To google - or not to 'google it'

Maria · To google - or not to 'google it'

that seems to be the question....

http://deepgreen.co.nz/blog/?p=148

Note to myself (and other treehugging neeps). Keep more favorites, use Wikipedia more, and go via known portals with good links pages instead. And don't just 'google it' unless there really is no other way.

Might help stop 'google' and other such search engines building up a nice profile on me too...in order to sell me more 'stuff'. I can hope.

IainC

Hmmm... but surely since Google are running those servers 24-7 anyway means that in reality you should be running more google queries to get our moneys worth out of them? If you don't then each google query (when you need it) will be more like a 60W bulb than an 11W one

Maria

Ahhhh, mmm, and well

[much scratching of head going on here] it’s not like me to talk techno if I can avoid it, much better to leave the logic to OH.

What if, there's a decrease in Google searches – and considering world-wide pc usage is rising, not decreasing, this might be a useless rumination...but I’ll go on anyhow - just maybe, Google with its mighty business knowhow would turn one or two of its many servers off.

(Google servers in 2006 estimated at 450,000 worldwide, see page 3 here http://enterprise.amd.com/Downloads/svrpwrusecompletefinal.pdf )

Ho hum – it’s probably a futile tactic anyhoo, as they would likely invest the savings into setting up more servers for other wonderfully gadgety user ‘need’. With all that said, up to seeing this article about the energy cost of searching (any search engine i suppose...google just being the biggest) I was very search engine dependant. I think, on balance I’ll still try and curb my lazy Google habits, by using the aforementioned strategies. Although, guess where I found the enterprise doc :oops:

mmm, OH just called and said about my mutterings on replying to this post, “how about you just take it on the chin that folk will Google [gosh it really is an adjective] then get off the PC and read that permaculture bible you’ve just bought [oooh the power of the Earth Care Manual by Patrick Whitefield] and turn the ruddy PC off! You’ll definitely be saving energy then”
Proving that OH logic beats mine hands down.

Fia

I've never actually thought about how much energy internet searching might use.... but guess its a drop in the ocean in comparison to light pollution... And I really don't want to feel guilty about my window on the world

My concern with Google is that I don't want my online world mediated by them, so always use a meta-search engine like ixquick.com which searches all the search engines, thereby giving you wider and different results.

Maria

Oh no Fia - so sorry.

That's not where I was going...would never. I love my window too and depend on it. Just spotted this article - hadn't thought about it before, and wondered if I could reduce my lazy search n click... n do my bit. So saying, I've used search engines less lately, and on the upside seem to have got less diverted because i've gone to source. E.g I wanted to find out about transition funding from scot gov. Usually I'd slap it in search engine and follow all leads. Instead I went directly to scotgov and searched there...found what I needed, and some!

Don't know about meta-engines...would this mean [gulp - not doing the guilt thing...honestly :oops: ] that even more servers are whirring away? Will have a peek - and when I'm not getting the 'info' I need will have a go.

wildgarlic

I'm not sure that not googling will make any difference to be honest, but then I'm not an expert. As Iain said though, surely those servers are in operation anyway so why not use them.

I've not heard of that search engine Fia - I'll give that one a shot.

Google keep records of searches anyway don't they - now, how many other search engines do that? Not that I've got anything to hide, but just don't like the thought of people knowing my every move.

Any other search engines that are good to try?

IainC

There's nothing I search for that I'm bothered about anyone seeing... in fact if they are keeping records of it all then it's probably worth searching for some random weirdness just to screw with their ads, etc

Fia

No apologies necessary, Maria.

It gave me an excuse to have a wee dig at google, who do keep search records and mediate the information given. eg in China they were eventually allowed in under strict protocols about what sites would be available to searchers. I prefer to exercise my freedom to not have my window on the world narrowed.
I have nothing to hide either, Iain - any particular random searching in mind?

I too reckon that it probably makes no actual difference as the servers are always on. Our energy usage can be such a minefield!

Be interesting to see how you like ixquick, WG, www.altavista.com is the one I used before....

IainC