3 ms·

>compared to the merely large pile you'd need to run a credible regional alternative to google search for some segment of the population How exactly would a cr

>compared to the merely large pile you'd need to run a credible regional alternative to google search for some segment of the population How exactly would a credible regional alternative to google work and why are there exactly zero of them if it's so easy?

emidln 9y ago
What else would you call DuckDuckGo? Easy is relative. It is relatively easy to build a search engine that can service a user's requests (possibly less useful absolutely, but within the realm of service) compared to building an electric grid and power plant that can handle a large number of user's power needs. One of these can be done with technical skill to get to an MVP in a weekend. The other requires a hundreds of millions of dollars worth of equipment, legal fees, permits, and engineering time before you even get started digging.
- crdoconnor 9y ago
  >What else would you call DuckDuckGo? A user of bing's search index with extra features sprinkled on top. It's comparable to one of these: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_mobile_virtual_network_operators https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_mobile_v... They did not build the necessary expensive infrastructure for a search engine, they lease it. This actually kind of proves my point. A company called Cuil tried to do exactly what you're suggesting. The reason you're probably saying "who?" now kinda proves my point too.