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The 'Plot To Kill Google'
AT&T, Microsoft lobbyists wage lobbying blitzkrieg
Google's positions on things like network neutrality and wireless competition have made them a serious target for Comcast, Microsoft, AT&T and other lobbyists, who've been on a tear the last year trying to smear the search giant's public image. Efforts have ranged from Comcast and Microsoft lobbyists' use of corn farmers to attack Google on privacy issues -- to telco-industry talking head Scott Cleland's recent argument that Google was an Internet bandwidth freeloader that failed to contribute to Internet infrastructure. Wired News has an interesting read on Google's 2008 crash course on lobbying, with their biggest critic (particularly on privacy issues) now being AT&T.
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Mr Fel
INTJ - The Architect
Premium Member
join:2008-03-17
Louisville, KY

Mr Fel

Premium Member

And Yet

I still like Google a lot more than any other company listed in this article.

en102
Canadian, eh?
join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA

en102

Member

Re: And Yet

While I'm no fan of Google's data collection and mining - they are at least open about it compared to others in the article.

MS - Has enough money to plow competitors under if they don't play with them (hint Netscape)
Comcast - Anti Net neutrality
AT&T - Will give your data if you flash a badge.
quote:
with their biggest critic (particularly on privacy issues) now being AT&T.
Yeah - AT&T vs. Google on privacy ... I don't particularly like Google's search tools which fetch results on each keystroke, nor do I like their gmail content reading + Ad delivery method on emails. AT&T - they'll just give your info away and claim it was done in the interest of national security, and will not comment on it.

pnh102
Reptiles Are Cuddly And Pretty
Premium Member
join:2002-05-02
Mount Airy, MD

pnh102

Premium Member

Re: And Yet

I still fail to understand how Google's products/services cause any privacy violations since people have to agree to use them.

en102
Canadian, eh?
join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA

en102

Member

Re: And Yet

I think it may be more of a 'concern' than a violation.

AT&T's may have been more of a violation - clouded by NSA policy. Google's is more of a concern - as unencrypted data (for the most part) is transmitted across the internet for gmail info (storing drafts), and the use of any personal information. While there may not be any violations, it does give one an the impression that Google wants to snoop your generic data and post related ads to it - I am not aware of a legality against this, however, I'm sure that Consumerist would disagree.
xsiddalx
join:2005-03-11
Chicago, IL

xsiddalx to pnh102

Member

to pnh102
said by pnh102:

I still fail to understand how Google's products/services cause any privacy violations since people have to agree to use them.
Yeah, most of us read and understand the legal print added to our mortgages, credit cards, health insurance policies, etc... (sarcasm)

Some of us still use google because they were just a search engine funded by public dollars.

We got spoiled.

They suck more and more each year....their goal seems less about search and more about ad delivery and becoming the new television box (they seem to have finally killed off their dejanews purchase - everything diverted to ad crap)

Back to privacy...how would anyone effectively say no?

sholling
Premium Member
join:2002-02-13
Hemet, CA

sholling to Mr Fel

Premium Member

to Mr Fel
Microsoft has long thought that they had a god given right to be the only non-hardware technology company. They've always taken the approach that if they can't beat a competitor by copying their product then they'd buy them, or in this case turn to the government to "protect" their god given turf.

Micro$oft should just be told to shut up and go home and work on fixing their own products.
xsiddalx
join:2005-03-11
Chicago, IL

1 recommendation

xsiddalx

Member

How does google differ? Re: And Yet

said by sholling:

Microsoft has long thought that they had a god given right to be the only non-hardware technology company. They've always taken the approach that if they can't beat a competitor by copying their product then they'd buy them, or in this case turn to the government to "protect" their god given turf.

Micro$oft should just be told to shut up and go home and work on fixing their own products.
How does Google differ?

They knew search at once, they now know ad services.

Google has bought up it's share of companies, to enhance the above (ads), picasso, grand central...up to this point, what has Google really done other than develop an ad network?

MS could do the same and piss people off but MS caters more to Corporate Dollars.

Google, MS, ATT, Verizon, Yahoo...

"Google should just be told to shut up and go home and work on fixing their own products." Wait...they don't need to...everything is in beta and what isn't is someone else's programming.....sorta sounds like M$

Kool-Aid

Lowtarget
Premium Member
join:2003-12-22
Alger, OH

Lowtarget to Mr Fel

Premium Member

to Mr Fel
I enjoy using Google for searching what I'm looking for. Since Google is known as the biggest search engine. I don't think they will be going anywhere anytime soon.

If Google was to shut down. I'm sure that would hurt some websites as for getting web hits.

Slow Motion
join:2001-04-05
Timmonsville, SC

Slow Motion to Mr Fel

Member

to Mr Fel
Bill Gates wants to own the world................
xsiddalx
join:2005-03-11
Chicago, IL

xsiddalx to Mr Fel

Member

to Mr Fel
said by Mr Fel:

I still like Google a lot more than any other company listed in this article.
Why?

Mr Fel
INTJ - The Architect
Premium Member
join:2008-03-17
Louisville, KY
Asus RT-N66

Mr Fel

Premium Member

Re: And Yet

I don't have to try Comcast to know that I end up getting screwed by them, not that they are even available out here. Microsoft lost my support after Vista, that might change once I'm able to try out the Windows 7 beta though. Finally, AT&T is the only major ISP in my area, and as such tend to neglect my area. From my point of view this leaves Google relatively nice.
me1212
join:2008-11-20
Lees Summit, MO

me1212

Member

Still google's better IMHO.

I don't know why it google just seems to do more good for me then the others. And didn't Microsoft buy yahoo?

Alcohol
Premium Member
join:2003-05-26
Climax, MI

Alcohol

Premium Member

Re: Still google's better IMHO.

No. Yahoo got greedy and the buyout failed.
me1212
join:2008-11-20
Lees Summit, MO

me1212

Member

Re: Still google's better IMHO.

Oh, ok thx for clearing that up.

yolarry
join:2007-12-29
Creston, WV

yolarry

Member

Re: Still google's better IMHO.

sometimes I wish Microsoft did buy yahoo.

because their new messenger 9 blows. Rather then fix their bugs, they want to fill it up full of sh!t.

AnonMe
@verizon.net

AnonMe

Anon

Re: Still google's better IMHO.

Is that Yahoo messenger? I didn't know many people used the official clients. Programs that incorporate all protocols are much better imo. No need to run 3 different programs that do the same thing.. Also why do you think Microsoft would improve on the software? Their software is probably the buggiest and most insecure out there.
xsiddalx
join:2005-03-11
Chicago, IL

xsiddalx

Member

Re: Still google's better IMHO.

said by AnonMe :

Is that Yahoo messenger? I didn't know many people used the official clients. Programs that incorporate all protocols are much better imo. No need to run 3 different programs that do the same thing.. Also why do you think Microsoft would improve on the software? Their software is probably the buggiest and most insecure out there.
And be honest...the only software out there.

How do you measure buggiest?

How do you measure insecure?

For fun, how would anti-virus companies exists without MS operating systems?

Bonus question: If we all ran Linux would the virii really go away? Promise?
jp10558
Premium Member
join:2005-06-24
Willseyville, NY

jp10558

Premium Member

Re: Still google's better IMHO.

said by xsiddalx:

Bonus question: If we all ran Linux would the virii really go away? Promise?
Quick answer is NO. Longer answer is - it would be diminished for a while for several reasons:
1) lack of experiance exploiting Linux
2) General software install mechanism involves using a trusted source (distribution repository) and digital signatures, so much less likely for average users to install that "pretty screensaver" trojan.
3) Everyone is a limited user by default.
4) Far more varaitions in the environment than in Windows. Just getting legit software to work outside of the package manager can be difficult. You'll have to cover KDE, Gnome, XFCE, Debian base, RedHat base, and not to mention all the random other flavors out there.

In the long run though, I expect that 2 and 3 are going to be the only long term hurdels, though there is also SE Linux and AppArmor. Beyond that, I do think malware authors will figure out the rest if the marketshare is there.

jester121
Premium Member
join:2003-08-09
Lake Zurich, IL

jester121 to me1212

Premium Member

to me1212
said by me1212:

I don't know why it google just seems to do more good for me then the others.
Because unless you buy advertising, everything Google has given you everything for free. People like free.
me1212
join:2008-11-20
Lees Summit, MO

me1212

Member

Re: Still google's better IMHO.

"People like free"

QFT.

AnonMe
@verizon.net

AnonMe

Anon

Re: Still google's better IMHO.

Free is even better when its open and compatible with the software of your choosing. Google to my knowledge has never sabotaged another piece of software to prevent it from interoperating with its own.
tkdslr
join:2004-04-24
Pompano Beach, FL

tkdslr to me1212

Member

to me1212
said by me1212:

I don't know why it google just seems to do more good for me then the others. And didn't Microsoft buy yahoo?
Google is primary funding source for the Firefox browser..

»www.techcrunch.com/2008/ ··· 3-years/
"Mozilla Extends Lucrative Deal With Google For 3 Years"

M$ hates Firefox and all other Open Source projects with a passion, since it impedes their plans for total control of the desktop.

Every time you use Google search bar from within Firefox you're taking a stab @ M$ where it hurts the most.
me1212
join:2008-11-20
Lees Summit, MO
·Google Fiber

me1212

Member

Re: Still google's better IMHO.

I like MS better than Apple, linux, or another OS, but I like google for a search engine, I use it on my internet explorer browser. I also hate FF, Don't know there browser just seems slopy to me, but then again when I first tried it it could only have one window open(one tab(is it still that way?)) and IE could have many.

AnonMe
@verizon.net

AnonMe

Anon

Re: Still google's better IMHO.

Are you sure you were using Firefox? AFAIK the first release of Fx (then called phoenix) had tabbed browsing. It wasnt until it became popular that Microsoft added it to their browser in IE7.
me1212
join:2008-11-20
Lees Summit, MO

me1212

Member

Re: Still google's better IMHO.

yeah, im sure, but my old com was wack.

TheMetrix
R.T.F.M. - P.E.B.K.A.C
Premium Member
join:2002-06-15
Utica, MI

TheMetrix

Premium Member

Can't We All Just Get Along

Figures that Microsoft and AT&T would end up teaming together to bring down the best search engine on the internet
majortom1029
join:2006-10-19
Medford, NY

majortom1029

Member

Re: Can't We All Just Get Along

The best search engine on the net is DOGPILE. IT searches more then one search engine. So if google doesnt find it another will and dogpile will show it to you.

jhboricua

join:2000-06-06
Minneapolis, MN

1 edit

jhboricua

Re: Can't We All Just Get Along

Dogpile is not a search engine, judging by your description of it. It is just acting as a middle man between several search engines and you.

jester121
Premium Member
join:2003-08-09
Lake Zurich, IL

jester121

Premium Member

Re: Can't We All Just Get Along

So Dogpile is leeching off of Google and everyone else's search technology investment and making money from it? Sounds pretty evil to me.

Corehhi
join:2002-01-28
Bluffton, SC

Corehhi to majortom1029

Member

to majortom1029
said by majortom1029:

The best search engine on the net is DOGPILE. IT searches more then one search engine. So if google doesnt find it another will and dogpile will show it to you.
I haven'T even heard of dogpile in ten years. LOL. I'm having a flash back. Alt-vista use to rule the roost for a while then Yahoo.

cork1958
Cork
Premium Member
join:2000-02-26

2 edits

cork1958

Premium Member

Re: Can't We All Just Get Along

said by Corehhi:
said by majortom1029:

The best search engine on the net is DOGPILE. IT searches more then one search engine. So if google doesnt find it another will and dogpile will show it to you.
I haven'T even heard of dogpile in ten years. LOL. I'm having a flash back. Alt-vista use to rule the roost for a while then Yahoo.
Altavista is still my main search engine.

Can't particularly stand Google if not just because of all the brain dead fan boys who adore it!! It IS NOT the almighty best of everything it does.

Only thing I use Google for is my 3 spam infested, crappy running, e-mail accounts!!

TheMetrix
R.T.F.M. - P.E.B.K.A.C
Premium Member
join:2002-06-15
Utica, MI

TheMetrix

Premium Member

Re: Can't We All Just Get Along

Are you calling me a brain dead fan boy? LOL
Kearnstd
Space Elf
Premium Member
join:2002-01-22
Mullica Hill, NJ

Kearnstd to TheMetrix

Premium Member

to TheMetrix
the ISPs and Microsoft hate google for two reasons. the ISPs hate google because it takes traffic from their portals which they wasted so much money making look flashy. MS however hates google because Google is trying to push into the business apps world and it takes people from their portal site.

the thing the competition has to learn is people like google search because the site is simple for one thing. the default search patch pretty much has the main reason for going there as the only thing on the page. other sites have gone full blown portal with flash, video, scripts, and rich content ads.
Pv8man
join:2008-07-24
Hammond, IN

Pv8man

Member

These days..

its easy to make profit off of something that's does not have good intentions.

It's hard to contribute to society in a positive way and make a still profit off of it like google.

MarkAW
Barry White
Premium Member
join:2001-08-27
Canada

MarkAW

Premium Member

What Microsoft can't buy....

....they will try to destroy and then take it over.

phoneboy3
@shawcable.net

phoneboy3

Anon

Your all brainwashed by these lobbyists

I don't care what anyone says. I'll take Google over M$ and the Telco closed box thinkers any day.
ditka_b
Premium Member
join:2001-10-05
Barrington, IL

ditka_b

Premium Member

Re: Your all brainwashed by these lobbyists

If you don't care what anyone else has to say why are you here? Just wondering..

PolarBear03
The bear formerly known as aaron8301
Premium Member
join:2005-01-03

PolarBear03

Premium Member

skynet

Pfft, MS and AT&T can't shut down Skynet!

Seriously, if MS or ATT bought/destroyed Google, I'd burn my computer and sever my internet connection.

capecoddah
join:2005-03-18
Yarmouth Port, MA

capecoddah

Member

Re: skynet

I have a friend that is convinced Google IS Skynet. He moved out west to be closer to the UFOs. Boy, I miss him...

PolarBear03
The bear formerly known as aaron8301
Premium Member
join:2005-01-03

PolarBear03

Premium Member

Re: skynet

said by capecoddah:

I have a friend that is convinced Google IS Skynet. He moved out west to be closer to the UFOs. Boy, I miss him...
Yeah, because UFO's ONLY land in Arizona...

ctceo
Premium Member
join:2001-04-26
South Bend, IN

ctceo

Premium Member

Poll?

Do we have a poll already made up for this one?

Iluvgoogletoo
@sigmanet.com

Iluvgoogletoo

Anon

Google Use is Free

Consumers and tech advocates are friendlier to Google because they don't pay them monthly for services. Of course we like them.

If Google charged monthly for Gmail or to use the Search Engine we'd all cry foul.
Pv8man
join:2008-07-24
Hammond, IN

Pv8man

Member

Re: Google Use is Free

If google charged monthly for using their services, there would be NO google

KrK
Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy
Premium Member
join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK

1 recommendation

KrK

Premium Member

If at&t hates you....

... You're doing something right.

perki
join:2008-12-01
Santa Maria, CA

perki

Member

You Know what this is like?

It's like your 12 years old and drunken step father fighting your best friend. You have ties to both but you need your drunken step dad to feed you.

MalibuMaxx
Premium Member
join:2007-02-06
Chesterton, IN

MalibuMaxx

Premium Member

AH Goliaths vs. Goliath

Kill GOOGLE ha... in Microsofts dreams... im sure theyd get sued over that or did they foe get... lol get that hehe...
Mr Matt
join:2008-01-29
Eustis, FL

Mr Matt

Member

Dumont?

This BS reminds me of the history of the DuMont Television Network. Lobbyists for the CBS, NBC and NBC Blue Networks convinced the FCC to pass such draconian regulations that the DuMont Network was unable to compete with the other networks and went out of business. Please see the following link to DuMont at the wikipedia website:
»en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Du ··· _Network

ARGONAUT
Have a nice day.
Premium Member
join:2006-01-24
New Albany, IN

ARGONAUT

Premium Member

Go...Go...Google

"Google is too big to fail."

brooklynman4
join:2004-09-07
Brewster, NY

brooklynman4

Member

Giant

Bigger u are the harder u fall lol

Koil
Premium Member
join:2002-09-10
Irmo, SC

Koil

Premium Member

Re: Giant

said by brooklynman4:

Bigger u are the harder u fall lol
If that were only true...

See US auto makers and banks for the exception to that rule.