Topic: Web monoculture (Read 5048 times)

Nemesis · « **on:** February 02, 2009, 05:40:02 pm »

Quote

Google tagged the Web as malware on Saturday and was rendered useless for about an hour. The search giant blamed the incident on human error.

Was the ruckus over Google's screw-up overblown? Possibly. But to many folks, Google is the window to the Internet. If folks can't google something, they are simply lost. That fact alone probably qualifies Google as a Web monoculture, although it may be a touch premature to make a definitive call. However, Google touches everything, and frankly that's a bit worrisome.

In security circles, monoculture is a key concept. Roughly speaking, whenever a technology--Windows, for instance--is dominant it becomes a big target to attack. You attack the target and wreak a lot of havoc. Windows is a monoculture. If Windows is wrecked, the damage is far and wide just because of market share.

In short monocultures are bad and Google is big enough to be a major problem when things go wrong.

Dash Jones · « **Reply #1 on:** February 03, 2009, 02:13:37 am »

Do you Yahoo?

Nemesis · « **Reply #2 on:** February 03, 2009, 07:32:07 am »

Quote from: Dash Jones on February 03, 2009, 02:13:37 am

Do you Yahoo?

I do read one of their discussion forums but my Yahoo! account was deleted and I don't use their search.

Myself I keep a list of other search engines so if there is a problem with Google I use an alternate. Many others seem to only have knowledge of 1 search engine and those are affected when it goes down.

knightstorm · « **Reply #3 on:** February 03, 2009, 09:36:16 am »

Quote from: Nemesis on February 03, 2009, 07:32:07 am

Quote from: Dash Jones on February 03, 2009, 02:13:37 am
Do you Yahoo?

I do read one of their discussion forums but my Yahoo! account was deleted and I don't use their search.

Myself I keep a list of other search engines so if there is a problem with Google I use an alternate. Many others seem to only have knowledge of 1 search engine and those are affected when it goes down.

As you just pointed out, its all a matter of personal choice, and if someone is adversely affected by an error like this, its their own fault.

Bonk · « **Reply #4 on:** February 03, 2009, 10:33:57 am »

Well, there's Cuil now too.

As long as DNS works I'm still fine. I don't need Google (or any search engine) to find Ford, the EPA, the Government of Canada, Agilent... etc. etc. I used the internet for quite some time before I ever used a search engine.

It is amazing how many people think the Google search text box is the browser address bar.

Clark Kent · « **Reply #5 on:** February 05, 2009, 02:32:10 pm »

Quote from: Bonk on February 03, 2009, 10:33:57 am

Well, there's Cuil now too.

As long as DNS works I'm still fine. I don't need Google (or any search engine) to find Ford, the EPA, the Government of Canada, Agilent... etc. etc. I used the internet for quite some time before I ever used a search engine.

It is amazing how many people think the Google search text box is the browser address bar.

Canadian government? Do they even have a website? Why would anyone want to look up canadia on teh inturnets?

Bonk · « **Reply #6 on:** February 05, 2009, 03:09:55 pm »

Quote from: Clark Kent on February 05, 2009, 02:32:10 pm

Canadian government? Do they even have a website? Why would anyone want to look up canadia on teh inturnets?

Yah, it's like right here eh? Like I need that googlemajiggy to tell me that?

Don't be such a hosehead, take off eh!

Sirgod · « **Reply #7 on:** February 05, 2009, 04:55:46 pm »

One has to understand though, That Web Monoculture involves a wierd sect of Northern allies who enjoy kissing spiders, only to sleep for days after.

Stephen

Bonk · « **Reply #8 on:** February 05, 2009, 05:29:46 pm »

Quote from: Sirgod on February 05, 2009, 04:55:46 pm

One has to understand though, That Web Monoculture involves a wierd sect of Northern allies who enjoy kissing spiders, only to sleep for days after.

Good lord Stephen, I'm a little worried that I actually understood that AND found it kinda funny!

Sirgod · « **Reply #9 on:** February 05, 2009, 07:31:06 pm »

LOL @ Bonk. I figured that would bring a chuckle.

Stephen

Clark Kent · « **Reply #10 on:** February 06, 2009, 09:29:18 am »

Quote from: Bonk on February 05, 2009, 03:09:55 pm

Quote from: Clark Kent on February 05, 2009, 02:32:10 pm
Canadian government? Do they even have a website? Why would anyone want to look up canadia on teh inturnets?

Yah, it's like right here eh? Like I need that googlemajiggy to tell me that? Don't be such a hosehead, take off eh!

Bonk, what does canaria have to do withanything anyways? (eh)

Bonk · « **Reply #11 on:** February 06, 2009, 03:03:11 pm »

Um.. softwood lumber, fresh water and electrical energy?

But more importantly, beer, bacon and hockey!

(seriously, the original point if you missed it, [as I'm beginning to wonder now] was that many website domain names are obvious and one need not use a search engine at all)

To get sort of back on topic though, my original thought when you asked what www.gc.ca had to do with it, (aside from the obvious domain name) was the definition of a common look and feel and accessibility across all federal department sites, there is a little variation but the adherence to the standard is pretty good. Additionally, all content is available in English or French.

Nemesis · « **Reply #12 on:** February 06, 2009, 03:54:58 pm »

Quote from: Bonk on February 05, 2009, 05:29:46 pm

Quote from: Sirgod on February 05, 2009, 04:55:46 pm
One has to understand though, That Web Monoculture involves a wierd sect of Northern allies who enjoy kissing spiders, only to sleep for days after.

Good lord Stephen, I'm a little worried that I actually understood that AND found it kinda funny!

I'm almost afraid to ask you to translate.

Sirgod · « **Reply #13 on:** February 06, 2009, 04:13:55 pm »

lol, Bonk is Canadian also. The joke was how kissing spiders (web thrown in somehow) gave him Mono. The kissing disease that causes you to sleep. Most kids had it at one time or another.

Just a silly play on words.

Stephen

Nemesis · « **Reply #14 on:** February 06, 2009, 04:35:16 pm »

Quote from: Sirgod on February 06, 2009, 04:13:55 pm

The kissing disease that causes you to sleep. Most kids had it at one time or another.

Stephen

Most? Between my 3 sisters and myself only one of my sisters had mono. I guess we are just more careful who (and what) we kiss.

Sirgod · « **Reply #15 on:** February 06, 2009, 04:51:23 pm »

Well ya damn Prude kids, whatsa the matter with ya?

That's a good thing really.I know I had it as a young one, and probably spread it around to more girls then I should have. Back then I really needed a boot to the head.

Stephen

Nemesis · « **Reply #16 on:** February 06, 2009, 08:25:46 pm »

Quote from: Sirgod on February 06, 2009, 04:51:23 pm

Well ya damn Prude kids, whatsa the matter with ya?

That's a good thing really.I know I had it as a young one, and probably spread it around to more girls then I should have. Back then I really needed a boot to the head.

Stephen

Years later my mother and older sister saw the boyfriend who gave her mono on the news, as part of a parade in Toronto, gay pride parade that is.

I always thought there was something different about that particular boyfriend of hers.

Sirgod · « **Reply #17 on:** February 06, 2009, 09:19:27 pm »

well thank god it was her, and not you. I'd have to adjust my posting style when talking to you.

Stephen

Nemesis · « **Reply #18 on:** February 06, 2009, 09:47:35 pm »

Quote from: Sirgod on February 06, 2009, 09:19:27 pm

well thank god it was her, and not you. I'd have to adjust my posting style when talking to you.

Stephen

Do I need to repost "the picture" of you?

Sirgod · « **Reply #19 on:** February 06, 2009, 10:53:30 pm »

LOL, depends, with or without the Snuggie purchase ?

Stephen

Nemesis · « **Reply #20 on:** February 07, 2009, 08:54:05 am »

Quote from: Sirgod on February 06, 2009, 10:53:30 pm

LOL, depends, with or without the Snuggie purchase ?

Stephen

Why not both?

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Topic: Web monoculture (Read 5048 times) var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};

Topic: Web monoculture (Read 5048 times)