The article is a little short on details as to how the technology works, and there has been some speculation already. However, this being academic research, let us not forget that more details are (often) readily available. The Project Proposal (pdf format, 138K) and a brief paper (pdf format, 77K) are available from MIT's web site.
Their stated motivation is:
Content providers have a vested interest in the results of mouse movement data analysis. Our system provides the means to find out exactly how users mavigate their page and thus affords an extensive user model.
The technique they used was to "add Javascript externally to an existing web page." They mention using barnesandnobel.com, amazon.com, and ashford.com explicitely, but more had to be used given the nature of the tasks given. This seems to imply that they are able to, as a third party, add the javascript tracking to already existing sites. However, they also may be using the fact that they control the testing environment to do this, such as by inserting the code using an http proxy. Details related to how the code was introduced are not given, and would be necessary to determine how much of a privacy threat this is.
Local newspapers and periodicals have worked for many many years, why would one try to move it to the internet, when it's obvious most advertising-run ventures are barely (if at all) profitable? Subsidizing a website that's losing money just so you can "be on the 'net" is bad business.
This is where I would take issue with you. An
internet based search can have many advantages over a traditional paper based one. First is the ability to do structured searches (such as on number of bedrooms, acreage, school district, etc.) and only get relevant results. Second, more information can be presented. The classified listing of a paper can only give a short description, while a web description can be more verbose. Additionally, (multiple) color pictures for each
listing and even interior panoramic scans can
also be included. In a print meida, the cost for
these would be prohibitive. A third advantage is a lower cost of distribution. The cost of development, maintenance, and hosting of a website is likely less that the production, printing, and distribution of a paper equilivant. Your comment about advertising revenue is a good one, though. I don't know how well a site could be supported by ad revenue alone. The prominant placement that print can sell just is not there. On the other hand, it is a very focused market. A final advantage is that it is a more level field for the "For Sale By Owner" crowd. For realtors who offer a greater level of service than just listings, they should be able to compete well.
People need to think about things logically from a business point of view, not the computer guy/gal view of "everything should be free and on the 'net." Business goals are often different from individual computer user goals.
These sites can provide a real business value if they also take care of other aspects of the transaction previously handled by a realtor. I have never bought or sold a house, but my parents recently sold (well, actually will be closing soon) on their house which they listed on a web listing site (homeyeah.com). For a flat fee to the seller, they take care of the legal paperwork and make sure everything is done properly. My father was very happy with the thousands of dollars he saved on comission. Obviously, this advantage is the targeted to the FSBO market. Taking care of the listing and promotion of the property at a lower cost to the buyer and seller is a good business proposition for a business.
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I think you may be confusing Washington with it southern neighbor. Oregon has no state sales tax.
Or you may have mis-remembered which tax Washington does not have; Washington has no state income tax.
However, it does make "assembling a cluster" have a whole new meaning.
Isn't that repetitively redundant?
Their stated motivation is:
The technique they used was to "add Javascript externally to an existing web page." They mention using barnesandnobel.com, amazon.com, and ashford.com explicitely, but more had to be used given the nature of the tasks given. This seems to imply that they are able to, as a third party, add the javascript tracking to already existing sites. However, they also may be using the fact that they control the testing environment to do this, such as by inserting the code using an http proxy. Details related to how the code was introduced are not given, and would be necessary to determine how much of a privacy threat this is.