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Mr Anti-Google

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the proof-of-success dept.

MrNovember writes "Salon is running a story on some guy named Daniel Brandt who they call "Mr. Anti-Google." Mr. Brandt runs a sort of anti-establishment database of citations called NameBase as well as Google Watch. He claims that Google's PageRank system is undemocratic primarily because it doesn't rank his NameBase information very highly. He also points out that Google maintains a log of all you've ever searched for associated with a long-term cookie. Google's system seems to work the best if you ask me but, on the other hand, link popularity may not provide the most intelligent top rankings."

5 of 494 comments (clear)

  1. Oh, I see by override11 · · Score: 5, Funny

    And I think the Us Monetary system is unfair because I dont have enough of it!!!

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    No I didnt spell check this post...
  2. we'll fix that by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    a few links will fix namebase's spot on the list

  3. Chances are... by CampbellXL · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...he'd increase his page ranking on google if he removed the little tin foil hats from his servers.

  4. In other news by lingqi · · Score: 5, Funny

    Google responds by stating that now all of their pigeons will go through an "intruduction to democracy" short course, and all "bird seed" websites are now ranked by humans instead of the patented "pigeon rank" system.

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    My life in the land of the rising sun.

  5. Cranky, but not entirely off... by Angst+Badger · · Score: 4, Funny
    Brandt sounds like a whiny crank who is rather missing the point. OTOH, he is correct that Google applies a persistent tracking ID via cookies, which I had not previously noticed, and about which I'm not terribly happy. And no, I don't think Google has any sinister motives, and I wouldn't be surprised if they use the tracking ID in some way to enhance the effectiveness of their engine --- but having my searches tracked in any way still makes me uncomfortable. I'd like to hear why it is being done.

    In the meantime, anyone who would like to cover their tracks can use my cookie:

    .google.com TRUE / FALSE 2147368045 PREF ID=111439b95052c72a:TM=1030056425:LM=1030056425:S= v7T9QSFKEkI

    Of course, if it turns out that Google is planning to give a prize to the most active user, or they have some kind of search engine green stamps, you're screwed. ;)

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    Proud member of the Weirdo-American community.