Comments on: Google Isn’t God…But Addictive http://www.markevanstech.com/2007/12/30/google-isnt-godbut-addictive/ Insight and Analysis from North of the Border Sun, 12 Oct 2008 06:08:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: adilmaik http://www.markevanstech.com/2007/12/30/google-isnt-godbut-addictive/#comment-49968 adilmaik Mon, 10 Mar 2008 23:14:58 +0000 http://www.markevanstech.com/2007/12/30/google-isnt-godbut-addictive/#comment-49968 (clustering) could be one way in which Search evolves from now because it turns Google’s (clustering) could be one way in which Search evolves from now because it turns Google’s

]]> By: Benjamin Butcher http://www.markevanstech.com/2007/12/30/google-isnt-godbut-addictive/#comment-35610 Benjamin Butcher Wed, 09 Jan 2008 01:31:05 +0000 http://www.markevanstech.com/2007/12/30/google-isnt-godbut-addictive/#comment-35610 I agree with the main thrust of the argument that Google is not perfect but the easiest to use. But, I think the fact that recently we are seeing a lot of discussions about Google's knowledge of users, people wanting to have more control of their privacy is a sign that Google's time of total dominance is coming to an end. What is needed is a number of alternatives to Google though. When you have conversations with people about Google it is a tribute to their marketing (and product) that the answers everyone gives are exactly the same: 1) It’s the fastest 2) It’s the best because they have so many servers that cover the entire Internet Try it next time you are out. Say something like, “I think Google is dead and there are better options”. The responses from people around you are startling in that they are nearly always, word for word, the same - a bit like talking to wives in Stepford. I think Google’s weakness lies in that it is too extensive. Do a search and you tend you come up with a million more options than you need. Nice if the one you want is at the top but the ordering is not so nice if you are not really sure what you want. This is one reason I like the presentation of Clusty. A little structuring of the answer makes it easier to navigate. Also there are better Image search engines than Google. Clusty is better precisely because it isn’t as extensive. When looking for images I don’t want to be wading through every family picture that Google finds. Too much choice is not always a good thing. To be honest the image search on Clusty and other search engines is so much better that it was one of the main drivers for me giving up on Google as first choice. Furthermore, I like the concept that Clusty is looking at a number of Search engines (more would be nice). The one that comes up with the best answer gets my hit and they get paid for it in advertising revenues (I imagine it will evolve like that). Now if it was possible for me to pick the search engines that Clusty clusters from then I think Google’s size would start to work against it because I most of the time I don’t want to be searching the whole of the ‘net for an answer I want to be looking in areas that interest me. The bespoke search engine (clustering) could be one way in which Search evolves from now because it turns Google’s strength into a weakness. I agree with the main thrust of the argument that Google is not perfect but the easiest to use. But, I think the fact that recently we are seeing a lot of discussions about Google’s knowledge of users, people wanting to have more control of their privacy is a sign that Google’s time of total dominance is coming to an end.

What is needed is a number of alternatives to Google though. When you have conversations with people about Google it is a tribute to their marketing (and product) that the answers everyone gives are exactly the same:

1) It’s the fastest
2) It’s the best because they have so many servers that cover the entire Internet

Try it next time you are out. Say something like, “I think Google is dead and there are better options”. The responses from people around you are startling in that they are nearly always, word for word, the same - a bit like talking to wives in Stepford.

I think Google’s weakness lies in that it is too extensive. Do a search and you tend you come up with a million more options than you need. Nice if the one you want is at the top but the ordering is not so nice if you are not really sure what you want. This is one reason I like the presentation of Clusty. A little structuring of the answer makes it easier to navigate.

Also there are better Image search engines than Google. Clusty is better precisely because it isn’t as extensive. When looking for images I don’t want to be wading through every family picture that Google finds. Too much choice is not always a good thing. To be honest the image search on Clusty and other search engines is so much better that it was one of the main drivers for me giving up on Google as first choice.

Furthermore, I like the concept that Clusty is looking at a number of Search engines (more would be nice). The one that comes up with the best answer gets my hit and they get paid for it in advertising revenues (I imagine it will evolve like that). Now if it was possible for me to pick the search engines that Clusty clusters from then I think Google’s size would start to work against it because I most of the time I don’t want to be searching the whole of the ‘net for an answer I want to be looking in areas that interest me. The bespoke search engine (clustering) could be one way in which Search evolves from now because it turns Google’s strength into a weakness.

]]> By: Farhan Thawar http://www.markevanstech.com/2007/12/30/google-isnt-godbut-addictive/#comment-33408 Farhan Thawar Wed, 02 Jan 2008 21:03:42 +0000 http://www.markevanstech.com/2007/12/30/google-isnt-godbut-addictive/#comment-33408 I sorta disagree with #3. As the former Product Manager for Live Search, I still use Live Search image search.... the UI is much more intuitive and easy to use than Google's. My opinion of course. I sorta disagree with #3. As the former Product Manager for Live Search, I still use Live Search image search…. the UI is much more intuitive and easy to use than Google’s.

My opinion of course.

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