[technology taskforce] Fwd: ICANN Website - New 'Search' Beta Rollout

[Olivier MJ Crepin-Leblond]

Dear TTF,

I am forwarding the email below with permission from Laura Bengford and
which explains the beta testing of a customized Google search, soon to
be implemented on the ICANN Web site.

Laura and her Team are looking for beta testers of the feature. You may
need to have a log-in on the ICANN.ORG Web site so if you are interested
in taking part, please email her.

Also, perhaps the TTF could be looking at this feature during one of its
future calls.

Kindest regards,

Olivier


-------- Forwarded Message --------
Subject: 	ICANN Website - New 'Search' Beta Rollout
Date: 	Mon, 22 Sep 2014 19:44:44 +0000
From: 	Laura Bengford <laura.bengford at icann.org>
To: 	Laura Bengford <laura.bengford at icann.org>



> Dear valued member of ICANN Community,
>
> As you know with the launch of the new ICANN website, several attempts
> were made to improve the Search capabilities using a new engine,
> Elastic Search.  This was based on feedback from the community to
> improve search capabilities.   Elastic search relies on sophisticated
> algorithms and weightings to optimize search results based on document
> metadata tagged in our pages.  Due to the high volume of content (over
> 60,000 pages) on the site, this approach uncovered some missing data
> that resulted in Search not being as effective as we would have
> liked. We have therefore concluded that our best approach at this time
> is to revert back to the Google Search API on the website.
>
> You can read further about the Search background  and technology in
> the paper that has been previously shared with the community digital
> advisory group.
> https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wB-jvXklBUErVmoAZ-MB7f66ApZag-vefECAbpbaK6k/edit
>
> *We wanted you to be the first to preview the /Search/ as part of a
> planned Beta.  Over the next few weeks, we will gradually widen the
> rollout which will allow us to gather additional feedback.  Please
> feel free to send us any feedback that you think may be useful in the
> Feedback channel on the website or to laura.bengford at icann.org.*
>
> You will also notice a slight difference in the appearance of Search
> as we have moved it to the top of the screen in the blue bar and
> included a white box to make it more visible.  This was also a result
> of feedback from the community.
>
> We know how important "search" is to using ICANN.org
> <http://icann.org/> and for the community to do it's work, and we
> apologize for any inconvenience as we try and find the best path
> forward. Thank you for your feedback.
>
> Thank you,
> ICANN Online Community Services



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