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Amazon's A9 Drops Retained Data Methods
Posted by
Zonk
on Tue Oct 03, 2006 09:39 AM
from the my-favorite-methods dept.
from the my-favorite-methods dept.
eldavojohn writes "The recent update to Amazon's A9 service has removed its ability to record searches. A9 (which now uses Windows Live & Alexa) used to tout the ability to save every single search the user made, which required a login. Now, they no longer require you to log in and have dropped the recording of searches from their toolbar. What they added was aesthetic changes to the search site. What they dropped was the A9 Instant Reward, the A9 Toolbar, the A9 Yellow Pages, the A9 Maps (including Block View), the user diary, bookmarks, and history. Although they claim that A9 is merely 'shifting its priorities to areas where it can provide the greatest benefit for customers,' this smacks of a move to avoid the ethical controversies and pressures that come with retaining your user data. What does the rest of Slashdot think about retaining search data? Is it a liability or an asset?"
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Technology: Gap Between Google and Competition Widening 188 comments
eldavojohn writes "Business Week has up an article trying to explain why it is getting harder and harder to 'catch' Google in the search engine game. We've heard of many different kinds of search engines and many different companies entering the market but: '... Google keeps gaining share in the face of newly launched capabilities on other engines. In August, Google sites gained 6.8 percentage points of search share from a year earlier, according to researcher comScore Media Metrix. Meantime, Yahoo lost 1 percentage point, Microsoft's sites lost 3.3 percentage points, and Ask.com lost one-half of a percentage point.' All of this on the heels of recent news that A9 scaled back its features. Is it possible to think of a number better than a one with a hundred zeros behind it?"
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Depends... (Score:5, Insightful)
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
Re: (Score:3, Interesting)
I have a feeling Amazon was less worried about "abuse" of its retained data by authorities than it was profits. I have a feeling they thought the data they were retaining could be mined for profit - when they found out storing the data was more costly than the money they could make from it, they dropped it.
One way to make sure extra storage isn't costing money is to not have it around.
And If the Government Asks? (Score:3, Interesting)
Well, I popped this question because I think the recent news with the governments of multiple countries demanding search results has put a hampering on this data-mining-for-good-reasons initiative that so many companies have started. You didn't cover what would happen if the data u
Re:And If the Government Asks? (Score:4, Insightful)
A search is not a purchase. For purchases, there are already records. It doesn't matter if you're searching for that new-fangled satanic rock and roll. If it matters at all, it will be if you purchase (or download) the CD.
Parent
Re: (Score:2)
WE know what the data means. THEY do not care.
Re: (Score:2)
Instant Reward dropped? (Score:5, Informative)
Re: (Score:2)
It just goes to show.. (Score:2, Flamebait)
Re:It just goes to show.. (Score:4, Interesting)
Parent
Re:It just goes to show.. (Score:4, Interesting)
1.5% may not be much, but it takes so little effort that it is worth it.
I just checked and the pi/2 discount is still in effect, so I'm not sure if that actually is going away or if they just aren't promoting it any more.
Parent
Asset, under certain circumstances. (Score:4, Interesting)
The only but in that statement is that I don't want them to retain search- or private data under two circumstances:
1) If the search data affects the answers given in future searches
2) If it results in spam or theft of any kind
Now, providing it's securely stored, doesn't affect answers to future queries and helps them enhance their services, I really don't mind.
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
Re: (Score:2, Interesting)
That is OK with me. I don't commit crimes. Misdemeanors in the realm of speeding, smoking where I shouldn't and taking a leak against a tree aside, I am pretty much squeaky clean. The government can definately look through my google search history.
For the past 48 hours they will learn where to find bronze ore in MapleStory, they will learn I bought a Denon 1906 DTS 7:1 Receiver at a decent price, and they will learn quite a bit about the Wharfedale 3-way speakers I am currently looking at. Lastly, they
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
History has taught us many lessons. And one of them is that information and power will be abused.
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
They'll still keep it, just not make it public. (Score:2)
By this same argument, one might say "oh, look, google isn't saving search data either; if I can't see it, it's not there!". Yeah, riiight.
What if.... (Score:2)
For example, you search for David Bowie, then you search for 'The Cure'. The analysis process determines that you have linked David Bowie and The Cure and reports that link back to the search engine. Eve
It should be the consumer's choice (Score:3, Interesting)
Slashdot gives me the option of posting and submitting stories under my user-id or anonymously. Everyone knows that I, davidwr, posted this message at the time indicated above. Any paying subscriber can look up "davidwr" any time in the future and see all the messages I posted. If I wanted to be private, I could be "Anonymous Coward."
I avoid newspaper sites tha require a login because I want to eliminate the possibility they will tie what I read today with what I read tomorrow.
A shame to lose A9 Maps (Score:3, Interesting)
It's a shame to lose A9 maps, the block view was a very useful feature. Google Map's integration of satellite photos is impressive but lets face it, most of us view the world from the ground not the from the sky, so the block view is helpful for seeing what your destination looks like. Unfortunately, they only got around to photographing the downtown core of a handful of major US cities.
Safer Not To Save Searches (Score:3, Insightful)
Slashdot blinders (Score:4, Informative)
This is a classic case of Slashdot blinders, thinking the entire world is black or white. Here, let me help you:
Retaining data is obviously a liability. It's invasive of my privacy. It gives companies data on me that they can sell to other companies without my permission, and those other companies send me annoying pre-screened offers of credit. My info will eventually end up in a big database in the basement of the FBI, where they'll try to link me to terrorism by playing a big connect-the-dots game. 'He searched for the Anarchist Cookbook and Catcher in the Rye. Arrest his ass.'
On the other hand, retaining data is obviously an asset. It allows companies to cater their services to my personal needs. It lets them suggest products that I may not have even known existed. My information builds company worth, which stimulates the economy and provides employees with jobs. It facilitates retailer/customer trust and loyalty, which benefits both parties.
I'm sure I could go on and on with more arguments for both sides, but I hope you've gotten the point by now: the world isn't black and white, business decisions are hard, and the rest of the world already knows these things.