Tag Archives: Google

Computers/Technology, Web/Internet

Nice Work if you can Get It

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Scoble has highlighted again Markus Frind and his PlentyofFish online dating site, after an article about the site appeared in the New York Times.

The site is probably the kind of business that most internet entrepreneurs wish they had. It continues to be a massive success – the NY Times article states that it is earning Markus $10 million a year, for about ten hours work. He has only one permanent employee, and his users don’t pay anything to use the site – it is entirely advertising driven. Most of the support is provided by other users, for free, as is the administrative tasks of vetting the online singles notices.

When you also realise that the site was written in the first place as a programming exercise because he wanted to learn ASP.Net, and he’s kept the site free almost as an exercise in seeing how long he could go before it got too much to handle. The site won’t win any design awards either, but much like Craigslist the site is successful, seemingly despite the acknowledged failings in the web design.

Perhaps all of that is an indication that with all the snazzy design and grand plans in the world, being a success on the internet is just as much about having the right idea, and shed loads of luck as anything else…

Computers/Technology, Web/Internet

Another Cool Google Toy

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Google Mobile Maps on my K750i

Grabbing a copy of Google Earth today the download page pointed me in the direction of other things that I might find interesting, one of which was Google Mobile Maps. Essentially what it does is take the underlying database used by regular Google Maps, but put a J2ME front end onto the data so that you can access it from a mobile phone.

Of course with the volume of data that Google Maps chucks around, you’d expect the performance to not be exactly stellar, however I was really impressed by the speed with which it generated maps. I put in our post code and it zipped straight to our street. It even has the same choice as the full size Google Maps to switch to a satellite view – the shot above shows the satellite view of the Church.

But it’s not just the maps that have made the transition, it also hooks up to the search facilities to allow you to find local amenities such as restaurants and hotels. Coupled with the fact that it includes the Get Directions facility and it is a fantastic little package. Of course you’ll probably end up paying for it in data charges, but if you find yourself needing a map, all you need now is your mobile phone, nothing else. In fact the only feature it actually lacks, is the ability to work out roughly where you are but I suspect that may turn up at some point too. Even if it’s not something you’re going to use a lot, Google Mobile Maps is definitely a useful tool to have installed onto your phone for an emergency.

Computers/Technology

Microsoft v Google

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Dave posted an interesting opinion from his corner as a self-procalimed Microsoft fan, commenting on one front of Microsoft’s battles, that with Google. Recently we have had disputed news of Steve Ballmer vowing to ‘kill Google’, however the battle with Google is having interesting effects within Microsoft.

Living within a few miles of Microsoft’s UK HQ, I do know a few people who either work for Microsoft themselves, or work under contract. Apparently, as a result of the rising tensions between Microsoft and Google, all staff have been told to stop using Google for searching, and instead use MSN Search, the Microsoft equivalent. The order to swap over is being made primarily on the grounds of loyalty. However what is interesting is firstly that not everybody has swapped over (apparently the initial ditch Google memo was followed by a second more forceful version when people carried on), and secondly, that although they could, Microsoft are not using their web gateway to block Google – it is still available to all staff.

So why is it that if they want people to stop, Microsoft haven’t just blocked the site? Also, why is it that the employees aren’t swapping? To be blunt, it’s because they’ve found that Google gives better results. As an example, I’ve been shown a patent search that produces nothing in MSN Search, but on Google produces the full text of the patent. Whilst there are numerous examples of the inferior product winning a battle (think VHS/Betamax for a start) does Microsoft really have a hope from this far back, or should they as Dave suggests, stick to their core markets?

Update: In amongst the unfounded rumours about Google doing a deal with Sun for Google Office, I spotted this little confession from Scoble, that he still has Google Toolbar installed… Bear in mind that MSN have a toolbar as well, but even someone who is supposed to be evangelising Microsoft admits to using the competition! If you read the rest of the article, Scoble is clear that the IT market is changing again, and that Microsoft is trying to adapt. However, my impression has always been that Scoble is primarily a technology enthusiast, who will praise something and promote something good even if it isn’t by Microsoft, and equally will criticise his employer if they are doing something wrong. But the point remains that if they’re having trouble getting their own staff to switch, why should anybody else?