Google Toolbar
February 23rd, 2005 by EyeOnWinerGet your waders, folks, it’s getting pretty damn deep in here.
The AutoLink feature is the first step down a treacherous slope, that could spell the end of the Web as a publishing environment with integrity, and an environment where commerce can take place. Today it’s not just about technology, it’s not even mostly about technology. More and more of our commerce, government, research, and social life take place on the Web. Google should not commercialize it in such a bold, unilateral manner without discussion, consideration of all the possible problems. the online equivalent of an environmental impact statement.
Surprisingly, the King Embellisher hasn’t turned of comments or trackbacks yet… sure, his sycophants are rejoicing over his “wisdom” as usual, but there are a few sane voices in the crowd.
In order of track-back-itude:
Pete Holiday ( What about the Users? )
Dave does a lot of yapping about an author’s right to decide how his content is seen. The bottom line is that the author has no such right. Though it’s tempting to concede that, as the author, you have a right to decide how people see your material, the bottom line is that you waive that right the moment you publish in HTML. Why? Because, for starters, every program that reads that HTML may render it differently. Custom browser settings, different browsers, and so on will make this a pointless argument, and that’s not even to speak of programs which help with accessibility.
Imagine that… the users matter? Someone call someone!
Brian Carnell ( ROTFLMAO at Google Toolbar Attacks )
You just have to appreciate the sort of bombast that Dave Winer can generate. Google creates a beta version of its toolbar that automatically detects addresses and turns them into links to Google Maps automatically — if the user explicitly chooses this behavior — and it turns out to be the end of the Web as we know it.
Five points for Brian… that pretty much sums up Dave’s whole existence.
Neuvo ( Google … beware the Dark Side! )
Of course any association of Google with Microsoft and its plans to take over the world are immediate cause for concern. After all, Google is the good guy! Isn’t it? Rubel’s post kicked off quite an energetic discussion which was picked up by a number of sites.
My sarcasm detector went off on that paragraph, but he doesn’t choose a side, so it’s possible that he’s a fool that actually believes that tripe. I’m banking on not, though.
Basically Dave hasn’t been getting enough attention lately so he has to piss on someone to get it. Awesome. Also note that Dave has yet to link to a dissenting opinion on his main page. I know he doesn’t have to, it’s his page, but you’d think he’d be interested in dialoge… right? (Stop laughing! that’s just not polite!)