March 31, 2005

Google Search Enhanced for Firefox

Google Search Enhanced for Firefox - MozillaZine Talkback

Google Blog is reporting that Google is now faster on Firefox and Gecko-based browsers. Google has started using prefetching to start downloading top results even before the user clicks on them. This allows the user to view search results faster. Prefetching is not available on Internet Explorer and other non-mozilla browsers.

One question, one comment:

[UPDATE] - I feel better after reading the FAQ on prefetch that I have the ability to tell Google "Thanks, but no thanks." That still leaves the "Mozilla-based only" which can be answered by the fact that, at present time, only Mozilla supports this capability (and my initial "unresearched" understanding was in fact incorrect.) This now leaves the question: If a platform provides a non-standards-based feature should you take advantage of it (critics of MS in the past used this as one of the reasons MS was evil) or simply ignore it until such time as all browsers are capable of it? Personally I'm all for taking advantage of what a platform has to offer... I wonder though if the MS critics of the past will suddenly change their tune and applaud Google for "taking a stand." This also raises one other question: If it will appear like a "declaration of war" against Microsoft, even if its not, do you take the risk and deliver the feature? Hmmmm... thats a tough one to answer. While I want to applaud Google for having the guts I fear what the outcome will be because it. Again, time will tell....

Question: Is there anybody on this planet who is either surprised by this and even further wondering whats taken so long for something like this to take place?

Comment: So what you're saying is Google is now a proprietary platform? To get the benefit of "prefetching" I can't use IE and instead have to use Mozilla or a Mozilla-based browser? Ok, not a problem... while using Firefox and desirous to do a search (and need the pages I click to load faster, something I assume is done by caching the latest copy of a web-page on your server and then feeding it to the client via your server/bandwidth which is obviously going to be considerably faster on average [Hmmm... I seem to remember Tim Bray taking notice to the fact that Google was forcing a "200" response after first receiving a "304" through some search engine crawler voodoo... I think this fits quite nicely as the assumed answer to the statement made in the last paragraph] I'll use Google. When using IE and desirous to do a search I'll use MSN Search. Problem solved. Besides, MSN Search kicks Google's A$$ anyway so this just makes the task of weening myself off Google that much easier. While I can appreciate having faster download times for the pages I access I would be surprised if Microsoft doesn't follow suit. I can't imagine it would take much effort (if not already in the works)... have you seen how quickly, often, and as such accurately they have a cached version of any given site available to look at via the download result "cache" link? [UPDATE: I can't speak for anyone else but I'm not so sure I want my sites being cached and served "by proxy" via Googles server farm... With the recent "SmartTags" clone fiasco whats to say they won't be offering up "Google Enhanced" versions of my pages... I purposely don't put ads on my pages and sure as heck don't want Google taking the liberty to serve them up for me instead. Do I honesly believe that would happen... no. But after last months ordeal coupled with this (they already use ad bots to parse Gmail and serve up, with surprising accuracy, ads related to the content) I'm just not so sure I want to exclude this as a possibly quite yet.]

Actually, I lied... I have one more question... This ones to Google directly:

Do you honestly feel grown up enough to make such a profound statement as to not support IE for a service which, to be honest, I havent even played with but from the sound of it I'm wondering why I should care? The results are fast enough for most sites. How much faster do I need them to be? Or am I not understanding what the technology actually does? Still, even if it provides something completely and totally incredible that will be portrayed as something I just can't live without please tell me why I absolutely have to be using Firefox (or another Mozilla-based browser?) I probably use IE 30-40% of the time and Firefox the rest but if IE7 provides anything close to what I expect it will I doubt that "prefetching" is going to be the decisive factor for me to forego IE7 which I can only assume (speaking from a developers perspective) is flat out going to kick some serious a$$.

This is a bold statement Google. Adam Bosworth or no Adam Bosworth I'm just not sure its the smartest decision you've made. Having one of the most brilliant computer scientists/developers this generation has ever known doesn't suddenly give you the ability to take an attitude against the behemouth that is Microsoft, *THE* most successful software company the world has ever known, now in its 30th year of proving time after time that they have what it takes to take on whomever is desirous to challenge them. Are you sure your 5 years-old child-based frame is ready to take on a 30 years-old full grown adult frame? Oh wait, sorry, you're 5 1/2 now arent you? Or maybe youre nearing your 6th BDay! 7th??? Wow you must be getting close to losing your front teeth now, aren't you!!! Oh wait, I guess you are reaching the stage where the cuteness factor wears off anyway so I guess this is to be expected.

I think what perplexes me the most is I'm beginning to notice a trend in which you are showcasing a bit of a "We're Google, everbody loves us so who gives a f---!" kind of attitude. I promise people do care. And like it or not Microsoft is a *BIG* company who doesn't take kindly to declarations of war, which, like it or not, this announcement is exactly what it will be construed as. You sure you're ready for the battle? I have my doubts that you are and it makes me sad because you are doing some pretty cool things served up by some pretty amazing talent.

Only time can tell and if it turns out I was wrong on this I'll be the first to admit it. Here's the thing though... I don't want to be right! I just can't help but look at this and wonder what on earth you are thinking?! This is practically taking a can of black and red spray paint, painting a bullseye on your chest (bigger than the one thats already there I should add), handing Bill a paint ball gun and letting him stand as close to you as he wants while he unloads the chamber. In fact I wouldnt doubt it if, while you are gasping for breath and holding up you're index finger as if to say "hold on... wait, I wasn't quite ready... give me a second... that wasn't fair, I need a do-over..." Bill simply reloads the chamber, turns the paint-ball gun back in your direction and has another go round.

Its a bold move Google. Good luck! I'd cheer you on but, to be honest, I really don't want to be anywhere near the playing field when this game begins, much less ends. Still, go get 'em Tiger, ROAR!!!