Disappointed in Google

[Frank Wiles]

On Sat, 7 Jan 2006 00:43:09 -0600
Nick Manley <darkhack at gmail.com> wrote:

> Is anyone else really disappointed in Google recently?  Do no evil my
> ass. Don't get me wrong, I love Google (or used to anyway, I'm on the
> fence now) but this Google Pack <http://pack.google.com/> stuff is
> really pathetic. Norton and RealPlayer?!  I would only put that on
> the system of my worst enemy.  I do realize Google is getting paid
> for this service by some of these companies but does that really fit
> the "do no evil" slogan?  That's not the only thing.  Its a mass of
> things that Google has done wrong and this one finally sent me over
> the edge.  As you can see I use gmail despite it being sub par
> compared to other free services and now executable are blocked in
> email attachments.  Thanks Google.  It's nice that you are trying to
> protect the newbies but at the very least give me the option to
> disable it.  It is MY email!  Development has been crappy to say the
> least.  I still remember reading an article on Google Rumors
> <http://www.googlerumors.com/>about the possibility of a calendar.
> Still isn't here.  I am not saying that I am completely expected one
> since it was never official and that Google is a free service that I
> am not paying for, thus they can provide what they want, but its been
> a while since Google has done anything worth while for their users.
> I realize this is a Linux mailing list and that most of Google's
> software is for Windows XP but I still want to hear your opinion on
> the matter.  Is this the beginning of the end?  Is Google finally
> following in the footsteps of their older brothers and becoming
> corrupt?  Ok ok... Maybe I am looking into it too much, but it just
> seems lacking. Google is still good in other areas though.  There
> support for open source and the summer of code project is a great
> idea!  I feel that Google should set sights on doing a service and
> doing it well.  There search is second to none.  For the other
> stuff.... well, a little more time creating a quality product would
> do them and everyone else a lot better instead of trying to move on
> to other projects.  Am I going overboard or ranting to much or do you
> agree with me.  So many intelligent computer users (read
> slashdotters) have built up Google to be a god and to some it would
> seem sinful to bash Google in any light.  Any thoughts?
> 

  I think you're ranting too much, but I'll explain why. ;) 

  Getting paid to help users by giving out commercial software isn't
  evil.  Getting paid isn't evil.  Being Evil would be forcing you
  to run the Google Pack to use their search, or gmail, or Google Maps.
  Personally I think giving newbie users an easy way to download the
  software they need to protect themselves is an excellent idea.  

  Maybe Norton isn't your favorite, but at least it is a step in the
  right direction.  Many newbie users still feel that anti-virus,
  firewalls, spyware removal, etc. are all still optional for Windows
  PCs which isn't really the case anymore. 

  You're seriously going to fault Google for not implementing a calendar
  in Gmail because there was a rumor on the Internet?  That's like
  refusing to own or ride in a car because the auto industry promised
  we'd all be in flying cars by now back in the 50s. 

  I do however think Google is in a bit of a pickle when it comes to
  perception.  Any little misstep, as you have pointed out, and they
  are severely criticized when other companies wouldn't be.  Take for
  example what you said: 

   "Is Google finally following in the footsteps of their older
    brothers and becoming corrupt?  Ok ok... Maybe I am looking into it
    too much, but it just seems lacking."

  Lacking?  This just baffles me.  Name a company that has created
  more ground breaking services than Google on the Internet in the
  short time they have existed.  Google Search, Gmail, Google Maps, 
  AdWords, AdSense, etc, etc, etc.  These were *all* serious firsts 
  in their areas.  Hell AdWords has all by itself has revolutionized
  online advertising. 

  Most companies don't revolutionize anything in their entire lifetimes,
  they simple do something slightly better than the competition or most
  often than not simply have better marketers.  Others revolutionize
  once.  Google does it about yearly.  

  And with all the talent they are buying up, I don't see this trending
  down.  I think the biggest problem with the "Don't be Evil"  mantra
  is that everyone's definition of "evil" is a little different.

  We can all agree that super gluing your friend to the ceiling is
  evil.  But is it still evil if yesterday he shaved your head in your
  sleep and spray painted your dog purple? We can probably all agree
  that murder is evil, but what if it is the guy who killed your whole
  family?  Killing them isn't quite as "evil" is it? Not necessarily
  "good", but not necessarily "evil" either. 

  Now that Google is so big, being "good" is much harder.  They are up
  on a much bigger stage and pedestal now.  Am I worried that in the
  future they might become corrupt? Sure.  But I'm less worried about
  it with them, than any other company I can think of. 

 ---------------------------------
   Frank Wiles <frank at wiles.org>
   http://www.wiles.org
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