Quadrille - 8:06 pm on Oct 6, 2008 (gmt 0)

I think calling them a clown is harsh

It may be a little harsh; but even this pro-Ask article highlights their succession of fatuous relaunches, and even Jupiter, their new best friend, all but admits that this may be too little too late:

It's going to be difficult with just one announcement and some new features to overtake Google

Understatement of the year?

Based on our research, the strategy of delivering richer search results is the right one.

Nope, it's a simple matter of better results; widening the net on sources isn't the anser; getting results in better order for each search is the only way forward.

And I'm guessing that Jupiter were paid hansomely for this lukewarm support: "Jupiter Research analyst who was given a demo".

I'll be the first to congratulate Ask if they really go back to their roots and start delivering a useful, quality service ... but the tone of this report suggests it's more of the same - half-hearted changes of direction with an emphasis on marketing, not back end.

I speak as I find, and with searchme, quill, and others producing genuine innovation (albeit with flaws, so far!), it's up to Ask to prove me wrong. Saying so is no longer enough. :)