Questing for Search Engines.
Because "Searching for Search Engines" would be mundane.
Here is a nifty article about search engines, their history, and how people are trying to overcome Google.
We should totally start a search engine.
Monday, October 29, 2007
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"Microsoft, too, is eager to provide new ways to merge its Windows Live Search with other online and PC-based tasks. So far the company hasn't taken advantage of the dominance of Windows to drive search traffic its way, but that will change, says Microsoft's search chief, Brad Goldberg."
What does advantage look like if it isn't building one's search engine into the native webbrowser and integrating it into one's new shiny OS?
They allow you to change the native webbrowser to google. If they took advantage of the situation they wouldn't allow that.
Sort of like how Apple allows for programs other than iTunes to sync with their iPod devices. If they were taking advantage of the situation they wouldn't allow for users to use other programs.
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I was referring to IE 6 on XP where an incorrect url pulls up Live Search.
I thought you were talking about IE 7 with the built-in search box.
No. but I gods damned hate those layers of tabs and buttons that one must pass through if attempting to use the TAB key to navigate.
Yes.
Yes.
.... So you don't consider it a feature that the browser does a web search for you when you type in an incorrect url, rather than take you to a 404 error?
I am by no means a windows apologist, but I don't see how it can possibly be considered taking advantage of the user to offer suggestions to a mistyped url.
If it were my intent to search, I would search. I don't want my computer to act as though it knows what I want to do. I don't want it to load a search page when I have made a typographical error.
We can call it a feature, but it is a feature that I don't want and that I did not choose.
It is an attempt to induce me to use their search. It is shameless self-promotion the opportunity for which is afforded by the popularity of Internet Explorer.
That is like saying that it is shameless self promotion to include a companies own brand of stereo in a car. It is there for your use, it isn't necessary to use, but it is available, and you can't fault windows for using their own search engine for that purpose, rather than a competitors. The component exists purely as a feature. If you don't like using it then don't type in the wrong url and you will never see it.
Shameless self promotion and advantage would be blocking all other search engines such that theirs is the only one available.
What would you prefer MS do in the case of a mistyped URL. As I said, a 404 is terrible solution, because it doesn't try to help the user, instead it just passes the buck.
The 404 is what I would perfer. The user does not always need help.
It is more like a self-flushing toilet that flushes before one is finished, dutifully performing its function with no regard for the user's wishes.
"I don't want my computer to act as though it knows what I want to do."
I agree with this. The biggest problems I have with computers is when an automated process decides that it knows what I want more than I know what I want; such as when Word decides that it knows where I want indentation and formatting.
I'm fine with the 404 error but I can't remember the last time I saw either the 404 error or a search page saying "did you mean bla bla?"
It is not like a self flushing toilet that flushes mid process. This hinders the user and makes them uncomfortable. This doesn't hinder the user in any manner at all.
Word auto-correcting, I agree, is a problem because it hinders the user's actions. Hindrance is simply not the case that when a user makes an error, and the page redirects to a search page as opposed to a useless error page.
Either way the browser is displaying something you don't want. The case of an error page shows you something you don't want, and will never offer any solutions to getting what you do want. The case of a search result, at least can give the user some leads to find what they are looking for. This is solid design.
Error pages that offer no help are the worst possible error handling out there. They confuse less proficient users.
"I don't want my computer to act as though it knows what I want to do."
I disagree with that statement whole heartedly. You do, you just don't want to deal with the early stages, when it is more likely to make a mistake. Unfortunately, that is how technology works, we come up with a cool feature, give a try, and it will inevitably fail in many situations. Then we go back and try to get it to work in those situations.
This forces me to do a search when I merely need to adjust two transposed letters.
404 is a lighter response which does not necessitate that another unrelated machine answer a needless query.
"They confuse less proficient users."
So, the way to enhance people's understanding how things work is to add more layers of hand holding and paternalism?
"You do, you just don't want to deal with the early stages, when it is more likely to make a mistake."
Alright. I'm happy for my computer to automatically do processess I want it to do. For example, finding Windows Updates on its own rather than present me with a list of every Windows update ever and allow me to select which one I want.
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Actually, I think I would like to be ability to see every Windows update ever in a giant list because that would be freaking cool.
Perhaps presenting "both" as an option? Sort of like how Smash Brothers for Wii has 4 different controller options. That way everyone wins.
"So, the way to enhance people's understanding how things work is to add more layers of hand holding and paternalism?"
You could get a job at Apple.
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