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The confusion of all these journalists lies in the fact that Google and Facebook are direct competitors because they both are advertising companies based on dat
by drats 16y ago
The confusion of all these journalists lies in the fact that Google and Facebook are direct competitors because they both are advertising companies based on data. But they both have fairly different usage scenarios so you'd say that they are in partial competition like fast food being sold in a theme park and a fast food company that does deliveries to homes and offices. But maybe it's not that distinct; I suppose the product recommendation engine could go beyond your local graph into friends of friends so that you can see what SLR camera your "greater tribe" has been most satisfied with, see what they said about it and see some of their photos they've taken with it. But am I going to really be swayed by this vs. an Anandtech style SSD review or a camcorderinfo.com one[1]? I think not. Maybe for something I don't care much about and wish I could care less about, like clothes, I could be swayed. But as soon as Amazon has a system where I can send in all my measurements and then browse appropriate stuff from home and set up "manpacks" style periodic deliveries I doubt I will step foot in another clothes store again. As I understand it, that's pretty much in development right now. And as you say, Google is organising the world's information well beyond products. I share your disappointment in these tech pundits, but even HN returns to them constantly like moths to a flame.
[1] some of these reviews are seriously impressive in their depth vs CNET "senior" editors (btw has anyone ever actually seen a non-"senior" CNET editor?)
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Canon-HF-S100-Camcorder-Review-36389/Color-amp-Noise-Performance.htm http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Canon-HF-S100-Camcorder...
- joe_the_user 16y agoI think cameras are a great example. I don't care what my "greater tribe" thinks of a camera. Why should I? What difference could it possibly make - unless I'm a moron who needs to be seen carrying the same camera as Bob-the-cool-guy? Even more, only a dull minority of modern people have only one "tribe". I might share a friendship with one group of people based on a single interest and another group based on another and the two groups only marginally intersect. I was impressed that a member of my martial arts group brought a camera to video our practice group. But I have no reason to think he actually knows more about cameras than the average camera using person and I didn't ask his advice in buying a camera when I did buy one (I bought my camera used off craiglist after Googling up some reviews - basically finding the cheapest item that satisfied my needs).
- marquis 16y agoFriend's suggestions are highly valued, especially for large ticket tech items where the options are endless and often seemingly the same. Those who are not tech-savvy have no idea what model camera, monitor, computer etc to buy. My family is always asking my advice for these things, and I'm sure if Facebook released some kind of recommended-by-your-friends product search they'd take it to quickly. Variety and freedom of choice is not always seen as a good thing, in those areas where someone has little experience of purchase.