The mystery of the PageRank algorithm is not only a defense against gaming, it's a defense against competition. Other than stylistic differences (a la Bing), it seems difficult to differentiate a new service when nobody understands the details of the standard one.
As a net addict, I regularly find myself frustrated because I can't figure out how to get meaningful information out of Google instead of sites trying to sell me. And if I can't think off the top of my head of a website that will act as a relevant portal for that kind of info, then there isn't really any alternative to Google.
At least, not that I know of yet: can anyone suggest one?
Google has done amazing things for our ability to get what we want and fast, but it also is slowly eroding our independence from it and our ability to educate ourselves by other means.
Here's hoping they prove worthy stewards once they own all the information on the planet.
As a net addict, I regularly find myself frustrated because I can't figure out how to get meaningful information out of Google instead of sites trying to sell me. And if I can't think off the top of my head of a website that will act as a relevant portal for that kind of info, then there isn't really any alternative to Google.
At least, not that I know of yet: can anyone suggest one?
Google has done amazing things for our ability to get what we want and fast, but it also is slowly eroding our independence from it and our ability to educate ourselves by other means.
Here's hoping they prove worthy stewards once they own all the information on the planet.