Why is google imitating Bing?

[t0yrobo]

Wait people are seriously bothered by a background image? Then don't use google as your homepage, there's a search bar in any decent browser as it is. And if you're so set on using it as your homepage don't complain about not wanting to make an account, it's totally worth it. Gmail, docs, calendar, voice, etc are easily the best in their class you'd be a fool skip them over paranoia or stubbornness. If anyone is that paranoid they're better off just not using the internet.

[crux]

If you reread my post again, Ack, you'll clearly see that I said Google doesn't deserve to be called evil. They're nonetheless potentially dangerous. I've seen how Google evolved when they went public, both from inside the company and from without. The changes haven't been entirely altruistic. When every position a company takes is made from a financial standpoint, skepticism should damn well be required from any free-thinking individual. In Google's eyes, the more users they have, the more advertising revenue they can get. There have already been privacy concerns about Google, a company that revolves around information more so than most entities on the planet. I think the general public could use a lot more skepticism in their day to day life.

And frankly, I didn't even say that anyone should stop using Google. I use Google every day, including Gmail, Calendar, and Documents. I plan to try out Google Voice soon too. All I said is that it would be prudent to keep an eye on them, as I would say of any company with as much to gain from our personal information as Google. The only thing I suggested is that, if someone is to avoid using Google for whatever personal reasons, why would a search engine owned by Microsoft be a better choice? It wasn't a judgment of Google whatsoever.

[CRTGAMER]

Have not had the misfortune of a background image. Stuck with the stupid sidebar. I like Google when it stays simple and Flash free.

You don't want to support Monopolies, so you're using a product designed by Microsoft?

Speaking of monopolies, a new Microsoft store is opening here right in a local mall. Trying to get back at the Mac stores.

[Ack]

If you reread my post again, Ack, you'll clearly see that I said Google doesn't deserve to be called evil. They're nonetheless potentially dangerous. I've seen how Google evolved when they went public, both from inside the company and from without. The changes haven't been entirely altruistic. When every position a company takes is made from a financial standpoint, skepticism should damn well be required from any free-thinking individual. In Google's eyes, the more users they have, the more advertising revenue they can get. There have already been privacy concerns about Google, a company that revolves around information more so than most entities on the planet. I think the general public could use a lot more skepticism in their day to day life.

And frankly, I didn't even say that anyone should stop using Google. I use Google every day, including Gmail, Calendar, and Documents. I plan to try out Google Voice soon too. All I said is that it would be prudent to keep an eye on them, as I would say of any company with as much to gain from our personal information as Google. The only thing I suggested is that, if someone is to avoid using Google for whatever personal reasons, why would a search engine owned by Microsoft be a better choice? It wasn't a judgment of Google whatsoever.

Yeah, sorry for the quote, I just figured it would be best to springboard from your comment. I meant it to be more of a general response to everybody. It wasn't aimed at you.

And there have been privacy concerns with a number of Internet companies. Facebook's apparently having a major stink about it. The Internet's a relatively new phenomenon, and we don't really know what constitutes what on it or really where it falls legally and acceptably. I'll agree to pay attention to the company though. Who knows where they'll end up?

[puke_face]

Speaking of facebook..

Keep in mind that any forum that you visit, any social networking site that you are a member of, etc.. incriminating pics and all of that stuff hold up in court. If a lawyer in a defensive or offensive position is able to get ahold of any incriminating photos, comments, jokes, etc.. they can be used in court against you. I personally think that it is an invasion of privacy, but the American Government and myself have different opinions on a lot of different subjects. I know a few people on facebook that have their picture holding a pipe and blowing smoke.. they think it's cool I guess? Fucking clueless is what I think of it personally.

[Pulsar_t]

http://apple.slashdot.org/story/10/06/1 ... one-Ad-Ban

Haha Google is now mad at Apple for blocking their ads. Let the fighting begin!

[crux]

As far as company animosity goes, Apple is rising pretty high on my list. I'm pretty close to never buying another Apple product again. They're astoundingly controlling. I know it's all business, but seriously - this malarkey with Adobe Flash and mobile competitors not being allowed advertising information isn't much difference than Microsoft saying that non-Microsoft browsers can't run on their OS. Funny that they're aiming this at Google, because this has antitrust written all over it for Apple.

By the way, though I was forced to have a background earlier, when I removed the background just now it went back to the normal Google homepage. I'd actually guess it was a glitch, since removing the background should have done so in the first place.

[Ivo]

Wait people are seriously bothered by a background image? Then don't use google as your homepage, there's a search bar in any decent browser as it is. And if you're so set on using it as your homepage don't complain about not wanting to make an account, it's totally worth it. Gmail, docs, calendar, voice, etc are easily the best in their class you'd be a fool skip them over paranoia or stubbornness. If anyone is that paranoid they're better off just not using the internet.

Yes, I'm bothered by a background image, and I have gmail (I don't use any of the other stuff much if at all though). I could do without the (borderline?) insults as well

BTW, I like having it at as my homepage when I open the browser my mouse is typically closer to the (large, centered) searchbox than it is to the small searchbar that I have on the corner.

Ivo.

[jfrost]

[gtmtnbiker]

BTW, I like having it at as my homepage when I open the browser my mouse is typically closer to the (large, centered) searchbox than it is to the small searchbar that I have on the corner..

I just do "new tab" in chrome/firefox. My cursor is already in place for me to type in some search strings.