Hello! Almost As Good As Chocolate is using DISQUS, a powerful comment system, to manage its comments. Learn more.
Community Page
- shripriya.com/blog Jump to website »
-
Subscribe -
Community
-
Top Commenters
-
Popular Threads
-
Recent Comments
- I think if something is done with passion, it shines through. At least the effort will, if not anything else! The problem occurs when it doesn't even come out. And by coming out, I mean it...
- Fair point - when you are learning, of course you can't be exceptional all the time. However, I think it is very important to realize you are learning and to evaluate your work critically...
- This is an interesting debate. But, I don't have a clear cut idea what or how I feel about it. I sometimes post my scribblings on my blog as poems & get encouraging comments mostly from...
- See this - www.goodguide.com - it also has an iPhone app! http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/15/technology/internet/15guide.html?em
- Lol - you are so lame, you can't take a good picture. You just have to resort to theft. Pathetic.
Jump to original thread »
You know someone is using their power not-for-good when people become afraid of them. I know lots of bloggers who won’t criticize Google because they are scared they’ll be denied access (which has been done before) and no one in the tech world will be really harsh about t
... Continue reading »
2 years ago
in fact, i even got invited to coffee and made a friend there over over this critical post about the Google black hole of new product launches.
however, arrogance & secrecy aside, they usually do a pretty good job of innovating, so i try and be even-handed when i think it's merited. for example, if they're doing what i think they are with Google Checkout then it's a pretty smart move.
if there's anything i'd criticize them for, it's that the culture is SO secretive. for a company whose stated mission is to "organize all the world's information and make it universally accessible", they sure do a good job of making sure *their* information is universally hidden ;)
anyway, i give them kudos for the YouTube acquisition... the ex-PayPal folks over there i worked with definitely deserve credit for the amazing service they built. it's impressive Google recognized they were losing the battle in that market and bought the winner before someone else did.
but i agree, there are some similarities between Google in the late 2000's and Microsoft in the early 90's.
- dave
2 years ago
2 years ago
* If someone contacts the wrong person (a VP, for example) in a company with defined processes, that can actually slow the process down rather than kick start it (if every time the VP is contacted he/she puts that person at the head of the line, then the concept of a queue disappears)
*The service being free doesn't mean it's ok to suck BUT Google chooses to provide a certain service level free. If people don't like it, they'll defect. If Google wants to make money off of them (ads), it will have to improve. It's a naturally balancing system. I hope they do better with user security next time
*There are privacy dangers to GMail (infinite archiving is NOT a good thing) and I'd strongly recommend people use a computer based e-mail system (Thuderbird!!!) to download their Gmail account. Something Google freely allows (unlike Yahoo)
*The Microsoft analogy is unfair and inaccurate. Microsoft LIES (blatantly) about competitor products, it funds "research reports" (tobacco institute type scientists), and it pre-announces all sorts of vapour-ware. Google does none of these.
Say what you want about Google (and no, I don't use their search engine all that much), but they've been remarkably consistent. Growing very, very big, but consistent
2 years ago
They do lots of things well and some things poorly. No one calls out the poorly. Time they were treated like mortals like the rest of us :)
2 years ago
2 years ago
2 years ago
Regarding example 1, I think it's helpful to bear in mind that Gmail lets you set a secondary email address and a security question. As far as example 3, I couldn't speak to why some search blogs veer toward discussing Google more..
2 years ago
Re: 1, that is a fair point and people should use that. Email is a tough one because right now, GMail does not collect any other verification information and so, you guys probably can't figure out if the person is the owner of the address. Probably something for the GMail team to think about. My point was more that when shit happens (like in this case), there has to be an escape valve to shut down baddies quickly.
Re: 3, that's really not your fault in any way... Google does the most in search and sets the trend, but I think it behooves the bloggers to rave when things are great and make thoughtful suggestions when things are suboptimal.
In the long run, balance is what will help Google hear good feedback. That was my point. I firmly believe that companies that are willing to be self-critical are the ones that will grow and improve. I hope Google falls into this category.
2 years ago
On the larger issue of feedback, especially from bloggers, I think Google does pretty well, but we could clearly do more to take feedback from smart folks and apply it. All those thoughtful suggestions (with the occasional angry rant) helps us see what we need to do better.
2 years ago