New Look at Infoseek.com Delivers Faster, Easier Navigation
PR Newswire - September 25, 1998 05:45
Extensive Directory of Reviewed Web Sites, Easy Navigation, and Faster
Interface Give Users Great Improvements to Their Favorite Search Tool
SUNNYVALE, Calif., Sept. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Infoseek Corporation (Nasdaq: SEEK) today announced a dramatic
redesign of its site to give users a combination of manually-reviewed Web sites and Web search results together, make
navigation easier and more effective, and increase the overall performance of the site. The new directory collection is one
hundred percent manually edited to give users the best of the Web in one organized, highly-functional format not found on the
Web today. More efficient use of images and programming code allows pages to load faster, improving the speed of the site
and users' ability to find information quickly.
"The Infoseek brand stands for finding what you want on the Web more accurately, easily and comprehensively," said Barak
Berkowitz, vice president of marketing at Infoseek. "Infoseek's new design delivers on that promise in a new way with a
consistency and clarity we believe users will respond to immediately. The introduction of this redesign is a strong message of
commitment to Infoseek users."
Easy to Find the Best of the Web
Infoseek's directory collection, "Reviewed Web Site Topics," is now edited completely by hand, making it one of the best on
the Internet. To give users a quality selection of sites, well matched to their search query, Infoseek uses a proprietary
technology to help editors build the directory. Unlike its competitors, Infoseek offers users the flexibility of quality directory
results and quality Web search results on one page in response to any query.
The directory is organized so that when users search for "Microsoft," for example, they receive an outline that makes it easy for
them to drill down to the information they desire, whether it is about a specific Microsoft product or Microsoft news.
Reviewed Web sites are rated with a check system, allowing users to quickly scan the very top-rated sites. These sites are
rated based on how well they match a user's specific search and the quality of the page itself.
Links Lets Users Jump to What They Want
On search results pages, links are used to organize information for the user and make navigation simple. With the new interface,
users can spend more time finding than looking. The new Infoseek design allows users to easily discover results to their query
in the form of "Recommended" sites, "Reviewed Web Site Topics," and "Web Search Results."
When a user is ready to move on to a new search, they don't have to search for the search box. Every heading contains a link
to the search box, as well as other elements on the page so scrolling up or down a search results page isn't necessary.
Find it Fast with Consistent Navigation and Search Box
The Infoseek homepage now features a new navigation bar to put all of the most popular tools at the top of the page including
Stocks, News, Yellow Pages, Maps, Chat, Homepage Building and Help. The navigation bar is consistent on every page of
the new site so users can always find what they need quickly. In addition, the search box is consistently placed at the top of the
homepage and at the bottom of each search page to ensure users always know where to find it. Additional links to the search
box from every heading make it even easier to get there.
The homepage also highlights what Infoseek customers say is most important to them; today's news headlines, a list of new
features at "Infoseek Today," links to Infoseek software tools, and a listing of channels where users can go to browse.
Today's launch of the new design encompasses the Infoseek homepage and all search results pages. To ensure stability for
users, the redesign will be launched in two phases. The second phase of the redesign will be implemented in the first week of
October, 1998, and will include a complete redesign of Infoseek Channels.
About Infoseek
Based in Sunnyvale, Calif., Infoseek Corporation is a global media company and a leading Internet navigation service with the
goal of delivering on the promise of the Internet to make people's lives easier. In addition to the Infoseek Internet service,
Infoseek licenses its Ultraseek Server search and navigation software to companies for their own intranet, extranet and Internet
sites.
Infoseek recently signed a definitive agreement with The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) related to the acquisition by
Infoseek of Starwave Corporation, which is majority owned by Disney and pursuant to which Disney would acquire additional
shares of Infoseek common stock which would result in Disney having an approximately 43% stake in Infoseek. Disney would
also purchase warrants from Infoseek enabling it to achieve a majority stake in Infoseek over time. In connection with this
strategic transaction, Infoseek plans to launch a Web portal that combines the best of Infoseek, Starwave, ESPN, ABC and
Disney. This transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including shareholder approval.
Infoseek has commerce and/or content arrangements with entities that include AT&T (NYSE: T), Auto-By-Tel, Borders
Group, Inc. (NYSE: BGP), CMP Media, Inc. (Nasdaq: CMPX), Datek Online, Inc., Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq:
MSFT), PeopleLink Inc., UPS, and Reuters.
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding the planned new Internet portal service to be named Go
Network and the timing of its development and launch that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ
materially from those set forth in such statements as a result of a number of factors, including, but not limited to the progress
and timing of the redesign of Infoseek Channels, the progress and timing of the development and launch of the planned new
Internet portal service, the costs and timing to promote such service, consumer acceptance and use of the new service, and the
increasingly competitive nature of the Internet market. In addition, launch of the planned new portal service is conditioned upon
and subject to the consummation of the Infoseek acquisition of Starwave and related transactions with Disney, that are subject
to customary closing conditions, including shareholder approval. |
