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Google Local, Definitions, & Registrar
A few Google bits in the bin this morning starting with Philipp Lenssen writes "Google Local has now moved to the Google homepage. The service, while still in beta, has been around for quite a while as one of many Google tools in the Google labs."
Mr. Anonymous noted that "In the past, when you clicked the [definition] link after a Google search, you'd be taken to the Dictionary.com page for the word. Now, Google has jumped aboard GuruNet's Answers.com, which not only provides definitions, but encyclopedia articles, etymology, medical defnitions, legal definitions, and word translations all on one page."
And lastly, several folks noted that Google has moved into the Domain Registrar Biz which we mentioned monday.
I swear, we're gonna see it on Slashdot when Google's HTTP header changes.
I could swear I read somewhere recently that at the moment, Google didn't plan on offering domains for sale. Instead, they were going to use the information they got as a registrar to help their PageRank data. For example, they could reset a domains PageRank when the domain changed hands.
I store my recipes online (the way nature intended)
It looks like Google Local is still US only ... and they keep ***ing redirecting me to the UK site so I can't even see the link to click it. (I'm not planning a trip to American in the near future - but I might have been).
They're going to use the expired domain information they'll receive as a registrar to cancel previous pagerank.
I, and many other folks, recently got set to having 50 invites left. While before it was already close to true that anyone that wanted one could find one, it is now REALLY true.
Seems their "beta" stuff works better than the first, or even second revision of released code from some other company...
Google local looks good for people who live in Poughkeepsie New York.
We have a lot of pizza here in "Australia" but Google local doesn't seem to get it.
Unable to understand address australia. Please try another address.
Maybe it's just me and my stubborn reluctance to relocate.
It's almost like google want to be the central repository of all knowledge. I'm no expert, but could this lead to 'problems' down the line similar to the way Microsoft have cornered the PC market.
Total information domination. Might lead to the 'all information has a cost' thingy people shout about from time to time.
Paid for services - no money, no info.
There's no Google Local link on my Bork, Bork, Bork! language page.
I feel slighted.
In Soviet Russia, asses suck this joke.
Here's the inside scoop.
Actually, I was trying to be Insightful, not Funny.
Today Pete Smith who is the janitor at the Google offices stubbed his toe as he got out of bed.
Expert industry analysts agreed that was a significant evolution in Google's services.
When I put in "Hit Men" in the search box and "Chicago, IL" in the location box it gives me listings for attorneys.
Looks like it works!
World's tallest building rises in the desert
does anyone have a mirror of google they could post?
pr0n - keeping monitor glass spotless since 1981.
sounds interesting..
looks like google wants to be a one stop shop for all their services. think about it.
a)You buy a domain and a site from google.
b) The site runs on GoogleOS
c) The customized firefox browser (GBrowser) has direct hooks to the different services google provides.
d)uses gmail as your hosted mail service and directly intergrates with Gbrowser.
e) Could have a file store directly integrated with Gbrowser.
f) Charge 9.95 for the package..
In the end they could capture all your information and still make it look like its yours.
Why is everyone so hard up for Google?
IBM has a lot of cool technologies, so does Apple. Yet there is more press on Google than on the Iraq war.
Is Google really God?
It is about time. The other day when the new MSN search launched, I noticed that the Near Me button already knew where I was. Looks like Microsoft got this feature better - the results are initially based on your IP address which, in most cases, can be backtracked to your physical location. Of course, this can be changed via cookies as Google does it but it is quite impressive to make the local search work right, mostly, without being told.
Speaking of the Big-G, CNET is reporting that Google, now with a market value north of $56 billion, is equal to Starbucks, Nike and Southwest Airlines combined! I have the link to that article on my blog at: http://sundroid.blogspot.com/, in case you haven't checked your portfolio lately.
Sun and Fun
I sincerely hope that google breathes new life into the locality domains for the US. The use of domains such as computers.boulder.co.us or flowers.boaz.al.us would do a lot for partitioning the flood of information that now exists on the Net.
Imagine the possibilities of the supporting searches such as "pizza site:atlanta.ga.us". And actually getting pizza places in the area? Top that with a simple UI on Googles page and the ability to add your local to firefox's url box (typing pizza tries pizza.atlanta.ga.us first)
If this becomes or is already a part of their plan, I'd pay a premium. The flattening of the DNS namespace is to me the second most tragic side effect of the Internet's adoption. The first of course being spam.
You are checking your backups, aren't you?
I did a search for horny Asian wives in my town, and it found squat.
More music, fewer hits
The other reason they may want to be a registrar is to avoid what happened to panix a few weeks ago.
For those that missed it, panix.com got hijacked because a domain re-seller (melbourne IT) didn't check that their customer (the supposed recipient of the domain transfer) had the proper authorizations in place to request a registrar move for panix. Panix had (apparently) forgotten to request a registrar lock on their domain, and their registrar didn't protest the move, so the request went through, moving panix to a new registrar. Once it was moved (changing ownership in the process), changing the authoritative DNS servers for it was easy...hence, hijack.
If google were their own registrar, they could enforce their own registrar lock for google.com, as well as setting up automatic refusals for any attempt to transfer google.com.
you can get definitions and local listings (and a few other services) by sending a text message to 46645 (GOOGL on most phones). Not totally worthwhile but i've used the definition feature to settle stupid debates with friends over words when no dictionary or computer was nearby. got my reply within like 30 seconds.
I don't imagine this has anything to do with MS putting a local search ("Near Me") on their new search.msn.com, would it?
When will we know Google has gotten too big?
1. Wal-Mart and Google merge to form a new country
2. Google's CEO buys Canada
3. Google employees start wearing more bling than most rappers
4. Google TV starts broadcasting the Google main page 24/7
5. When wearing Google underwear stops being cool
If you have to do that much searching in your underwear, perhaps you should look into some of that stuff the spammers are pushing.
Never confuse volume with power.
When I saw my 50, I started handing them out to the gmail o matic, its easy, paste the address, invite, repeat. no fake name creation or clicking 'invite another', just keep pasting and hitting enter. its nice.
eventually everyone will have one and they'll launch gmessenger.
For context, click Parent.