Anybody still using Netex?
Perhaps six or seven years ago (I can't seem to find any pages that tell the history
of the company) an Israeli teenager (if I remember correctly) had the very bright
idea of allowing people to type in Hebrew into the browser's search bar, and to
bring up the page of the company with that name (precisely what "browse by
name" does today). This filled a very real need by many Israelis who were
delighted to be able to type in Hebrew rather than have to try and remember a
URL in English.
There was, of course, a problem with differentiation, and Netex
soon found itself as more of a clearinghouse than as a one-click-away path to
a desired site. This, however, was probably more of a blessing than a curse, since
it offered a direction for growth. Netex was soon a popular semi-portal that offered
search results according to the Hebrew search term typed into the search bar.
A couple of articles from about a year ago seem to suggest that Netex was still
in the running for big bucks, though I also get the impression that today it's
owned by a large Israeli internet service provider. I really don't know, and though
I certainly wish them well, I wouldn't be surprised if this is simply an example
of a good idea whose time definitely came ... but has also gone. I don't know
of anyone who still uses this tool, for the simple reason that, as happens with
numerous other bright ideas, the positive service that
it once provided has become a standard part of the tools we use today.
Go to: And Google makes it even easier, or
Go to: Search Rules!