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Daily Tidbits: SearchMonkey reads Wikipedia

Yahoo adds third-party functionality such as Wikipedia summaries to its search results, with the help of its SearchMonkey platform.

Don Reisinger
CNET contributor Don Reisinger is a technology columnist who has covered everything from HDTVs to computers to Flowbee Haircut Systems. Besides his work with CNET, Don's work has been featured in a variety of other publications including PC World and a host of Ziff-Davis publications.
Don Reisinger
2 min read

Yahoo announced on Thursday that it has added Wikipedia deep links and images to its search results. The company, which is using its SearchMonkey platform to add more third-party content to its results, claims that all Wikipedia results in its search will now include links to the first four sections of the article, as well as an image. The feature can be turned off through Yahoo's preferences pane.

MediaGlow, AOL's publishing unit, announced the launch of a new sports site Thursday. Dubbed FanHouse, the site sports a new design and "an expanded lineup" of national sports columnists covering major sporting events. According to the Time Warner division, the new FanHouse will expand its coverage of Nascar and other auto racing, as well as include coverage of mixed martial arts. The new site is live.

David's Bridal, the nation's largest bridal retailer, has launched a "Dress Your Wedding" campaign on its site. The contest enables brides-to-be to choose bridal gowns, bridal party dresses, accessories, and tuxedos. Once complete, brides can then share their plans for making their wedding days unique.

David's Bridal plans to judge the wedding plans, giving the winner a $5,000 gift certificate for David's Bridal, a consultation with a company style expert, and a blog on the retailer's Web site to talk about the experience. The contest ends February 24 at 11:30 a.m. PST.

eBay sellers and buyers gave a record $36 million to U.S. nonprofit organizations in 2008 through eBay Giving Works, the auction site announced Thursday. More than 15,000 organizations received funds from more than 1.5 million users. According to eBay, more than $68 is raised through its program each minute, and eight nonprofit organizations have raised more than $1 million through Giving Works.

Sharpcast, makers of the SugarSync online data backup and storage service, announced on Thursday that the company has secured $10 million in a Series AA round of financing led by Sigma Partners. SugarSync, which can be downloaded onto multiple devices and PCs, enables users to upload files online to the Sharpcast portal. Users can also "push" data to any other device that has the software installed.