XIST launches TAXES.CA

XIST Inc. announced today the launch of a new Web site to provide a central Canadian source of taxation information, resources, and links: TAXES.CA: Canadian Tax and RRSP Homepage.

The new site features:
- Canadian Tax and RRSP Information with links to government resources, tax software producers, and RRSP information;
- Directory of Canadian Tax Professionals through which accountants, bookkeepers, lawyers, and other tax industry professionals can list their services; and a
- The Canadian Tax and Financial Planning Blog to provide a forum for news, articles, commentary, and links on taxation and financial planning related topics.

The site consolidates a wide range of Canadian Internet resources into one easy-to-use web portal solution.

XIST hopes that the TAXES.CA portal will be the first in what will become a network of XIST-developed Canadian content sites. For more information visit the site at www.taxes.ca.

2004 - Year in Review

OK, a bit late into the new year but here's a quick review of some of the online trends and milestones of the past year...

Google Zeitgeist - The 2004 Year-End Zeitgeist offers a unique perspective on the year's major events and trends as reflected in the billions of searches conducted by Google users. Should I be surprised at learning that pop culture icons like Paris Hilton, Avril Lavigne and Britney Spears represent the focus of our cultural consciousness?

Rich Internet Applications - Bloglines, Flickr, Gmail, 43 Things.... online services are demonstrating that online applications can rival their desktop counterparts... and do some interesting things to get users interacting and communicating.

iPod, iTunes and all things Apple - what can I say? What a resurgence by what was a company struggling to find its place in the market not too long ago. Kudos to Mr. Jobs.

Blogging and RSS - The move towards online blogging grew by leaps and bounds. The ease with which non-technical users can now set up blogs and publish to the Internet through applications like Moveable Type has truly moved the web concept of "everyone a publisher" closer to reality. And of course, RSS has begun to hit its stride. Looker for greater adoption of RSS in 2005.

Firefox - With tens of millions of downloads since November, we have a solid contender in the browser war, rapidly gaining marketshare on Microsoft's Internet Explorer. Check your web metrics to see how many of your users are coming in with this browser.

Advergaming - The popularity of video games and the rise of both online poker and increased television viewership (especially among younger audiences) of programs dedicated to amateur and professional poker tournaments has given rise to ad placements in online and offline gaming. (Can we blame the NHL hockey strike?) Termed "advergaming" watch for increased product placements in these areas.

Online First Marketing Strategies - Companies are thinking first about the web and other medium secondly for their marketing strategies. Online ad banner revenue has experienced an increased rate of growth again after a lull. Watch for online advertising to lead further trends in offline advertising for 2005.

What's next?

TheStar.com - National Web library do-able, affordable, visionary

This article by Michael Geist outlines a plan to digitize all Canadian published material. While this may not happen tomorrow, it is clear that this is no longer in the realm of science-fiction. It also shows how creative we can be when our thinking is not limited by existing technology and intellectual property laws.

This column is one of a series Michael Geist writes for the Toronto Star. A list of columns is available here