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Why Microsoft Wants to Buy Google
xihr writes "Harry Fletcher writes in The Inquirer about an obvious discrepancy between searches for "linux windows" on Google and MSN; the former comes up with almost 9 million hits, but the latter only comes up with -- wait for it -- 16. The author then speculates on Microsoft's ulterior motives for their attempted (and failed) purchase of Google."
True, but it doesn't actually say that anywhere - it just says "Results 1-15 of about 16 containing linux windows". Also, there is a 'sponsored links' section on the right of the page, separate to these 15. You need to click on the 'next' button to see "Results 16-30 of about 8898833". Which is an abysmal design decision, if nothing else.
Actually, most people asked a tech to disable it for them the first time the computer went into the shop for anything. I can't tell you how many times I've turned that thing off for people... along with changing their homepage (my internet is provided by Yahoo!), removing some bookmarks (but I've never BEEN to hotteenlesbians.com!), and "installing Google.com" (I can't use Google, I told you my internet is from Yahoo!).
I guarantee you these people and others like them have racked up plenty of hits for MSN's advertisers because they don't even know they're "allowed" to use another search engine!
End of lesson. You may press the button.
They wont understand either...
Sure *we* can see past this and get facts, but *we* dont line their pockets either...
Did you ever stop to think that one of the reasons people don't support or take the time to learn about the various OSS movements is because of high-brow, elitist comments such as yours?
Instead of alienating the "average consumer", perhaps we should be working as hard as possible to present a viable alternative without all the attitude. If we perpetuate an image that Linux users are different from the "average consumer", then guess what, we will be the only ones using it.
Linux, as many OSS projects, is not too dissimilar from a business in many ways, except that instead of a highly trained marketing department, it has us. That is a greatly simplified statement, but I think it stands to reason.
It goes from God, to Jerry, to me.
Yep, page 2 of the search for 'linux windows' should theoretically bring up a single hit (the remaining 1, out of 16). However, it brings up 15 more pages, out of about 8879023!
Looks like if there is biasing going on, it's just to try and prevent people hitting 'next'. Don't forget MSN don't provide a nice goooooooooooogle style page index, just next/prev links. Ick.