Category: Internet

A9.com

New web search engine from…Amazon! A9.com uses Google as its main search engine but adds a couple of nice features. Firstly your search results will contain any book references which are found in a seperate tab. Also, if you have an Amazon account and log into a9.com your search history will be displayed – handy when trying to remember how you found a particular website. Like Google they also have a browser toolbar which has the same features as Google but also contains a ‘diary’ feature where you can store comments/to-do’s against any websites. Nice.

However it looks more like Amazon trying to capture sales than anything else, and also the searches return less results than Google. Maybe they only have access to some of Google’s search engine? And I don’t like the idea of search results tied to my user account ties to my purchases. I’ll stick to Google for now.

Thinker Quiz

First saw on mad musings, the BBC has a thinker quiz for your delights. My results are:

Logical-Mathematical Thinker –

  • Like to understand patterns and relationships between objects or actions
  • Try to understand the world in terms of causes and effects
  • Are good at thinking critically, and solving problems creatively

    • Other Logical-Mathematical Thinkers include Isaac Newton, Archimedes, Albert Einstein.
    Careers which suit Logical-Mathematical thinkers include Physicist, Chemist, Biologist, Lawyer, Computer programmer, Engineer, Inventor.

    Interpersonal Thinker –

  • Like to think about other people, and try to understand them
  • Recognise differences between individuals and appreciate that different people have different perspectives
  • Make an effort to cultivate effective relationships with family, friends and colleagues

    • Other Interpersonal thinkers include Winston Churchill, Mother Teresa, William Shakespeare.
    Careers which suit Interpersonal thinkers include Politician, Psychologist, Nurse, Counsellor, Teacher.

    Usually these net surveys are pretty inaccurate and just a bit of fun. Maybe its just coincidence but I’m surprised by the results which I think match me pretty well.

    MSN Chat Closes

    I’m surprised that Microsoft announced they are to close their MSN chat rooms from October 14th. I can only see this as a publicity and cost reduction exercise. The BBC website features some reactions from net users and also a poll which currently shows 55% against closing chat rooms.

    Microsoft are pandering to the growing hype around internet safety and the parents who want the pc to be a ‘virtual nanny’ for the child while they have a bit of peace and quiet. They are also letting the corrupt few win over the vast majority of honest net users who are more and more being tarnished. If your an adult and use the net then you must be one of those dodgy chat room users.

    Parental responsibility has to be encouraged to try and combat child safety on the net and they must do more to understand the potential dangers and what can be done to combat them. They should also reduce the amount of time their kids spend on the net – there are far healthier and more sociable activities for kids. Stiffer penalties for paedophiles are also required. And hopefully common sense will rule and most other chat rooms stay open before they are driven underground where control really will be lost.