Information Week reports that Google has started testing ways to index data from the invisible Web, including "Web pages generated dynamically from a database, based on input such as might be provided through a Web submission form." (For more on the invisible Web, see my Wisconsin Lawyer article, Searching Smarter)

Given that the invisible Web, also know as the deep Web or hidden Web, is approximately 400 to 550 times larger than the visible Web, that could amount to a lot more data accessible via Google.

Over at Search Engine Land, Danny Sullivan points out that "Google's not the first to do something like this. Companies like Quigo, BrightPlanet, and WhizBang Labs were doing this type of work years ago. But it never translated over to the major search engines. Now chapter two of surfacing deep web material is opening, this time with a major search player -- in that, Google is being a pioneer."

Posted by Bonnie Shucha at 1:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A whole lot more delinquent taxpayers are about to get added to the Department of Revenue's Website of Shame.

According to the Wisconsin Radio Network, a provision in the new state budget lowers the threshold to $5,000 owed. Currently, the site lists taxpayers who owe $25,000 or more.

Delinquents will have a chance to pay off their debt before they end up on the list. DOR is currently contacting those who will qualify under the new requirements for being listed.

Posted by Bonnie Shucha at 1:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

To better reflect it's purpose as the official web portal of the U.S. government, FirstGov.gov has changed its named to USA.gov. A Spanish version is also available.

Posted by Bonnie Shucha at 2:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"What if we were to create a new operating system and user interface knowing what we know today, how far could we go?" This is the concept behind a 3D interface called the Croquet Project which may just represent the next generation of the Web.

"Croquet users an avatar to place the user inside a three-dimensional virtual information space that looks like the playing of a multiplayer video game," writes Marshall Breeding in a November/December 2005 Computers in Libraries article.

The white rabbit represents a user (you) working with a resource (in this case a Word doc) in a Croquet space. Imagine adding other users and resources and interacting in the same space. I saw a demonstration of this new technology at a conference a while back and I was blown away.

Posted by Bonnie Shucha at 9:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Google has beta launched a free Web page creation/hosting tool called Google Page Creator. A Gmail (Google email) account is required and you must be using either Internet Explorer 6.0 or Firefox 1.0, or higher, with JavaScript and cookies enabled. Up to 100MB of server space is available. Due to its popularity, however, there is a waiting list for new accounts.

Features according to Google:

• No technical knowledge required. Build high-quality web pages without having to learn HTML or use complex software.
  
• What you see is what you'll get. Edit your pages right in your browser, seeing exactly how your finished product will look every step along the way.
  
• Don't worry about hosting. Your web pages will live on your own site at http://yourgmailusername.googlepages.com

Posted by Bonnie Shucha at 10:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)