DISQUS

Rob Drimmie · 3 years ago

I am speculating quite heavily, but I think Google's following a Release Early Release Often philosophy. The problem is that it doesn't quite mesh with their position as a major software company. We expect to see complete, reasonable products from major companies, but this (and the other examples you list) isn't one, really.

The page creator is nothing special but it's a really early stage product. They're letting people bang at it early in the life cycle to find out what people actually want, and then maybe it becomes something good. I don't know.

I think the products have to do with Google's 20% time. The engineers are working on something that maybe might one day be useful, and they're encouraged to do so, so they get some space at google.com to take it a little further. I think it's a good thing that this giant corporation is willing to open the doors to a very early stage product.

I don't quite understand how it fits together with Blog*Spot though. They already have a free web page hosting service, why are they building something different?

Mathew · 3 years ago

I think you're probably right, Rob. I sort of assume that it's one of those 20-per-cent things too. And I actually think those types of projects are good, and the approach is a good one for morale, etc. -- but not every single one needs to be rolled out, does it?

Thanks for the comment.

Mathew

Rob Drimmie · 3 years ago

Sure not every one needs to be rolled out, but what's the harm in doing so?

I mean, don't get me wrong, I pretty much completely agree that this is an entirely yawn-worthy and mostly pointless application, but still, why not? It's not like the internet's going to run out of bits as a result.

Pete Cashmore · 3 years ago

Rob,

I think the "harm in doing so" is pretty clear - lots of bad PR and damage to your street cred. I think it's great to see Google experimenting with new ideas, but they're a major player now and that seems to increase our expectations.

Mathew · 3 years ago

I kind of agree, Pete. If Google was just any old company, it would be kind of neat watching them try out different stuff. But I think when you get that big -- and your stock gets that high -- people would probably rather you operated like a normal business. But then again, maybe we should give Google credit for doing things differently and still trying to think like a small startup.

Mathew

Jope · 3 years ago

Me, I think it may have it's niche... For one thing, I wish the GeoCities of this world were so easy to use back then... 8-)

But I am thinking of the very small, no-tech-whatsoever-except-for-billing-maybe companies, you know, your neighborhood plumber and the likes. This is a great way to have a quick presence, and indexed by Google. Also, I wouldn't rule out a tie-in with Google Base, so that you don't need to leave the Googlesphere to list your stuff...

Just a thought...

Al · 3 years ago

Actually I think it maybe whats under the bonnet/hood all of these announcements/betas may look quite random (and distastefull to some) ,but they share a common architecture and heritage underneath. I think when we see these facilities begining to get mashed together the pattern will emerge, i.e. the power of the combination. These early front ends are because you need something to start with and beta with.

regards
Al

Juan Lopez-Valcarcel · 3 years ago

Agree, this is yet another example of the infamous 20% rule at Google.

Nothing wrong with giving your creative types freedom to innovate, but the latest Google ideas seem to be only 20% baked and have 0% management oversight or strategic value. Time to grow up!