Canonical link element

The top 3 search engines Google,Yahoo and Microsoft have come together in order to launch a new “canonical” link tag which will handle the problem of duplicate content.This tag assists webmasters in order to determine which URL they require the search engines to concentrate on when the website contains a lot of vastly similar or duplicate contents which is pointed to by many URLs.

Joachim Kupke, senior software engineer, and Maile Ohye, developer programs tech lead at Google have mentioned that this tag provides an opportunity to have greater control over the URL’s which are returned in search results,if your site has identical contents,corresponding to different URL’s

Assume the following 2 pages contain similar contents
http://www.canonicaldemo.com/product.php?items=allequipments
http://www.canonicaldemo.com/product.php?items=equipments

Suppose we need the search engine to display this page in the results page
http://www.canonicaldemo.com/product.php?items=equipments,

then the canonical tag has to be used in the following manner
<link rel=”canonical” href=”http://www.canonicaldemo.com product.php?items=equipments”/>

Microsoft Releases Internet Explorer 8

Microsoft has releases IE 8 which is included in Windows 7.This can included for XP,Windows Vista or Windows Server also.The Beta version of IE 8 had arrived last year,but now the Release Candidate (RC) has arrived.

The browser has several add-ons included with it.the company has opted a customization approach with “accelerators“and “web slices“.Some of the accelerators created were for Facebook ,Stumble Upon and digg.Other features include private browsing,which eliminates the worry for some people who would browse regularly.Though IE8 has included some new features,when compared to IE7,IE8 looks much more simpler.

Microsoft and Google Return to Basics

Microsoft and Google have lot in common than the dominance of their respective markets. Both have utilized their cash flows to pursue many side projects in order to move into wider segments.And neither of them have had much success.The recession has had a severe impact on their efforts. Google,just cancelled its print advertisement ambitions,and Microsoft have managed to sell its long-held stake in the cable operator Comcast.

Microsoft’s main expertise still in software – its operating system and other programs. These hold around 82 percent of its revenue and nearly all of its operating income. The company has used a lot of those profits to diversify into products like video games and online search,though they haven’t obtained much profit from these areas.

Microsoft’s Xbox game console just had had its first profit last year after being for nearly 7 years on the market.Microsoft’s online search effort has also not been very successful. Its MSN portal has a dismal 8.5 percent share of American search market, and the unit which holds it lost around $480 million last quarter.

Google makes virtually all its revenue from advertising related to Internet searches. Still, that has not stopped it from pouring money – and employee time – into online video, cloud computing and lobbying for renewable energy projects. Analysts say the video site Youtube remains barely profitable.The same goes for Google’s free online software initiative, in which it has invested a huge amount.

Source: Google news

Release of Windows 7 Beta

Release of MSN Messenger 8.5

An wholesome new look included with new features makes Windows Live Messenger into a real competitor for Yahoo!Messenger.As usual,one can send instant messages,call a computer, dial a phone number, post a mobile message or send an e-mail. Editing of status display and starting a video chat with friends is possible. Skins and emoticons are some of the new features included in Windows Live Messenger. During installation , users are also prompted to install the Rhapsody Music Service which enables one to play and share music from the Rhapsody catalog.

The main features include that we can create custom emoticons by choosing an image on our computer which will be automatically resized. Additional best features of Microsoft Live Messenger are the Whiteboard, Remote Assistance and Application Sharing.

A major drawback is ,when we receive a file,it will be saved in the default directory instead of prompting to the user to choose the location yourself.The Web Calling service is available for long distance calls for selected countries.The important offline messages feature is not working at all.

Microsoft in the process of fixing security flaws in internet explorer

Reports are being evolved that there has been several security problems in Internet Explorer.Several computer users out there use Microsoft’s Internet Explorer. So it’s a genuine drag that there may be a serious security flaw in the browser.The public is being urged to use other browsers while this security flaw is fixed and Microsoft prepares a suitable patch to fix this issue.

The entire network of people using the internet is at risk. This problem is extremely serious as it could give opportunities to criminals to tap into your computer and steal your password which could be disastrous.

Until now , what this flaw has managed to steal are game passwords, but it’s clear what the hackers intentions are.Several experts are suggesting users to find alternate browsers to overcome security risks but this is what John Curran, head of Microsoft UK’s group said “I cannot recommend people switch due to this one flaw.”

NAVTEQ chosen by Microsoft

Microsoft Corporation has chosen NAVTEQ to supply map data for Microsoft’s Live Search Map in India.NAVTEQ is the leading global provider of digital map india ideally for vehicle navigation and location based solutions.Live Search Maps from Microsoft allows people to locate and share local information which is important on the web.

As updated in a blog are the the various features of Microsoft Live Search Maps which includes Business Lookup,Category Browsing,1-Click Directions which provides instant directions to a destination from most major routes and the capability to share maps and direction through Microsoft Office Outlook.

Microsoft warns customers against counterfeit goods

Microsoft filed lawsuits against online auctioneers in 12 countries who sold pirated copies of MS software on sites including its own MSN shopping network.Nearly 63 lawsuits have been filed until now including countries like US,Gemany,France,Japan,Mexico,Argentina,UK etc.The most targeted software is the product windows XP.

In a blog, Microsoft ass. general counsel David Finn in a statement said “Dishonest auctioneers are too often using these online auction sites to sell counterfeit and illegal copies of Microsoft software, taking advantage of unsuspecting customers around the world.”

Microsoft announces MSN Java Deal

Users who download or upgrade Java for Internet Explorer will be prompted to install a MSN search bar that will set Microsoft’s search engine as the predefined one.The deal announced by Microsoft for US surfers only, will enable several users to shift from Google in a couple of days.

Those who are installing the Java Runtime Environment for the first time will get a prompt to download and install the MSN and to make Microsoft the default choice for their browsers; those users who have previously installed Java on their personal computers will instead get the same prompts from the Java update interface.

The deal between Sun Microsystems and Microsoft is one of their very first on the the consumer side. However, there are some who suspect that the deal may not have such a big impact,as most users would still revert back to the very old Google.

Microsoft Backs New Yahoo Search Team

Microsoft Corp is taking up a new management team to take control of Yahoo Inc.’s Internet search business and sign a partnership deal following its failed takeover attempt.

Microsoft will put up $5 billion to back Jonathan Miller, the former chief executive officer of AOL, and Ross Levinsohn, a former president of Fox Interactive Media.

Microsoft is seeking ways to revive its online advertising business as the global recession stifles spending and Google Inc. wins more search users. For Sunnyvale, California-based Yahoo, which spurned Microsoft’s bids of as much as $47.5 billion this year, a deal may help shore up revenue after losing out on a partnership with Google.

The terms would give Microsoft a 10-year operating agreement to manage Yahoo’s search business, plus a two-year option to buy it for $20 billion. Senior directors of the companies have agreed to the outline of the deal, the newspaper said, without citing anyone.

However Levinsohn denied the report, according to a blog post by the Wall Street Journal’s All Things Digital.

Source:Google News