New Interface and Intelligent Search Capabilities Make Finding Reliable Information Easy and Efficient
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - November 14, 1996 - Infoseek Corporation today unveiled a dramatically redesigned and enhanced version of its award-winning Internet navigation service for the busy, mission-oriented user searching for reliable information on the Internet. The new version combines an easy to navigate interface, with innovative new features and Infoseek's Ultra search technology to create an intelligent information resource. The new free service is available today at www.infoseek.com.
Infoseek's new services include innovative features that make it easy to find the right information, whether the user is a novice or an expert. Infoseek now offers two intelligent ways to search the Internet, an expanded and completely integrated directory, a convenient and personalized News Center for tracking up-to-date information and news headlines by category, and a set of additional smart resources for finding specific information.
"The Internet has been justifiably criticized as a difficult environment in which to navigate and be productive," said Robin Johnson, president and CEO of Infoseek. "Through extensive usability research, we have learned that our users don't want to wander aimlessly around the Net to see what's out there, but instead want a tool to take them quickly to their destinations. The new generation of Infoseek allows users to experience the real value of the Internet as a personal information resource that saves, not wastes, time."
Intelligent Searching Powered by Infoseek Ultra
Infoseek Ultra, which was released as a public beta in July, has been integrated into Infoseek's services. The Infoseek Ultra technology offers a new approach to information retrieval that provides users unprecedented levels of accuracy, currency, comprehensiveness and speed. Ultra includes built-in intelligence with features such as phrase, capitalization and proper name recognition. These features allow Infoseek to deliver extremely accurate results.
The Infoseek Ultra engine is the only search technology that provides a virtually real-time index of the Internet. Ultra's intelligent spider learns how often Web pages change and schedules visits accordingly, allowing the index to include the latest information on the Internet. In addition, URLs submitted to Infoseek are added instantly. Infoseek also saves the user time by removing duplicate and dead links from the index.
Intelligent Interface and Expanded Directory
Infoseek's new interface is designed to help users quickly get to the services that best match their needs. The search and directory services are now seamlessly integrated, allowing users the benefit of both methods of seeking information. In addition, the interface includes a new navigation system that helps users understand where they are in the service at all times.
Infoseek's directory, a listing of Web sites organized by category, continues to be the largest directory on the Internet, and has been expanded to include more than 700,000 Web sites. The enhanced directory also includes task-based topics, such as "buying a car" or "finding a job," which make it easier to find the comprehensive information on a specific task.
Intelligent Search Options
Reflecting the differences in how people search for information on the Internet, Infoseek has created two distinct search services: Ultrasmart and Ultraseek. Both services are powered by Infoseek's leading-edge Ultra technology and allow users to choose the appropriate search mode depending on the level of assistance required.
Ultrasmart, which is designed to meet the needs of the majority of users, offers an intelligent way to get accurate, organized, and comprehensive query results. Ultrasmart users can type in queries using natural language without the need to learn complex syntax. Unlike most navigational services that simply deliver a list of Web pages, Ultrasmart integrates search results with related topics, news and links to other relevant services.
For example, a user who asks Ultrasmart: "Find me a Bed and Breakfast in Northern California?" would not only receive a listing of Web pages in response to the query, but also related topics, such as Hotels and Resorts in the U.S., or Lodging and Transportation. The service would also suggest any related news items, shopping services or other related links.
"We found that most Infoseek customers come to the Internet to ask a specific question, but often use only one-word, broad queries," said Daniella Russo, vice president of product management at Infoseek. "Ultrasmart helps users get the information they are looking for by adapting to their level of expertise. We have designed Ultrasmart to think the way you do."
Infoseek's Ultrasmart provides intelligent assistance to users who are unfamiliar with searching or do not know precisely what they are looking for. Ultrasmart allows users to refine their queries without having to know complex query languages. For example, a user searching for information on desktop publishing might begin a search by typing in the word "software." After receiving the results, the user can type "desktop publishing" to narrow the results and get just the information that is relevant. Infoseek is the only navigation service to offer this intuitive way to search for information.
Ultraseek gives power users, or those who want a "search only" service, a way to fully exploit Infoseek's Ultra technology and search the entire real-time index of the Web using either natural language queries or special search expressions. Search from within Ultraseek will return only a list of relevant Web pages and exclude related information included in Ultrasmart.
Ultraseek also includes a set of advanced search options such as: · Imageseek – search specifically for an image on the Internet · Site Search -- search a particular site or domain · Link search -- determine how many URLs link to a particular site · Title search -- search for documents with a specific word in the title.
News Center Featuring Personalized News
The Infoseek News Center offers users the latest business, world, political, technology and sports news from a variety of data sources such as Reuters, Business Wire, PR Newswire, Quote.com and Usenet news groups. News that matches the user's query is delivered as part of a search result in Ultrasmart. So, for example, a user who searches on information about the Chicago Bulls will be presented with a link to sports news as part of the results page. News Center also features "Your News," a personalized news page that helps users stay up-to-date on the topics they specify. Your News eliminates the process of wading through an overwhelming amount of information by delivering news and content that is tailored to each user's interests. Your News can be used to track competitors, follow a favorite basketball team, keep a direct pulse on the state of the elections, or make weekend plans.
Smart Info
The Smart Info Section delivers a wealth of information to Internet users:
Smart Info also includes other valuable reference information, a calendar of Web events, and links to shopping sites.
About Infoseek
Based in Santa Clara, Calif., Infoseek Corporation (NASDAQ:SEEK) provides a leading, free Internet navigation service. It remains one of the most frequently visited sites on the Internet because Infoseek's easy-to-use product allows new and experienced users to efficiently find the information they need on the World Wide Web, Usenet groups, company directories and from major news sources. Infoseek's search technology has won numerous industry awards for its precise, relevant responses. Awards include "Number One Rated Search Engine" (PC Computing), "Best of the Test" (Internet World), "MVP Internet Tools" (PC Computing), "Top 100: Editors' Choice" (Home PC) and "Top Rated Search Engine (Family PC). Infoseek also offers the world's largest directory of World Wide Web sites organized by topics. The company's World Wide Web site and award-winning Internet navigational services can be accessed at http://www.infoseek.com/.
Infoseek, Infoseek Network, Ultraseek, Infoseek Ultra, Infoseek Guide, Infoseek Your News, Quickseek and the Infoseek logo are trademarks of Infoseek Corporation, which may be registered in certain jurisdictions.