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Google Is Dead To Me

L

Longhair

Sep 12, 2009
134
4
#1
I have been trying to find some answers regarding setting up an Exchange server and all the things that go along with it - different version mobile phones, Outlook issues, certificates, error codes, etc...

Now depending on what keywords I put in (configure Microsoft Exchange + WM 6.5, scan to email + ricoh + Windows SBS 2011), the top 20 hits are nothing but "buy ____ here" type of results. I look for results from forums and the top answers are "did you use the search button?" and "try google" :hmm:

Google is no longer a reputable search engine that it once was but now just a tailored made spam bot :spit:
 
#3
I don't like how they let the first handful of results be ads either. If I want to BUY Microsoft Exchange, I'll search for that. If I want to FIX MS Exchange, just please show me those results.

-Mike
 
#4
Seriously? I just typed "setting up Exchange on mobile phones" and half the page is exactly that.

I tried logged out, too, and there are even more relevant results than when I search from my account.

Hint: search for sentences or expressions you know will be in the article you're looking for (for example, "connect phone to Exchange 2011" versus "mobile phone + exchange + Windows Mobile + SBS 2011"). Adding keyword after keyword is a sure-fire way to get to scam sites and cheap marketing pages loaded with them.
 
#8
How are you set up for browser privacy and security? I don't know your level of knowledge, so I hope this doesn't sound condescending. If you are logged in to things like Google and Amazon, make sure you log out, and disable automatic log-ins. If you are using Internet Explorer straight out of the box, then it's not surprising that your privacy has been compromised.

Any browser you use, turn off cookies. If you use Firefox, there are some excellent add-ons that will greatly improve your privacy. Or at least the people who are invading your privacy will cease annoying you. :D I am using:

NoScript
Better Privacy
HTTPS Everywhere
AdBlock Plus

All of this stuff is free. I'm not a privacy freak or paranoiac, but I'm just practicing basic computer hygiene.

Best of luck. You may still hate Google, but lots of other web sites are just as bad.
 
#9
experts-exchange.com is an incredibly good resource for IT-related issues. But you have to join. They charge a monthly fee for membership, but if you answer other users' questions you can earn points. Earn enough points each month and your monthly fee is waived. I've found more good solid tech info there than anyplace else on the interwebs.
 
#12
Also another thing I remember someone talked about in a live presentation (I think TedTalks) was that Google tailored your search results according to how they THINK you want to find things. Someone searching for something will get different results than someone else, even if they type the same wording.
 
#13
In my experience helping people with computers, not knowing how to use google properly is usually the problem.
I can skim through a page in less than 5 seconds and root out the good from the bad and the answer im looking for is always in the first five results
 
#17
Kwesi said:
What is a professional review exactly? Like CNET? Because they're always on the first page.
Click to expand...

This.

I was buying a certain camera online.

1. searched "Reviews for Sony a330"
2. first 5 sites came up with reputable sources containing a thorough breakdown of the pros and cons of the camera
3. Bought it the next day

Are you looking up reviews for fleshlights or something?


(... actually, come to think of it, Google would probably even give you professional reviews for that.)
 

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