Google is Going to Blackmail You

[Galraedia]

[Lifelong Protester]

1. Hate to say it, but I was pretty uncomfortable

when our work place went all Google because it's 'free'. I do not like that most schools now use gmail because we are all broke and can't afford anything else.

[freshwest]

3. They're only free to get your data. 'You are the product' and they don't give you any money.

At least that's the way I've heard it described, or words to that effect. And I don't like the idea of it going into the schools, either. Google began to scan books that were public domaikn and now you have to pay to read them. Some called it a massive theft. Instead of supplying more information, they privatize it for profit. It's no different than firms devouring the Commons to get the public's assets for nothing, and with no recourse for those who needed it for social mobility and to network. , the internet was once thought to be the new Commons, but it's not going to be that way for long... in fact, it's losing more daily. JMHO.

[Lifelong Protester]

8. I could not agree more

that is why I put "free" in quotation marks, I know it isn't free.

I'm not sure if most folks know this, you probably do, but all this rush to iPads in schools and texts on iPads? Well, you "buy" and get the text for three or four years, then it disappears and you have to buy it again.

I teach a foreign/world language. The texts don't change that much, and I'm guessing math folks might be able to make the same argument. I have books that I have had for 8-9 years and they are still good. But someone out there wants us to pay for new ones online every three years.

You are right, I agree with your opinion, the Internet will not be the free exchange of ideas commons anymore.

[cui bono]

2. Use this for searches instead:

https://startpage.com

It doesn't have a "shopping" tab but I found that when I want prices I just add shopping to my search and it seems to work.

For the rest... I don't know. Don't use free email.

[BelgianMadCow]

5. Yep. Startpage is run by the same company that runs Ixquick

received privacy awards, not logging IP's etc. I've used Ixquick for years and I'm happy with it. Startpage gives you google results without google spying, Ixquick is their own search engine.

People looking for alternatives like these should visit prism-break.org , a list of (open source where possible) alternatives for those that want out of the matrix.

[Lifelong Protester]

9. Thank you, I just added it

I am very circumspect in what I put in the 'free' gmail-which you may already know had 'issues' on Friday and quit working....

[MADem]

4. Sign up for your "Google" account as Phu Kew Gugol....

Or something on those lines.

Why do people feel the need to give some corporate assholes "accurate" information? Make up a name, use your dog's name, or that of an historical figure. Abe Lincoln at G mail dot com? Why not?

They don't have the right to abuse you; just don't give it to 'em.

[Lifelong Protester]

10. I agree; I'm not really me on Facebook

and I only use FB to follow WI politics and see pictures of my relatives across the country.

[Shankapotomus]

6. Until someone builds a separate internet

not controlled or beholden to the isp's, the least worst way to stay in control of your online data is to just pay for your own website and keep everything you want to share there at paid for hosting. (Not everyone can afford that but there seems to also be a price associated with large companies, who provide free utilities, having access to your data.) You get your own email account too. You don't see these huge companies using other people's websites and trusting them with their data. Why should we? I will be making the move soon. Really that's how the internet was intended to be used, anyway. It really doesn't matter how primitive or modern your own website or email are as long as you are in control of your own data and presence on the web.

[Merlot]

11. Paid hosting isn't even that expensive

You can get it anywhere from $2 to 8 per month. There might be slight learning curve, but most hosts have helpful tech support.

[CFLDem]

7. ROFLOL

That was pretty awesome. Great production values, too!

Gotta share these lols on the social interwebz.

[Quantess]

12. Funny!