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Google cranks up the Consensus Engine
The Register ^ | 12/12/2008

Posted on 12/14/2008 4:48:12 AM PST by autumnraine

Not so very long ago, Google disclaimed responsibility for its search results by explaining that these were chosen by a computer algorithm. The disclaimer lives on at Google News, where we are assured that:

The selection and placement of stories on this page were determined automatically by a computer program. A few years ago, Google's apparently unimpeachable objectivity got some people very excited, and technology utopians began to herald Google as the conduit for a new form of democracy.

*SNIP*

It wasn't surprising, then, that when five years ago I described how a small, self-selected number of people could rig Google's search results, the reaction from the people doing the rigging was violently antagonistic. Who lifted that rock? they cried.

But what was once Googlewashing by a select few now has Google's active participation.

This week Marissa Meyer explained that editorial judgments will play a key role in Google searches. It was reported by Tech Crunch proprietor Michael Arrington - who Nick Carr called the "Madam of the Web 2.0 Brothel" - but its significance wasn't noted. The irony flew safely over his head at 30,000 feet. Arrington observed:

Mayer also talked about Google’s use of user data created by actions on Wiki search to improve search results on Google in general. For now that data is not being used to change overall search results, she said. But in the future it’s likely Google will use the data to at least make obvious changes.

*SNIP*

Who's hand is upon the wheel, here?

(Excerpt) Read more at theregister.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Government; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
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To: autumnraine
Here's lots of alternatives to Google offerings:

 

Live Search A high power alternative to Google
Search and Give Uses the Live search engine but you can set up an account so that a charity or school of your choosing gets a few cents every time you search!
Clusty Search This is an alterative that draws from several search engines including Google unfortunately
Live Toolbar Need a toolbar alternative, use this one
MSN Video An alternative to YouTube for hosting your uploaded videos
Live Maps Need driving directions, this will work (Though I'll concede Google has an extra feature that's nice)
Virtual Earth An excellent 3D mapping program
Live Mail
Live Mail Client
Plenty of space for all your email and a nice client for it as well!
Live Spaces A place to blog, host photos, store files, etc
Photosynth A very cool way of bringing dimensional perspective to your photographs

Please note that Ask.com and About.com are owned by the New York Times.

 

21 posted on 12/14/2008 11:21:57 AM PST by Incorrigible (If I lead, follow me; If I pause, push me; If I retreat, kill me.)
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To: raybbr
I did a search on Patti Blagojevic and all the article are three to four years old.

Try with the correct spelling, and see if it's enhanced any.

22 posted on 12/14/2008 11:32:23 AM PST by ErnBatavia ("Zero"..STILL using that stupid "Office of The President Elect" podium....)
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To: ErnBatavia
Try with the correct spelling, and see if it's enhanced any.

What's wrong with the way I spelled it?

23 posted on 12/14/2008 12:13:44 PM PST by raybbr (It's going to get a lot worse now that the anchor babies are voting!)
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To: raybbr
Blagojevic

You forgot the 'h' on the end.  Do a search on "Patti Blagojevich"

 

24 posted on 12/14/2008 3:47:00 PM PST by Incorrigible (If I lead, follow me; If I pause, push me; If I retreat, kill me.)
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To: AdmSmith; Berosus; Convert from ECUSA; dervish; Ernest_at_the_Beach; Fred Nerks; george76; ...

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/12/12/googlewashing_revisited/
http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/12/google-admits-c.html


25 posted on 12/14/2008 4:30:29 PM PST by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/_______Profile finally updated Saturday, December 6, 2008 !!!)
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more here:

Google washes search results
The Register | 012/14/2008 | andrew orlowski
Posted on 12/14/2008 6:11:18 AM PST by slnk_rules
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2148544/posts


26 posted on 12/15/2008 5:01:22 AM PST by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/_______Profile finally updated Saturday, December 6, 2008 !!!)
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