What is Google and Internet up to this 9/11?

The eighth year anniversary of the devastating 9/11 attacks just passed by reminding all of us yet again how vulnerable we have become to terrorist attacks. All over the world, companies, social groups and organizations are doing various things as a memorial to this terrible day. There are many people who are questioning why isn’t Google posting any special logo for this day? Unlike popular belief, Google Doodles or logos are only posted for happy occasions; as a rule, they do not do it for sad days like these.

But let not the world think that Google is silent on this day. It has partnered up with various companies and organizations to create a new web site “Make History” at 911history.org. The main feature of the site is a storytelling sharing tool that utilizes the Google Maps API to show a display of all the Google’s Street views. This tool allows people to place and share their photos and videos as per geographical context thus piecing together the history that was witnessed. The tool allows only one photo and video to be uploaded at a time and this site has also been hosted on Google App Engine which is the company’s cloud computing environment.

Though Google has not posted any special logos to commemorate this day, both Microsoft Bing and Ask.com has posted meaningful images as their background picture. The image on Bing.com depicts a shaft or column of light from the sky which falls between the twin towers which are completely lit. Ask.com has posted a picture of the Twin Towers standing tall in the horizon as a loving memory to those who lost their lives and their loved ones in this terrible tragedy. Yahoo has also posted special news and images in memory of this tragic event on its home page.

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