Google’s New Wonderwheel

Just cranked up a Google search to get this new sidebar – not like the one I had been prepared to get. This one let me narrow the search to the most recent results, the past hour, and more.  Under all results was this new option called the “wonder wheel”. Which in it’s own wonderful way links “twitter tools 2009” to “bible verses.” Interesting for sure, but wonderful? Hmmmmm.

Microsoft When Will You Learn?

I set up a laptop with Windows 7 last night. Man, I love running a clean install. Super fast. I've been thinking maybe Microsoft is learning to work and play well with others. The next thing I installed is my FireFox which I have to have. I then decided to install Windows Live Writer which is a great blogging tool. I also installed Windows Live Photo Gallery and Windows Live Movie Maker.

Run my Firefox afterwards and Microsoft has installed a ChoiceGuard add-on, changed my home page, and changed my search provider to Bing not inside IE which I wouldn't care - but inside my FireFox. None of which I asked for or wanted. Don't remember Microsoft explicitly saying we will change your homepage in your Firefox browser either. Not surprising though, that's the old Microsoft that I remember.

I've really wanted to like Microsoft for years. I've tried harder than anyone I know and defending them in a full on nest of Macabees. But they keep doing this kind of crap which is a complete turn off. Would your bottom line really suffer that much if you just did it straight up and made a great product and let it stand on it's own merit?

I guess for payback I'll have to put the Chrome in IE and speed up my Ubuntu testing schedule.