I’ve become almost blind to my use of Google. Anytime I need to search for something, I use the built-in search tool in either Safari or Firefox that automatically defaults to Google without even thinking about it. Google had certainly succeeded in their search engine being the one and only thing I think about when I need to search.

Trouble is, lately the results in Google have been more of a frustration than anything. Granted the paid ads are sometimes relevant, and the results show mostly targeted sites for what I am searching on, but the breadth of results has narrowed greatly since I first started using Google and I just feel like I’m missing stuff.

Today, I was searching for travel options from Seattle. I have a few trips planned this summer and thinking about adding some more. Of course, the main travel websites all came back with similar offers. I wanted something different. I had a “Bing Moment” where I wondered if Microsoft’s new search engine Bing would give me something different. Continue Reading ->

At least according to Forrester Research.

“The research firm nonetheless revised its forecast for 2009. It now expects the U.S. technology market to shrink by 5 percent this year. In March, Forrester had predicted a smaller 3 percent decline in spending on technology products and services.” According to a recent article on Online Athens.

I personally see that within the industry it feels like things are starting to slowly but surely pick up. I’m seeing more money being spent on marketing and advertising with lots of anticipation that things will be better by Q4 CY.

Many people I talk with are also feeling that there is a slight shift in the attitudes across the industry, it’s no more continual doom and gloom reminiscent of the dot.com bust. I for one am optimistic that when fall gets into swing we will also see an uptick in consumer confidence and high tech will be leading the way.