This Google stock just shows no sign of slowing down, everybody now expects it will hit 600 before summer. (Except the perpetual gloom mongers who have been telling of a google crash for in these forums for the last 200 points ;-)
Posted on 01/07/2006 1:05:43 AM PST by twntaipan
What is Google Pack besides free Windows software, with some promotional offers, that you could get from many places on the Web? A software distribution mechanism hooked into Google's infrastructure. Smart move. Google does software provisioning for the masses…for starters–OpenOffice may come soon to the Pack. Larry Page introduces the software and then Robin Williams comes on stage to entertain the crowd.
From the Web site:
Google Pack also takes the hassle out of downloading, installing, and updating software. You can download and install the entire Google Pack in just a few clicks. And the included Google Updater helps you discover new programs and keep your current software up to date. What is the Google Updater? The Google Updater is the program that downloads and installs all the software in the Google Pack. You can use the Google Updater to monitor the status of your installation, run software that's been installed, or uninstall software. A Google Updater icon will appear in your system tray and will display notifications when there are updates or new software available.
Google Software Included
* Google Earth - 3D Earth browser * Picasa - Photo organizer * Google Desktop * Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer * Google Pack Screensaver
Additional Software Included
* Mozilla Firefox with Google Toolbar * Ad-Aware SE Personal - Antispyware utility * Norton Antivirus 2005 Special Edition - Antivirus utility * Adobe Reader 7 - PDF reader
Google watcher John Battelle comments on Google Pack:
Google Pack strikes me as an obvious play for Google, the company has made no secret of its intention to poke Microsoft in the eye from time to time. And honestly, they are right - setting up and maintaining a PC is a right pain in the ass. I very much hope this thing works, and plan to try it out on a new PC Federated Media is buying this week. (More on Pack here at SEW).
I spoke to Marissa Mayer about Pack, and she had some fun stuff to say about it. I noticed no version of Open Office in the Pack, and she reminded me this is just the first version of the Pack, and since it updates itself automatically, why, there might be Open Office in an update shortly. They are in active discussions, I was told.
Pack, if it becomes popular, will bring a whole new set of users to Google, mainly because it includes Toolbar and Desktop, which of course means more searches, and more data, and more money for Google.
"We realize software distribution will have to become one of our core competencies," Mayer told me.
"Some of (the applications in Pack) will result in increased revenue to us," she also noted.
Well, I asked, might you ever include Microsoft products in a Google Pack? "If they are interested," the ever on her feet Mayer responded, "we'd be more than willing to discuss it with them." Over to you, Mr. Ballmer….
"I saw a guy recommending gmail as a virtual hard drive, portability solution."
It's awfully non-private...
why not just spend 150 dollars for an 80 gig usb drive that fits in your coat pocket.
I don't think that hack works any more. Google locked it out.
This Google stock just shows no sign of slowing down, everybody now expects it will hit 600 before summer. (Except the perpetual gloom mongers who have been telling of a google crash for in these forums for the last 200 points ;-)
And you say this because?
Have you heard of a single instance of anyone getting at another persons google mail account other than by being given the password?
If so, its one of the best kept secrets on the net.
No Thanks.
Too many people at Google are extreme leftwing. I don't think I want to give them that much control over my computer....
My concern about Google and privacy has to do with their "reading" your gmail so as to insert relevent advertising, associating that with your search history and any personal information they can associate.
This, together with a policy of indefinite data retention and a user agreement that lets them share or sell the aggregate data more or less freely seems risky to me. I don't use google cookies, google desktop (that searches your computer) or gmail for that reason.
But their search engine is still my favorite.
Just a couple of thoughts:
First, OpenOffice is really really really good for the money. And, it would be good even if you had to throw real money at it. I've been using it for 3 months or so now and have no complaints.
Second, Google may indeed rock in many ways. But, it is important for good people to understand how abjectly anti-american, ie socialists/leftists/loons, google people are. Google people do not get basic notions of limited govt, etal. Lord knows it is nigh on impossible to always make good on voting with your wallet, but for those trying not to throw money at dumb asses, google is a company to avoid. A simple tip: Vow to never, ever, ever click on any google pay per click text ad. If you want to visit a site, copy and paste the url to your browser's address line.
Third, gmail is just down right creepy/spooky/f!!*ked up. The last thing any good person would ever want to do is trust a bunch of leftists when they say "don't worry, only machines read your email."
Now, having said all that. I'll fess up and say I use Picasa routinely, I occassionaly use their search and I have a couple of gmail accounts I use excusively for keyword/adsense/adwords/general google research.
But, these bottom line facts remain:
We are in a culture war. And, Google people are not Americans. They are leftists.
Gmail Drive works fine. I just accessed my drive after reading your post.
Its a totally automated process which leaves no trail. (Inspite of what FreeRadical thinks. Asside to Freeradical: your tinfoil hat is slipping...
This, together with a policy of indefinite data retention and a user agreement that lets them share or sell the aggregate data more or less freely seems risky to me. I don't use google cookies, google desktop (that searches your computer) or gmail for that reason.
Do you also worry about the othe programs reading your mail? Such as the virus scanning services most ISPs have in place these days?
As for google desktop search, you DO KNOW, don't you, that all the search takes place locally, and none of the data or search results is transmitted to google, and you can even search while DISCONNECTED from the internet? You DO KNOW this don't you? Do you also fear Microsoft's built in search, or the Find command in Linux?
The simple fact of the matter is that sending mail via the internet causes it to be "read" by dozens of machines along the way. You would be a fool to send anything via email that you would not post on the bullitin board at work.
As for their retension policy, you have that all wrong. The retension period is totally up to you. You need not archive your mail, you can delete it.
From google's agreement:
Your Intellectual Property Rights. Google does not claim any ownership in any of the content, including any text, data, information, images, photographs, music, sound, video, or other material, that you upload, transmit or store in your Gmail account. We will not use any of your content for any purpose except to provide you with the Service.
...
No human will read the content of your email in order to target such advertisements or other information without your consent, and no email content or other personally identifiable information will be provided to advertisers as part of the Service.
In short, gmail is a great way to read mailing lists, especially those of a technical nature where you might need to search through them for tech hints.
Sorry, forgot the link
http://www.imilly.com/google-cookie.htm
Thanks for the good info!
Fair Enough. My concerns are more with the culture war angle than with technical specifications. "They"/Google may be providing slick widgets, but it is good for the end user to know the "They" in this case is a bunch of people you wouldn't want as neighbors or in your kid's school as teachers so why let your guard down just cuz homey the leftist is sportin sexy technology and a well written user agreement?
Trusting liberals is a risk, always has been, always will be.
"Too many people at Google are extreme leftwing. I don't think I want to give them that much control over my computer...."
To be honest, the poeple at Microsoft are as equally leftist, but then so is Yahoo and almost every other American software company under the sun. I remember each and every one of them have colluded with the Chinese Communists to block out democracy movement activists' blogs, search terms not to the Communists' liking, things favourable to Taiwan and American conservatives, and in one case (Yahoo) even voluntarily disclosed one activist's account and he was arrested by the CCP.
But we still have to use their software.
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