STUDY FINDS WEB BIGGER THAN WE THINK - Today's search engines cover only a fraction of the existing pages on the Web, but some companies are developing new search software to tap the volumes of information that are a part of the "invisible Web." BrightPlanet, a company that offers sophisticated LexiBot search software, recently released a study estimating Web size as 500 times larger than the segment covered by standard search engines. While the Web now holds about 550 billion documents, search engines index a total of only 1 billion pages. One reason is that data is increasingly stored in large databases maintained by government agencies, universities and companies. The stored information is difficult for traditional engines to access, because search software is designed to locate static pages. BrightPlanet has created its LexiBot to find information in databases, as well as data covered by traditional search engines. LexiBot is targeting advanced users in the academic and scientific communities. (CNet, 26 July 2000)

3-D IMAGES THAT YOU CAN STEP INTO - A new virtual reality theater at Iowa State University allows visitors to interact with three- dimensional images that change according to the viewer's perspective. The wireless theater surrounds visitors with computer-generated images that are projected onto the walls, floor and ceiling. Visitors wear goggles that are equipped with sensors that interact with a magnetic field to let the computer know the visitor's position and modify the images accordingly. The theater allows users, for example, to see a virtual tornado from all angles and to interact with the illusion. By contrast, today's 3D IMAX theaters show viewers the same image regardless of location and do not support interaction. (Business Week, 3 July 00 - Edupage 5 June 00)

HANDHELDS AND WIRELESS - A Quickie View of PC Expo: Handhelds & Wireless: The MASIE Center packed up its staff and headed down to New York City recently, to visit PC Expo. Amongst the hundreds of booths and tens of thousands of visitors these quick perspectives were scanned:

Handhelds Were Hot! The traditional attendees to PC Expo have been corporate buyers of technology. This year, instead of being pitched with new desktops or laptops, the buzz was all about Handhelds. There were acre's of displays focused on using Palm, Handspring, SONY and Microsoft's Pocket PC format. What was most interesting was the connectivity and synchronization focus of these devices: accessing corporate databases, email and sales force automation. While there was only one Handheld application targeted at learning, this will change dramatically in the coming months. Video and audio are also a part of this form factor and that will allow for much more portable access to learning and collaboration via Handhelds.

Wireless Was Everywhere: In the same vein, wireless dominated the networking products. The shift to wireless was strong in both the Business to Business and Business to Consumer segments. Internal wireless products allowed easy mobility of a worker and their laptop. But, the integration of web access from cellular phones and Handhelds was top of mind throughout the Expo. Visit the Masie web site CLICK: http://www.masie.com. (TechLearn Trends #175 30 June 00)