and background styles plus other tools for making links, adding images, and having various heading and font styles. I have not used Google Page Creator yet, but am interested in what it has to offer. If anyone has used it, let me know what you think.

Blackberry Not to Be Shut Down

The U.S. judge over the BlackBerry lawsuit has not ordered an immediate shutdown of the service. BlackBerry provides e-mail service to millions of users however the manufacturer (Research in Motion Ltd.) has infringed upon patents of NTP Inc. RIM argued that a shutdown of their service would "hobble critical public services and infrastructure", as reported by Reuters this morning. However RIM has also claimed they have a software work-around which would keep service from being disrupted. The judge has indicated the companies should have settled out of court because it was obvious RIM had infringed upon the NTP patents and should make restitution as previously ordered in court.

The lawsuit has been going on for over 4 years. Analysts suggest RIM may end up paying $1 billion dollars in a settlement at this point. Blackberry users are hoping the service will not be shut down and force them to switch to other less desirable service providers.

Wi-Fi in San Francisco

Well, it looks like it's going to be Wi-Fi everywhere in San Francisco. Officials from the high-tech city have released 6 proposals from various companies bidding for a city Wi-Fi network contract. Companies bidding on the project include Google in a joint bid with ISP EarthLink. EarthLink has already won bids to create Wi-Fi networks in Anaheim and Philadelphia. For the San Francisco project Google would provide ads, and EarthLink would do everything else.

Amazon.com to Compete with iTunes and iPod

It looks like Amazon.com is going to compete with iTunes and iPod. Although the final agreements have not been reached, Amazon.com plans to launch its own digital music service. The new service may be available as soon as this summer. Amazon may work with such media giants as Sony BMG, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group and EMI Group. Talks have indicated that the new service would include a portable music player with the Amazon.com brand.

Get Free Prizes from MSN and Yahoo Searching

It looks like MSN and Yahoo are trying to lure away Google's audience by offering prizes just for using MSN Search and Yahoo. If you use targeted keywords in your search you may win prizes ranging from gift certificates, digital cameras to MP3 players. The promotion from MSN called MSN Search and Win will be run for the next few months.

The Perfect Husband

I just came across this and enjoyed it so much I wanted to share.

The Perfect Husband

Several men are in the locker room of a golf club.

A cell phone on a bench rings and a man engages the hands free speaker-function and begins to talk.

Everyone else in the room stops to listen.

MAN: "Hello."

WOMAN: "Honey, it's me. Are you at the club?"

MAN: "Yes."

WOMAN: "I am at the mall now and found this beautiful leather coat. It's only $1,000. Is it OK if I buy it?"

MAN: "Sure, go ahead if you like it that much."

WOMAN: "I also stopped by the Mercedes dealership and saw the new 2005 models. I saw one I really liked."

MAN: "How much?"

WOMAN: "$90,000."

MAN: "OK, but for that price, I want it with all the options."

WOMAN: "Great! Oh, and one more thing .....the house I wanted last year is back on the market. They're asking $950,000."

MAN: "Well, then go ahead and give them an offer of $900,000. They will probably take it. If not, we can go the extra 50 thousand. It is really a pretty good price."

WOMAN: "OK. I'll see you later! I love you so much!!"

MAN: "Bye! I love you, too."

The man hangs up. The other men in the locker room are staring at him in astonishment, mouths agape.....

Then he smiles and asks: "Anyone know who this phone belongs to?"

Dealing with Employee Complaints Video - Very Funny

Despair.com is one of my favorite companies. I love their products. They add a bit of humor into the workplace. Anyway, they just came out with a new video about dealing with employee complaints. It is really funny. Check it out.

Super Bowl Ads on Yahoo

Yahoo has annnounced it will feature this year's Super Bowl ads on it's Yahoo video home page. So if you miss any of the commercials or want to see them again -- just turn on your computer. The commercials will actually be hosted at ifilm.com. Although the commercials will not be shown immediately online, they should be up before the end of the game.