Google brings me happiness again
Friday, December 22nd, 2006
I am flying in the face of my mate Scott on this opinion, and those who read his sensational blog will realise that this is not a wise maneuver. Scott is an ex-Marine, or Navy Seal or something. He is 3 parts bad temper, 2 parts foul mouth, 4 parts pig headedness with just a dash of saint to round things out.† And he is not happy with Google, which is why we moved him off Blogger. But lets face it, Scott's a grown up blogger now and deserves a home of his own. Given his combat experience, and ignoring that in my own time I have been a SAS(SY) commando, I seek to not piss Scott off.
But daring his ire for a sec, Google has done some good things, even if Blogger is a bit dinky and contrary. Recently I came across their new customisable homepage and I have to say I likee, I likee a lot. Google has long been my homepage, because its a good start to the internet, even if all my browsers have a search box now. With the custom homepage I can get the other thing I use as a home - and thats news etc.
But there is something else I found amongst the widgets they provide, and it makes me very happy.
A web cam showing live shots of the Eiffel Tower .
Sigh!
Imagine getting up every morning to the Eiffel tower lit for the night (remember the time difference) or working in the evening and seeing it bathed in dawn light.
Its just beautiful, and needs to be nothing else.
I have even added a world clock and a weather report showing Paris to round out the experience.
Anyone who knows me, will know I love to travel and this is a window on the world that makes my days a little brighter. So thank you for this one Google, you have brought me some happiness.
Its interesting to reflect as to why this service is so good, and Blogger kind of sucks.I suspect it has something to do with the homepage actually being an extension to Googles core business of search - its about brining together the things I am interested in in a relevant way - where as something like Blogger is a different kind of service altogether. Perhaps a gentle reminder to Google to focus on doing what they do best, and to watch out for things that are peripheral.
Just a thought.
But for now its back to contemplating Paris.
†Most of my friends are like this
