2 ms·

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.