Future of Web Searching

[jmdirc]

Do you think eventually there will be a charge for web searching?

Reason I ask is this: Google Search Toy

or, if you want qualitative searches, they will cost; or, is this the way it works now and I've just been living under a big rock.

[raysor]

I dont think so. The whole concept of the internet is that it is accesible by all. Open up port 80 on your computer and you are part of it.

Because of that, what someone charges to do via the internet, someone else will always do for free!

I do think the internet will expand massivly though, and we definately need to do something to keep the quality there - I have always thought user regulated search results would be a good idea - similar to the thing google does through google account - you can raise or lower results based on your preferences.

Well I think that this feature could be built into google toolbar - you give a site a tick or an x based on your experience with it, then that score goes towards an overall user rating for the site - which is then combined with pr, history, coding etc and all the other variables to decide where it is positioned in the results.

[raysor]

As for the google toy, think thta is more or a corporate tool - a hardwarew appliance that will index your documents for search - probably used by companies like the nhs for example who might have several terrabytes worth of data that needs to be searched through easily and fast. Alot of other companies provide similar services as this.

[jmdirc]

Although talking about the news, it covers it by an angle of the web - always have liked this one:

Epic 2015

[FrankV]

About all I can see is that search engines will continue to try to filter out and prevent spam in the results and those that promote web sites will continue to try to work around the above efforts of search engines.

The internet is supposed to be a "free spirit" or open place as it were. As such, any real rules destroys that. I would like to see controls over spam and such, but that is not realistic if the internet is to be free and open.

On my personal feelings, I think that the internet has shown to the worlds just how corrupt the world is and how many corrupt people are in it. Of course, the definition of corrupt varies with each individual. That is why we are called individuals.

As for the Google tool, or whatever it is. It is a tool and a toy. It will find a place somewhere with those that like it. It is no different than any other tool or toy developed by any search engine or company. It is a way to give a group what they want or to sell something. If it is not profitable, assuming that profit was the concern for development, it will be dropped despite complaints from those that "can't live without it".

The internet is about providing information and making money. Search engines are about making money providing links to information.