Eliminating GOOGLE as search function

[Espi]

I got three pages into this thread and was gunna make the comment.... "someone needs to change the tinfoil the their hat."

beat me to it...

If you are worried about organizations on the net collecting info on what you do online, google is prolly the least of your worries...

me thinks, looking at homebrewing, a bit of golfing, P25 astro digital radio, and how to get my 60's motorola console radio to play records correctly so I can swill homebrew while listening to some classic vinyl is an issue with anybody... i think I am cool.. have at it feds.

 

[ZooBrew]

It's funny when this subject is broached, all the disparate naysayers emerge from the woodwork like gang-busters.

There's the 'ain't got nothin' to hide' crowd.
The 'what have you got to hide' crowd.
The 'are you paranoid or somethin' crowd.

All nervously mocking the one who stands up and expresses concern against the status quo.

 

[olllllo]

I'm not concerned about a bunch of interns in a Google streetview van carelessly picking up open traffic while driving and changing channels every 5 seconds.

 

[ZooBrew]

The fact that they did (or do) is not as important (at this point) as to why.

And there are those of us who are curious about this and those who are not.

 

[bmsteele]

I love The Mr. Google. In fact... I just named my newborn after him.

Well... almost.

Okay, not almost but... yeah.

 

[mrfocus]

It's funny when this subject is broached, all the disparate naysayers emerge from the woodwork like gang-busters.

There's the 'ain't got nothin' to hide' crowd.
The 'what have you got to hide' crowd.
The 'are you paranoid or somethin' crowd.

All nervously mocking the one who stands up and expresses concern against the status quo.

Seriously, if the fact that Google is collecting tons of information on you (which enhance the quality of their search results, by the way) disturbs you, just get off the Internet, cause you have NO idea what all the other websites you visit daily are collecting...

If you think that you're protected because you're using some type of super security settings and what not: guess who developed them? The government...

Oh and by using Google, I'm guessing you're into Zoos and live in Oregon... (am I cool or what?)

 

[dougf]

You can control what data websites collect, if you want to.

The government made all privacy software? Interesting. Not.

Theres no reason to bash someone who voiced their opinion about something, on a, *gasp*, message board. How about we lock the entire board, and just use it for research, since practically every brewing related question has already been asked?

 

[ZooBrew]

Not to worry. They jumped on me when I started this thread awhile back and when I ridiculed a couple of them, I got sent to the corner for a couple days. It's OK to ridicule me but not likewise.

 

[bmsteele]

Just for you ZooBrew

Google to Offer Encrypted Search Next Week

...not that it does anything about The Goog knowing everything about you and whatnot... but it made me think of this thread.

 

[BBKing]

This is the thread that never ends.....

 

[weirdboy]

It's funny when this subject is broached, all the disparate naysayers emerge from the woodwork like gang-busters.

There's the 'ain't got nothin' to hide' crowd.
The 'what have you got to hide' crowd.
The 'are you paranoid or somethin' crowd.

All nervously mocking the one who stands up and expresses concern against the status quo.

You have to ask yourself what exactly you are accomplishing even if google is swapped out for some other search engine FOR THIS WEBSITE. Exactly what are you searching for on homebrewtalk.com that you actually give a rat's ass if anyone else knows? How to build an electric HERMS? What fermentation temperatures work best for WLP500? That's scary stuff, man. You'd better be darn sure the government doesn't get their hands on that information!

 

[MeatyPortion]

If I don't use Google how else am I supposed to track your online activities so I can ..... oh I've said too much.

I'll be damned....

 

[ChshreCat]

You have to ask yourself what exactly you are accomplishing even if google is swapped out for some other search engine FOR THIS WEBSITE. Exactly what are you searching for on homebrewtalk.com that you actually give a rat's ass if anyone else knows? How to build an electric HERMS? What fermentation temperatures work best for WLP500? That's scary stuff, man. You'd better be darn sure the government doesn't get their hands on that information!

That's what gets me. The county knows where I go because the bus pass logs me and out when I choose not to drive. When I drive, my fast pass logs me going over toll bridges. The grocery store has that nice key tag they scan to give me sale prices, and it also logs everything I buy so they can give me targeted coupons when I check out. Amazon.com knows everything I read and buy on their site. Books I don't buy are tracked by my librarian. My bank, regulated by the big scary government, knows EVERYTHING I buy and if I pay cash, they know where I withdrew the cash from their cash machines. When I buy cold medicine, I have to show my ID and the purchase gets reported to the state in case I decide to brew up some meth someday. Plus a million other ways I'm tracked, categorized and logged.

Why should I be worred that the geeks at Google know I'm looking for a good imperial stout recipe?

 

[Julohan]

Some of the stuff mentioned do not share info with the gov. Especially the libraries. They are very strict on keeping information private.

Google is said to be working with the NSA. Which may allow the gov. to look through anyone's info without warrants. Which could be similar to ATT

 

[ChshreCat]

Still doesn't explain why I should worry the NSA knows I want a good imperial stout recipe.

And who do you think operates the library? Some non-profit orginization? Most of them are run by County or City governments.

 

[Brew-Happy]

Looks like they are watching this thread

http://www.google.com/#hl=en&safe=off&q=%22ELIMINATING+google+as+search+function%22&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=%22ELIMINATING+google+as+search+function%22&gs_rfai=&fp=d3f7de83610b0c52

Meh, privacy issues are more of a concern to me when I am logging into my bank instead of searching for Cheese making equipment, or whatever I happen to be interested in at the time.

 

[ZooBrew]

Some of us are interested in this and some aren't.

For the 'why should I be worried' crowd- don't.

 

[weirdboy]

Some of us are interested in this and some aren't.

For the 'why should I be worried' crowd- don't.

No, I want you to answer my question. Let's suppose they DO switch to another search engine. Does that eliminate government snooping on your web queries here on HBT? I would contend it does absolutely nothing to help your position, when you consider that programs like the (now gone) carnivore and NarusInsight will STILL have a copy of whatever you do on the web, regardless of which search engine you use.


Do think the administrators here on HBT are going to deny any official warrants to view log files from this site? I'll be if the FBI says "show us your records" they are still going to get your IP address and search queries.

On the list of actual useful and effective things you can do to ensure your own privacy, switching the search engine on HBT has to be pretty close to the bottom.

 

[ChshreCat]

"You really need to be worried about this!"
"why?"
"Well, if you put it that way, don't worry about it!"

lol

 

[ZooBrew]

(in response to weirdboy) I merely proffered facts in evidence.

If you research this topic (maybe using your Google whatever) you might answer your question. Why you would rely on me to, shows that you have not and/or do not understand the broader implications inherent.

However, just so other readers don't visualize you holding the brown end of the stick, let's throw out a little morsel for thought:

Remember that Life Insurance policy that you've been paying on all these years? Remember that box you checked in the application that said you didn't drink any alcoholic beverages? Well the local grocery store said you've been buying a 12 pack of beer every week. Now, you've died of an unrelated liver aliment and your wife and kids are embroiled in a lawsuit against that Insurance company in court for a denied claim of a measly hundred grand (and I'm on the jury).

Still holding that stick?

 

[weirdboy]

WTF kind of answer is that?

First off, I have never checked any boxes claiming not to drink. And if you violate the terms of a contract, you get what you deserve, regardless of your privacy concerns.

Second, the choice of search engine on HBT still has nothing to do with your "morsel for thought".

 

[passedpawn]

It's so easy to not reply to stupid, inflammatory, angry topics. Just say no.

 

[ZooBrew]

The 12 pack was part of the groceries in the deal for your ne'er-do-well brother in the back house to take care of the property.

Still holding that stick?

 

[weirdboy]

Do you know what a straw man argument is?

Here, let me help you look it up. No google links. Promise.

 

[McKBrew]

Super Snooper GOOGLE busted again. Is there something that smells about their mea culpa?

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64D60E20100514

Oh yeah!

Let me summarize that news article for you.

Woops, accidentally got a hold of some unsecured personal data. We want help to figure out how to get rid of it.

Where is the conspiracy here?

I thought this thread had died. Guess not. Anyhow, I'd be more worried about the other people who are out there accessing the same unsecure data that Google is. Identity thieves for example? Probably a bit more of a threat that Google.

So the question is, Google might be the focus of the OP's post, but what about all of the other search providers doing the same things? Microsoft for example? They have loads of government contracts.

There are so many ways to figure out things about a person besides what they search for.

 

[ChshreCat]

I'm still just curious why, specifically, searches on HBT are such sensitive data that someone doesn't want anyone knowing about it. Is someone searching for child porn in the DIY forum or something? Subversive stouts in the recipe section?

 

[MeatyPortion]

Oh damn. You mean they know that I searched for transsexual midget goat porn?

 

[ChshreCat]

Oh damn. You mean they know that I searched for transsexual midget goat porn?

Pffft. Who hasn't?

 

[arturo7]

The only good tranny midget goat porn is Scandinavian tranny midget goat porn.

 

[MeatyPortion]

The only good tranny midget goat porn is Scandinavian tranny midget goat porn.

Add in some ******* and you've got yourself an Oscar there.