After leaving Microsoft in 2001, Brian MacDonald found it tough to find his second act. He was involved with a few start-ups and arranged some real estate deals in the Seattle area. He even built a boat in China.
But none really offered the challenge he was seeking. So, when he had a meeting in February 2007 with Microsoft search boss Satya Nadella, he was inspired. That night, he went home and cranked out a 10-page paper on the challenges and opportunities he saw for Microsoft in search. It was in Nadella's in-box the next morning.
"I just want to work on the biggest problem in the industry," he said. By April, he was back at a desk in Microsoft's Redmond, Wash., campus.
MacDonald could hardly have found a bigger task than entering the search fray. After three years in the search business, Microsoft had yet to make any significant headway despite having spent billions of dollars.
"Search is kind of the Mount Everest of the industry right now," he said. "That's really the mountain that you want to climb."
He's been back at the company two years now, and Microsoft still finds itself at base camp, struggling to reach double digits in market share and its online business is losing hundreds of millions of dollars per quarter.
But Microsoft hasn't given up on its expedition. This week, it takes an important step. After months of testing within Microsoft's walls, the software maker is publicly detailing its plan to revamp its search engine under the name Bing. Read On
[Video] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=et0rUzRAXGE [2 minutes 46 seconds]
Offers more features then Google, Much improved indexing over live, And deeper information retrieval.
If this comes out good I may just switch what do you guys think?
Meh, people thought that Wolfram Alpha was gonna be awesome. It really sucks as a search engine.
QUOTE (redmonke @ May 28 2009, 07:42 PM) 
Meh, people thought that Wolfram Alpha was gonna be awesome. It really sucks as a search engine.
Wolfram is good for some things. I think it's pretty cool.
Why can't anyone release services under normal names anymore?
QUOTE (redmonke @ May 28 2009, 09:42 PM)
Meh, people thought that Wolfram Alpha was gonna be awesome. It really sucks as a search engine.
Was never designed as a search engine.
Its more like a giant calculator that collects numbers for you and spits out info in real time.
QUOTE ("http://www.decisionengine.com/Letter.html")
Introducing Bing
You probably didn't wake up today expecting an entirely new search experience.
But — Bing! — here it is.
So, why a new search engine? Why the new name? Why now?
Well, because even though search is a pretty amazing thing, the current state of search engines has some equally amazing statistics.
So far in 2009, there are four and a half websites created EVERY SECOND as the web continues to expand. While more searchable information is cool, nearly half of all searches don't result in the answer that people are seeking.
At the same time, the way the world searches is changing. You want more than just information. You want knowledge that leads to action.
The truth is you've evolved. It's time search caught up.
So we had an idea. Start over. And we did.
We took a new approach to go beyond search to build what we call a decision engine. With a powerful set of intuitive tools on top of a world class search service, Bing will help you make smarter, faster decisions. We included features that deliver the best results, presented in a more organized way to simplify key tasks and help you make important decisions faster.
And features like cashback, where we actually give you money back on great products, and Price Predictor, which actually tells you when to buy an airline ticket in order to help get you the best price — help you make smarter decisions, and put money back in your pocket.
We sincerely hope that the next time you need to make an important decision, you'll Bing and decide.
Thank you,
Bing Team, Microsoft
You probably didn't wake up today expecting an entirely new search experience.
But — Bing! — here it is.
So, why a new search engine? Why the new name? Why now?
Well, because even though search is a pretty amazing thing, the current state of search engines has some equally amazing statistics.
So far in 2009, there are four and a half websites created EVERY SECOND as the web continues to expand. While more searchable information is cool, nearly half of all searches don't result in the answer that people are seeking.
At the same time, the way the world searches is changing. You want more than just information. You want knowledge that leads to action.
The truth is you've evolved. It's time search caught up.
So we had an idea. Start over. And we did.
We took a new approach to go beyond search to build what we call a decision engine. With a powerful set of intuitive tools on top of a world class search service, Bing will help you make smarter, faster decisions. We included features that deliver the best results, presented in a more organized way to simplify key tasks and help you make important decisions faster.
And features like cashback, where we actually give you money back on great products, and Price Predictor, which actually tells you when to buy an airline ticket in order to help get you the best price — help you make smarter decisions, and put money back in your pocket.
We sincerely hope that the next time you need to make an important decision, you'll Bing and decide.
Thank you,
Bing Team, Microsoft
What kind of name is Bing?
Nobody will ever tell someone to "Bing it for the answer"...
Nobody will ever tell someone to "Bing it for the answer"...
QUOTE (redmonke @ May 28 2009, 10:36 PM)
What kind of name is Bing?
Nobody will ever tell someone to "Bing it for the answer"...
Nobody will ever tell someone to "Bing it for the answer"...
Was probably the same for Google when it came out believe it or not.
People probably thought the name was absurd in the days of AltaVista *shudders*
QUOTE (Emo_Nemo @ May 28 2009, 09:38 PM)
QUOTE (redmonke @ May 28 2009, 10:36 PM)
What kind of name is Bing?
Nobody will ever tell someone to "Bing it for the answer"...
Nobody will ever tell someone to "Bing it for the answer"...
Was probably the same for Google when it came out believe it or not.
People probably thought the name was absurd in the days of AltaVista *shudders*
AltaVista did have one heck of a translator. Babelfish was/is awesome, except Yahoo! would buy it out...
But Google is catchy. Bing is just...wtf?
Emo is right. A lot of these software, programs, and organizations have odd names but they catch on over time. Microsoft is hoping this happens with Bing. The Google guys thought the same thing and got lucky with the name. I just hope the homepage to this new search is as basic as Google's. A textbox, search button, and basic logo is all that's needed on the web page. Google's homepage is simplicity at its best.
QUOTE (redmonke @ May 29 2009, 02:41 AM)
QUOTE (Emo_Nemo @ May 28 2009, 09:38 PM)
QUOTE (redmonke @ May 28 2009, 10:36 PM)
What kind of name is Bing?
Nobody will ever tell someone to "Bing it for the answer"...
Nobody will ever tell someone to "Bing it for the answer"...
Was probably the same for Google when it came out believe it or not.
People probably thought the name was absurd in the days of AltaVista *shudders*
AltaVista did have one heck of a translator. Babelfish was/is awesome, except Yahoo! would buy it out...
But Google is catchy. Bing is just...wtf?
I assume Bing is just a code name. Did you know that Google was originally called Back Rub? I'm glad they made the switch
This Bing thing sounds awfully much like Wolfram Alpha in my opinion.
Shouldn't be too excited about this.
Shouldn't be too excited about this.
Guys, it's Microsoft.
"Hi! I see you are searching for pornography! Would you like me to assist you?" - all through your speakers.
Also, da Microsoft programmahz got da b(l)ing fo sho'.
"Hi! I see you are searching for pornography! Would you like me to assist you?" - all through your speakers.
Also, da Microsoft programmahz got da b(l)ing fo sho'.
QUOTE (Caboose @ May 29 2009, 08:34 AM)
QUOTE (redmonke @ May 29 2009, 02:41 AM)
QUOTE (Emo_Nemo @ May 28 2009, 09:38 PM)
QUOTE (redmonke @ May 28 2009, 10:36 PM)
What kind of name is Bing?
Nobody will ever tell someone to "Bing it for the answer"...
Nobody will ever tell someone to "Bing it for the answer"...
Was probably the same for Google when it came out believe it or not.
People probably thought the name was absurd in the days of AltaVista *shudders*
AltaVista did have one heck of a translator. Babelfish was/is awesome, except Yahoo! would buy it out...
But Google is catchy. Bing is just...wtf?
I assume Bing is just a code name. Did you know that Google was originally called Back Rub? I'm glad they made the switch
Actually Kumo was the code name for Bing
Source: www.lifehacker.com
YouTube Bing product tour
Discuss.
Bing, Microsoft's newest take on web search, is open to everyone this morning.
As of this morning, Bing.com seems to have replaced Live.com (with Live.com redirecting to Bing, Bing goes live, get it, get it *wink wink*) as Microsoft's prime search product. It was supposed to launch Wednesday, but apparently went live early in the morning today.
Features
Video Previews: Right now, it's a blessing and a curse for Bing. Digital Inspiration suggests that international users can use Bing to watch fairly lengthy previews of Hulu clips by hovering their mouse over the results for search terms like "The Office." That's pretty helpful, assuming you like automatic video plays with sound. Then Loic Le Meur tweaks the safe search settings and points out that Bing will preview any video clip—including the kind that get you fired at work. Yikes.
Search Categories: Jury's still out on whether these will grow to become truly helpful, or just provide a Search For Dummies outlet. Right now, broad searches for terms with deep results bring up suggestive, possibly helpful categories to try searching under. The results are pretty entropic, though—"digital cameras," a term for which there has to be a helpful way to organize things, yields links for repairs, price comparison, and other good stuff, while "dual monitors" includes just shopping links and related videos.
Shopping: Bing has pretty much taken over Microsoft's previous search entity, Live.com, and that includes the occasionally great cashback bonuses and somewhat sophisticated shopping organization. Honestly, if Bing wants to set itself apart from certain other search engines, it could focus on being a truly great shopping start point that offers incentives and smarter results. As it is, it just neatly organizes results for single products and semi-specific categories.
RSS results feeds: Nothing too sexy to show off, but your browser should auto-detect an RSS feed on the results page for search terms, and, given that it's a new and growing search database, Bing's results feeds might give you some new and intriguing links on the items you're keeping up with.
As of this morning, Bing.com seems to have replaced Live.com (with Live.com redirecting to Bing, Bing goes live, get it, get it *wink wink*) as Microsoft's prime search product. It was supposed to launch Wednesday, but apparently went live early in the morning today.
Features
Video Previews: Right now, it's a blessing and a curse for Bing. Digital Inspiration suggests that international users can use Bing to watch fairly lengthy previews of Hulu clips by hovering their mouse over the results for search terms like "The Office." That's pretty helpful, assuming you like automatic video plays with sound. Then Loic Le Meur tweaks the safe search settings and points out that Bing will preview any video clip—including the kind that get you fired at work. Yikes.
Search Categories: Jury's still out on whether these will grow to become truly helpful, or just provide a Search For Dummies outlet. Right now, broad searches for terms with deep results bring up suggestive, possibly helpful categories to try searching under. The results are pretty entropic, though—"digital cameras," a term for which there has to be a helpful way to organize things, yields links for repairs, price comparison, and other good stuff, while "dual monitors" includes just shopping links and related videos.
Shopping: Bing has pretty much taken over Microsoft's previous search entity, Live.com, and that includes the occasionally great cashback bonuses and somewhat sophisticated shopping organization. Honestly, if Bing wants to set itself apart from certain other search engines, it could focus on being a truly great shopping start point that offers incentives and smarter results. As it is, it just neatly organizes results for single products and semi-specific categories.
RSS results feeds: Nothing too sexy to show off, but your browser should auto-detect an RSS feed on the results page for search terms, and, given that it's a new and growing search database, Bing's results feeds might give you some new and intriguing links on the items you're keeping up with.
YouTube Bing product tour
Discuss.
awesomenia.
google ftw though.
google ftw though.
I've tried it and I must say I'm not impressed. I found the web search too slow and the results not as relevant as the same search on Google or Yahoo. The image search functions - such as the ability to only search for photographs of heads, for example - are a good idea but don't work quite so well in practice.
Basically I will be sticking with Google
Basically I will be sticking with Google
I've never preferred the search results of Bing, and obviously being a Google Mail, Reader etc. user, Google's better for that. I'll have a look at some of features...
lol...
lol...
QUOTE (Magical @ Jun 1 2009, 05:56 PM)
I've never preferred the search results of Bing, and obviously being a Google Mail, Reader etc. user, Google's better for that. I'll have a look at some of features...
http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo90/Th...e/Capture20.png
http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo90/Th...e/Capture21.png
lol...
http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo90/Th...e/Capture20.png
http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo90/Th...e/Capture21.png
lol...
If you look, you have Bing set to search UK only, and Google set to search the entire web. So that is a bit of an unfair comparison.
QUOTE (Cattius @ Jun 1 2009, 05:11 PM)
QUOTE (Magical @ Jun 1 2009, 05:56 PM)
I've never preferred the search results of Bing, and obviously being a Google Mail, Reader etc. user, Google's better for that. I'll have a look at some of features...
http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo90/Th...e/Capture20.png
http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo90/Th...e/Capture21.png
lol...
http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo90/Th...e/Capture20.png
http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo90/Th...e/Capture21.png
lol...
If you look, you have Bing set to search UK only, and Google set to search the entire web. So that is a bit of an unfair comparison.
Sorry, it must have done it automatically...
QUOTE (Magical @ Jun 1 2009, 06:16 PM)
Sorry, it must have done it automatically...
Doesn't matter, it's an easy mistake to make.
I tried searching for sals realm in Bing when it wasn't on UK only, and here's the first four results (sorry, couldn't be bothered to do a screenie
):Sals Realm of Runescape
runescape.salmoneus.net
Sals Realm of Runescape
runescape.salmoneus.net/quests
Sals Realm
trendfo.com/Sals_Realm
sals realm of runescape
www.runelvl.com/sals-realm-of-runescape.php
Looking back at your original Google screenshot, it appears that Bing does not offer quite as accurate results, but at least it managed to find Sals this time
Meh, it doesn't really offer that many more features than Google. It's almost identical, but i like the user interface and it's quite speedy. I can see myself using it, but it would be nice to be able to change the background picture.
First thing i did was turn of the child censor
First thing i did was turn of the child censor
I tried it. I searched "Google", and went there instead. 
Wow does this really help a lot other than people who are brand new to internets?
QUOTE (redmonke @ May 28 2009, 07:41 PM)
QUOTE (Emo_Nemo @ May 28 2009, 09:38 PM)
QUOTE (redmonke @ May 28 2009, 10:36 PM)
What kind of name is Bing?
Nobody will ever tell someone to "Bing it for the answer"...
Nobody will ever tell someone to "Bing it for the answer"...
Was probably the same for Google when it came out believe it or not.
People probably thought the name was absurd in the days of AltaVista *shudders*
AltaVista did have one heck of a translator. Babelfish was/is awesome, except Yahoo! would buy it out...
But Google is catchy. Bing is just...wtf?
I disagree. Bing is a unique name in my opinion.
I've been using Bing and I like it a bit more than Google. When I search for images, I get less irrelevant images than in Google. I've recommended Bing to my friends and they ALL like it much more than Google.
What is this craze with making everything in flash? Why can't they have a simple layout like google. I hate bing. Google all the way for me.
QUOTE (djpailo @ Jun 3 2009, 08:27 PM)
What is this craze with making everything in flash? Why can't they have a simple layout like google. I hate bing. Google all the way for me.
Its not in flash? O_o
awesome still sounds suckish though
I don't see what's all the hype is about. Maybe I'm just not using it right.
QUOTE (Raven @ Jun 4 2009, 12:00 PM)
awesome still sounds suckish though
Wow, that makes a lot of sense...
For the sake of simplicity I prefer google because I also have Gmail, a blogspot, adsense, etc.
I'm not sure what to use. I'm accustomed to Google but Bing is practically the same, and has a nicer UI. It works for pretty much everything i want to use it for.
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