Although I'm primarily a Google man, I really like the changes that Ask has been making to their search services.
Ask
Here we have the Ask homepage with it's list of search tools on the right hand side including: Images, News, Blogs, etc. I personally think it looks cleaner than the Google homepage, and they offer some nice options to narrow or expand your search.
Ask X
Next we have Ask X, and no this isn't Ask Afterdark (although the grey background is pretty sexy). Ask X is Ask's "Sandbox" for playing with and testing new ideas in search. Thanks to Ajax (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) this engine is also more interactive than your usual Google search. That being said...
How do the results look:
Google
I did a search for "Monty Python", and we can see Google's straight forward results: Organic listings on the left, and paid listings on the right. Options for images, video, news, and more can be found by clicking at the top of the screen. Sure it gets the job done, but where's the passion?
Ask
Here we can see how Ask adds a little more flavor to the results. On the right hand side they offer options to narrow or expand your search. The "related names" portion on the right lists the names of cast members from Monty Python for example. The top of the screen highlights Monty Python's classic movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and we can't forget to mention Ask's trademark binoculars that allow you to preview a website before you click.
Ask X
Ask X takes the results page to the next level by dividing the results into three separate panes. The left pane now acts as the navigation pane which includes the narrow, expand, and related names options. The center pane includes the organic results with paid results highlighted in blue. Another new feature includes the ability to bookmark a result and save it in "My Stuff" for future reference. Lastly the right pane takes your search and shows you some images, news, shopping, or whatever else is related to your query.
The Verdict?
Ever since Ask fired that prick Jeeves, they've been doing some awesome things with search! Both Ask, and especially Ask X, offer features that I'm sure will become the future of search engine results. Give it a try yourself, and let me know what you think. (and no, I don't work for Ask)
I was wrapping some Christmas gifts last night, but I was having trouble getting into the mood (it happens to everyone, so shut up). I needed some Christmas music to help work myself into a holiday frenzy, and I was looking to avoid the synth stylings of Mannheim Steamroller. Luckily I found this hilarious twist on an old Christmas Carol, and I couldn't wait to share. Just click on the wacky spinning record below to check it out.
I’ve heard it described as a form of popular music comprised of drums, bass, guitar, and lead vocals. I’ve heard it described as a social/cultural phenomenon that continues to impact the world in which we live. As far as I’m concerned, those don’t even come close to defining rock and roll. This video, on the other hand, pretty much says it all:
Laugh if you will, but this guy has more talent than a majority of the people on the Billboard Hot 100 List . If only he was a half naked teenage girl, he'd have his own record deal already.
