新華社：江澤民病逝純屬謠言
路透(中央社)
7/07/2011
（路透北京7日電）中國官方媒體今天否認前國家主席江澤民去世的報導，表示外界猜測「純屬謠言」。
新華社指出，部分海外媒體最近報導有關江澤民因病去世的消息「純屬謠言」。
3名親近中國領導層的消息來源告訴路透社，84歲的江澤民健康狀況不佳，先前因心臟病發，住進北京301軍醫院加護病房。
Long Distance Phone
香港亞視昨天傍晚中斷主要新聞時段，嚴肅地報導江澤民去世的消息，之後還播出一小段個人檔案介紹。亞視接下來數小時的跑馬都有這則消息，並說將在當天傍晚播出有關江澤民一生的特別報導。
亞視無法取得官方證實之後，取消這則報導，並取消跑馬。
中國山東新聞網也在官網上以黑色橫幅搭配白字寫道：「敬愛的江澤民同志永垂不朽」。該網站今天無法連結。
但若江澤民真的不幸過世，對中國政治方向及經濟發展影響有限。
江澤民退休已久，自2002年即起由胡錦濤接管共產黨主要事務。胡錦濤與中國總理溫家寶自此帶領中國發展，經濟規模超越日本。
無論如何，這也不是中國領導人第一次傳出過世謠言。香港和日本媒體在1990年代都曾分別多次誤報共產黨領袖鄧小平死訊。中央社（翻譯）
2011-07-07
2011-07-06
人類營養的真相
人類營養的真相
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世界上，只有一種動物，會日日選錯食物。
香港是飲食天堂？不要再自欺欺人。香港其實是飲食地獄。
近年來社會大眾開始醒覺，重視健康飲食。不過，社會大眾關於營養的知識，根本不符事實──恐怕是錯足100%。
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iHerb $5 Discount Off First Order
2011-07-05
南印度克勒拉省印度教寺廟密室尋寶行動 再開一密室 找出寶藏價值1790億
再開一密室 武裝隊伍看守 印神廟藏寶增值至1790億
星島日報
7/05/2011
(綜合報道)(星島日報報道)南印度克勒拉省印度教寺廟密室的尋寶行動，找出的寶藏價值暴增至逾二百三十億美元（一千七百九十億港元），直逼華人首富李嘉誠的財產。為防遭到搶掠，省政府出動武裝突擊隊，接手二十四小時維安工作。另一個封閉一百三十九年密室開啟後，寶藏價值料還會再增。
Jewelry
《印度時報》/中央社/法新社
克勒拉省公債約達一百六十億美元，但是位於省會錫魯瓦蘭塔不朗（Thiruvananthapuram）的印度教帕德瑪納巴史瓦米（Padmanabhaswamy）廟，在清點廟產時，從一個有一百三十九年未開啟的密室中，找到約值二百三十億美元的寶藏，直逼華人首富李嘉誠的二百六十億美元身家（《福布斯》估計）。而另一個同樣封閉一百三十九年的密室可還沒開啟呢！
尚有一密室未開
《印度時報》昨天引述歷史學家、印度歷史研究理事會前會長納瑞雅南報道，珍貴寶石和珍珠的古董價值無法斷定。報道認為，大批寶藏實際價值恐怕高到驚人的程度，帕德瑪納巴史瓦米廟堪稱全印度最富有的寺廟。
寶藏的發現源於最高法院審理一宗訴請廟方管理透明化的案件，下令清點廟產，並指派一個七人小組執行任務。他們從六月二十七日開始行動，廟內六個密室（編號A至F）中，編號A、B兩個自一八七二年起便不曾開啟。七人小組日前進入密室A後，有了上述驚人發現。
鑽石裝滿一麻袋
報道引述消息來源說，七人小組在密室A發現的近一千公斤金幣中，包括屬於英國東印度公司時期和拿破崙時代的金幣。另外還有約一噸重大米形狀金飾、滿滿一麻袋據稱來自緬甸和斯里蘭卡的鑽石、三呎半高鑲鑽毗濕奴神像、一呎高一公斤重人形雕像數尊等。克勒拉省省長強迪表示，寶藏為寺廟所有，「會被留在本來存放的地方」。省政府將負責寺廟周遭二十四小時巡邏工作，現時約一百名武裝突擊隊員保護寺廟。
星島日報
7/05/2011
(綜合報道)(星島日報報道)南印度克勒拉省印度教寺廟密室的尋寶行動，找出的寶藏價值暴增至逾二百三十億美元（一千七百九十億港元），直逼華人首富李嘉誠的財產。為防遭到搶掠，省政府出動武裝突擊隊，接手二十四小時維安工作。另一個封閉一百三十九年密室開啟後，寶藏價值料還會再增。
Jewelry
《印度時報》/中央社/法新社
克勒拉省公債約達一百六十億美元，但是位於省會錫魯瓦蘭塔不朗（Thiruvananthapuram）的印度教帕德瑪納巴史瓦米（Padmanabhaswamy）廟，在清點廟產時，從一個有一百三十九年未開啟的密室中，找到約值二百三十億美元的寶藏，直逼華人首富李嘉誠的二百六十億美元身家（《福布斯》估計）。而另一個同樣封閉一百三十九年的密室可還沒開啟呢！
尚有一密室未開
《印度時報》昨天引述歷史學家、印度歷史研究理事會前會長納瑞雅南報道，珍貴寶石和珍珠的古董價值無法斷定。報道認為，大批寶藏實際價值恐怕高到驚人的程度，帕德瑪納巴史瓦米廟堪稱全印度最富有的寺廟。
寶藏的發現源於最高法院審理一宗訴請廟方管理透明化的案件，下令清點廟產，並指派一個七人小組執行任務。他們從六月二十七日開始行動，廟內六個密室（編號A至F）中，編號A、B兩個自一八七二年起便不曾開啟。七人小組日前進入密室A後，有了上述驚人發現。
鑽石裝滿一麻袋
報道引述消息來源說，七人小組在密室A發現的近一千公斤金幣中，包括屬於英國東印度公司時期和拿破崙時代的金幣。另外還有約一噸重大米形狀金飾、滿滿一麻袋據稱來自緬甸和斯里蘭卡的鑽石、三呎半高鑲鑽毗濕奴神像、一呎高一公斤重人形雕像數尊等。克勒拉省省長強迪表示，寶藏為寺廟所有，「會被留在本來存放的地方」。省政府將負責寺廟周遭二十四小時巡邏工作，現時約一百名武裝突擊隊員保護寺廟。
日本發現太平洋稀土礦 藏量高陸地千倍
日發現太平洋稀土礦 藏量高陸地千倍
星島日報
2011年7月5日星期二
(綜合報道)(星島日報報道)日本科學家周一聲稱，在太平洋海底發現巨大的稀土蘊藏，可開採量約是全球陸地上已證實藏量的一千倍。現時中國擁有全球十七種稀土的年生產量達九成七，今次在太平洋發現稀土礦，或對中國享有的稀土優勢構成挑戰。
Electronics
東京大學地球科學副教授加藤泰浩表示：「該處蘊藏的稀土濃度甚高，每一平方公里的蘊藏量，便可提供現時全球每年耗用量的五分之一。」
位處國際水域
由加藤領導的研究小組，包括來自日本海洋地球科技局的研究員，找到了此項重大發現。他們在深三千五百至六千公尺（約一萬一千五百至二萬呎）海底的七十八個地點，抽取海底淤泥，發現其中含有稀土。加藤接受訪問時說，三分之一的地點蘊藏豐富的稀土及金屬釔。
他謂，該些礦藏位處國際水域，在夏威夷以東至西一帶，以及法屬玻里尼西亞群島的大溪地島以東地區。
他估計該處的稀土蘊藏量多達八百億至一千億噸。現時經美國地質調查局確認的全球蘊藏量只有一億一千萬噸，主要在中國、俄羅斯和其他前蘇聯國家及美國發現。當中，中國擁有全球年生產量的九成七。
此項發現刊載於最新版英國《自然地球科學》。稀土礦藏通常含有放射性成分鈾及釷，可造成環境損害。不過，加藤表示，該處海底礦藏的鈾及釷水平，僅及陸上礦藏的五分之一。他說，這些海底淤泥的較重稀土含量特別豐富，其中包括釓、鑥、鋱及鏑等。他稱：「這些稀土可用於製造平面屏幕電視機、發光二極管閥及混合動力汽車等。」
稀土是釹等十七種元素的統稱，屬於流通量較小的「稀有金屬」，是生產高科技電子產品不可或缺的原料。不過，有專家指出，開發海底稀土面臨的首要問題是成本過高。也有專家擔心，開發海底稀土礦會對海底生態環境造成嚴重影響。
開發商用需時20年
部分稀土專家還認為，由於新發現的稀土礦蘊含的商業價值尚未確定，因此在海底發現稀土礦，不代表稀土價格可在短期內下跌。日本一間稀土交易所高層稱，要把這些稀土礦商業化可能需時二十年。
綜合報道
星島日報
2011年7月5日星期二
(綜合報道)(星島日報報道)日本科學家周一聲稱，在太平洋海底發現巨大的稀土蘊藏，可開採量約是全球陸地上已證實藏量的一千倍。現時中國擁有全球十七種稀土的年生產量達九成七，今次在太平洋發現稀土礦，或對中國享有的稀土優勢構成挑戰。
Electronics
東京大學地球科學副教授加藤泰浩表示：「該處蘊藏的稀土濃度甚高，每一平方公里的蘊藏量，便可提供現時全球每年耗用量的五分之一。」
位處國際水域
由加藤領導的研究小組，包括來自日本海洋地球科技局的研究員，找到了此項重大發現。他們在深三千五百至六千公尺（約一萬一千五百至二萬呎）海底的七十八個地點，抽取海底淤泥，發現其中含有稀土。加藤接受訪問時說，三分之一的地點蘊藏豐富的稀土及金屬釔。
他謂，該些礦藏位處國際水域，在夏威夷以東至西一帶，以及法屬玻里尼西亞群島的大溪地島以東地區。
他估計該處的稀土蘊藏量多達八百億至一千億噸。現時經美國地質調查局確認的全球蘊藏量只有一億一千萬噸，主要在中國、俄羅斯和其他前蘇聯國家及美國發現。當中，中國擁有全球年生產量的九成七。
此項發現刊載於最新版英國《自然地球科學》。稀土礦藏通常含有放射性成分鈾及釷，可造成環境損害。不過，加藤表示，該處海底礦藏的鈾及釷水平，僅及陸上礦藏的五分之一。他說，這些海底淤泥的較重稀土含量特別豐富，其中包括釓、鑥、鋱及鏑等。他稱：「這些稀土可用於製造平面屏幕電視機、發光二極管閥及混合動力汽車等。」
稀土是釹等十七種元素的統稱，屬於流通量較小的「稀有金屬」，是生產高科技電子產品不可或缺的原料。不過，有專家指出，開發海底稀土面臨的首要問題是成本過高。也有專家擔心，開發海底稀土礦會對海底生態環境造成嚴重影響。
開發商用需時20年
部分稀土專家還認為，由於新發現的稀土礦蘊含的商業價值尚未確定，因此在海底發現稀土礦，不代表稀土價格可在短期內下跌。日本一間稀土交易所高層稱，要把這些稀土礦商業化可能需時二十年。
綜合報道
2011-07-04
Animal Cruelty Exposed in Undercover Video
24-04-2011 當年的維港渡海泳
03-07-2011 十月可能復辦維港渡海泳
無雙臂人蘇躍斌自強不息 切西瓜賣過活
揭秘 17種有毒家居用品
Animal Cruelty Exposed in Undercover Video
The Side Effects of Wheat Consumption—It's Not Just about Celiac Disease
The Toxic Effects of Wheat Germ Agglutinin (WGA)
How Long Does Composting Take?
iHerb $5 Discount Off First Order
2011-07-03
The Dangers of Genetically Modified Foods
廢油回收當飼料 恐含有致癌物多氯聯苯 業者怕到吃素
Rating the LifeForce Energy in Our Food
The Toxic Food You'd Never, Ever Choose (But are Probably Eating on a Weekly Basis)
The Dangers of Genetically Modified Foods
Got arthritis pain? Try frankincense
iHerb $5 Discount Off First Order
2011-07-02
帆船課程﹕9天考國際牌
帆船課程﹕9天考國際牌
明報
7/02/2011
香港雙體船會總裁祁理權喜愛海上活動，2008年投資近1500萬港元，創辦香港雙體船會。
【明報專訊】ASA101 大型帆船入門
需時﹕3日
學費﹕$3900
認識和體驗帆船，學習基本的帆船知識，帆船設施與功能，帆的使用，以及航向專有名詞等。
ASA103 沿岸航行入門
需時﹕3日
學費﹕$5000
在沿岸作航海練習，學習意外事情處理等。
ASA104 國際租船資格
需時﹕3日2夜
學費﹕$15,000
讀畢此課程並考試及格後可取得國際租船資格，能在世界各地租用帆船出海。
課程包括要在船上度過兩晚，體驗在船上生活，以及學習怎樣運用有限資源。
Kevin推介﹕自駕遊必選地點
(1) 西貢糧船灣
賞六角岩柱
欣賞六角火山岩柱的必到之地。
(2) 西貢牛尾海
群山圍繞
三面群山圍繞，風不太大，風景優美。
(3) 蒲台島
上岸食海鮮
可以上岸食海鮮，然後再上船繼續航程。
坐帆船﹕周末游船河
若未有心理準備學習駕駛帆船，又想試試乘坐帆船的滋味，可參與雙體船會辦的帆船遊，在帆船上欣賞維港兩岸景色或感受六角火山岩柱的震撼。
(1)地質雙體帆船遊
白沙灣上船，途經萬宜水庫，欣賞六角火山岩柱，中途停糧船灣沙橋頭村，最後回到白沙灣。
報名詳情﹕
逢周六出發，行程約7小時，每人$395（兩位起），10人開船
(2)維港遊
乘坐法國比賽帆船，在維港出發及回程，行程約1小時。
報名詳情﹕
每人$990（最少兩位），包船$1990，最多坐10人
查詢：香港雙體船會
電話：2511 9398
網址：www.cata.hk
http://easss.com/sports/boating
推介網站﹕玲子的航海日記
Blogger玲子愛坐帆船周遊列國，將海上的點點滴滴、精彩故事，寫在部落格上與人分享，鼓勵更多人實現航海夢，她的名言：「航海不只是學習航行的技術，更要學習與大自然共處時的謙卑。」
www.wretch.cc/blog/pokaya
台灣帆船網
含帆船教學、帆友部落格推介、台灣帆船比賽資訊
www.sailing.org.tw
帆船介紹﹕三五知己租船出海
【明報專訊】
Beneteau Oceanis 34
法國單體風帆
備客房洗手間
船身長10.34米，內有舒適船艙，洗手間、煮食爐頭、兩客房，可載6人及1個船員
租金：平日4小時$2390、假日$3590
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44i
法國風帆遊艇
空調電爐俱全
船身長13.75米，內置1間主人房，2間客房，3個洗手間（私人浴室）、雪櫃、 2電爐、空調，可載12人及2名船員
租金：平日4小時$3190、假日$4790
Beneteau 21.7 法國小風帆
至啱微風航行
船身長6.40米，內有船艙及洗手間，宜在內港或輕微、和緩風速下航行，可載4人及1名船員
租金：平日4小時$1330、假日$1990
查詢：香港雙體船會（2511 9398）
明報
7/02/2011
香港雙體船會總裁祁理權喜愛海上活動，2008年投資近1500萬港元，創辦香港雙體船會。
【明報專訊】ASA101 大型帆船入門
需時﹕3日
學費﹕$3900
認識和體驗帆船，學習基本的帆船知識，帆船設施與功能，帆的使用，以及航向專有名詞等。
ASA103 沿岸航行入門
需時﹕3日
學費﹕$5000
在沿岸作航海練習，學習意外事情處理等。
ASA104 國際租船資格
需時﹕3日2夜
學費﹕$15,000
讀畢此課程並考試及格後可取得國際租船資格，能在世界各地租用帆船出海。
課程包括要在船上度過兩晚，體驗在船上生活，以及學習怎樣運用有限資源。
Kevin推介﹕自駕遊必選地點
(1) 西貢糧船灣
賞六角岩柱
欣賞六角火山岩柱的必到之地。
(2) 西貢牛尾海
群山圍繞
三面群山圍繞，風不太大，風景優美。
(3) 蒲台島
上岸食海鮮
可以上岸食海鮮，然後再上船繼續航程。
坐帆船﹕周末游船河
若未有心理準備學習駕駛帆船，又想試試乘坐帆船的滋味，可參與雙體船會辦的帆船遊，在帆船上欣賞維港兩岸景色或感受六角火山岩柱的震撼。
(1)地質雙體帆船遊
白沙灣上船，途經萬宜水庫，欣賞六角火山岩柱，中途停糧船灣沙橋頭村，最後回到白沙灣。
報名詳情﹕
逢周六出發，行程約7小時，每人$395（兩位起），10人開船
(2)維港遊
乘坐法國比賽帆船，在維港出發及回程，行程約1小時。
報名詳情﹕
每人$990（最少兩位），包船$1990，最多坐10人
查詢：香港雙體船會
電話：2511 9398
網址：www.cata.hk
http://easss.com/sports/boating
推介網站﹕玲子的航海日記
Blogger玲子愛坐帆船周遊列國，將海上的點點滴滴、精彩故事，寫在部落格上與人分享，鼓勵更多人實現航海夢，她的名言：「航海不只是學習航行的技術，更要學習與大自然共處時的謙卑。」
www.wretch.cc/blog/pokaya
台灣帆船網
含帆船教學、帆友部落格推介、台灣帆船比賽資訊
www.sailing.org.tw
帆船介紹﹕三五知己租船出海
【明報專訊】
Beneteau Oceanis 34
法國單體風帆
備客房洗手間
船身長10.34米，內有舒適船艙，洗手間、煮食爐頭、兩客房，可載6人及1個船員
租金：平日4小時$2390、假日$3590
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44i
法國風帆遊艇
空調電爐俱全
船身長13.75米，內置1間主人房，2間客房，3個洗手間（私人浴室）、雪櫃、 2電爐、空調，可載12人及2名船員
租金：平日4小時$3190、假日$4790
Beneteau 21.7 法國小風帆
至啱微風航行
船身長6.40米，內有船艙及洗手間，宜在內港或輕微、和緩風速下航行，可載4人及1名船員
租金：平日4小時$1330、假日$1990
查詢：香港雙體船會（2511 9398）
2011-06-30
6 Yoga Poses for Runners
震撼！雌狮为杀死的猎物狷羚接生（图）
污染防治 - 環境中的有毒有害物
Are you eating pesticides? Canola oil, soybean oil used as key ingredients in pesticide products
Claim: TSA employees now developing cancer clusters from standing near body scanner machines
The true story of SV40, the cancer-causing virus hidden in polio vaccines
6 Yoga Poses for Runners
10 Most Surprising Places to Find Petroleum
Simple Way to Shed Pounds and Decrease Tiredness - Stop Eating This
Refined white flour
Hexane may be lurking in the soy protein found in popular food bars
The process to create "soy protein isolate," which is often a primary ingredient in protein bars, utilizes a toxic solvent called Hexane.
Coconut sugar quickly replacing agave nectar as natural sweetener of choice
iHerb $5 Discount Off First Order
2011-06-29
Tests reveal radioactive urine in Japanese residents
蔡依林減肥秘笈 吃素食拒肥肉
蘭嶼百年來最大十八槳拼板舟「拜訪號」橫渡黑潮 拜訪台灣
電視談話節目主持人陳文茜瘦身9個月 甩肉20公斤
Are you eating pesticides?
Canola oil a great insect killer
Life Behind the Great Firewall of China
Tests reveal radioactive urine in Japanese residents
iHerb $5 Discount Off First Order
2011-06-28
Toluna 做問卷調查測試產品 積分兌換免費現金禮券現金大抽獎
Toluna 做問卷調查測試產品 積分兌換免費現金禮券現金大抽獎
注册，分享您對產品和服務的意見，並獲得相應報酬。
Toluna是一個全球性的網上社區，讓您的聲音以有趣的方式傳遞。
作為Toluna香港會員，您可以討論各種對您很重要的話題：美食菜譜，職業道向，環保實踐，社會政治，還有更多..
分享您對現在和今後產品和服務的想法將獲得積分，積分可以用來兌換現金禮券和每月50,000港元現金大抽獎抽獎券等等（您亦有機會測試產品）。
Toluna不會向您發送任何廣告或轉讓您的個人資料。
你地贊唔贊成大亞灣興建核電廠?
依家Toluna hk 的 voucher 得Wow CD, 如果有多d選就好了！邊種你最中意？
超市, 餐廳/食肆, 書店, 商場, CD舖, 手提電話充值券, Karaoke, 西餅店, 時裝店,
您在過去三個月,有到過那些商場逛街/購物呢?
朗豪坊, 新城巿廣場, 海港城, APM, 青衣城, 又一城, 時代廣場, 奧海城,
大家有用過以下的途徑來換取更多Toluna積分嗎？
邀請朋友加入Toluna社區, 做網上問卷調查（以電郵形式接收）, 完成個人興趣調查, 創作受歡迎的投票, 創作受歡迎的輿論話題, 發表80字或更長的意見,
看番何鴻燊單新聞,真係好似睇戯o甘~搞到依家都未搞掂 =.=
大家對威廉王子大婚開支達8千萬英鎊有何回應？
我覺得d錢全都是立稅人的錢，這樣用好浪費！！結婚的錢可多可小，不如將這8千萬英鎊捐出去啦！好多人真是要錢吃飯，在生死邊緣，他們就用響個party上！好的方面就是帶動經濟lor~
有無人識NEW!!
有無人識NEW!!,she is 一名大一女生
2011-06-27
Global Vedic Recipes
Global Vedic Recipes
范徐麗泰 Rita Fan Hsu Lai Tai
The Sunscreen You Should Never, Ever Use
Safe sunlight exposure has also been shown to protect against as many as sixteen different types of cancer, including breast, colon, endometrial, esophageal, ovarian, bladder, gallbladder, gastric, pancreatic, prostate, rectal, and renal cancers, as well as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Anti-foaming agent found in Chicken McNuggets
Chicken McNuggets are made with ingredients including autolyzed yeast extract (which contain free glutamate, similar to MSG), sodium phosphates and sodium aluminum phosphate.
Chicken McNuggets are also made with "hydrogenated soybean oil with TBHQ and citric acid added to preserve freshness" and "Dimethylpolysiloxane added as an antifoaming agent."
FDA sued to halt antibiotics in animal feed
iHerb $5 Discount Off First Order
2011-06-26
Chinese man dies after being exposed to industrial version of common meat additive
說文識字－緯
既然是忌諱之文字又如何能用在取名、命名、改名
豈不是犯了最大的「忌諱」
Fukushima 'still a ticking time bomb' says physicist Kaku
Transcript Included
Chinese man dies after being exposed to industrial version of common meat additive
7 surprising things you're not supposed to know about sunscreen and sunlight exposure
Increase health with inclined bed therapy
By raising the head of the bed between 4 and 8 inches, people can increase the gravitational force on their bodies while they are sleeping (and while remaining at a level that is conducive to rest). This posture will create the opportunity for the body to improve circulation without causing discomfort.
The true history of Dole, banana plantations, chemical pesticides and human suffering
DBCP, formally known as dibromochloroproprane, is often referred to by its street name Nemagon.
FDA unfairly maligns tobacco plant with graphic new cigarette warning labels
2011-06-25
Federal Trade Commission FTC Approaches Google With Antitrust Hammer Swinging
FTC Approaches Google With Antitrust Hammer Swinging
By Rob Spiegel
E-Commerce Times
06/24/11
If Google appears nonplussed by the FTC's attention, it doesn't have much company. Comparisons to Microsoft's long and painful antitrust saga abound. "Google seems to be making the same mistakes Microsoft made, only they're making those mistakes faster and worse," said tech analyst Rob Enderle. "Snubbing Congress was insane."
Department Stores
Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) was notified by the Federal Trade Commission on Thursday that a broad formal investigation will be launched. Google respects the FTC's process, it said in a blog post, and will be working with the agency over the coming months.
The FTC's Bureau of Competition will issue subpoenas to Google within the next few days, The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday. Its investigation will focus on Google's dominance in search advertising, and determine whether it manipulates search results to direct users to its own sites and services.
Attorneys-general in California, New York and Ohio have also launched antitrust investigations against Google, The Financial Times has reported.
While the FTC probe appears to be the most intense investigation into Google to date, the company has been targeted previously over antitrust issues.
Google and the FTC did not respond to the E-Commerce Times' requests for comments by press time.
Following Microsoft's Troubled Path
Google could be at the center of a chapter of history repeating itself. Its present position is reminiscent of Microsoft's (Nasdaq: MSFT) in the mid-90s, which led to its prolonged battle with U.S. and European regulators. One question is whether Google's long dominance of search advertising has led company officials to have a sense of entitlement, creating a climate in which they've been routinely using search as a competitive weapon.
"The FTC called up Google and said, 'You've been naughty boys,'" Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group, told the E-Commerce Times. "Now Google is going down the same path Microsoft went down. Congress wanted to look at them as well, and they thumbed their nose at Congress. They said, 'No, we're not coming.' Instead, they sent their chief counsel. You don't snub Congress. As rich as they are, they're not a government yet."
Right now, Google's control of the Web is formidable.
"They control the page rankings," said Enderle. "They have the power to make and break companies on the Web, and many of those companies are Google competitors. That's an enormous amount of control, and the FTC sees that as restraint of trade."
The lessons of the past don't seem to have made a sufficient impression on Google, in Enderle's view.
"Google seems to be making the same mistakes Microsoft made, only they're making those mistakes faster and worse," he said. "Snubbing Congress was insane. Microsoft blazed this trail in the United States and Europe, so I think we're going to see this happen more quickly with Google."
If Google seems cavalier about the way it wields its power, the same could be said about its concern over its public image.
"It's almost like they've decided their image doesn't matter," said Enderle. "Their image has taken a beating over the past five or six years. This will hurt their image even more."
Cracking Open Google Search
Ultimately, the FTC inquiry may have a bearing on how online searches are conducted. Will Google continue to determine how to produce the best search results, or will its competitors get a chance to weigh in?
"Google's algorithms today currently select one set; Google's competitors would like to have a different set. At issue is how gets to decide what 'best' means," Carl Howe, director of anywhere consumer research at the Yankee Group, told the E-Commerce Times.
"If the subpoenas get issued, I think this could result in litigation that goes on nearly as long as the Microsoft antitrust trial," he said -- "not because the merits of the case warrant it, but because Google's competitors have everything to gain from it going forward."
By Rob Spiegel
E-Commerce Times
06/24/11
If Google appears nonplussed by the FTC's attention, it doesn't have much company. Comparisons to Microsoft's long and painful antitrust saga abound. "Google seems to be making the same mistakes Microsoft made, only they're making those mistakes faster and worse," said tech analyst Rob Enderle. "Snubbing Congress was insane."
Department Stores
Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) was notified by the Federal Trade Commission on Thursday that a broad formal investigation will be launched. Google respects the FTC's process, it said in a blog post, and will be working with the agency over the coming months.
The FTC's Bureau of Competition will issue subpoenas to Google within the next few days, The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday. Its investigation will focus on Google's dominance in search advertising, and determine whether it manipulates search results to direct users to its own sites and services.
Attorneys-general in California, New York and Ohio have also launched antitrust investigations against Google, The Financial Times has reported.
While the FTC probe appears to be the most intense investigation into Google to date, the company has been targeted previously over antitrust issues.
Google and the FTC did not respond to the E-Commerce Times' requests for comments by press time.
Following Microsoft's Troubled Path
Google could be at the center of a chapter of history repeating itself. Its present position is reminiscent of Microsoft's (Nasdaq: MSFT) in the mid-90s, which led to its prolonged battle with U.S. and European regulators. One question is whether Google's long dominance of search advertising has led company officials to have a sense of entitlement, creating a climate in which they've been routinely using search as a competitive weapon.
"The FTC called up Google and said, 'You've been naughty boys,'" Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group, told the E-Commerce Times. "Now Google is going down the same path Microsoft went down. Congress wanted to look at them as well, and they thumbed their nose at Congress. They said, 'No, we're not coming.' Instead, they sent their chief counsel. You don't snub Congress. As rich as they are, they're not a government yet."
Right now, Google's control of the Web is formidable.
"They control the page rankings," said Enderle. "They have the power to make and break companies on the Web, and many of those companies are Google competitors. That's an enormous amount of control, and the FTC sees that as restraint of trade."
The lessons of the past don't seem to have made a sufficient impression on Google, in Enderle's view.
"Google seems to be making the same mistakes Microsoft made, only they're making those mistakes faster and worse," he said. "Snubbing Congress was insane. Microsoft blazed this trail in the United States and Europe, so I think we're going to see this happen more quickly with Google."
If Google seems cavalier about the way it wields its power, the same could be said about its concern over its public image.
"It's almost like they've decided their image doesn't matter," said Enderle. "Their image has taken a beating over the past five or six years. This will hurt their image even more."
Cracking Open Google Search
Ultimately, the FTC inquiry may have a bearing on how online searches are conducted. Will Google continue to determine how to produce the best search results, or will its competitors get a chance to weigh in?
"Google's algorithms today currently select one set; Google's competitors would like to have a different set. At issue is how gets to decide what 'best' means," Carl Howe, director of anywhere consumer research at the Yankee Group, told the E-Commerce Times.
"If the subpoenas get issued, I think this could result in litigation that goes on nearly as long as the Microsoft antitrust trial," he said -- "not because the merits of the case warrant it, but because Google's competitors have everything to gain from it going forward."
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