Google, FireFox, Wikipedia

[Baker]

Everyone used to be totally in love with Google and now after the Chinese censorship thing and Google desktop storing file information on the internet by default and the intellectual property issues with Google Book Search, some people are viewing Google just like another large company that eventually be evil like all the other large companies.

A large, vocal segment of the internet community used to be totally in love with FireFox. Then at some point the Mozilla Foundation ended up incorporating or something to that effect so now "Mozilla Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Mozilla Foundation." And they apparently get millions of dollars from Google per year for it being the default search engine.

And then you have Wikipedia. Big, open source. But how long until it gets bought by some company like Google for millions of dollars and then has Google ads all over the place.

Google and FireFox get a lot of support because they aren't Microsoft and are competitors. Some people view Microsoft as evil.

Is it inevitable that Google, FireFox and Wikipedia become evil? Are they really actually any better than Microsoft?

[scar3crow]

Becoming evil in this case is measured more by our perceptions than by the company's unique actions overall. We often see profiting as a trait of Looking Out for Number One, which assumes Step On Number Two.

Honestly when it comes down to behavior, inevitability is a moot point (linear time and whatnot) because it is in the character of those in charge which guide the company, but much more importantly our public disposition on where they appear to have arrived, even if in fact they are not there at all. Microsoft has the stigma of being oppressive and horrible, and they have done some disconcerting and unscrupulous things, but Bill Gates himself has certainly not held back on supporting humanitarian causes - however technically this should lie outside the domain of what depicts the corporation, as Gates has stepped back from the helm somewhat, and is personally doing such.

The thing is, Google still does what made people love it in the first place - work rather well as a search engine. Firefox does the same - provide an alternative and be what people want. Unless either of these begin to neglect their original function, their base issue, for the sake of netting short term profits to boost market share, I dont think "evil" will outright become branded on their foreheads.

It is really up to whether or not they alienate their original rallying base of purpose as to how they will be perceived and remembered. Microsoft is still potentially young, and though their image is tarnished, they could turn around as well, much like how Firefox and Google can overcome these potential bumps in the road, and how Wikipedia can possibly see them coming and steer clear of them.

They are better as long as they keep to their design, which as you cited in the IE thread is what broke you from Microsoft, the neglect of one of their earlier purposes.

[Canadian*Sniper]

Google is alreayd evil. I can't wait till I get my gmail features to be taken from me until I pay a monthly membership fee

[Chuck]

I'm a loyal Google follower. I just got my free website from them yesterday and I subscribe and download everything they have to offer.

[Amon26]

Absolute power corrupts absolutley

[Monster]

EVIL? WTF Google isn't evil. Its the best search engine ever.

[CheapAlert]

Obeying china's requests is better than having google TOTALLY BANNED FROM CHINA.

people misunderstand that ALL THE TIME

[Baker]

Obeying china's requests is better than having google TOTALLY BANNED FROM CHINA.

people misunderstand that ALL THE TIME

I agree the bad press Google got from that was totally unfair. What are they supposed to do, not conduct business in a country and let Yahoo and MSN do all the search engines in China. Falling on your sword to nice a gesture that accomplishes nothing isn't honorable.

[Bank]

That's why I usually use Flock.

[Canadian*Sniper]

EVIL? WTF Google isn't evil. Its the best search engine ever.

yea and I do use it. But gtalk(whatever it's called) spams your computer with spyware constantly. I mean a LOT!

[Baker]

That's why I usually use Flock.

Most people haven't heard of that browser and I haven't tried it, but I've been aware of its existence for months. Maybe that browser will be something that 2 years from now, every one has heard of.

[mikeTOOtall]

That's why I usually use Flock.

Flock you! I use Opera!

[Sajt]

The reason I don't use Flock is because it is one of the most downright homosexual looking things I have ever seen. That also goes for all the team members. /me shudders

[Baker]

The reason I don't use Flock is because it is one of the most downright homosexual looking things I have ever seen. That also goes for all the team members. /me shudders

Heh, I looked at the team member's page after reading your post. I don't think they look like anything other than normal people trying to look good for a pic.

I think looking at the Flock homepage, something that doesn't pass the idiot-test for me is a lack of a screenshot.

Software should always have a screenshot either on the home page or an obvious tab or link in the main menu.

Any software effort that doesn't do this has their head up their <insert word of your choice> to some degree, and doesn't pass the self-promotion IQ test.

[Bank]

Heh, I looked at the team member's page after reading your post. I don't think they look like anything other than normal people trying to look good for a pic.

I think looking at the Flock homepage, something that doesn't pass the idiot-test for me is a lack of a screenshot.

Software should always have a screenshot either on the home page or an obvious tab or link in the main menu.

Any software effort that doesn't do this has their head up their <insert word of your choice> to some degree, and doesn't pass the self-promotion IQ test.

Absolutely, I believe more people would like Flock if they could actually SEE what it looks like. But let me tell you, it's very convenient, with a lot of stuff that firefox SHOULD have had. I wouldnt grade it very high as a standalone browser, but as a Firefox+, it's astounding.

: D