I've given up on Google...

[Power Lunch Club]

A couple of weeks ago, I decided to go the way of the world and start using Google.

However after using it and reading just what (potentially) Google is doing with our data and it increasing Monopoly in the market place, I have decided to revert back to using AllTheWeb as my preferred browser. Nice simple and clean and good for my needs.

Has anyone else stopped using Google recently?

 

[Former Member 1]

Stopped using it yonks ago as it simply wasn't finding what was out there....

 

[Scottish Business Owner]

I'm a big fan of Google. I use many of their application including their calendar, email, iGoogle and it's normally my first port of call for any internet search. I am aware of certain privacy issues but to be honest it's the way things are going just now. Take for example serving up relevant ads, I dont really see an issue with this as the ads should be more relevant and from Google's perspective should provide a better return.

Isn't this just the same as Tesco or Asda sending you a voucher for money off a product you've bought many times? How do you think they got that info?

I've said before as well that search is still very new. Google is just now celebrating 10 years in existence, thats not a long time for search to mature. I will add as well that I think search is very subjective and what one person likes other wont. I would be hard pressed to justify changing from Google.

 

[Kevin]

the reason Google needs this data is to better serve your search results no other reason. If any search engine is to achieve the "perfect search" this is the only way to do it.

 

[Power Lunch Club]

I understand that bit Kevin, but what if Governments want the data (as the US does...) they are targeting Google to hand it over.

 

[Kevin]

A statement by Google says that the Government has never asked for information. It's up to you if you believe that or not. Google and the government are free to track what I am doing as I have nothing to hide. These are hard times and hard measures are needed

 

[Scottish Business Owner]

I've posted a link below to a very recent post on the official google blog. This details some changes to their privacy policy.

Official Google Blog: Another step to protect user privacy

 

[Tirfuir]

Have to admit that I am a Googler or whatever the term is.. Would also say that I don't think I could do without it now. Love the igoogle page that I can set up with all the information want on my home page, don't use email for busines yet, but seriously thinking that I may do in the future - it's the sheer laziness of having to tell clients etc my email has changed that has stopped me. Don't worry about the privacy - everything is above board so nothing to worry about

 

[Terry]

Google is still the one for me

 

[CaptainMoo]

A couple of weeks ago, I decided to go the way of the world and start using Google.

However after using it and reading just what (potentially) Google is doing with our data and it increasing Monopoly in the market place, I have decided to revert back to using AllTheWeb as my preferred browser. Nice simple and clean and good for my needs.

Has anyone else stopped using Google recently?

Google is a search engine not a browser. Also most of the data they can legally track, they can only do if you tick the box to allow them to do so.

That said, they do collect a lot of data but nothing that could enable identity theft or any other issues like that, the info they can and do collect as standard really just improves the search facilities.

All the web is owned by Yahoo btw and guess what......... it tracks your info as well. In fact all the search engines track exactly what users do on them.

I believe your discussion is coming from Google's suggestion to associate your individual usage and identify that with you specifically which can be worrying but if you dont want that then dont sign up to it. If your ok with it then it will improve your online experience.

Also you voice a concern with Google having a monopoly? They have that position purely because they provide the best service and best search function. I too hate unfair monopoly's like the one BT had in the UK for example (pre cable) that means they can do (and charge) what they want for sub standard service but the fact is Google provide the best service and its free!!!!!!! So I cant see the logic in not using them because of that.

 

[Former Member 1]

Also you voice a concern with Google having a monopoly? They have that position purely because they provide the best service and best search function. I too hate unfair monopoly's like the one BT had in the UK for example (pre cable) that means they can do (and charge) what they want for sub standard service but the fact is Google provide the best service and its free!!!!!!! So I cant see the logic in not using them because of that.

Holy Googlevangelist batman!

You make some good points but frankly....

I personally don't use it because it just doesn't damn well find what I'm looking for! I recall posting way back at the beginning of the year about the shennanigans I had finding parts for a particular make of car. Google (and others) were finding me everything and anything save what I wanted... I KNEW there were suppliers out there; just didn't know their address... And Google was THE daddy of spurious results IIRC!

Eventually spent a big chunk of time pouring through magazine adverts to get the addresses I needed...