Web Search Guide Canada

Canadians go online for government services

Web traffic indicates Canadian e-government adoption by Shane Schick. ITBusiness.ca (March 15) - Over 60% of Internet users in Canada use the government Web sites. Top usage is at the federal sites, Ontario and Alberta. ComScore estimated that 33% of Canadians turn to e-government sites. "Canadians who most use e-government services tend to be 35 years or older, have household incomes under $60,000 and no children, according to the comScore data. "

Yahoo Canada

Yahoo introduces new search technology Globe and Mail (March 17) Yahoo Canada has dropped Google is now using the Yahoo Search Technology. It has also added some spam fighting algorithms. Claims "YST is that users will benefit from more relevant, Canadian-specific search results."

Rogers v Sympatico Portal Sites

BCE, Rogers gird for Internet battle By KEITH DAMSELL Globe and Mail (March 16) Rogers and Sympatico are relaunching their websites. Rogers will be using Yahoo to deliver more to its subscribers. Sympatico and Microsoft will introduce a new portal in June and close the MSN.ca and Sympatico.ca. "Bell will provide the content while the Redmond, Wash.-based software giant will offer users a long list of tools and applications, including its pending new search engine. The offering will incorporate the Sympatico Music Store, a downloadable music service that will offer users access to more than 250,000 songs on-line."

But, article suggests that people mainly want speed - and Rogers is doing a better job of being truly high speed at 5 MB/second than Bell at 3 MB.

Toronto Business Directory

There is a new online directory for Toronto businesses called The Red Pages at http://www.redto.com/.

"The Red Pages™ combines a print directory with an online search engine that lists every business in Toronto. Your customers can search by keywords or specific business names, and information about your business will be displayed, including links to your website. Enhancements such as full color graphics are also available to advertisers."

Their press release had the headline -- Giant Search Engines Come Up Short For Toronto Users; The Red Pages Challenges Media to a Search-Off via CBS NewsWatch (Mar 11) - quite a claim!

Strategis Search

Strategis, the Industry Canada resource for industry and business research, has improved its search engine. Gary Price noted that it can categorize results and non-html documents are better handled. Government--Canada--Search Engines

Sympatico does home networking

Finally - Sympatico jumps on home-network bandwagon By JACK KAPICA Globe and Mail Update (March 3)

"Sympatico, Bell Canada's Internet service provider, announced a new Wireless Home Networking package, involving high-speed access for multiple computers and IP-enabled devices, such as Xbox and Play Station 2 gaming consoles."

Maporama does Canada

MORE THAN 1.5 MILLIONS KILOMETERS OF ROADS IN CANADA NOW COVERED WITH MAPORAMA SOLUTIONS - (March 2)

"Maporama International enhances its cartographic coverage for Canada. The company now covers more than 1.5 million kilometers of roads and localizes more than 20.000 populated placenames across the country. Thanks to his strong partnership with DMTI Spatial, Maporama offers to its clients the highest level of detail available with for instance over 40.000 building footprints across Canada’s major urban centers, more than 90.000 points of interest (hotels, restaurants, museums, administrations, hospitals, monuments, railway stations etc.), newly built roads, one-way streets or turn restrictions. "

Can set up a personal Maporama with just your maps and itineraries.