In Google We Trust

Don’t get me wrong, I’m a big, big fan of the potential for social networking on the internet. I also have a deep suspicion of putting too much power in too few hands. From what I’ve seen of the 900 pound gorillas on the web, none manages how they throw their weight around better than Google. This was underscored most recently when Google declared it will stop censoring its search results in China and may pull out of the country after discovering that computers hackers had tricked human rights activists into opening their e-mail accounts to outsiders. This is tantamount to corporate civil disobedience, a courageous stance, which reaffirms its “Don’t Be Evil” policy.

Google is not beyond criticism. Will the information you trust to their online apps become droplets in the Google cloud? Most certainly. Is there a risk that your data could be misused? Sure. There will be a never ending need to keep your antennas up and vigilantly scrutinize the consequences of storing your personal details on third party servers.

Google is a noted supporter of network neutrality.  Network neutrality is the principle that Internet users should be in control of what content they view and what applications they use on the Internet. And I can’t say enough about the free apps Google supplies to the world. Though many are in beta, they most often are powerful, easy to use, “best in the class” tools. Most notably their organic search engine, but Google gives us so much more. A few of my favorites:

And do you understand the implications of Google Books? What it could add to accessibility, to the wisdom of the people?

I could go on and on gushing in detail about each of these, but suffice it to say I feel it in the marrow of my bones - Google’s apps rock. If you haven’t already, do take a look at Docs, Picasa Web Albums and Wave … and I bet you too will be reverently saying, thank you, Google!

January 16th, 2010 in thinking outloud | tags: ,

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