Web search in the fall of 2000
This afternoon on Hacker News, there's a discussion about just how much screen real estate is used to show actual search results. That is, when you ask for something, just how much of the screen you get back is delivering the content you want or need?
I actually have some screenshots from the old days, and while I can't share them directly, I sure can use them to create a mockup. I did exactly that using a 12 year old result page as an example. Check it out below:
There are no magic "hot spots" where hovering will cause something to happen. Indeed, nothing on that page moves or reacts unless you explicitly scroll or click it first.
Given the cyclical nature of things, I expect someone to come around and sweep the industry with a tagline like "fast. pure. simple." sooner or later. It's just a matter of when.