'Minimalist, whimsical' Google search given Bing-like overhaul Google has overhauled its search results web page in a clear nod to the layout of Microsoft’s Bing. The company said yesterday that it had added tools on the left of its lucrative online search estate. “While we are constantly rolling out small changes and updates, today’s changes showcase the latest evolutions in our search …
Mine's been like this for a while, I think it cropped up after a format, although I think it's one of those things that Google add incrementally, because about a week later it cropped up on my housemates laptop. That said, he clears his private data frequently (well, every time his girlfriend is in danger of coming round).
I don't like the layout.. feels weird having the links on the left and the search results shifted to the right... my old codger eyes now overshoot the the left as soon as I hit the Search button (via the Enter key)
I do, however, like the Timeline view... Wonder wheel? Meh...
Or something.
No bloody automatic, "we think you're an idiot and typed that incorrectly so we're going to give you results for a completely different query". No "fuck the results, look at the pretty". No "sign is so we can track your every move".
And what is it with the Granny sized font?
It's been there for ages for me.
On the search results, providing a way of filtering the results. But really no surprise, and they're right about it being quite unobtrusive, I hardly noticed until I had a specific reason to use it (limiting a search for "news").
I wouldn't compare it with Bing at all though. I gave up on Bing months ago, after 5 wildly useless results in a row.
Initial search (Google.com in France, reverting to English, cookies (no /ncr)), looks like it always has.
After a search, I get *both* the top bar and the sidebar. Links on the side? Wow, how last decade...
If Google wants to improve things, could they either shorten the fade-in delay, or remove it altogether? It's no good saying it took 0.000x seconds to perform a search when it took three between Google loading and the toolbar appearing...
The one problem I have is they made it dumb - no remembrance of what you sorted last time and no option to remember that via cookie. It'd be most useful for image searches among others, normally I'd like to just toss out thumnails from results if they don't also represent a larger res. pic through a link.
I was wondering what was up with the results page today. I think I can get used to it. It seems to offer some potentially useful options.
Not like theregister switching to a fixed width layout and putting older articles that are popular up in the middle of things. That's still annoying me and making theregister harder and less efficient to use than before. i still want the old layout back. It was better in every way. Not that they care what I (or anyone else) thinks.
(Found on web and seems to work)
Step 1. Download the firefox addon : Greasemonkey
Step 2. Install it and restart firefox when prompted
Step 3. Tools--> GreaseMonkey --> New User Script
Step 4. Name: SIDEBASE
NAMESPACE: SIDEBAR
(everything else I left blank), Press OK
Step 5. You might prompted to find your text editor. Choose C:\windows\notepad.exe
Step 6. Paste the following script in notepad screen that just popped up :-
function AddStyle(Style) {
var style = document.createElement('style'
);
style.type = "text/css";
style.innerHTML = Style;
document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(style);
};
AddStyle("#leftnav {display:none}");
AddStyle("#center_col {margin-left:0}");
LAST Step : Save
Personally, I *absolutely* *friggin* *hate* the new "side bar" look, which Google doesn't even give a preference option for. i.e. no way to go back to the old approach
As a result, I'm now using other search engines. Problem is most of *them* also use this retarded approach too.
At least ask.com has a privacy setting whereby it doesn't store user searches for profiling. Now, if it's search results would only get better. :)
Massive fail yet again.
Everything we ever needed from google was already present or accessible from their nicely minimalist interface -- a refreshing change of pace from today's overburdened, overcrowded website UIs.
Sadly, that time is over with yet more absolutely useless on-screen vomit.
Thanks for nothing google. You suck.
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