Google Book Search has dealt with Indian manuscripts, Japanese universities, and Belgian libraries – interesting stuff, but not exactly in line with mainstream America’s tastes. Now Google Book Search is directing a nod – more of a bow, really – to Harry Potter.
Carolina’s Google Tax Breaks Irk Locals
The North Carolina Institute for Constitutional Law (NCICL) has called the $165 million in tax incentives for Google “unusual” and challenged the deal in court.
Google’s Privacy Counsel Campaigns Against Ties
Peter Fleischer serves as Google’s global privacy counsel, but he may also have had a role in writing the dress code. At any rate, the man apparently loathes ties – he wrote a letter to the Financial Times saying as much.
Google Looks At Maori Language
Google’s Australian branch is quite proud of the country’s culture and origins. As word spreads about a new project, it seems that Google’s taking a strong interest in New Zealand, as well; the search engine should soon be available in Maori, a language native to the area.
Britain’s Floods Get Mapped By Google
Over the past week or so, Britain has been hit by some really nasty flooding – the worst in 60 years. Fortunately, no deaths or serious injuries have been reported, and it’s possible that Google helped bring about this positive outcome.
Google Unveils SketchUp Blog
Google SketchUp enthusiasts, rejoice! An official blog for SketchUp is now up and running, and if the posts on it are any indication, this will not be one of Google’s sites that sit stagnant for a month (or more) at a time.
Tracking RSS Subscriptions with Google Analytics
One of the most frustrating things about RSS is not being able to track RSS subscription rates from source traffic.
There are other problems such as how people interact with your RSS content, but even being able to determine which sources of traffic result in subscribers would be a huge commercial advantage for bloggers, allowing them to focus their efforts on traffic generation strategies that will grow their business.
Google Homepages Get Altered In Asia
Google’s homepage has stayed (pretty much) the same for a long time, and the smallest changes have generated scads of coverage. Now, in some foreign markets, the search giant is testing major revisions.
Microsoft Elbows Google Aside For EA Deal
Microsoft’s purchase of Massive, an in-game advertising company, and some executive-swapping, enabled it to beat Google and other competitors for the EA contract.
Republican Leaders Oppose Google Wireless Plan
Concepts of open access for 700 MHz wireless spectrum coming up for auction have Republicans screaming mad. Let’s play my favorite game, Follow The Money.