It’s been a while since I jumped on someone here. That’s because I don’t like jumping on people. And because I don’t care that much about what people who I don’t know personally say. But sometimes I just get in the mood and do it non-the-less.
Today I am in such a mood, and the person in focus is Sharon Hously with the article “Free Website Content – My Google Wish List“.
Yes, we’ll be talking about Google again. I’m not a big fan of theirs, but I like what they do. That was my disclaimer. And now we start…
There are a number of “wishes” that I have for Google’s future.
That’s the first sentence, and I’m quoting it already. You have something for Google’s future? Really? All settled with your own future already? Never mind, I’m just warming up.
Google acknowledging at least a few of my wishes that will benefit the search community as a whole
Oh, please… Can we have our own voices here, in the “search community”? Thank you.
Google started out as the beloved child, a fledgling start up that was all heart, and today they are a “hated” brand.
Really? Who says so? Hmm.. Let’s try it the old proven way. Search for “google love” returns 159,000,000 results. Search for “google hate” returns 12,300,000 results. That’s something to think about it…
Google is a victim
The victim here is you, Sharon. And you are the victim of your assumptions and quick-judged conclusions.
I just think there is a lot of areas they could improve.
Like we all, like we all…
1. Usenet and RSS.
While I’m all for the improvements in all areas and in all means of communications, I have to ask this question: “Usenet… Number one of the list… Why???”. The majority of people who use Google, probably, haven’t even heard of Usenet. As far as I am concerned, Usenet is used only by:
- Really old geeks
- Really young wannabe geeks
- Really old SPAMers
Neither any of these three groups, nor all of them together are “major” in my book.
2. Privacy Policy
Are you a lawyer? It doesn’t sound so. For one, I am not. But as little as I know about law, I’m sure the phase “tell me EXACTLY how” can be itself interpreted differently.
3. Protect Your Customers.
Google Suggest is not even a beta. It’s in the Labs. Or am I missing anything?
4. Stop Tracking Everything I do!
Stop giving everything you do to Google. If you don’t trust them enough, don’t use their services. None of their services is unique to them only. There are other search engines, webmail providers, office tools, etc, etc.
5. Tell Me How Much I Make!
Why do you even care? If you make enough, enjoy. If you don’t – either improve or find other sources of income. But, whatever you do – Stop Telling Other People What To Do!
8. Same Rules.
Telling one of the most successful companies in human history how to run their business, aren’t you? I won’t even comment on that one.
12. Bury the Sandbox.
One of the strong points of Google’s search algorithm is its evolution. There are some rules today that weren’t there before, and some that were there, aren’t there anymore. Forcing evolution is silly…
13. Let Me Be Anonymous!
Last time I checked, you can be anonymous. They aren’t even asking for the scan of your passport, or your credit card information. For GMail at least.
14. Stop Putting US Companies at a Disadvantage.
I suspected that you are not a lawyer. Now I’m pretty sure of it.
15. Weigh Wikipedia Less.
If you don’t like seeing Wikipedia links in your search results, you can do something about it – ignore! If you coding easier, maybe you can hack up something with greasemonkey.
But for the rest of us in the “search community”, please leave the Wikipedia alone. Some of us worked hard to make it what it is. Maybe you can join the effort, and help to improve it, instead of complaining about it.
16. Make an RSS Search Engine.
Google did something better. They’ve made Google Co-op. Now you can make your own search engine. RSS or not. With Wikipedia or without.
17. Stop Buying Companies.
Telling one of the most successful companies in the human history how to run their business again, eh? Deja vu.
I’m glad it’s over now. Or is it?
Summarizing the article with all the arguments from you and from Sharon Housley, it can be said like: “No matter do you like Google or you love it, but please shut up!” :)
#17 “Stop buying companies” – yeah, I liked that one, it sounds: “Leave something for me!”
#15 “Weigh Wikipedia Less” – open info community where people can share their knowledge. Why not? If they argue about the quality of info there – not everyone who works in Wikipedia got science degree and so on.
Is it stylish to hate google nowadays for what they offer to users?
jujav4ik,
Well, that’s one way to read it. Although I meant it different.
As a user of many Google services, I have my own wish list, and I do understand that I am not alone. But, the wish list for improvements in the services is one thing, Sharon’s article is a total other.
For example, “stop buying companies” has nothing at all to do with Google’s services. Or I am seriously missing something…
heh, you didn’t miss anything. For some people Google services is a pro-Microsoft model of monopolizing the Web. But in a matter of fact, there is nothing outrageous in the will of getting more incomes for a growing company as Google, which already became famous for its services, it just moved from search engine market to other ones.
For me, the idea of buying new companies, is more logical in this case: they buy a ready-made team of people who work on some application, for example, they don’t have to bright anything to a complete environment of programmers and marketers who promote this application. Or Google can enhance team’s capacity to generate a better product – this is quite specific topic,and can’t be talked in common for every company Google buys.
“Wish lists” – everyone has its own desires about Google project strategies and new services they can offer. But, still it’s only your wish. Some people get paid for thinking “what do we need from Google?” :)