In other news: Google has run out of ideas.

Posted by: Jack Schonchin on April 20, 2002 09:37 PM

 

OK, ok, some constructive commentary... I suspect the key audience for a Google search assistant would be someone who is very busy and is gainfully employed. (#1 to save time, and #2 the expense is affordable). However, I also suspect the people most likely to like this service already have search assistants. They're called "support staff," or "clerical staff."

Posted by: Jack Schonchin on April 20, 2002 10:23 PM

 

I think it's a good idea. Google is just copying the business plan of a few such services that ran a few years ago (don't know what became of them), and adding it's own trust factor.

You can't really say 'search' isn't Google's business right?

I think if they can manage the trust factor in a cost effective way, they can pull this off. There's nothing wrong with experimenting with ways to generate revenue.

Posted by: PeterV on April 21, 2002 06:50 PM

 

while others have tried this idea, they have failed. google is doing this to increase the page views and usage of its site.. for the most part, google is the most relevant and fastest route to information... see the synergies? exactly

Posted by: on April 21, 2002 08:29 PM

 

Or... it could be said that introducing this service is making a statement about the effectiveness (or ineffectiveness) of the search engine. Think about it. They are offering assistants to help you use their product. IMHO, Google is the last engine that should embrace this idea.

I realized yesterday that about 1 in 8 of my Google searches now fail. I'd much rather Google concentrated of the engine and not these varied services they've been unveiling. My number one wish is that they'd let us toggle the various ranking criteria so that we have more options when a search fails.

Posted by: Jack Schonchin on April 21, 2002 08:59 PM

 

Google is a tool, nothing more. I know from personal experience that doing good searches, via google or otherwise, is heavily dependent on domain and contextual knowledge. I have developed several strategies for finding good information ... but none of them could be codified as an absolute to be applied to *all* searches. I need to select according to the situation.

For example, when searching for technology keywords I add "-resume" to the request. Very useful, but not globally so. Similarly, I often restrict my searches to .edu when in search of scholarly work. Sometimes I add "recommended reading" to narrow a search, or even "bibliography" to help find essays and papers. Not always though.

There are a few other tricks up my sleeve that makes me a cut above Joe Googler when searching for stuff, and that is without getting into specific knowledge domains.

Chauffeurs learn special driving skills. It's not really possible to design the motor vehicle to perform those maneuvers for Joe Driver. Same really with most tools.

Posted by: Eric Scheid on April 21, 2002 09:35 PM