Take a look at the new AskX which recently launched as a polished up Ask.com that’s been infused with new features. They call it their “double-secret sandbox” for testing Ask experiences of the future. This new look includes a three-panel interface. The three panels are broken down into the left, middle, and right, with each panel holding a variety of time-saving features.
One of the very first things that I noticed after completing a search was the “fading-in” of the page. Some might say that this slows down the loading of the page, when all you want is instant results. I however think it’s nice to know when a new search has been completed; it makes the new results really stand out.
In the left panel they have options to narrow, expand, or view related names to your search. These search suggestions update as you type them. The middle section of course is for your search results. They have sponsored links clearly labeled up at the top, and the rest of the results “front and center” so that they’re easy read. The right side has most of the “bells and whistles” like an image search with the option to click “more,” to view more related images. There’s also a handy dictionary. My search was “computer” and so it pulled up the definition of computer as part of the search. They also include a news category with related news, and a shopping category with related shopping items. The last item in the right column is a section called “Posts” which has a list of blog and feed articles pertaining to your search. Again, you can click “more” to get a more complete list. What a great way for Ask to enter the Blogosphere!
If you visit AskX, your browser will remember this, and the next time you visit Ask, you’ll just be taken to the new AskX. There’s an “exit AskX” link that will take you back to the original Ask.com. Even with the 3 columns, the design seems clean and easy to navigate. Right now, the new site is supportive of just about every browser with the exception of Opera (unfortunately). Overall, I think it looks a lot better than searchmash (Google’s test site) which we wrote about back in October. Go take a peak at AskX and let us know what you think!
News Source: Google Blogoscoped
Doesn’t seem to like Firefox 2.0. I get the following message:
Ask X needs you to change your browser settings!
You want to use Ask X and we’re here to help. Just make sure your system meets these requirements:
# JavaScript enabled on your browser.
# Cookies enabled on your browser.
# You computer desktop must have a screen resolution of 1024 x 768 or higher.
My systems does meet the listed requirements.
It works for me on both a PC and Mac using Firefox 2.0. Are you sure you are not using extension or software that blocks your useragent string?
I take it that you do have cookies enabled and you’re not using an extension like NoScript? I’m using Firefox 2 on a PC and it works great.
Cookies and JavaScript are enabled and I only use a few extension:
Adblock Plus
FlashBlock
Several Google Extension (toolbar, NoteBook, etc.)
Tabbed Browser Preferance
Yahoo Photo Upload
Download Status Bar
IE Tab
Tidy HTML validator.
I get the same results if I use my laptop or desktop. I even disabled AdBlock Plus on Ask.com but it didn’t help.
Too bad for me.
I don’t like this search engine. The first search term I entered was “firefox”, and there was two “sponsored links” on the top:
I don’t like that. The first result should be Mozilla.com, like it is in any other search engine.
Note: In the first sponsored link there is a mistake: should be “Firefox”, and not “FireFox”. It looks dangerous, like phishing website. And I don’t want “FireFox”, I want Mozilla.com.
You don’t like this search engine because it shows sponsored listings at the top? Google shows the same thing at the top for that query: [google.com]
Maybe you’re not a Google user I’m just playing the odds
I thought that most search engines have the sponsored listings at the top like the Anonymous user mentioned. I know Yahoo only puts them at the bottom so I guess that must be what you’re comparing them to? Since they are placed on a colored background my eyes tend to glance right over them anyways, so they don’t bother me.
Oh, sorry, I forgot that Google have special column for sponsored links. Yes, both those links are in Google too, but I never look at this column, so I never see sponsored links in Google!
I agree, the site looks sick!
I tried to edit my post, but I have surpassed the allotted time. If you look at the top left corner of the page after you searched for something, there is a link to exit AskX. But who would want to do that?
Aks.com is a loser. There is nothing special in this website. Even built-in “Search Suggestions” is not something new.
Better look at [answers.com] it has both built-in “Search Suggestions”, and well-organized, well-structured results.