4 ms·

Competition is good. Facebook hasn't shown to be a proponent of users rights, made convenient because of their dominant market position. If they had a serious

Competition is good. Facebook hasn't shown to be a proponent of users rights, made convenient because of their dominant market position. If they had a serious competitor, their attitude of forced acceptance of new features would likely change.

timr 15y ago
Competition is great, but I don't think Google gets especially high points for "forced acceptance of new features", either. After all, they're pushing google+ by putting it on every other property they own.
- Kylekramer 15y ago
  What company besides Microsoft (out of fear/legal obligations) doesn't do that? It is nice and all to say everyone should start on a level playing field, what is wrong with a company advertising to their well earned and legally obtained users?
- dannyr 15y ago
  You don't make sense. You admit it, they own it. Why can't they put it in a property they own? You know you can choose not use Google services right?
  - timr 15y ago
    You've missed the point. Of course Google can do whatever they want. But if you're one of the people thinking that Google is going to be better than Facebook as far as forcing their users to accept change, well, I've got a bridge to sell you.
    - dannyr 15y ago
      It's a toolbar at the top of GMail, Calendar, Docs. It's as subtle at it can get. You call that forcing?
      - mgkimsal 15y ago
        Every change they make you're forced to use. And that's pretty much the nature of web applications, until someone starts seriously focusing on discretely versioned web apps. Google forced me to stop using Notebook, by taking it away. They seemingly forced previews on my search results, so that when I hover there's a bunch of big graphics that now pop up. Possibly I can opt out of it, but why do that? People bitch up a storm about "opt out" email newsletters, but "opt out" Google UI changes (assuming you can opt out) are met with near universal cheer and slavish devotion. I deal with it because pretty much all other players are the same - Google's really no better or worse than anyone else, as far as I can see.
        yohui 15y ago
        Google Notebook (google.com/notebook) is still available, they just stopped working on it. I wouldn't consider it an act of "force" to stop developing a product. And regardless, they're not obligated to even continue offering it. Regarding search previews, I can agree that the option to turn them off would be appreciated. However, I think it's still a stretch to say that you're "forced" to view them; hovering alone does not trigger them, only clicking within search results. Personally, I had hardly noticed that search previews were still enabled, though I've never had a use for them. They do seem more useful on reappraisal than I had originally remembered, however.
- ryanisinallofus 15y ago
  That's exactly what Facebook, Apple and every other company does. Facebook "check-ins?" and deals, iTunes Ping? Personally I'm glad Google has finally stopped acting like every feature they have is a unique product. It's pretty obnoxious to go back and forth between their various services.

timr 15y ago

Competition is great, but I don't think Google gets especially high points for "forced acceptance of new features", either. After all, they're pushing google+ by putting it on every other property they own.

Kylekramer 15y ago
What company besides Microsoft (out of fear/legal obligations) doesn't do that? It is nice and all to say everyone should start on a level playing field, what is wrong with a company advertising to their well earned and legally obtained users?
dannyr 15y ago
You don't make sense. You admit it, they own it. Why can't they put it in a property they own? You know you can choose not use Google services right?
- timr 15y ago
  You've missed the point. Of course Google can do whatever they want. But if you're one of the people thinking that Google is going to be better than Facebook as far as forcing their users to accept change, well, I've got a bridge to sell you.
  - dannyr 15y ago
    It's a toolbar at the top of GMail, Calendar, Docs. It's as subtle at it can get. You call that forcing?
    - mgkimsal 15y ago
      Every change they make you're forced to use. And that's pretty much the nature of web applications, until someone starts seriously focusing on discretely versioned web apps. Google forced me to stop using Notebook, by taking it away. They seemingly forced previews on my search results, so that when I hover there's a bunch of big graphics that now pop up. Possibly I can opt out of it, but why do that? People bitch up a storm about "opt out" email newsletters, but "opt out" Google UI changes (assuming you can opt out) are met with near universal cheer and slavish devotion. I deal with it because pretty much all other players are the same - Google's really no better or worse than anyone else, as far as I can see.
      - yohui 15y ago
        Google Notebook (google.com/notebook) is still available, they just stopped working on it. I wouldn't consider it an act of "force" to stop developing a product. And regardless, they're not obligated to even continue offering it. Regarding search previews, I can agree that the option to turn them off would be appreciated. However, I think it's still a stretch to say that you're "forced" to view them; hovering alone does not trigger them, only clicking within search results. Personally, I had hardly noticed that search previews were still enabled, though I've never had a use for them. They do seem more useful on reappraisal than I had originally remembered, however.
ryanisinallofus 15y ago
That's exactly what Facebook, Apple and every other company does. Facebook "check-ins?" and deals, iTunes Ping? Personally I'm glad Google has finally stopped acting like every feature they have is a unique product. It's pretty obnoxious to go back and forth between their various services.