Google on Monday added three experimental views to its list of possible alternatives to the established vertical list of Web pages delivered as search results. The latest additions, which people are free to try out if they have a Google account, are available through the Google Labs site. The idea behind the experimental search page is to give Google fans a chance to try out the search engine’s newest ideas.

The latest experiments include a “map view” in which locations related to search results are marked on a street map. Users also have the option of viewing the location on a satellite view.

The map view could be helpful, for example, if a person was looking for all the musical performances around town or technology conferences happening in a state. Because traditional results are spread out over many sites and pages, they may be hard to visualize at once, so the map view is aimed at solving that problem by plotting some of the key locations. Read more »

Pingbacks and Trackbacks are really very new to me. I found this site that articulately explains them. However, you know the Net is widely used as much as it is widely abused. I’ve read some posts that say quite a number of sites turn off their trackbacks (am not sure about pingbacks) because they are spam magnets.

Wow, the Net really complicated our already complicated lives, don’t you think?

I guess it’s good news to hear that a number of Filipinos already have the “official” list of bank codes. This gives us a bit more confidence when dealing with PayPal transfers.

Although I am not a big earner in terms of making money out of the Web (in fact, I have yet to earn my first cent), I’m really very happy about this development. About 3 to 4 years ago I had a business idea that revolves around the Net but couldn’t push through with it because I didn’t have the right resources to receive payments. That discouraged my Internet-related business plans altogether.

Now, I can’t wait to earn my first cent.

I think it’s good for tennis that Novak Djokovic won the recent Australian Open. It will build up his confidence and will try to muddle the grip of today’s tennis elites – Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Yes, I think there were only two of them for quite some time.

Another pleasant surprise is the rise of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. I found him to be impatient (rushes his serves) but strong. I believe his impatience (because of his inexperience) caused his loss. However, I feel in time he can harness his strength to his advantage. Personally, I would like to see the comeback of big servers. I hope Tsonga is one.

Between you and me, I would like Federer’s run of Grand Slam wins end at 13 (alright, maybe just 12). He currently has 12 and Pete Sampras has 14. I only have 2 tennis heroes – Ivan Lendl and Pete Sampras. I remember the first time I admired Pete. I was in college (90’s) and I went to the library to read some magazines. I was a Popular Mechanics freak then and I saw how this particular article explained scientifically the Sampras serve! No need to say that Pistol Pete won me over. Read more »

I really love this case. It’s a Vanguard Designer case but it seems to be unavailable in the Philippines. Via email, the vendor says this is available in Electroworld stores. I went to Electroworld Park Square and found Vanguard cases for women only. (They look like regular women’s handbags.) Apparently these type (aluminum?) of cases are available only on an order basis. I am having second thoughts ordering since I am not primarily Manila-based.

I love this case because it looks sturdy.  I feel that I can drop it anytime without having to worry about my laptop inside.  Also, I have a fetish for silver, aluminum, chrome and the like.  Moreover, it looks like a gun case or a case that’s full of money (the one you see in movies where the bad guys buy or sell dope).