Wednesday, May 19, 2004
Google Windows 2004?
The New York Times is reporting that Google is planning to release a desktop search tool. The article says this is a direct challenge to Microsoft for control of the desktop computer. I think that's a little silly, but I do think the utility could steal some of Longhorn's thunder. I would absolutely use a tool like this on my desktop. Now, if only Google could devise a search tool for the papers on my desk...
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6 comments:
This is the reason why I will never use a Google desktop search utility:
"Searches for information stored on a PC, however, could offer an advertising arena that is more readily defensible. Indeed, desktop searching might be particularly valuable for Google's commercial advertisers, which may be willing to pay dearly for the ability to place targeted ads in front of personal computer users."
You will never convince me that an adware tool is worth downloading and installing. Its one of the main reasons I shied away from early versions of Opera. I want to be able to use my computer offline and without seeing ads. I don't want my searching preferences stored by Google in order to serve me more directed ads.
What's the difference between ads in your browser windows and ads in a desktop search utility? Nothing in my opinion, and at least Google has mastered advertising that is not annoying (and possibly useful).
The difference is that I'm not on the Internet the whole time I use my computer. I can understand web sites trying to recoup publishing costs by using ads -- I don't own those servers. But I do own my computer, and I do want the ability to use my computer without having ads showing up.
Sorry Jarn, I forgot you're one of the four people left in America who don't have broadband and actually care about that whole offline thing. But seriously dude, calm down. The ads don't take over your whole desktop, from the sound of it, they are only around when you're using the search tool. Why is that so awful? Windows XP has all sorts of ads built in for external services (photo printing, mp3 encoding, screen savers, etc...) and no one makes comments about those!
I've tried drafting a reply 3 times now -- this last time, right before I published, the power went out due to a lightening storm. I think the Government, Microsoft, Google and The Man (tm) is trying to stop me. But the truth shall set you free:
1) Ads hard-coded in Win XP are bad too. I've never run into the photo web publishing ad, or else I would have bitched about it. I have bitched about how you always have "connect to the internet with MSN" on every Windows desktop, and "setup your .Mac account" as the default option on Mac installs. These kinds of advertising pisses me off more than Adware.
2) Google has my trust in doing ads right. I didn't get fired up when they announced they were going to start allowing graphic ads with their ad system. Looking at their ads are okay so long as I use their online services. But I don't have to use their search util, because I don't want to see ads when searching for files on my own computer (which I bought and I already have an okay search util for). So, their Adware search util is not getting on my computer. Other optional Adware isn't going to see my computer, either.
3) If Google offers the util with a Adware mode until you pay $XX to get rid of the ads forever, then I'll buy it if I'm really wowed by it.
4) I am one of 69.5 million Americans that have dial-up access; you are just one of about 39 million Americans who are graced with broadband. (http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=302129). I'm taking IceBurrgs comment way out of context, I know; but I am bitter about still being in the dial-up dark ages, and he knows it (YOU GIGANTIC WASS).
5) As a software-publishing method, I am not a big fan of Adware. My opinion is to make it free/GPL'ed or make me pay for it after trying a free demo. I get enough ads from radio/television/Internet/sides of buses/t-shirts/etc. That's just my opinion, which is worth several thousand electrons but nothing else.
6) IceBurrg has bought pink panties with "I (heart) Google" written on them, so he is unable to be a impartial judge to my critisms.
7) He is also jealous of my natural good looks and awesome tank-driving abilities in UT.
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