Today the Google I had come to know changed..
The “Do no Evil” slogan crumbles as Google blatantly berried a great Web idea only to bring out their own version of it.
Recently Google launched Google Sidewiki. An idea in that anyone can comment on a web page outside the control of the website itself. This is a firefox (and Internet explorer) plugin.
Back in February (7 months ago) some friends of mind (www.sharpsushi.com) launched FeedBack Loop (www.feedbackloop.com.au). Strangely enough “Google SideWiki” is exactly the same idea and implementation.
When they launched feedback loop, the FireFox plugin went into what is called “Experimental” plugins. That’s OK, as it is what all plugins have to go through. However, today, the plugin is no longer even listed on the FireFox extension site. It had been removed.
Obviously Google has added its “Back End Magic” to some of the features it has, but still. This is obviously not an original idea and has been copied from feedbackloop.com.au
This is an example of a big company taking advantage of its position. A every day occurrence in reality. However, Google is not a typical company. Any company that dominates an industry needs to be held accountable to much higher values.
Is the weight of Google dominance and power starting to escape from the clenched fist that holds it to the slogan “Do No EVIL”?
4 responses so far ↓
1 pjw // Sep 29, 2009 at 5:04 am
The idea has been around for a long time.
Google did not invent it and neither did feedbackloop.com.au.
2 JamieG // Sep 29, 2009 at 9:18 am
I must admit, yes the idea has been around for a while. Tho the firefox pluggin as created by Feedbackloop was the first. And it is no longer on the site.
Googles is likely to be on the site quick smart and in the recommended area.
Yes, the idea is around, tho Google had the idea handed to them on a platter 7 months ago. Implementation and execution, which is basically identical.
The other ideas are similar but do not take the form of feebackloop or Sidewiki and use of Browser pluggins.
3 John Haugeland // May 6, 2010 at 5:00 am
There have been browser plugins for this for ages; StumbleUpon is close to this idea and one of the largest things on the web. Forget plugins: the browser Flock did this in 2007 natively.
Google does more than enough genuinely evil stuff. You don’t need to write fanfiction for your buddy and their re-hashed idea.
4 JamieG // May 6, 2010 at 1:15 pm
You are right..
I got a little hot headed here as it effected my friend investment.
I was wrong about this.
I considered pulling this post down, but we must take responsibility for what we have said so I leave it here as a reminder.
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