SearchEngineUpdate with Vanessa Zamora - 03-07-2008 Part II
Abstract: 1. Microsoft Acquires U-Prove Online Security Technology, 2. Google Street View Map Raises Concern At Pentagon, 3. Google Search Box Within Results, 4. Student Faces Expulsion For Facebook Study Group
Vanessa Zamora
Video Content Producer, SearchEngineWorld
11:57 pm on Mar. 7, 2008 (utc 0)
Transcript
Friday March 7, 2008
Microsoft Acquires U-Prove Online Security Technology
Microsoft has acquired U-Prove online security technology, which helps to ensure that users only give the minimum amount of personal information when buying goods and services online, in an effort to protect consumer’s privacy. Microsoft will integrate the U-Prove technology into its .Net based Windows Communication Foundation and Windows CardSpace identity protection platform.
Google teams have been barred from making detailed street-level video maps of U.S. military bases after images of a Texas military base were posted online in Google’s Street View mapping service. Google has since complied with a request by the Pentagon to remove the images. Google said the incident was a mistake, and noted that asking for access to film military bases by Google teams is against its policies. Google Maps Street View feature, which provides users with ground-level, 360 degree views of streets in 30 US cities, has also raised privacy concerns among people captured in the images. In related news, published reports suggested that protesters used Google Earth to help plot their access to the roof of the Parliament building in London.
Google is now including search boxes within its search result page. If a user searches for a site such as Amazon.com, The New York Times, or Wikipedia a link to that site will appear with a search box next to it that will conduct an exclusive search of the requested site, making it one step easier to find the exact information or page desired. The feature is set to appear when Google detects a high probability that a user wants more refined search results within a specific site.
A freshman student at Ryerson University in Toronto is facing expulsion after administrating a study group called “Dungeons/Mastering Chemistry Solutions” for chemistry students on Facebook. Chris Avenir has been accused of 147 cases of academic misconduct, one for each member of the group and the university has dropped his chemistry grade from a 'B' to an 'F'. Avenir claimed that the group was designed to investigate problems rather than try to cheat and boost grades. The reaction by school officials has left many asking how discussion within Facebook is any different than swapping tips on homework questions in a face to face setting. If Avenir loses his hearing on the matter, which is set for Tuesday, he can take his case to the university senate.
11:57 pm on Mar. 7, 2008 (utc 0)