September 2002 - Search Engine News

Sept. 5, 2002 :: InfoSpace adds Google to MetaCrawler

The once great metasearch tool, MetaCrawler has been reinvented and re-released by new owner InfoSpace. InfoSpace also owns Excite's former search engine. MetaCrawler, one of the original meta-search tools has suffered the same fate as most other search tools, getting "googlewhacked", or knocked into virtual obscurity by the growing popularity of Google as the world's #1 search tool. Following on the old adage, if you can't beat them, join them, MetaCrawler has added Google to the list of search tools it crawls when seeking answers to queries.

Sept. 4, 2002 :: Sino Google = See no Google

Chinese officials have banned the search engine Google by blocking Chinese websurfers access to the Internet's most popular search site. In a move to protect the communist state from the dangers of public knowledge, China has repeatedly used censorship, police intimidation and recently, the closure of all public-access cybercafes. Chinese officals are quick to point out that, "everyone can obtain harmful content on the Internet", however, the same officals are just as quick to deny their government has anything to do with blocking Google. Oddly enough though, Google has been singled out as every other search tools is currently accessable to Chinese websurfers.

Sept. 3, 2002 :: New Greek Gaming Law is Goofy

In a bid to halt the proliferation of online-gambling, Greece has banned all forms of electronic games. From Pokemon to Poker, Nintendo to Casino on Net, Microsoft Solitare to Silicone Slot-machines, the new law makes ALL electonic gaming illegal. According to the English-language Kathinrini newspaper the "Greek government is incapable of distinguishing innocuous video games from illegal gambling machines". Penalties for owning a copy of any electronic game range from three months in jail to a fine of up to 10,000 Euros. For those of you planning a vacation to Greece, keep in mind this is a REAL LAW with REAL PENALTIES that applies to REAL PEOPLE, including tourists. This is a REAL STORY.