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Microsoft Testing Its Own 'Google Base'

sheasie! writes "eWeek is reporting that Microsoft is readying an online marketplace, code-named Fremont, which is apparently in response to a similar feature that rival Google Inc. introduced a few weeks ago." From the article: "The software giant will enhance the Fremont listings with localized maps, and make them available through Microsoft's newly revamped Internet portal, now known as Live.com, according to the company."

10 of 198 comments (clear)

  1. But... by tobybuk · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Unless I can type www.google.com to get there is has no hope ;)

  2. Competition is good by cytoman · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This is good, because this creates a competition between two companies which are both strong...no chance of Microsoft swallowing up a smaller company and becoming a monopoly in this case...

    I hope this brings out the best value for the consumers.

  3. Re:When is this going to end? by tehshen · · Score: 5, Informative

    Actually, both of these things (Base and now Fremont) seem more like everything2 than anything else.

    --
    Guy asked me for a quarter for a cup of coffee. So I bit him.
  4. Marketplace? by Solokron · · Score: 5, Informative

    Fremont is a district of Seattle here. It is more so known for its eclectic people than marketplace so I find it an interesting choice for a name. Check out the myths section @ http://www.fremont.com/

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    30% off web hosting. Coupon code "SLASHDOT".
  5. how are you gentlemen by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    all your base are belong to MS :/

  6. Microsoft Access... by LiquidCoooled · · Score: 5, Funny

    ERROR 3260: Couldn't update; currently locked by user GOOGLE on machine INTERNET."

    --
    liqbase :: faster than paper
  7. Microsoft's Craigslist by BarryNorton · · Score: 5, Informative

    Actually this is not so similar to Google Base, but a more direct (and small-thinking) rip off of Craigslist, as far as I can see. There is the similarity that Microsoft also have a search engine to directly map over this data, but eWeek are going much too far (also in http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,1877217,00.as p, linked) in ignoring the fundamental differences between a community listing site, an auction site (where the role of the provider is much more hands-on) and the need for Google to get their engine to work with sites dynamically generated from a back-end database...

  8. Microsoft invests heavily in google by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Today a leaked Microsoft memo confirms that aiming to become a market leader in the google field, is now the IT giants number one priority. Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates was quoted as saying "When someone wants to know something, and someone else says, just google the internet for it, we want the first address they think of to be search.msn.com". Analysts predict that this heavy investment in the field of web googling will pay big dividends for the company. Furthermore should the company achieve its targets, Microsoft's history of dominating other industries might mean that in the future, when you are confronted with facts that don't seem quite right, blind ignorance, or a compulsive drive to outperform your rivals in meaningless fact gathering activities, your first instinct will be to "just Microsoft it".

  9. We need an open source implementation by OpCode42 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Let's call it "Freebase"

  10. Re:Microsoft innovates again.. by ceeam · · Score: 5, Funny

    R&D here stands for "Rape and Destroy"?