Google, EU, and $6B
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Well, I remember that Google denied for a long time that their ranking could be influenced from the outside (by money or anything else). It was only the "procedures" assessing the quality of the target site that decided the ranking. So if Google now makes its money (mostly) by paid ranking, just add a big banner along the lines of "Our search result rankings are influenced by how much the target sites pay us." and be done with it. Then every user (in the EU or elsewhere) can decide for him/herself if this is acceptable to him/her and switch to another search engine if not.
The good thing about pessimism is, that you are always either right or pleasently surprised.
Unless your Google display results are vastly different than mine, the top returned values always have a small yellow box [AD] on the second line (in front of the url). The item to the right say "Sponsored" right across the top. Finally, however, even without these, Google's business model is no secret. If they get paid per click-through then they'll damn well do their best to put those links in view. Does a bar have to warn you that the free salty food is to make you thirsty so you drink more?
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein
"As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert
"If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010
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Freak30 wrote:
switch to another search engine
..which also needs to have a..
Freak30 wrote:
big banner along the lines of "Our search result rankings are influenced by how much the target sites pay us."
The rule(s) should be applied across the board, not just to the wealthiest (or easiest to punish).
How do you know so much about swallows? Well, you have to know these things when you're a king, you know.
The only thing you missed is that the basic premise is to make sure massive fines are levied against non-EU based corporations.
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein
"As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert
"If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010
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The only thing you missed is that the basic premise is to make sure massive fines are levied against non-EU based corporations.
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein
"As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert
"If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010
They wouldn't dare take on Baidu or Yandex though because they're looking for: a) No repercussions, and b) High net worth Nothing at all to do with consumers or fair trade, just about getting hands on easy cash.
How do you know so much about swallows? Well, you have to know these things when you're a king, you know.
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The only thing you missed is that the basic premise is to make sure massive fines are levied against non-EU based corporations.
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein
"As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert
"If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010
They are only flowing the US practice of one law for locals and one for those foreign bods
You cant outrun the world, but there is no harm in getting a head start Real stupidity beats artificial intelligence every time.
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Unless your Google display results are vastly different than mine, the top returned values always have a small yellow box [AD] on the second line (in front of the url). The item to the right say "Sponsored" right across the top. Finally, however, even without these, Google's business model is no secret. If they get paid per click-through then they'll damn well do their best to put those links in view. Does a bar have to warn you that the free salty food is to make you thirsty so you drink more?
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein
"As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert
"If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010
W∴ Balboos wrote:
Does a bar have to warn you that the free salty food is to make you thirsty so you drink more?
Shhh.. you'll give them more great ideas. Personally I'd love us to leave the EU, but I don't think our version of democracy will allow it.
How do you know so much about swallows? Well, you have to know these things when you're a king, you know.
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They are only flowing the US practice of one law for locals and one for those foreign bods
You cant outrun the world, but there is no harm in getting a head start Real stupidity beats artificial intelligence every time.
Sure Thing! Like Apple suing Samsung . . . and losing. Ooops. We'll need another example. BP destroying our coastline and paying spit-change in fines. Ooops, again. Well - I'll think of something.
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein
"As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert
"If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010
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They wouldn't dare take on Baidu or Yandex though because they're looking for: a) No repercussions, and b) High net worth Nothing at all to do with consumers or fair trade, just about getting hands on easy cash.
How do you know so much about swallows? Well, you have to know these things when you're a king, you know.
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W∴ Balboos wrote:
I'd make an example of them:
I agree that an example needs to be made. The greedy @rsehole yanks who cause the global financial problems that screw up national economies every few years should be lined up against a wall and shot. That way, the next two or three times they do it (probably within the next 15-20 years), enough of them should be culled that they'll be unlikely to be able to do it again.
I wanna be a eunuchs developer! Pass me a bread knife!
Mark_Wallace wrote:
@rsehole yanks who cause the global financial problems
FYI - His name is George Bush.
If it's not broken, fix it until it is
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Predictable reply. When in doubt, blame the Yanks. The EU economies going down the toilet are doing so of their own free will and accord. Even in Europe, someone has to actually do the work to pay all those people who don't wont. Etc. Etc. Etc.
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein
"As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert
"If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010
W∴ Balboos wrote:
Predictable reply. When in doubtif the sun doesn't come up tomorrow, blame the Yanks.
FTFY Typical response... It's always the fault of the US.
If it's not broken, fix it until it is
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The problem in Greece isn't people not working: it's people who are working not paying any taxes! :laugh:
Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay...
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So in the EU, do only popular cars require seat belts? The law can't be selectively applied - either it's the law or it's not and it applies to all.
How do you know so much about swallows? Well, you have to know these things when you're a king, you know.
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So in the EU, do only popular cars require seat belts? The law can't be selectively applied - either it's the law or it's not and it applies to all.
How do you know so much about swallows? Well, you have to know these things when you're a king, you know.
Brent Jenkins wrote:
The law can't be selectively applied
You joking, right? In international relations the "law" is always "selectively applied". And whoever has the louder TV - wins.
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So in the EU, do only popular cars require seat belts? The law can't be selectively applied - either it's the law or it's not and it applies to all.
How do you know so much about swallows? Well, you have to know these things when you're a king, you know.
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It's a different area of law, making such inane analogies does not work at all. Of course, companies with no presence are not under an equal amount of scrutiny.
harold aptroot wrote:
making such inane analogies does not work at all
Why is it inane? It seems quite reasonable for me. Your original argument was that because Baidu and Yandex aren't popular, somehow the laws applied to Google shouldn't be applied to them. Isn't that the same as saying that the regulations applied to Ford shouldn't be applied to, say, Rolls Royce?
How do you know so much about swallows? Well, you have to know these things when you're a king, you know.
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Brent Jenkins wrote:
The law can't be selectively applied
You joking, right? In international relations the "law" is always "selectively applied". And whoever has the louder TV - wins.
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Mark_Wallace wrote:
@rsehole yanks who cause the global financial problems
FYI - His name is George Bush.
If it's not broken, fix it until it is
First up against the wall!
I wanna be a eunuchs developer! Pass me a bread knife!
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Sure Thing! Like Apple suing Samsung . . . and losing. Ooops. We'll need another example. BP destroying our coastline and paying spit-change in fines. Ooops, again. Well - I'll think of something.
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein
"As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert
"If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010
BP paid a damn site more than the US companies that actually split the damn oil oh and I don't remember the US companies paying much for covering half of Africa in oil
You cant outrun the world, but there is no harm in getting a head start Real stupidity beats artificial intelligence every time.
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So, by and large, they're going to fine Google for not giving fair and even results from searches. Someone should remind them that paid positioning is how Google makes its money. They probably know this - so why? Well - think "Greece" - no not the fries available in the Google cafeteria - but the nation going financially down the tubes. The EU needs to help out Greece by writing off the loans and/or giving them more money. But from where . . . oh, yeah . . . now I get it. Were I Google, I'd make an example of them: stuff it up your collective croissant - and pull all my resources (i.e., jobs) from the EU - and then - if the EU wishes to block Google, well, we know what that says about the EU. As for China? I'd just pull the Elephanting plug on them rather than limit searches per their government's recreation of reality.
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein
"As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert
"If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010
The idea that the EU is 'robbing' money from Google to give/lend to Greece is absurd. The EU/ECB have the resources to bail out Greece, what is lacking is the political will as they have the idea that any money given to Greece is just throwing good money after bad. (An idea that isn't entirely wrong.) I see you brought up BP and how a European company destroyed American life/land/sea/assets and paid peanuts. Union Carbide screwed up Bhopal and killed thousands more than BP and got away paying even less. BP's case pales in comparison to Union Carbide's sins.
Cheers, विक्रम "We have already been through this, I am not going to repeat myself." - fat_boy, in a global warming thread :doh:
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harold aptroot wrote:
making such inane analogies does not work at all
Why is it inane? It seems quite reasonable for me. Your original argument was that because Baidu and Yandex aren't popular, somehow the laws applied to Google shouldn't be applied to them. Isn't that the same as saying that the regulations applied to Ford shouldn't be applied to, say, Rolls Royce?
How do you know so much about swallows? Well, you have to know these things when you're a king, you know.
no but you prosecute the big boys and win, the small fry will behave, if you prosecute the minnows then Google will not take a blind bit of notice, in fact they probably wont take any notice even if they do get done
You cant outrun the world, but there is no harm in getting a head start Real stupidity beats artificial intelligence every time.
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no but you prosecute the big boys and win, the small fry will behave, if you prosecute the minnows then Google will not take a blind bit of notice, in fact they probably wont take any notice even if they do get done
You cant outrun the world, but there is no harm in getting a head start Real stupidity beats artificial intelligence every time.
Bergholt Stuttley Johnson wrote:
if you prosecute the minnows
I don't really think that you can call Yandex or Baidu "minnows". The fact is that the EU knows they'll get the finger if they try this with Russia or China - that's why they'll be left alone. Just to add, I wasn't actually talking about prosecution either, but if the law says Google needs a banner then that same law would need to apply to all search engines surely? Or is the EU now in the business of making laws on a company-by-company basis?
How do you know so much about swallows? Well, you have to know these things when you're a king, you know.
