MSNBC vs Google News
p2pnet.net News:- Microsoft is hyping its new Local PC File Search, which allows searches on both the Web and PC hard drives, as hard as it can go.
As Microsoft’s # 2 Main Man Steve Ballmer declares, “”There’s a lot of Google fascination out there and we share it, and we’re going to compete. We’re going to compete very, very hard.”
In other words, Bill and the Boyz have launched an all-out attack on Google and it won’t, therefore, come as a complete surprise to learn that Microsoft’s ‘compete’ actually means ‘devour’.
In her Washington Post column here, Leslie Walker notes the similarities between Google’s exisiting and Microsoft’s beta service.
But there are also differences, one being that MSN Newsbot, “also remembers what you read (using browser cookies to track use instead of requiring you to sign in to Microsoft’s Passport service) and presents stories it thinks might interest you in a special box. Moreover, it shows what other stories earlier readers of a news item clicked through to.”
Newsbot will “extend the advanced search technology of MSN to the trusted news environment of MSNBC.com,” says Microsoft in the statement announcing the arrival of its news delivery service.
When Microsoft uses the term ‘trusted’ it’s time to start paying attention. So does the above almost offhand statement mean what it seems to mean?
It does.
“Another key difference between the Microsoft and Google services is that Google’s story-selection formula doesn’t favor any particular new source,” says Walker.
“MSN Newsbot, by contrast, gives favorable placement to articles from Microsoft’s own MSNBC.com news site – late Friday afternoon, half of Newsbot’s 22 front-page stories came from MSNBC.com.”
Walker quotes an email from MSN spokeswoman Elizabeth Herrera Smith which states:
“As Newsbot resides on MSNBC and is branded as such, MSNBC is considered a first among equals, meaning that if they and another top-tier source offer the same story, information, etc., MSNBC will be listed first, followed by other sources.”
The Associated Press is also with MSN on the new service venture
Microsoft is acquiring the unattractive image of the rich, mean-spirited bully-boy hated by all.
In contrast, Google is the wholesome, fresh-faced kid loved by everyone.
Stay tuned.
August 1st, 2004 at 6:02 pm
“Steve Ballmer declares, “There’s a lot of Google fascination out there and we share it, and we’re going to compete. We’re going to compete very, very hard.”
In other words, Bill and the Boyz have launched an all-out attack on Google”
oh oh, if they plan on competing with Google like they are with Linux then I’d advise Google to hire some competent lawyers that specialize in ant-trust suits and a good inverstigation team, b/c when MS says they’re going to compete, it really means they are going to employ massive FUD campaigns, low-brow tactics and anti-competitive behaviour…a wounded and dying animal resorts to any tactic.
TT
August 2nd, 2004 at 4:03 am
“In contrast, Google is the wholesome, fresh-faced kid loved by everyone.”
given that google has altered it’s search algorythums to support chinas blocking of free speech etc on the net or just altered them. I question google’s “wholesome” image. microcrap isn’t any better. question is its a “lesser of two evils” for me. I’d take Google over MSN anyday of the week.