HEY GOOGLE

The first month of a new year is when I take a look at my daily, weekly routines, bills, plans, and see if I need to re-do or change my schedule.

With every post I write for my blog, there's research to do in encyclopedias, (got three in my computer), or on Google -- generally it's involved with learning more about the subject -- sometimes it's language (a synonym, or a better word) -- quite often it's finding a photo to make my post more interesting.

And occasionally, when I'm wondering about something, not sure of the name, or when/where that "something" occurred, I ask Google. And amazingly often, I get the name, and the when and where, on a page full of dot-coms that can give me further information.

For me, Google has been a reliable source -- a pal, teacher, verifier -- easy to access -- free and always available -- a way of learning about a subject, and cross-checking facts.

Plus, Google gives me an easy way to handle email, my calendar, and best of all -- my blogs. Google's blogger setup is well-planned. and it's enabled me, helped me write and publish a post every day for the past nine months.

What about Microsoft's "Bing?"

Bing, like Microsoft's operating systems (OS), forces me to "do it Microsoft's way." (It reminds me of that peppy-puppy assistant in M.S. Word, wagging his tail so you'll "follow the doggie!") I don't like the puppy, and I don't like the way information on Bing is organized, as if the user has an iPhone, and needs suggestions from Bing about "shopping apps."

Microsoft says Bing isn't merely a search engine -- it's a "decision" engine, and claims that Bing is faster, better, and more reliable than Google. According to Millward Brown, a research firm, Google doesn't advertise, and Microsoft has spent $100 million on marketing Bing. Here's what 15 users say about it.

Well ... I don't want or need a decision engine, and I'm not shopping -- I need information, summaries, definitions, and comments from knowledgeable, accredited sources.

Google's services currently include e-mail, calendar, Google Docs, a cell-phone operating system (Android), and a Web browser (Chrome).

Peter Ha, former news editor of TechCrunch.com, is now Time.com's editor for their new technology section. In the January 11th Time Magazine, he wrote, "Google plans to build a better browser, faster, more security, more stable than its year-old Chrome -- which boots up, loads web pages faster than Explorer or Firefox. Along with the new browser, Google plans to launch (in the fourth quarter of 2010) "netbooks" that will run on Chrome OS -- you may download it, and use it -- it's a free operating system that boots up into the browser, with no desktop."

He ends his article, saying– " If there's any doubt that Google has been gunning for Microsoft, then Chrome OS certainly puts that to rest. It's your move, Microsoft. Good luck."

I've written this post because I'm one of Google's 40 million users, (see my 7/19 post, "Goody Goog."), and I'm staying with Google, and recommending Google to friends and relatives, as well as my readers.

And it's time to say thanks -- a big thank you, Google -- from Em, for what you are doing now!