Monday, July 2, 2007

Living without Google - The Alternatives

It seems that with each passing day Google keeps getting bigger and bigger, and keeps gobbling up start-ups and churning out cool products. And everyday we become more and more dependant on them. Once upon a time, Google used to be just our search engine of choice, now its our email provider (GMail), feed reader (Google Reader), blog host (Blogger), entertainment provider (YouTube), and a hell lot more. And not surprisingly more and more people are trying to move away from them, or at least wondering if its possible. So let's take a look at some of the alternatives we have for Google's services.

1. Web Search: Search is Google's core business and they are best at it. Alternative search engines do exist and a handful of them work amazingly well, but the problem is each of them only suit a few people really well, and are practically a nightmare to use for others. Refer to Read/Write Web's Top 100 Alternative Search Engine list to find one that suits you.

2. Image Search: When looking for photos try Flickr or Zooomr. These two happen to have the best collection of photos on the web. Smugmug is also a great one. If you're looking for images rather than photographs, try Snap Images.

3. Blog Search: One word. Technorati.

4. Google Video: Since Google also owns Youtube the only other good alternative seems to be DailyMotion. DailyMotion is as old as YouTube, and although its not as popular as Youtube, it has a loyal following, and it always has new and interesting videos to waste your time.

5. Google News: If you always want the latest news, the best thing to do would be to add news feeds to your feed reader. If you prefer getting your news from one single site try Newsvine. Not only does Newsvine have all the latest news, its layout and design is also easy on the eyes. Newsvine's strongest feature is its columns which, although written by the users, are always surprisingly well-written, thought-provoking, and witty.

6. iGoogle: Google is a late entrant into the personalized homepage market, and as such, there are a lot of rival products that are better than iGoogle. My own personal favorite happens to be Netvibes, which is light years ahead of iGoogle in terms of ease of use, features, and aesthetics.

7. GMail: Windows Live Hotmail and Yahoo! Mail Beta, are the only viable alternatives.

8. Google Calendar: 30 Boxes, is more than just a calendar, its a personal organizer. Like Google Calendar its easy-to-use and has a simple interface, but unlike Google Calendar it has strong social aspects, and can integrate with Flickr, Webshots, Upcoming.org, LiveJournal, MySpace, and Facebook.

9. Blogger: Wordpress is an open source blogging platform that is used by some of the largest blogs on the web, include several corporate blogs. You can use Wordpress on your own web server, or use Wordpress.com to get a free hosted blog. Several other free wordpress hosts also exist.

10. Google Docs and Spreadsheets: Zoho Office Suite not only has a word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation applications but also database, note-taker, wiki, CRM and many other applications. All applications can be used as standalone products, or with other applications. Zoho Office suite also proves their word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation applications for use on the iPhone as iZoho.

11. Google Reader: NewsHutch. Read my review of it here.

12. Google AdSense: Bidvertiser and BidClix, are two alternatives to AdSense that let you become an Ad Publisher for free and start earning money. Yahoo! Publisher is also a great alternative that has great payment options, including checks, direct deposit and Paypal.

13. Google Analytics: IceRocket's Blog Tracker is perhaps the only free alternative to Analytics that is even close to being as extensive and useful. Blog Tracker is easy to use and is under active development (although their blog doesn't seem to be updated often). I, myself use both and find myself using Blog Tracker for often, only using Analytics when I need an in-depth view about my blog's stats.

All in all, although there are many alternatives present, only a handful of them are better than or as good as Google's offering. And until some of Google's rivals become more innovative, we are stuck with Google. Although its not so bad, after all what other company has a corporate motto that says "Don't be Evil".

50 comments:

Unknown said...

What i like about Flickr is the choice to search within Creative Commons-licensed photos
That makes it really easy to search for stock photos for work.

About wordpress, i like it more than blogger. Blogger is easier to learn and simple to setup, but wordpress has really
got a lot more functions and a lot more choices when you want it to look different.
I've seen a couple of wordpress blogs that were changed visually so much that i didn't immediately recognize them as wordpress.

I must say i did not know about netvibes- or the fact that there where alternatives to iGoogle
but it looks like i will be switching sometime soon, netvibes looks and works amazingly better.

One question about Blog Tracker though, because it's not really mentioned in their site, (they use the word blog in almost every sentence).
I use Google analytics for my personal site and those of some clients. Could someone use it for that use as well or is it specifically designed for blogger/wordpress use?

Alex said...

BlogTracker works on any site. They give you a Javascript code that you need to paste into each page you want to track (or simply the CSS file or sidebar of your blog).

Anonymous said...

I like your thoughts about living without Google. I wrote some thoughts about ways to live WITH Google. There are options. Check out these Google Alternatives

Anonymous said...

I think the best alternative to Google is GloTouch ( http://www.glotouch.com ) -- it allows you to create a cutom homepage and you can choose any search engine in the world to use.

Shion said...

Inbox.com is a great alternative to gmail. It offers all that gmail, yahoo and hotmail offers and provides 5GB free of web space. I have used it for years now and it is great. Its not as web 2.0 as the new yahoo UI but it is still great. http://www.inbox.com.

Shion said...

Google make some great tools guys but there are some really exciting sites out there and that is what makes the web so great right. So this whole sign in and stay in BS that the big players promote is not cool. Only thing it really saves on is the extra logins I guess. The web is about discovering cool things. Great article.

Anonymous said...

Glotouch is just weak. FisherPrice Yahoo

Anonymous said...

free sample viagra viagra rrp australia viagra cheap generic viagra online viagra rx super viagra pro viagra women buy sublingual viagra online buy online viagra how to get viagra viagra rrp australia viva viagra new viagra viagra side affects

Anonymous said...

This is my first post I'd like to congratulate you for such a terrific made site!
Was thinking this is a nice way to introduce myself!

Sincerely,
Laurence Todd
if you're ever bored check out my site!
[url=http://www.partyopedia.com/articles/hollywood-party-supplies.html]hollywood Party Supplies[/url].

Anonymous said...

I just discovered the website who writes about
Several
home business ideas

If you want to know more here it is
home business ideas

Anonymous said...

great article. I would love to follow you on twitter.

Anonymous said...

You have really great taste on catch article titles, even when you are not interested in this topic you push to read it

Anonymous said...

Making money on the internet is easy in the underground world of [URL=http://www.www.blackhatmoneymaker.com]blackhat techniques[/URL], Don’t feel silly if you have no clue about blackhat marketing. Blackhat marketing uses not-so-popular or misunderstood ways to generate an income online.

Anonymous said...

Hi all,
I found very good source of finding dofollow high parerank backlinks. Even from real PR10.
I cant imagine value of a real pr10.

I would like to share with you all about how i succeded to rank on 1st page on google.
prseo@hotmail.com
http://Www.playhitmusics.com

Anonymous said...

Genial post and this mail helped me alot in my college assignement. Thanks you on your information.

Anonymous said...

You could easily be making money online in the underground world of [URL=http://www.www.blackhatmoneymaker.com]blackhat hosting[/URL], Don’t feel silly if you haven’t heard of it before. Blackhat marketing uses alternative or misunderstood avenues to produce an income online.

Anonymous said...

www.betextremesoft.com

Anonymous said...

www.pornvideoonline.info

www.pornvideodownload.info

http://www.pornvideotorrent.info/

www.gaypornonline.info

http://www.teenpornonline.info/

http://www.freepornvideosonline.info/

www.bestpornvideo.info

[url=http://www.pornvideoonline.info]Porn video online[/url]
[url=http://www.pornvideodownload.info]Porn video download[/url]
[url=http://www.pornvideotorrent.info]Porn video torrent[/url]
[url=http://www.gaypornonline.info]Gay porn online[/url]
[url=http://www.teenpornonline.info]Teen porn online[/url]
[url=http://www.freepornvideosonline.info]Free porn videos online[/url]
[url=http://www.bestpornvideo.info]Best porn video[/url]

Anonymous said...

muscle gaining secrets -
negative calorie diet -
one minute cure -
one week marketing -
only 4 gamers -
paid surveys online -
panic away -
pc on point -
pc tv 4 me -
perfect optimizer -
phone number scan -
pick the gender of your bady -
power 4 home -
profit lance -
public records pro -
quantum mind power -
quit smoking today -
recipe secrets -
reg clean -
regi cleanse -
registry easy -
registry winner -
reg sweep -
reverse mobile -
reverse phone detective -
revolutioniz -
richard markenzie direct -
sale hoo -
simple php -
smtp 2 go -
spyware nuker -
surveys 4 checks -
tax liens made easy -
the bad breath report -

Anonymous said...

golf swing guru -
governmentregistry -
government registry -
heartburn no more -
homemadeenergy -
home made energy -
hyper vre -
i software tv -
legit online jobs -
linden method -
london forex rush -
master word smith -
maternityacupressure -
maternity acupressure -
max pro system -
meet your sweet -
membership gold rush -
minute sites -
musclegainingsecrets -
muscle gaining secrets -
negative calorie diet -
one minute cure -
one week marketing -
pc on point -
pc tv 4 me -
perfect optimizer -
php link cloaker -
pick the gender of your baby -
profit lance -
public records pro -
quit smoking today -
recipe secrets -
reg clean -
regi cleanse -

Anonymous said...

meet your sweet -
musclegainingsecrets -
muscle gaining secrets -
my online income system -
negative calorie diet -
no adware -
one minute cure -
one week marketing -
online pickup secrets -
partenon -
pc on point -
perfect optimizer -
perfect uninstaller -
pick the gender of your baby -
power cash secret -
profit lance -
publicrecordspro -
public records pro -
push button marketer -
quit smoking today -
registry easy -
registry easy download -
registry fix -
registry winner download -
reverse mobile -
reverse phone detective -
richard mackenzie direct -
rocket spanish -
rss power plus -
sem business blueprint -
silent sales machine -
spam bully -
sports betting champ -
spyware cease -

Anonymous said...

cold sore freedom in 3 days -
conversationalhypnosis -
conversational hypnosis -
copy that game -
cure for bruxism -
cure hemorrhoids -
cyber link pro -
dl guard -
driver checker -
driver robot -
drop shipping wholesalers -
earth4energy -
earth 4 energy -
easy backup wizard -
easy click mate -
easy photo biz -
eatstopeat -
eat stop eat -
epinoisis -
error fix -
error killer -
error smart -
evidence nuker -
fap turbo -
fatburningfurnace -
fat burning furnace -
fatloss4idiots -
fat loss 4 idiots -
final uninstaller -
fitnessmodelprogram -
fitness model program -
fit yummy yummy -
flattenyourabs -
flatten your abs -

levitra said...

Hello friend amazing and very interesting blog about Living without Google - The Alternatives

Anonymous said...

work at home [url]http://www.333eur.com/[/url]

Anonymous said...

address for [b]buy software for windows[/b] is available at:

buy software for windows
[url=http://www.buysoftwareforwindows.com]buy software for windows[/url]

[url=http://www.buysoftwareforwindows.com/products/buy-dvd-to-ipod-converter/productpage.php]buy dvd to ipod converter[/url]

buy history cleaner

colon cleanse said...

Losing weight was my desire. But I couldn’t find appropriate solution to my problem. Then I found colonblow. And my most cherished desire came true by the natural colon cleansing. I am fully satisfied with colonblow. And those who want to lose their excess weight must try this. colon cleanse

Party store said...

It is a beautiful post . Now, This is really great. Really very great blog this has given me all the information that i needed, good for visiting daily it will increase our knowledge.

Penis Enlargement Pills said...

I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I think I will leave my first comment.
I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog.
I will keep visiting this blog very often.
By the way,
Blogger how when you visit my blog,
My Blog have been created for the satisfaction of consumer of all.

vimax pills said...

::Vimax Powerful Natural Herbal Male Enhancement::

The powerful natural herbal male enhancement formula that enlarges your penis and increases your overall sexual performance is developed after years of research

>>Vimax Pills<<

Giuseppe Larch said...

In searching for sites related to web hosting and specifically comparison hosting linux plan web, your site came up.

Giuseppe Larch said...

In searching for sites related to web hosting and specifically comparison hosting linux plan web, your site came up.

Louie Oshell said...

my God, i thought you were going to chip in with some decisive insght at the end there, not leave it with �we leave it to you to decide�.

Circa Joan & David Open-Toe Pump said...

thanks !! very helpful post!

Chinese Laundry Womens Flat said...

I usually don�t post in Blogs but your blog forced me to, amazing work.. beautiful �

Charles David Platform Sandal said...

Hey very nice blog!! Man .. Beautiful .. Amazing .. I will bookmark your blog and take the feeds also...

Besa Lighting 943182 Series 943 Graphite Wall Sconce said...

To start earning money with your blog, initially use Google Adsense but gradually as your traffic increases, keep adding more and more money making programs to your site.

Diesel Kids Pants said...

In searching for sites related to web hosting and specifically comparison hosting linux plan web, your site came up. :)

Geox Kids shoes said...

Great articles & Nice a site�.

Geox Kids shoes said...

Great articles & Nice a site�.

Billabong kids said...

Hello webmaster I like your post �.

business logo design said...

Thanks for sharing this useful information ,I appreciate your post. I am also support a branded, dynamic conversation.

VigRX Plus said...

You made some good points there. I did a search on the topic and found most people will agree with your blog.

www.vigrxplusworks.com

jelish said...

The Louboutin Shoes Sale is planned using the ladies. offered the fact that pumps was born, the ladies lifestyle turn into colorful. The christian Louboutin 2011 Pumps
will be the god's masterwork. Who invited the Christian Louboutin Wedges ? Seldom people knew, but I think each and every and every lady will be grateful for him. between the countless pumps,the Christian Louboutin Shoes
could be probably the most exceptional ones. The stylish pattern, the delicate design all mold the ladies perfect leg profile. Flowers inside the spring of 2011 creeping, up from frizzy hair to outfits hold on to footwear, have experienced a brilliant up. on this type of the glamor, spring and summer time flowers now here. Romance is really a woman's mood, exquisite flowers just appropriate of expression within our gestures, the woman, how can we not adore the romantic temperament to make certain which they distributed the flowers do? 2011 flowers bloom will get satisfaction from numerous poses! The Christian Louboutin New Sandalsalso can adds the hright in the ladies, it hold shock toward short lady. especially the red-colored lone in the louboutin heels, beauty and sexy, different ladies are crazy. The red-colored sole, andChristian Louboutin Mensis a very distinctive design, its design reflects its style. You put on it, that means you have its style.the earliest attribute in the Sale Louboutin stroe.

soft viagra said...

I am thoroughly convinced in this said post. I am currently searching for ways in which I could enhance my knowledge in this said topic you have posted here. It does help me a lot knowing that you have shared this information here freely. I love the way the people here interact and shared their opinions too. I would love to track your future posts pertaining to the said topic we are able to read.

viagra said...

Wow, nice post,there are many person searching about that now they will find enough resources by your post.Thank you for sharing to us.Please one more post about that..

Unknown said...

The best natural supplement products

Vimax
Vimax Pills
Buy Vimax Pills

Vimax
Vimax Pills
Buy Vimax

Vimax
Vimax Pills
Buy Vimax Online

Vimax
Vimax Pills
Vimax Singapore

Vigrx
Vigrx Plus
Vigrx Plus Canada

Anonymous said...

generic xanax does xanax show up job drug test - how long does 1mg xanax work for

Anonymous said...

Blessed ancient dude seduces and screws the hot young crazy sitter right until your lover ingests his alternative newborns [url=http://www.xvideos.com/video1893432/pampering_a_japanese_girl]Very hot young latina gets to be a creampie[/url] Beautiful crazy with amazing prolonged frizzy hair may get away by means of chaffing her own pounding clit along with a vibrator. , Warm pretty girls fucked Extremely adorable shapely beauty Mandy Taylor enjoys to proposition plus hand the girl's wet get while on their own http://www.xvideos.com/video1774947/skinny_brunette_fucked_in_the_bathroom Whore Rear end Teens Some * Landscape 7 , Ultra attractive hot crazy within tiny dirt bike pants plus top sucks a large ass before you take the item doggie and even cowgirl

priya said...

I have been reading for the past two days about your blogs and topics, still on fetching! Wondering about your words on each line was massively effective. Techno-based information has been fetched in each of your topics. Sure it will enhance and fill the queries of the public needs. Feeling so glad about your article. Thanks…!
Php institute in chennai

subha said...

Really awesome blog!!! Nice Post.I really enjoyed reading this article. Thanks for sharing valuable information. great work
Ai & Artificial Intelligence Course in Chennai
PHP Training in Chennai
Ethical Hacking Course in Chennai Blue Prism Training in Chennai
UiPath Training in Chennai