Cheers

Suyog

OTOH, if accessing a group via web then, yes, Yahoo is more user-friendly with additional features.

-=Grumbler

@Vipul: If you read the post correctly I do state why I didnt compare Google’s Search and Yahoo’s portal. Both of their products are incomparable. I know that NLP processors scan email; that doesnt mean I will feel happy about it hehe . Computers can be smarter than humans sometimes hehe. Thanks a lot for your comments.

Cheers!

Suyog

Regarding Gmail – for a software developer, he would know that its the software algorithms that look into the email and not people. There is a clear difference between the two.

Also folks, I can say with some experience that most of the online map services are great for dense urban areas, but they suck for places which don’t have too much people traffic i.e like rural places or small cities. All these services get their data from somebody like NAVTEQ, whose update frequency of maps is dependent on a lot of factors.

@Kris – I think no big company likes to admit they have bugs, and most of all google LOL. Thanks a lot for the comment.

@USC Trojan – Tch Tch – Trojans lost a rather close final. Will comment on your blog abt that. Yes, Google updater is the sneakiest part of it all here. I am glad there are more ppl who agree abt google lol – thanks a lot for the trackback, and I will check your blog next

@Chetan – hehheh – I am sure if the post had its author as some of our dignitaries (you know who!), not only would it have been tagged brilliant, but ultra brilliant LOL. Though I sholdnt crib. Actually google maps was smart to release Google maps API – thats why you see so many ppl putting in their applications. However check out Yahoo Maps 2.0 – they have the same interface, and they TOO have relased yahoo maps API. It wont be long before Yahoo also has ppl behind it.

You make an excellent point about google video – this is what I HATE about google. They want the onus of copyrights to be held by the author of copyright – then whats the point of copyright anyways, if google and others had to put the stuff and then ask the author to opt out. Its not that I dont trust google with their good intentions, but for their selfish motives, they are setting a bad precedent to the entire web – and it wont be long before the entire web says – well, I will copy you as long as you dont tell me to explicitly – which is a cheap thing to do. In that sense, google has done “enough evil” already to demerit their do no evil” motto.

I think google is headed the microsoft way – and I dare say this – at the least, Microsoft come accross as a hardocre profit making selfish company – Google is simply trying to fool people into otherwise, when it is becoming just the same.

Thanks a lot for your comment!!

Cheers all!

Suyog

This proves that Suyog and Jedi have nothing better to do!!

If you two are so vellas, why don’t you finish up my journal and other miscellaneous stuff for me?!?!

NM

Two things: When comparing google maps and yahoo maps I think the point about local results is important. Because of google’s popularity, brand loyalty, and geek quotient the local results regarding restaurants, ATMs, even sex offenders living in the locality etc. is much more comprehensive. I know of a lot of people who spend time adding stuff on google maps. Call it anecdotal evidence but I haven’t seen similar enthusiasm about yahoo maps. And regarding direction… I think map quest beats both of them hands down.

Secondly you talked about copyright issue in the context of google print. But missed the point when talking about google videos. I think the copyright policy on videos is even unfair than for the print. This is because at least google print is available worldwide. Google videos is not available in India. Desipundit linked to a post where the author pointed out that Bollywood movies Apaharan and Neal ‘n Nikki can be viewed for free on google video. Now if a film maker in India does not have access to google videos, how is he even supposed to know that his movies are available online for free? One has to know about the violation before one protest. Usko kya sapna ayega kya! This I find appalling, more so than the print issue because there at least the publishing companies have a stake and can look out for the authors’ interests. They have the resources to protect their turf. Whereas film makers are individuals and they have no one to look out for but themselves.