Google As The Next Microsoft?

theodp writes "In this week's missive, Robert X. Cringely argues that Google is starting to look a bit like Microsoft. The search giant is learning too well from the master, says Cringely, noting that Google's launch of Goog-411 after taking a long look at investing in or acquiring Free411.com under an NDA is straight out of an old Microsoft playbook. Cringely goes on to note that Google has a problem with algorithmic optimization gone mad (seconded by Newsweek), which is wreaking havoc on some AdWords customers who may find themselves out of business before they can get Google to do the right thing. Cringely concedes that Google's inability to follow through because of IT failings may not have been learned from Microsoft — it may just be an inevitable part of having an IT monopoly."

Comments

Re:Monopoly?

[GoofyBoy]

>you suggest migrating an OS is easier that a portal?

Actually yes I am.

I switch between various MS and Linux OS over the years that its pretty simple for me now. Backup personal files/bookmarks, reformat, search for similar/the best program for the task on that OS (clicks on a browser) -> done. Linux makes it easier since most of these programs are already installed with the OS.

The portal page is different; Example I track about 100 stocks from 3 exchanges, that's manual input. Another example; I have to figure out which cookie/url-that-gets-blocked I need to let in. I've done it a couple of times and its a pain.

As for the other stuff; if you are going to say that IE had a monopoly when it was easy to install Netscape/Opera/Mozilla, then Google has a lock on each one of those things.