Google launches SearchWiki - Personalised Search Feature

Google has announced SearchWiki, which is a new set of functionality that users with Google accounts can use to customize their results on any given search. SearchWiki allows users to move specific results up or down in rankings so that they appear in the preferred order when the same search is done in the future.

SearchWiki also allows you to post comments on results, such as notes to yourself, but you can also see what other people have said about them as well.

In addition, you can add and remove sites to your liking. So for example, if I want to search for my own web presence, but want to filter out other Anirban Das that aren't me, I can do so.

To get a better idea of how this thing works, watch the following video:

Search Gets More Dynamic
"This new feature is an example of how search is becoming increasingly dynamic, giving people tools that make search even more useful to them in their daily lives," says a post at the Official Google Blog. "We have been testing bits and pieces of SearchWiki for some time through live experiments, and we incorporated much of our learnings into this release. We are constantly striving to improve our users' search experience, and this is yet another step along the way."

What About Rankings?
Google makes it a point to mention that this will in know way impact rankings when other users do searches, so before anybody gets all worked up, don't worry about that. But, this certainly does play into the personalized search scenario that can affect how those with Google accounts see search results. It seems that if they have already set a number of results to their liking, they are less likely to see results that would otherwise appear toward the top.

A New World of Search
The release of SearchWiki makes it pretty clear that Yahoo isn't the only one doing compelling things with dynamic search. I think the next year or so is going to be the most interesting one we've had in a while when it comes to how we use search engines to get our results. With Yahoo obviously stepping up their efforts to change the game, I think we're going to see some very cool things come out of the competition between the top two search engines.

Google Chrome blocked in Syria, Iran

Someone informed me that Google Chrome is blocked in a number of counties. It appears Chrome is not only blocked from download from these locations, but also will not run if it’s used from this IP space even if downloaded by proxy. Google is following U.S export controls and economic sanctions in not allowing the download of Google Chrome in Cuba, Syria, North Korea, Iran, and Sudan. It’s difficult to see the harm in enabling people from these countries installing a browser that is free to the rest of the world.

It seems like a strange move for a company that has focused so intently on the Middle Eastern and North African markets, with versions of Knol, Blogger, iGoogle, Docs, and, most recently, Chat in Arabic.

Remarkably, the block wasn't the work of the Syrian government -- which has banned numerous sites in the past, including Facebook, Skype, and several blogging platforms -- but that of Google itself. Google had this to say:

“In accordance with US export controls and economic sanctions regulations, we are unable to permit the download of Google Chrome in Cuba, Syria, North Korea, Iran, and Sudan.”

Users are presented with this, and no further explanation:



It's not the first time that Google has taken such action. Last year, the company justified restricting access to Google Earth in Sudan with practically the same statement.

Nor is Google alone. The Register reported in November 2007 that Yahoo and Microsoft removed Iran from the drop-down list that lets users choose their country of origin when signing up for web mail. Yahoo also referred to U.S. law in explaining its decision: "Because the United States restricts U.S. businesses from conducting business in certain countries, Yahoo also ensured that these countries do not appear in the drop-down menu."

In the late 90s that some version of browsers came with licenses limiting their download to people in the United States because they contained certain levels of encryption, which the US government classified as weapons munitions. We don’t know why Google isn’t allowing for the download in the countries listed above. Is it an issue involving encryption? Is there some other reason?

Poverty has many causes, and shows many symptoms. Poverty is a lack of opportunity and education, an inability to receive fair treatment and a chance to grow and develop, a struggle to find food and clothing and shelter and medical care.

Access to information can make a positive difference for those who face poverty, and for those organizations that fight poverty, in many places around the world. I found myself pausing and wondering why Google would impose a limit on a tool that they offer that can allow people to access that information.

It seems silly to block the download of free and widely available software like Chrome, but we can't blame companies for trying to comply with the law. However, information travels fluidly on the Net, so the law has a hard time keeping up. And that's troubling, because the U.S. can be seen as inhibiting access to information or possibly even stifling free speech in the very countries whose censorship and repression it condemns.

Advertising Despite Blocks
Another curious aspect of this is that though Google blocks Syrians and Iranians from accessing these programs, it still serves them ads. Google AdWords ads appear on websites and blogs in Syria just as they do elsewhere.

Export Administration Regulations do restrict the dissemination of software that could, say, help build weapons, but make exceptions for "publicly available" programs, "the idea being that people are unlikely to disseminate free of charge the really significant technology," according to the Harris Wiltshire & Grannis review. But review author Cecil Hunt explains: "For Iran and Syria, the availability of this exception is likely to be moot, due to the pervasive embargo administered by [the Office of Foreign Asset Controls] OFAC." OFAC administers U.S. trade sanctions programs.

What Do the Blocks Accomplish?
So what if Syrians and Iranians can't use Chrome? There are a lot of other browsers and software out there not subject to U.S. law. Google, which had earned a reputation to be the good guys gave the impression that they depart from the big corporation mentality and attitude, which gave them credit in this part of the world. For that reason you don't hear of someone boycotting a Google service or product.

It is a pity that a technology which could help understanding among people and help one to educate himself is submitted to the shortsightedness of today's politics.
Google was created by a bunch of "cool guys". They turn to be less and less cool and more and more in the surveillance industry.