323
Back when the internet wasn't trash, before the corporate world ruined it.
spoiler
asdfasfasfasfas
So true. Fun trash, like playing with cardboard boxes. Then monetization came along and started dumping raw sewage in our garages.
spoiler
asdfasfasfasfas
Oh, web had been full of trash long by 1999. Which is why the ad was worded like it is.
It was still way better than the shit we have now. We need a new internet.
Let’s build a new one, with blackjack and hookers.
Forget the blackjack!
I mean, we're kind of on it now. So it's a step at least lol
Pre-enshittification.
Yes, it really did used to be like that.
A very long time ago.
A lot of e-companies, particularly the search engines, around the turn of the millennium, went completely crazy over the "portal" business. Everyone wanted you to make them your home page. News feeds, generous 15 megabytes of email space, web search index last updated 1.5 geological megacycles ago - "well, you see, the web sure is growing rapidly, dunno if anyone can do anything about that in the future, we sure can't". Oh and ads. Lots of ads.
So in that light, Google kind of stood out. Actually updated search index, relevant results, no-nonsense user interface.
Google was both the best tool to use the Internet and the killer app that anyone could use for the new market. It's instant gigantic growth was because it was good at what it did. Then it forgot what it did and started doing everything another big tech company did, like phones or social media or streaming services. Now it does everything and none of it particularly well. Shame.
They placed quarterly profits over true innovation, then began the slide into irrelevancy
Yeah, this is the context here. The trend was to have these super dense home pages with all sorts of overwhelming noise, like the Yahoo home page:
Google was remarkable for bucking that trend, and basically still does have that ultra focused home page. It's not that now Google shows you ads and a weather widget in the search results-- it's that it's got the good sense to at least wait until you search for something.
Not to detract from the enshittification-themed comments or anything. Please do carry on, fellows.
People have latched onto "enshittification" to mean "things got worse," but this is exactly the phase 1 example of the was Doctorow defined it. Google started out being something optimized for the benefit of the user.
Aged like milk, you say?
Ah the ol' IPO switcheroo
spoiler
asdfasfasfasfas
PVA sauce or Potato starch sauce?
spoiler
asdfasfasfasfas
Meanwhile I open Edge at work and there’s highly sexual advertising on the screen with the default home page settings.
Well it’s Edge I guess that’s true.
They are talking about Yahoo, which was awesome in the mid 90's, until they decided to try to do everything, shittily. But nobody at Google remembers their roots. They reinvented Yahoo. And now, we're primed for the next Google.
Literally hired the guy from Yahoo to run ads then let him take over search. https://www.wheresyoured.at/the-men-who-killed-google/
Good read. Thanks for sharing
"don't be evil", nah fuck that shit, google
You could've shown us the logo. This was the year when it got rid of the exclamation point and got rewritten in a different font. I'm not sure which logo I prefer.
But yeah, Google in 1999 was pretty damn cool. I wish it still was because my God they stooped way too low lately.
I don't know what they mean by 'portal litter', but lol. They do every other thing they listed now.
spoiler
asdfasfasfasfas
What, like the front page of Wikipedia? Just a bunch of links?
spoiler
asdfasfasfasfas
If you go to AOL or Yahoo, they still have this kind of stuff. Dunno if there's an actual market or if they're just clinging to it in desperation.
Also check: https://www.compuserve.com/ owned by the same company.
It is the same site as https://isp.netscape.com/
I wonder what was in the cool Y2K survival kit.
the shy man's dating guide
I need to know!
.
Does firefox do this automatically? Because I've never seen this junk everyone is talking about, and was wondering why. This might explain it.
I haven't seen any of this AI stuff yet on my end. I'm wondering if it's not fully rolled out yet?
.
I get that. But I've never done that on my own, yet I still get similar results in my searches. Hence my question about firefox doing it automatically.
*Just tried identical G searches on Firefox and Edge, and there's definitely something going on filtering out all the garbage. The Edge search is downright unusable. Wow.
Thank you. I can't believe I never thought of this.
For those reading along:
On Firefox for Android, go to Settings > Search > Default Search Engine > Add Search Engine
For name, I use "Google Decrapified" For URL, I use "https://www.google.com/search?udm=14&q=%s"
I am told the "udm=14" part disables the AI bullshit.
this post was submitted on 27 May 2024
323 points (97.6% liked)
Nostalgia
1351 readers
1 users here now
nostalgia noun nos·tal·gia nä-ˈstal-jə nə-, also nȯ-, nō-; nə-ˈstäl- 1: a wistful or excessively sentimental yearning for return to or of some past period or irrecoverable condition also : something that evokes nostalgia
Rules for Nostalgia Lemmy Community
1. Respectful Nostalgia Share nostalgic content and memories respectfully. Avoid offensive or insensitive references that may be hurtful to others.
2. Relevant Nostalgia Posts should focus on nostalgic content, including memories, media, and cultural references from the past. Stay on topic to preserve the nostalgic theme of the community.
3. Source Verification If you share nostalgic media or content, provide accurate sources or background information when possible.
4. No Spamming Avoid excessive posting of similar nostalgic topics to keep content diverse and engaging for all members.
5. Positive Discussions Encourage positive discussions and interactions related to nostalgic topics. Respect different viewpoints and memories shared by community members.
6. Quality Content Strive to post high-quality content that sparks nostalgia and meaningful conversations among members.
7. Moderation Guidelines
-
Respectful Behavior Treat fellow members with kindness and respect. Harassment or disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated.
-
Appropriate Content Only Ensure all content aligns with the nostalgic theme and community guidelines. Inappropriate or offensive material will be removed.
-
Engagement and Participation Engage actively with posts and discussions. Constructive feedback and contributions enrich the community experience.
By adhering to these rules and guidelines, we can create a welcoming and enjoyable space to relive nostalgic moments together. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to reach out to the moderators. Thank you for sharing your nostalgia responsibly!
founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS