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  • Reza Sardeha 22:05 on March 6, 2010 Permalink | Reply  

    I’mHalal Private Beta Is Live! 

    Assalamu Alaikum!

    I’m honored to announce that I’mHalal private beta is now live and we have started accepting beta testers! As I mentioned before in my last post we’ll accept all invitation requests automatically in the coming two weeks. Even though our private beta landing is just a few hours online we’ve already accepted more than 200 invitations! We’re seeing about one invitation request per minute, which is great. Thank you early adopters for your support!

    A few new functions are already available for you to test but our new algorithm for more relevant results isn’t integrated yet. We will introduce our new algorithm alongside with other new functions in the coming few weeks.

    How can you help us? Well that’s simple; by giving us feedback, feedback and even more feedback! If you bump into a bug or if you think a certain service or function is missing please let us know and contact us here: feedback@imhalal.com

    This is the first step to perfection. We’re expecting to launch I’mHalal globally in about 2-3 months. Once we move out of private beta we will start executing our strategy to capture the Middle Eastern and Asia search market. If you think you or your company can accommodate us in our early growth stage or if you want to partner up with us to leverage your brand you can contact us here: contact@imhalal.com with your proposal.

    Ps: Developers! We’re also working on a extremely innovative API that will allow you to build your own search technology exclusively for the I’mHalal platform. More details about our API will be released in later blog posts.

    With best regards,
    Reza Sardeha on behalf of the I’mHalal Team!

     

  • Reza Sardeha 17:11 on February 20, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: I'mhalal, I'mHalal private beta, I'mHalal search engine   

    Recently Latency And Downtime + I’mHalal going Private Beta! 

    Assalamu Alaikum!

    Recently we have been experiencing a lot of downtime because our hosting company Rackspace is having difficulties with their WC1.DFW1 data center, which we use to host ImHalal.com. We would like to sincerely apologize for the latency this issue has caused since it’s extremely important for us to provide you a search service that is reliable and consistent.

    After an extremely interactive and long meeting we have decided to launch I’mHalal 3.0 in private beta which means that only a limited number of users will be able to make use of our search service before we launch I’mHalal globally. We want to revolutionize the search market by introducing several community based features I included in my last blog post. The technology we want to implement in three significant steps to partially power our search algorithm is unique and requires some extensive testing by our private beta testers first before we launch globally.

    Since we appreciate the support and feedback of our early adopters we’ll give everyone that applies for participation in our private beta project in the first two weeks of March guaranteed access to make use of the I’mHalal search engine.

    We are going into private beta to be able to accelerate the development of I’mHalal significantly and interact more actively with our users. Certain measures will be taken in our private beta stage to improve our scalability opportunities and we’ll add a few additional hosting servers to improve the speed of the world’s first and leading search engine that aims to attract more Muslims to the world wide web. Another essential reason for us to go into private beta is that we’re going to be testing some revolutionary technology we want to be discrete about.

    We’re excited about the possibilities and opportunities this particular strategic move opens up and we hope you will join our private beta launch and continue supporting us by providing us your opinion, feedback and support.

    With best regards,
    Reza Sardeha on behalf of the I’mHalal Team

     

  • Reza Sardeha 23:49 on February 2, 2010 Permalink  

    Closing Perfection! 

    Assalamu Alaikum!

    Since the soft launch of a very basic I’mHalal V 1.0 back in September many improvements have already been implemented but we’re not there by a long shot and as long as we’re not there we’re not thinking about anything other than getting there.

    I’ve had the honor to Beta test I’mhalal V 3.0 just a few hours ago and for the first time since the launch of I’mHalal I’ve got the feeling we’re coming close to a substantial and complete search service. I’mHalal V 3.0 uses a search algorithm designed to return more relevant results based on the culture, mindset and lifestyle of Muslims.

    It’s really interesting how I’mHalal is maturing and I would like to thank all the volunteers that have helped us from the first day of our launch. I’mHalal is a service for the community by the community. That’s why we’re introducing a new feature in I’mHalal V 3.0 that will allow you to rank the search results as well. I’mHalal will become the first search engine, which algorithm is partially powered by its users.

    That’s all for now. We’re expecting to launch I’mHalal V 3.0 within the next couple of days so keep an close eye on ImHalal.com.

    With warm regards,
    Reza Sardeha on behalf of the I’mHalal Team!

     

  • Fabian Tollenaar 22:10 on December 31, 2009 Permalink  

    Update on version 3.0 

    Assalamu Alaikum!

    I finally found some time to post a quick update about version 3.0 (and to drink a cup of coffee, finally!)
    We are proud to announce that we’re really, really close to launch version 3.0 of I’mHalal!

    Version 3.0 features a greatly improved system of classifying search results, thus delivering better results.
    How it works?,  3.0 analyzes every single result, and rates it based on cultural relevancy. This enables us to map the web in a way no search engine has done before, and gives us valuable data about the internet to improve our engine even more in the future.

    You’d expect this to slow down our search engine, and it would if we’d analyze the raw page contents. But, we don’t. Instead, we analyze the page based on the semantic information we get from it’s source code. For instance, a p tag indicates a paragraph (containing text, obviously) and we analyze that text. But we ignore object, image, etc tags, because they contain useless data. (in terms of classifying the contents.)

    Apart from huge improvements in our Engine itself, we were able to win a lot of performance in rewriting and reforming our javascript base. We found a way to standardize some methods, and to standardize the data we get from our back-end engine. Imagine it like this: in version 2.0 we’d get apples data when searching on the web, bananas when searching for news, pears when querying the Qur’an, etc. Now we get the same kind of apples from our engine with every type of request.

    Apart from the improved performance, this is a great base for our upcoming API. In the near future you’ll be able to actually use our results in your  application, delivering your users the very same, great results we offer you via our web interface.

    Happy new year, tonight!

    - Fabian.

     

    • ayub 12:32 on January 26, 2010 Permalink

      kindly update to use indian muslim to reach world

  • Reza Sardeha 14:21 on December 17, 2009 Permalink  

    I’mHalal Search Engine Going Version 3.0 Already? 

    Assalamu Alaikum!

    Yes, I’mHalal is really going version 3.0! The development team is running on sleep deficiency and a lot of coffee and Tea to push trough I’mHalal version 3.0 with a more advanced in-result filtering system, better load time and better results that connects our culture and lifestyle better with the world wide web!

    Our culture, mindset and lifestyle aren’t represented currently by the “Big Three”. The algorithms of other search engines are based on “western” standards and our goals is to solve this problem in I’mHalal version 3.0.

    We want to improve the search experience of I’mHalal by creating a new algorithm that will rank websites based on more detailed criteria. This will improve the relevancy of the results fetched by I’mHalal and you will be able to find the information you seek in less queries.

    Quick Updates:

    Translators
    We’re currently looking for translators that are willing to help us translate I’mHalal in 15 languages. If you want to help us contact us at feedback @ imhalal.com.

    Promotion
    In January we’re going to start the world wide promotion of I’mHalal trough various channels. If you are interested in learning more or if you want to help us promoting I’mHalal contact us at feedback @ imhalal.com

    Developers and Webmasters
    We have a very exciting sneak preview for developers and webmasters. We’re going to introduce an API in the first quarter of 2010 which will allow developers to develop widgets and search products for the I’mHalal platform that is going to be open sourced partially! Stay tuned for more updates!

    With best regards,
    The I’mHalal Team!

     

    • M.Qayyum 10:46 on December 19, 2009 Permalink

      I have developed a website that is http://www.searchsafe.uni.cc …….A website dedicated to the safety of minors.This website allow user to check the landing page for any inappropriate content ie, adult material, abusive language e.t.c. It also have a Embed System that enables other websites to prove their content appropriation for minors with our website filtration system.For example a website is offering some information with a Link if that link is first filtered with our website and then Embedded in their site will give the user to see that link is safe for minor or not.

  • Fabian Tollenaar 18:24 on December 16, 2009 Permalink  

    ImHalal.com back up again! 

    Assalamu Alaikum!

    My name is Fabian, I’m ImHalal.com’s lead developer. Yesterday we experienced some trouble regarding the SQL servers at our Hosting service. (Rackspace)

    We worked really hard to get ImHalal back online, and during the evening (GMT + 1) we figured out a way to resume service although the SQL servers were still having problems. The folks at Rackspace worked hard to fix everything, and as of now we’re completely back in service, including all background processes (filtering, et cetera).

    Thanks for your patience!

    Fabian.

     

  • Reza Sardeha 12:49 on December 14, 2009 Permalink  

    Speedy Gonzales vs. ImHalal.com! 

    As the title of this post suggests we’re going to compete with Speedy Gonzales to decrease the load time of I’mHalal drastically the coming few days.

    Speed is besides relevancy the most important aspect of a search engine. We will constantly look for better options and minimize the load time of I’mHalal one step at a time. After we have implemented all new techniques within the coming two weeks I’mHalal should load at least 10x faster. Sounds great right?

    We would like to ask the Ummah to help us spread the word about I’mHalal. Only with your support we can shift mountains. You can help us by simply telling your friends and family about us. Spread the word on forums, facebook and twitter.

    Ps: We’re launching I’mHalal in many languages very, very soon.

    All the best,
    The I’mHalal Team

    Follow us at Twitter @imhalalcom
    Follow us at Facebook facebook.com/imhalalcom

     

  • Reza Sardeha 12:46 on December 14, 2009 Permalink  

    I’mHalal goes version 2.0! 

    Assalamu Alaikum!

    Most of you probably have already noticed the new version of I’mHalal but we’re not there yet. We have scheduled some drastic improvements for the coming weeks. We’re going to introduce new functions and improve the performance of I’mHalal step by step.

    Feedback, Feedback, Feedback!
    As we introduce new functions and improvements feedback is extremely important to us. If you bump into errors or problems please do let us know. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you got ideas or suggestions. We’re listening.

    What’s New:
    1: Load time improved (but we’re not there yet)
    2: New Layout and Interface
    3: Revolutionary Slide bar introduced
    4: Results paginating improved
    5: Added Qur’an search

    What’s Coming:
    1: I’mHalal in 14 different languages
    2: 10X faster load time
    3: Introducing an sophisticated Semantic in result Filter
    4: Reordering results based on your personal interest, location etc. Taking web search to the next level!
    5: Fine tuning our filters/adding certain websites to our blacklist
    6: Introducing more functions and search products
    7: Log-in service which will enable users to make use of @imhalal.com mail and more. (Scheduled to launch in early 2010).
    8: Introducing a Light version of I’mHalal optimized for performance only

    For webmasters:
    If you run an Islamic oriented website, which isn’t included in I’mHalal yet you can email us and we’ll put your website in our crawlers list.

    We still got a long road ahead of us. We hope you all join us in our journey making I’mHalal one of the biggest search engine in the world. We firmly believe, only with your help, this goal can be achieved.

    With warm regards,
    The I’mHalal team, which is growing every month!

     

  • Reza Sardeha 12:41 on December 14, 2009 Permalink  

    Quick Update! 

    This is just a quick update to let you know what we’re doing behind the scenes and what you can expect from us in the coming few days/weeks!

    We are:

    - Designing a new revolutionary layout and interface.
    - Developing a lite version of ImHalal.com.
    - Upgrading our system to fetch results faster.
    - Fine tuning our filters.

    With best regards,

    Reza Sardeha on behalf of the whole ImHalal.com team.

     

  • Reza Sardeha 12:37 on December 14, 2009 Permalink  

    First Blog Post including General Notes and Announcements! 

    “Ignorance leads to chaos.”

    First of all let us start with expressing how grateful we all are at ImHalal.com for all your support and feedback. Your support is what keeps us motivated and we will do our best to serve you at our best.

    Secondly, in this blog post we will update you on some discussion points and make some general announcements that will make you understand ImHalal.com better.
    When we started developing ImHalal.com our vision was to create a safe and clean environment for Muslims to search the World Wide Web. Alternative search engines don’t offer the same product we do. Using ImHalal.com will prevent you from “accidentally” bumping into explicit content.

    Our Haram Rating System
    We make use of a two layer filter system. The first filter analyzes the World Wide Web and only returns clean results. The second filter which triggers the Haram rating system is a more aggressive filter which still needs to be improved on some grounds but already is functioning pretty good.

    After the brief explanation of how our filter system works, let us inform you more about our Haram rating system. This system is designed to facilitate several purposes such as functioning as a warning system, child protection system and to inform Muslims and or Non-Muslims what is supposed to be “Haram” or not according to the Islamic Law. We have ranked terms like “pork”, “alcohol” and “beer” for educational purposes only since even we dummies are aware of the fact that you can’t drink or eat anything trough the internet ;) .

    1. When you get a Haram warning of 1 out of 3 this means that the results fetched by ImHalal.com could potentially contain explicit content but if you think the results will be clean you still can continue your search.

    2. When you get a Haram warning of 2 out of 3 this means that the results fetched by ImHalal.com probably will contain explicit content but if your really sure your search will return clean results you can continue your search.

    3. Last but most certainly not least when you get a Haram warning of 3 out of 3 this means that the search results will most certainly contain sexual explicit content and so you can’t continue your search and you are advised to try another search inquiry.

    Announcements
    - This month is dedicated to fine tuning our filters. If you encounter any flaws or you believe we have filtered a specific search term too aggressively please contact us at: feedback@imhalal.com.

    - ImHalal.com has already received more than 500,000 unique visitors from all over the world!

    - Help us promoting ImHalal.com by telling all your friends and family about us and set ImHalal.com as your homepage!

    Thanks again for your support.

    Ramadan Kareem/Mubarak,

    The ImHalal.com Team

     

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