From: davef@gbdirect.co.uk
Date: Fri, 24 Mar 2000 17:03:45 +0000
To: contact@gbdirect.co.uk
Subject: NEW (OPEN SOURCE) GEOGRAPHICAL SEARCH ENGINE FROM GBDIRECT


PRESS RELEASE 

NEW (OPEN SOURCE) GEOGRAPHICAL SEARCH ENGINE FROM GBDIRECT

GBdirect announce the release of a new platform-independent
geographical search engine called "Somewhere Near".  It is initially
accessible via the web (at http://www.somewherenear.com), but will soon
be available via WAP phones and other wireless devices.

The site currently runs on a familiar combination of Linux, Apache and
MySQL.  All development was done using robust free software tools
created by GBdirect themselves and by the open source community at large. 

At the moment, Somewherenear.com has two essential features.  Firstly,
it positions any kind of place you search for on a map and, secondly,
it encourages users to add places to the database with their own
comments and votes (in the familiar slashdot style).

Right now, the live web site catalogues UK Pubs, Guest houses, Curry
houses and the like, but the search engine itself can handle any
geographical object in any part of the world.

Searching can be incredibly easy, e.g. you can just click on a map and
the database will respond by drawing you a new map showing the nearest X
places to the point where you clicked.

A superficial description of the search engine's origins is available at
http://somewherenear.com/about.htm

A full technical description of how the site was built will follow when
GBdirect release the engine's software under the GNU Public Lisense
(GPL), i.e. after it has been thoroughly de-bugged.
  
GBdirect are looking for potential partners and investors to take this
unique tool to the US and other territories.

For further information, please contact:

Dave Fisher
Head of Business Development
GBdirect
27 Park Drive
Bradford BD9 4DS
Tel: +44 (0)1274 772277
Email: info@gbdirect.co.uk
-- 
DAVE FISHER, Business Development, GBdirect Consultancy and Training
27 Park Drive, Bradford, BD9 4DS, tel: +44 (0)1274 772277
mail: davef@gbdirect.co.uk http://www.gbdirect.co.uk
http://www.trainingpages.co.uk, http://www.linuxtraining.co.uk