<$BlogRSDUrl$> Marcus P. Zillman, M.S., A.M.H.A. Author/Speaker/Consultant
Marcus P. Zillman, M.S., A.M.H.A. Author/Speaker/Consultant
Internet Happenings, Events and Sources


Saturday, November 15, 2003  

Netpia Offers Non_English Search Tools
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=3731264

Netpia specializes in catering to non-English-speaking Web users seeking information and has proven a great success in South Korea already. Rather than employing the complex algorithms of a search engine, the Netpia system works by just typing keywords directly into the address bar of a browser. Web site operators register appropriate keywords with Netpia for a fee, and when a user types one of those words, he or she is whisked off to the related site. The company has already sold 800,000 Korean language addresses so far this year at 60,000 won ($51) each. A similar concept was tested in the U.S. by a company called Realnames, but it ceased operation last year after a partnership with Microsoft to use the Realnames technology with Internet Explorer ended. "Two thirds of the world use non-English language and if this technology is adopted, it will make it much easier to find a Web site and thus boost cyber transactions and accessibility to Web information," says Netpia CEO Lee Pan-jung. "People feel more comfortable with their mother language and this technology is a very useful tool to spur the use of the Internet as it appeals even to children and elderly people with no knowledge of English." Building on its success in South Korea, Netpia plans to test its technology in 95 other languages.

posted by Marcus Zillman | 1:54 PM
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