John Doerr Disclaims Rumored GBrowser

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John Doerr Disclaims Rumored GBrowser

Posted by timothy on Wednesday October 6, 2004 @08:00AM from the no-recollection-of-that-no-sir dept.

iseff writes "Contrary to the rumors which have been circulating, John Doerr (VC and early investor in Google) told the Web 2.0 conference that although he believes in another browser war, Google won't be a part of it. Then again, he did say he didn't know everything that goes on at Google, even though he's on the board. Now it makes you wonder why Google registered gbrowser.com?"

36 of 300 comments (clear)

Browser? by Dr+Caleb · 2004-10-06 08:03 · Score: 5, Funny

Now it makes you wonder why Google registered gbrowser.com?
No it doesn't. They also registered googlesucks.com, but I don't think they feel that way about themselves.

--
"History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme." Mark Twain
1. Re:Browser? by squiggleslash · 2004-10-06 08:04 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  They registered Googlesucks.com? This is clear evidence they're entering the vacuum cleaner market!
  
  --
  You are not alone. This is not normal. None of this is normal.
2. Re:Browser? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-10-06 08:13 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  They registered Googlesucks.com? This is clear evidence they're entering the vacuum cleaner market!
  
  Crap! I was hoping it was an adult content search engine :(
3. Re:Browser? by gmuslera · 2004-10-06 08:21 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  I'm a spanish speaker so sometimes i miss some details in english expressions, but a browser don't need to be a desktop web browser like IE/Mozilla/Opera. Something that could be interesting is a site that gives an overview of different google sites, an integrated view of their services or portal site and maybe that could be called that way.
  Of course, they also could want to avoid some porn site to use that domain name to trick visitors thinking that it as a "door" to google.
4. Re:Browser? by polecat_redux · 2004-10-06 08:33 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  They also registered googlesucks.com
  
  It's called cybersquatting. They obviously want to extort money from someone who has a legitimate reason to register googlesucks.com.
5. Re:Browser? by whovian · 2004-10-06 09:04 · Score: 5, Interesting
  
  They have both googlesucks.com and googleblows.com. But what is interesting to me is the apparent foresight they had in registering them:
  Domain Name: googleblows.net Created on..............: 1999-Oct-15. Expires on..............: 2005-Oct-15. Record last updated on..: 2004-Oct-01 21:03:44. Domain Name: googleblows.com Created on..............: 1999-Oct-15. Expires on..............: 2005-Oct-15. Record last updated on..: 2004-Oct-01 21:03:13.
  
  --
  To-do List: Receive telemarketing call during a tornado warning. Check.
I'm not convinced by rafikki · 2004-10-06 08:03 · Score: 5, Insightful

If you look at all the new programs they've been putting out lately, the deskbar, the toolbar, the new Gmail Notifier etc. and realize that all that stuff could be very usefully integrated into a web browser... not to mention some of the stuff floating around in their Labs section. I suspect that's not the last word we'll here on a new browser.
1. Re:I'm not convinced by nine-times · 2004-10-06 08:35 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  I agree. They could easily take Firefox, add a few extensions that tie in specifically with their services, and rebrand it "gbrowser".
  Of course, I'm also not sure it's very worth their while at this point. Firefox's default search is Google. People have already created a Google/Gmail related extensions for Firefox without Google needing to lift a finger. As long as the open-source community is so supportive of Google, it might fall under the category of 'why bother?'
2. Re:I'm not convinced by cowens · 2004-10-06 09:54 · Score: 4, Interesting
  
  As long as the open-source community is so supportive of Google, it might fall under the category of 'why bother?'
  
  I thought it was obvious. Google has made its money off of being the best search engine available. How did they do it? By creating the Page Rank algorithm. How does Page Rank work? By giving sites linked by many sources a higher value. Imagine Google had a (completely sanitised) copy of everybody's history file from their web browsers listing where they have been, at what time, for how long, and where they went next. They could use this information in a similar way to how they use Page Rank now and create an even more useful search algorithm.
  
  Or maybe I am paranoid (goes back to reading emails in gmail).
Options by Kralizec · 2004-10-06 08:03 · Score: 5, Insightful

Now it makes you wonder why Google registered gbrowser.com?
Because every business likes to keep its options open?
why! by Coneasfast · 2004-10-06 08:04 · Score: 5, Interesting

Now it makes you wonder why Google registered gbrowser.com?

well, gmail caught so much attention to competitors and made them all increase their inbox limits. maybe they thought registering it will do the same and increase the quality of browsers on the market?

ok probably none of this is true. just a thought that came to my mind though :)

--
Marge, get me your address book, 4 beers, and my conversation hat.
normal trademark behavior by Speare · 2004-10-06 08:05 · Score: 5, Funny
Normal operating procedure with concepts nowadays:
- discuss idea at lunch
- register five variants of the name
- consider a few features
- focus test among friends over beer
- tell management
- make a powerpoint mockup
- focus test among friends' spouses over weekend
- issue a press release denying it
- ...
Why is this news?
--
[ .sig file not found ]
Gbrowser? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-10-06 08:05 · Score: 4, Funny

Google didn't register that to produce a web browser.

No, my friends. Google registered it as a ladies' novilty underware store. The truth is out, can you handle the truth?
Is anyone keeping score? by TrollBridge · 2004-10-06 08:06 · Score: 5, Funny

So would this make Google more Evil or less Evil? Who's keeping track this week?

--
There's a Mercedes gap too. I want one and can't afford one, but it's not government's job to do anything about it.
1. Re:Is anyone keeping score? by rmarll · 2004-10-06 08:43 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  This is google's week to be good. IBM have the last week of the month, unless SCO has another press release, then they're good that week as well.
  Sun is good on all days that are multiples of 5 and evil on the 11th and 23rd of the month. When available they are evil on the 29th of February.
  I've lost track of Oracle but I think they alternate the 2nd and third weeks of the month. Microsoft is always evil unless Timothy posts the news, in which case Slashdot is evil for posting a duped story and MS passes go and collects their 200 bucks.
  
  It's incomplete but there is the rundown on the schedule as far as I can tell.
Browser War by pete-classic · 2004-10-06 08:06 · Score: 5, Insightful

If they believe in the browser war, why do they only support IE?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I belive that the tool bar and the gmail notifier are Windows/IE only.

-Peter
Re:nlookup so you wont have by TCM · 2004-10-06 08:06 · Score: 5, Funny

What are you doing on slashdot if you confuse nslookup and whois?

--
Of course it runs NetBSD. BTC: 1NT7QvbetmANwaMzhpVL6
Perhaps it's not a full-blown browser? by Gunfighter · 2004-10-06 08:06 · Score: 4, Interesting

Maybe they really aren't looking to enter the browser wars. Perhaps it's for a plugin of some sort to simply "enhance" browsing. I know they have their toolbar (and I personally user the googlebar for Mozilla). Perhaps there's something bigger and better around the corner.

What other browser enhancements could you see working their way into a plugin without it being labeled "spyware"?

Or... perhaps this guy really has no clue what's going on and Gbrowser v0.9 is right around the corner.

--
-- Stu

/. ID under 2,000. I feel old now.
Google Print, however.. by ackthpt · 2004-10-06 08:06 · Score: 5, Interesting

Google Print is a new book search (partnered with Penguin and Scholastic) they'll roll out formally on Thursday, in some more of this interesting little tango they have with Amazon (they of the a9.com search engine free of ads.)

--

A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
and no Netflix/Tivo deal, either... by javaxman · 2004-10-06 08:07 · Score: 4, Insightful

I mean, really, you can believe what you want... but it would be a bit foolish to trust a businessman !
Not that I see Google making a browser ( I don't... maybe they'd pick up a cobrand an existing one, if anything ), but this guy's statement could just be possitioned to throw people off of an otherwise secret business strategy... I seem to recall Netflix and Tivo denying their deal quite firmly, for example...
Cheaper than a trademark lawsuit... by drmike0099 · 2004-10-06 08:07 · Score: 5, Insightful

Registering and keeping your own names out of everyone else's hands is a much simpler and cheaper way to do it, rather than getting into nasty, expensive lawsuits later on over who gbrowser.com is owned by. How much did the Lindows lawsuit cost MS, both in terms of $$ and public good will?
1. Re:Cheaper than a trademark lawsuit... by Hatta · 2004-10-06 08:24 · Score: 4, Interesting
  
  But when you read gbrowser.com, do you think google? I think "GTK" or "Gnome" first, then I think G as in "whut up G?"
  
  --
  Give me Classic Slashdot or give me death!
2. Re:Cheaper than a trademark lawsuit... by justplainchips · 2004-10-06 08:28 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  Microsoft had public good will?
3. Re:Cheaper than a trademark lawsuit... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-10-06 08:52 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  If only Microsoft was smart enough to register:
  aindows.com
  bindows.com
  cindows.com
  dindows.com
  eindows.com
  findows.com
  gindows.com
  hindows.com
  iindows.com
  jindows.com
  kindows.c om
  lindows.com
  mindows.com
  nindows.com
  oindows .com
  pindows.com
  qindows.com
  rindows.com
  sindo ws.com
  tindows.com
  uindows.com
  vindows.com
  win dows.com (oh wait!)
  xindows.com
  yindows.com
  zindows.com
  
  They wouldn't have had to put up with a lawsuit against Lindows.
4. Re:Cheaper than a trademark lawsuit... by uriber · 2004-10-06 09:42 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  Speaking of Microsoft, I just found out that gmicrosoft.com expired yesterday.
  If Google will be quick to grab it, they'll be able to create their own version of an evil monopoly!
Doesnt have to be a _web_ browser by Nylathotep · 2004-10-06 08:09 · Score: 4, Interesting

It could be some other type of browser.
If google intends to compete with MS by pcx · 2004-10-06 08:11 · Score: 4, Interesting

If google intends to compete with MS and IE then it's stupid for them to try and make their own browser. However it is VERY smart to throw all their weight and resources into making mozilla so killer it blows IE out of the water.

I'm just really surprised they haven't ported the popular google toolbar into a firefox extension yet.
Re:nlookup so you wont have by Anonymous Coward · 2004-10-06 08:13 · Score: 5, Funny

"What are you doing on slashdot if you confuse nslookup and whois?"

At a guess, security-consulting for companies who confuse microsoft with secure software... ;)
Browser? If I were Google by nearl · 2004-10-06 08:20 · Score: 4, Interesting

I do not think that Google is planning on building a browser either. If I were google I would build an office suite based on XUL or XAML that was compatible to word. Think about it how much would a company pay to not have to maintain updates on office applications. How much is it worth to have their employees to be able to logon and access all their files and applications from any computer aroun d the world. This is no small task but even if they just built in groupware function into gmail they would have something that companies would drool over. Just my 2 cents
Re:nlookup so you wont have by wuice · 2004-10-06 08:22 · Score: 4, Funny

Probably reading stories, comments, posting comments, you know.. the usual.
There is no spoon by wuice · 2004-10-06 08:24 · Score: 5, Funny

Now it makes you wonder why Google registered gbrowser.com

Just to keep you fuckers guessing.
Why did they register it? by Gothic_Walrus · 2004-10-06 08:26 · Score: 4, Funny

There's only one reason that Google registered gbrowser.com, in my mind...
They like seeing their name and logo on Slashdot's front page. One URL has garnered them two stories.
It's some very cheap publicity, isn't it? Say hat you will, but it's worked for them. :)

--
Goo goo g'joob.
It won't be a web browser per se... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-10-06 08:28 · Score: 5, Interesting

Imagine a web browser that ties directly into Google. Or imagine Google as a part of YOUR network.. This application will do MORE then browse... it will serve all kinds of data. And there will be subscriptions for certain classes of data.... and well, let's just say it will be the prelude to a virtual office environment. Think Sharepoint or similiar, but not really. Not as crappy either. Google is in a race with m$ on these things... that is why you are seeing DENY DENY DENY, but rest assured, all of it is coming. The things on the board:

1. Browsing
2. Extended Search
3. Subscription Feeds
4. "Office" like sharing (whiteboard, wiki stuff)
5. File keeper (and you thought 1 gig was cool)
6. Multimedia capability
7. Mail (you have gmail already)
8. Journal (you've seen something like this too)
9. Social Networking (Orkut is just a rough idea of what is to come here, but think rolodex on steroids, in your address book)

And much much more. You see... I know things. I know what Google is doing, and it both amazes me, excites me, and scares me.

Thank god for stock options.
Gonna try this again by Azureflare · 2004-10-06 08:56 · Score: 5, Informative

I've tried posting this multiple times and it always gets buried... hopefully other gkrellm users who use only gmail will take notice of this. So far this is my favorite monitoring method for gmail.
Here's a little hack I made for gkrellm. It works pretty well. I was working on creating a plugin for monitoring multiple gmail accounts. It has some bugs still, but it works pretty well (it's basically a hack of mailwatch, and I've added in the revolving penguin too!). I've stopped working on it since school started, and because there has been so little interest in it. I'm considering putting it up on sourceforge.net so someone can clear out the bugs for me. Note that this tutorial is oriented towards linux newbies; if you know a bit about linux you can skip over a lot of material.
Monitor a Gmail Account with gkrellm.
BTW The toolbar is pretty much meaningless in firefox; we've already got popup blocking and we also have the google search bar up by the address bar.
other google domains by sadangel · 2004-10-06 09:23 · Score: 5, Funny

Google has also registered:

galbums.com
gbackup.com
gbeam.com
ggovernment .com
ggroups.com
ghomepage.com
ghomepages.com
ghoroscope.com
glistings.com
gschedule.com
gsen d.com
gtaxes.com

Go crazy with that if you want to. I particularly like ggovernment.com. Clearly google is planning on starting their own "ggovernment" to overthrow conventional governments and take over the world. They must be stopped!
Conspiracy Theories Abound by mcguyver · 2004-10-06 09:34 · Score: 5, Informative

While I cannot provide consipiracy theories or tinfoil hats, I can provide all URLs hosted under the same IP as google.com. Look at cashcarrier.net - maybe google wants to replace all US currency with 'Google Currency' or Gurrency!

http://www.1aad.info http://www.Googlie.com
http://www.466453.com http://www.Googlr.com
http://www.Anatsociety.com http://www.Goolge.com
http://www.Arnes.biz http://www.Gooogle.com
http://www.Basystem.net http://www.Gppgle.com
http://www.Beckers-erkelenz.com http://www.Gppglr.com
http://www.Bootboortz.com http://www.Guugle.org
http://www.Brucer.com http://www.Hakukone.com
http://www.Cashcarrier.net http://www.Hakukone.net
http://www.Cbfl.net http://www.Igoogle.com
http://www.Cheapbits.net http://www.Jamesallen.org
http://www.Clinilab.net http://www.Kedrowski.com
http://www.Cmbio.com http://www.Kvanderson.com
http://www.Davenorman.net http://www.Mendiboure.com
http://www.Encouragementtogo.com http://www.Minzhu.org
http://www.Europraca.net http://www.Mugenjyou.com
http://www.Foofle.com http://www.Mydejanews.com
http://www.Gewgle.com http://www.Nickel-tec.com
http://www.Gewgol.com http://www.Ogogle.com
http://www.Ggoogle.com http://www.Paracelsus.org
http://www.Godsc.com http://www.Parallelstorm.net
http://www.Gogle.com http://www.Partycat.us
http://www.Gogole.com http://www.Pclaninformatica.com
http://www.Googel.com http://www.Reinspiredinc.com
http://www.Googil.com http://www.Scandiq.com
http://www.Google.biz http://www.Securityf2.com
http://www.Google.com http://www.Signacon.net
http://www.Google.info http://www.Sinoweblog.com
http://www.Google.net http://www.Smartp