Life without Google

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Thork

Life without Google
« on: March 06, 2012, 04:48:03 AM »
Since Google's latest private policy change on the 1st of March I have been trying to drop as many of their products as possible to use good alternatives. Here is how I am doing.

Google search
Now use DuckDuckGo. Actually really like it. Took a while to get used to but am satisfied. I do however have to go back to google or bing to do image searches. I like the way I have it set to always take the https version of a site if there is one. Especially useful for UK now that ISPs have to involve themselves in your browsing. https should limit that.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-17270817
:(

Google Chrome.
This has been a real pain. It is an awesome browser but I hate that it calls home all the time to tell Google where I have been. The spellchecker even tells Google what I write here at FES as every word is checked (and stored) by the Google server. If you have predictive searching in the search bar set to Google by default it even knows what you type if you don't even enter it. Its too much. As good as Chrome is, its like a trojan sending all my data back to Google.
Alternatives. This has been a total sod.
Obvious is Firefox, but as 91% of their revenue comes from Google and they openly admit to sharing data with Google. Firefox contacts the google server and hands over your info twice every hour. So screw them too. They didn't make the list either. So this left me with Opera or IE9 as options and I chose IE9. Its just faster.
Problems. IE9 doesn't have a spellchecker. That's easy fixed though. Download 'speckie'. It works in many languages and I actually prefer it to the way Google spellchecker works. For a start its not giving all my thoughts to Google. It has no impact on performance and is free. Its very good.
Adblocking. Again something Google does well. IE9 not so well. However by adding in a TPL (tracking protection list) many of the top ones act as adblockers although mostly for adult sites. Facebook spam will still offend your eyes. I have an add-in called 'simple adblock' to clean up anything they miss. It does the job but sometimes you do see the advert begin to load before it disappears. The free version also only does 200 adverts a day but I have never hit the limit yet. If anyone knows of a better free adblocker for IE9, let me know.
Copy image url - doesn't exist on ie9 which was really irritating until I discovered you can right click, select properties and the img url is marked next to address (URL):.
So, takes a bit of effort to get free of chrome, but I think I am almost there. Am looking forward to ie10 though.

G-mail.
Never had it. There is no excuse for having it in this day and age with so many other providers. That Google scans people's private e-mails and sells the info to advertisers I find disgusting.

Google URL shortener
That's easy. So many competitors. Tiny url is my choice. Its easy to remember because I store my pictures on TinyPic.

Google+
I have never had an account with them, so again am happy. I am in bed with Zuckerberg, but as any of my 'friends' will attest, there is barely any info on me, nor pictures.

Youtube.
I don't know what to do about this. I try to be signed out as often as possible, only signing in if the video needs me to for age verification. I have absolutely no solution to this. What can I do as an alternative? Can I watch their videos via some other site without Google knowing its me?

Google insight/trends/trends for websites
In a way this is my way to use Google's data to spy on everyone else, albeit in a very general way. It can be interesting. Again I try not to log in to see the trends but if you want to view numbers, you have to. Again I have no real solution to this.

Additional
I have been into my google account and changed anything I can (google dashboard). However I will this week delete my Google account entirely and set up a new one with an e-mail address from some free e-mail provider. For now though Google thinks I am called Englebert and that my birthday is on xmas day 1984.

All of this should prevent Google knowing everything about me. I hope that millions of people like me are also trying to find alternatives to Google products so as they have a bit of a rethink about how much data they can and should collect on people.

I would be interested in any solutions as long as they involve windows 7 as my OS.

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Blanko

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Re: Life without Google
« Reply #1 on: March 06, 2012, 05:33:06 AM »
>choosing IE over Opera

ishygddt

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Thork

Re: Life without Google
« Reply #2 on: March 06, 2012, 05:52:43 AM »
Opera is deadly slow compared to 64-bit ie9. :(


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Ichimaru Gin :]

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Re: Life without Google
« Reply #4 on: March 06, 2012, 04:59:36 PM »
I kept IE and windows products my whole life.
The googlers lost their privacy and no one said a thing.
The applers fell to some of the most closed software imagineable. Yet no one said a thing.
Firefoxers, unalarmed at the fall of the googlers, themselves were felled from data privancy.
Until at long last, no birds sang, all that were left were Ichi and Thork with their IE9.
And what a gay time they had indeed. No problems, no need to take heed unlike the others.
I saw a slight haze in the hotel bathroom this morning after I took a shower, have I discovered a new planet?

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Thork

Re: Life without Google
« Reply #5 on: March 06, 2012, 05:01:50 PM »
And by 'gay', he means happy. Just in case there was any confusion.

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Ichimaru Gin :]

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Re: Life without Google
« Reply #6 on: March 06, 2012, 06:22:01 PM »
And by 'gay', he means happy. Just in case there was any confusion.
Concur.
I saw a slight haze in the hotel bathroom this morning after I took a shower, have I discovered a new planet?

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Parsifal

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Re: Life without Google
« Reply #7 on: March 06, 2012, 11:29:18 PM »
This thread is terrible.
I'm going to side with the white supremacists.

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Supertails

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Re: Life without Google
« Reply #8 on: March 07, 2012, 03:04:42 AM »
My solution is to continue using Chrome and Google Search and YouTube. It's going fantastically so far.
Recently listened to:


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Lorddave

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Re: Life without Google
« Reply #9 on: March 07, 2012, 03:30:30 AM »
This thread is terrible.
I honestly expected you to make this thread first.
You have been ignored for common interest of mankind.

I am a terrible person and I am a typical Blowhard Liberal for being wrong about Bom.

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Thork

Re: Life without Google
« Reply #10 on: March 07, 2012, 07:28:33 AM »
???
I thought he would be all for it, but there you go. For example I know he uses DDG and ice-weasel etc.

I am trying to cut the google umbilical chord, but I have been doing it in stages so as not to get angry and frustrated. With careful planning and research into alternatives, I hope for a smooth transition. Hence this thread.

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Saddam Hussein

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Re: Life without Google
« Reply #11 on: March 07, 2012, 09:53:18 AM »
???
I thought he would be all for it, but there you go. For example I know he uses DDG and ice-weasel etc.

You've never picked up on Parsifal's opinion of Internet Explorer?

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Thork

Re: Life without Google
« Reply #12 on: March 07, 2012, 10:30:11 AM »
???
I thought he would be all for it, but there you go. For example I know he uses DDG and ice-weasel etc.

You've never picked up on Parsifal's opinion of Internet Explorer?
I'm guessing he's jealous of people who use it? amirite?

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Parsifal

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Re: Life without Google
« Reply #13 on: March 12, 2012, 03:04:39 AM »
???
I thought he would be all for it, but there you go. For example I know he uses DDG and ice-weasel etc.

You've never picked up on Parsifal's opinion of Internet Explorer?

My opinion of Internet Explorer has nothing to do with why this thread is terrible. It's terrible because of the premise.
I'm going to side with the white supremacists.

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Thork

Re: Life without Google
« Reply #14 on: March 12, 2012, 03:08:40 AM »
???
I thought he would be all for it, but there you go. For example I know he uses DDG and ice-weasel etc.

You've never picked up on Parsifal's opinion of Internet Explorer?

My opinion of Internet Explorer has nothing to do with why this thread is terrible. It's terrible because of the premise.
You don't like that I would seek viable alternatives to using google having been unimpressed with their latest private policy?

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Parsifal

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Re: Life without Google
« Reply #15 on: March 12, 2012, 03:18:42 AM »
You don't like that I would seek viable alternatives to using google having been unimpressed with their latest private policy?

Irrelevant.
I'm going to side with the white supremacists.

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Thork

Re: Life without Google
« Reply #16 on: March 12, 2012, 03:19:21 AM »
Then enlighten me as to the relevance of your post.

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GoldenLily

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Re: Life without Google
« Reply #17 on: March 12, 2012, 03:26:56 PM »
You should try Bing. It's a competitor to Google and so is unlikely to be sharing anything with them. It's also pretty fast and I like their layout.
It is run by Microsoft, so it depends on whether you like Windows or not. It's your choice.  ;)

-Lily
Differences make people interesting.

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Lorddave

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Re: Life without Google
« Reply #18 on: March 12, 2012, 03:31:22 PM »
You should try Bing. It's a competitor to Google and so is unlikely to be sharing anything with them. It's also pretty fast and I like their layout.
It is run by Microsoft, so it depends on whether you like Windows or not. It's your choice.  ;)

-Lily

Clearly Microsoft bots are so smart that they find forums where people are talking about google and try to persuade them otherwise.

I'm impressed.
You have been ignored for common interest of mankind.

I am a terrible person and I am a typical Blowhard Liberal for being wrong about Bom.

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OrbisNonSufficit

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Re: Life without Google
« Reply #19 on: March 12, 2012, 03:37:02 PM »
Wait I am confused, why do you not want Google to know what you are doing?  Are you under the impression they are going to blackmail you in the future?

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GoldenLily

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Re: Life without Google
« Reply #20 on: March 12, 2012, 03:41:58 PM »
You should try Bing. It's a competitor to Google and so is unlikely to be sharing anything with them. It's also pretty fast and I like their layout.
It is run by Microsoft, so it depends on whether you like Windows or not. It's your choice.  ;)

-Lily

Clearly Microsoft bots are so smart that they find forums where people are talking about google and try to persuade them otherwise.

I'm impressed.

Actually, I use and support Google. I was merely trying to suggest a good alternative to using Google. However, many of my friends like Bing better, and it truly is a good search engine. And Microsoft is a good company.

You don't need to be so rude.

-Lily
Differences make people interesting.

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Lorddave

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Re: Life without Google
« Reply #21 on: March 12, 2012, 03:43:08 PM »
Wait I am confused, why do you not want Google to know what you are doing?  Are you under the impression they are going to blackmail you in the future?

I think most people are worried that law enforcement will intentionally alter your records to frame you for a crime to make their crime quotas and make themselves heroes.
You have been ignored for common interest of mankind.

I am a terrible person and I am a typical Blowhard Liberal for being wrong about Bom.

?

OrbisNonSufficit

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Re: Life without Google
« Reply #22 on: March 12, 2012, 03:46:30 PM »
Wait I am confused, why do you not want Google to know what you are doing?  Are you under the impression they are going to blackmail you in the future?

I think most people are worried that law enforcement will intentionally alter your records to frame you for a crime to make their crime quotas and make themselves heroes.

Well they did that long before google was around so I am as worried about that as i always was (not really at all).

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Lorddave

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Re: Life without Google
« Reply #23 on: March 12, 2012, 03:49:38 PM »
Wait I am confused, why do you not want Google to know what you are doing?  Are you under the impression they are going to blackmail you in the future?

I think most people are worried that law enforcement will intentionally alter your records to frame you for a crime to make their crime quotas and make themselves heroes.

Well they did that long before google was around so I am as worried about that as i always was (not really at all).
Yes but computers are mysterious and thus can't be dis-proven!

Everything else, however, is easily understood and people can verify that they didn't do it.
You have been ignored for common interest of mankind.

I am a terrible person and I am a typical Blowhard Liberal for being wrong about Bom.

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Blanko

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Re: Life without Google
« Reply #24 on: March 12, 2012, 03:49:51 PM »
ITT: Thork is still under the impression that Google's policies are anything new

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Thork

Re: Life without Google
« Reply #25 on: March 12, 2012, 04:17:29 PM »
You should try Bing. It's a competitor to Google and so is unlikely to be sharing anything with them. It's also pretty fast and I like their layout.
It is run by Microsoft, so it depends on whether you like Windows or not. It's your choice.  ;)

-Lily

Clearly Microsoft bots are so smart that they find forums where people are talking about google and try to persuade them otherwise.

I'm impressed.

Actually, I use and support Google. I was merely trying to suggest a good alternative to using Google. However, many of my friends like Bing better, and it truly is a good search engine. And Microsoft is a good company.

You don't need to be so rude.

-Lily
He didn't need to be, his rudeness was unnecessary. I am aware of Bing but already use duckduckgo. Maybe you will consider giving it a try? I have MS windows and use IE9. I don't want to put all my eggs into any one basket. ;)

I think most people are worried that law enforcement will intentionally alter your records to frame you for a crime to make their crime quotas and make themselves heroes.
All companies want consumer information. In years gone past, companies would pay me for information about myself or buy databases from other companies, of offer a holiday competition in exchange for details and preferences. My information has a value. Why would I now give those details away for free? Google are offering me software in exchange for information, but I can get a better price elsewhere. Same stuff, less information in return.

Simply, I value my personal information as a commodity ... and Google aren't going to get it without a fight or a fair price.
« Last Edit: March 12, 2012, 04:20:33 PM by Thork »

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GoldenLily

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Re: Life without Google
« Reply #26 on: March 12, 2012, 04:22:48 PM »
You should try Bing. It's a competitor to Google and so is unlikely to be sharing anything with them. It's also pretty fast and I like their layout.
It is run by Microsoft, so it depends on whether you like Windows or not. It's your choice.  ;)

-Lily

Clearly Microsoft bots are so smart that they find forums where people are talking about google and try to persuade them otherwise.

I'm impressed.

Actually, I use and support Google. I was merely trying to suggest a good alternative to using Google. However, many of my friends like Bing better, and it truly is a good search engine. And Microsoft is a good company.

You don't need to be so rude.

-Lily
He didn't need to be, his rudeness was unnecessary. I am aware of Bing but already use duckduckgo. Maybe you will consider giving it a try? I have MS windows and use IE9. I don't want to put all my eggs into any one basket. ;)

I already do. After Google and Bing, Duckduckgo is the search I use the most. It is really good.
-Lily

I think most people are worried that law enforcement will intentionally alter your records to frame you for a crime to make their crime quotas and make themselves heroes.
All companies want consumer information. In years gone past, companies would pay me for information about myself or buy databases from other companies, of offer a holiday competition in exchange for details and preferences. My information has a value. Why would I now give those details away for free? Google are offering me software in exchange for information, but I can get a better price elsewhere. Same stuff, less information in return.

Simply, I value my personal information as a commodity ... and Google aren't going to get it without a fight or a fair price.
Differences make people interesting.

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Thork

Re: Life without Google
« Reply #27 on: March 12, 2012, 04:28:59 PM »
I already do. After Google and Bing, Duckduckgo is the search I use the most. It is really good.
-Lily
Indeed and they don't want any info at all in exchange. That is the best price I could hope for. ;)

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Lorddave

  • 18544
Re: Life without Google
« Reply #28 on: March 12, 2012, 04:48:47 PM »
You should try Bing. It's a competitor to Google and so is unlikely to be sharing anything with them. It's also pretty fast and I like their layout.
It is run by Microsoft, so it depends on whether you like Windows or not. It's your choice.  ;)

-Lily

Clearly Microsoft bots are so smart that they find forums where people are talking about google and try to persuade them otherwise.

I'm impressed.

Actually, I use and support Google. I was merely trying to suggest a good alternative to using Google. However, many of my friends like Bing better, and it truly is a good search engine. And Microsoft is a good company.

You don't need to be so rude.

-Lily
Wait... you're actually human?!

Then I apologize for my rudeness.  I had honestly believed, based on the text of your post and very low post count, that you were a spam bot.  This, clearly, is an error and I beg your forgiveness.
You have been ignored for common interest of mankind.

I am a terrible person and I am a typical Blowhard Liberal for being wrong about Bom.

?

GoldenLily

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  • A rose remains the same no matter what you call it
Re: Life without Google
« Reply #29 on: March 12, 2012, 05:31:26 PM »
You should try Bing. It's a competitor to Google and so is unlikely to be sharing anything with them. It's also pretty fast and I like their layout.
It is run by Microsoft, so it depends on whether you like Windows or not. It's your choice.  ;)

-Lily

Clearly Microsoft bots are so smart that they find forums where people are talking about google and try to persuade them otherwise.

I'm impressed.

Actually, I use and support Google. I was merely trying to suggest a good alternative to using Google. However, many of my friends like Bing better, and it truly is a good search engine. And Microsoft is a good company.

You don't need to be so rude.

-Lily
Wait... you're actually human?!

Then I apologize for my rudeness.  I had honestly believed, based on the text of your post and very low post count, that you were a spam bot.  This, clearly, is an error and I beg your forgiveness.

It's all right, it was an easy mistake to make. It is my first day here, so obviously I'm going to have a low post count. Reading my post through again, I can understand your point of view. :)
Differences make people interesting.