By Will Sturgeon, 14 September 2004 17:10
NEWS Internet butler Jeeves - the star of eponymous search engine Ask Jeeves - has gone missing, leaving many to wonder where he's gone and when or if he will be back.
Others may simply be tempted to wonder whether anybody will actually miss him.
Jeeves has come in for some stick over the years for returning results which often left users confused and his service has long being surpassed by search giants such as Google.
Now his employers at Ask.com have decided it's time for change and have taken the decision to put him on 'gardening leave' as part of a re-branding exercise.
However, they are not ruling out a return for Jeeves once he is fully rested, though early suggestions from the company seem to be that he will need to undergo a bit of a makeover first.
Aylin Savkan, VP of marketing at Ask Jeeves, said: "Jeeves has been finding solutions to millions of searches every day for the last four years. However, as our site evolves and updates, we felt that Jeeves too needed to take a break and a new look to personify the new, fresh and dynamic Ask Jeeves that we will launch on his return."
The butler appeared to have been a little de-mob happy earlier this morning, as the site limped along a little. It wasn't so much a case of "yes sir, right away sir", but more "cannot find server, this page cannot be displayed" from the pinstriped batman.
Comments
There are 14 comments. Join the discussion
1. Bob Potter
"What would I do without you Jeeves?"
a damn site more than I can do with you.
2. Phil Blackburn
I usually find Jeeves far easier than Google - the latter attracts too many freeloading directory sites, who manipulate the page ranking to force their garbage above genuine sites.
Bring back the butler!
3. anonymous
I still can use them. Maybe they are not dead yet.
4. Stuart Charman
If Jeeves has been sacked after being touched up by his employer, then surely he should have redress to an Employment Tribunal for both sexual harassment and unfair dismissal.
5. Jane Gooch
We miss you Jeeves! Please come back refreshed as soon as you can.
6. Nicole S
I am thoroughly depressed that Jeeves is gone. It is extremely upsetting and unsettling and the "Ask" site will never be the same in my heart. Faretheewell, dearest Jeeves.
7. anonymous
Jeeves old-fashioned? I miss him!! Bring him back!!!! I love this site, it's easy to use and navigate and I don't use any other search engines.
8. anonymous
It's not the same without jeeves, bring him back
9. carole
what do we want? Jeeves back.
when do we want it?
NOW!!!
Hope to see him soon
10. hayley Gibbs
ask jeeves is not the same without jeeves!!!! where is he?? who are we supposed 2 turn to now??? BRING HIM BACK!!!!! i miss him =o(
11. veronica tahiera
Jeeves,I miss you so,please come back where you belong!
12. veronica tahiera
Jeeves,I miss you so,please come back where you belong!
13. heathar noon
No way! :O
I want Jeeves back!
He assisted me a lot in my young days. :'( Well, when I was 10.
I miss you Jeeves.
Come back, come back!
Petition time, methinks.
14. jenny
Bring back jeeves he's a legend! boo to google!!!