Krista - Drivers License search

Apparently it's a joke but here's the e-mail and link I received. Kinda scary because it looks legit.

Subject: Re: Check your Driver's License> > > Very important!> > Now you can see anyone's Driver's License on the> Internet. I just> searched for mine and there it was...picture and all.> (Thanks Homeland> Security!) You can remove it which I did by going to...> > > > www.license.shorturl.com> <http://www.license.shorturl.com> > > > > ...and entering your name, city and state. When your > license comes on > the screen, click the box marked, " a it.<>

Ritsa- Search

Just like cellphones, a lot of people cant live without the internet today.. including me! Cell phone and internet, thats a great combination. I use my blackberry to google everything. If im out of the house and dont have my computer nearby, I just go on the google on my phone. Especially after reading the assigned book, I realized how important search is to everyone and the logistics behind search.

The book was also helpful for me to understand what I am doing at work. I work with google analytics and webmaster tools to optimize our website and rank higher in search results. To understand how google works behind the scenes, is helpful to me.

Ritsa

Shane - Searching Privacy

Google has become more than a search engine; it is an empire of information. The biggest of which is the marketing side to it. Google's GMail, a free e-mail program offered to the public, searches a users e-mail and places relevant advertisement links in the reading pane. Much debate has arisen about this topic. Some argue it is an invasion of privacy thinking Google is actually reading through the users e-mail. In fact, it is only a database of AdWords that recognize familiarities between the content in an e-mail and current advertisements. One of Google's many programs simply searches through information passing in and out of an electronic mailbox and displays advertisements that may be relevant to the most amount of words matching that topic. Just another ingenious idea from Google. Big brother? I'd say it's more convenient for the user than anything.

Denis - Google Latitude

"Google Latitude lets you see your friends on a map on Google Maps for mobile and iGoogle. Use Latitude to plan an impromptu meetup, see that a loved one got home safely, or just stay in touch with ..."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-Oq-9enE-k

Denis - What would we do without Google

Whenever i look for something, Google is the first step in my procedure of gathering some information. Why? It has the greatest data collection, it is very simple, quick and I can search whenever I want and wherever I want (as long as I am connected to the internet, but with the iPhone for example is that no problem)
If i want to go on vacation, have do research for a paper, get the latest...name it, I use Google.

In 2003, Internet wonk Jim Ayson observed that the word “Google” (as a verb) had begun creeping its way into common usage, as in, “Why don’t you Google it?”
So instead of looking of searching for something, you "google" it! It is like the Kleenex that over the meaning of the tissue.

Kristen - Google/GMail

First, I'm in complete agreement with Liz in the thought that Google is taking over the world. I'd say 9 out of 10 people you poll on a day-to-day basis when asked what search engine they use would say Google. Do people even still use Yahoo? I digress...

I use a Gmail account in addition to my Sacred Heart email (which is my work email address) and I love Gmail. It gives me the option to store about 2 gigs worth of email without forcing me to delete, or even worse, without deleting it for me with no notice. Gmail basically makes it possible to do all of the little things you do on your computer in one Internet window. Recently, with many of my friends now living abroad and working, my new thing is video-chatting with them on Gmail chat. With the click of a button (it is very much like Skype) I got a whole video tour of my friend's flat in London. Gmail also gives you options such as linking all of your email addresses to Gmail and it will deliver all of your mail to that address, audio chat, different contact lists, etc. You can also access the Google search engine through being in your Gmail inbox.

Google is definitely taking over the world. If not the world, then definitely the Internet world. I even Googled 'Gmail' to blog about Google. That's got to say something.

http://lifehacker.com/5103016/top-10-things-you-forgot-gmail-can-do

Liz-Google

I am convinced that Google is taking over the world. It is already the #1 search engine used plus it wants to...
- categorize all the information in the world
- give users access to satellite pictures of anywhere on earth and in the sky
- take every existing book and post it online
- be the lead distributor of online video through YouTube

It has a hand in everything; it is investing in mobile technology, email, spreadsheets and other software programs. This article from the NY Times elaborates on Google's advances.

http://topics.nytimes.com/topics/news/business/companies/google_inc/index.html

Even our terminology is affected by Google. When asked about something I don't know, I don't say "search for it," I say "google it!" So I did just that; I googled Google. I found: Google maps, Google news, Google reader, Google video, Google.org, Doodle for Google, Google groups, Google blog, Google image search, Google Adwords, Google Toolbar, Google Earth...even Google in Francais.

It is really impressive to watch Google's growth and see society's dependence on the online search engine. I don't know how any other company could or will compete.