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Google Reader shut down announced ten years ago today

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Re: Google Reader shut down announced ten years ago today

#151

Post by [deleted] »

pydry wrote: post #121
wolpoli wrote: post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I stopped having a positive view of Google due to their poor explanation for shutting down Google Reader. They explained they were shutting it down due to declining usage and they are pouring all of their energy into fewer product, however, as Google had a reputation for building cool and free stuff back then, it seemed reasonable to me that they could have maintain it in a frozen state or provide a longer transition…

When the first rumors of Google+ swirled I figured that Google Reader would be used to seed it. I really found it baffling that they didn't do that. It felt like they needlessly kneecapped plus's launch.

[deleted]

Re: Google Reader shut down announced ten years ago today

#152

Post by mschuster91 »

aniforprez wrote: post #144
pirsquare wrote: post #128

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"You missed emails asking for verification" Did you saw the title of the email? "Important Information for your Account". It reads more like an informational email. How many important emails you've received this week? Could've been worded "[Action Required]", "Account Suspension Notice" etc. And they didn't even drop a notification when my servers were shutdown. "This will happen to you again on AWS or any other prov…

Your whole story boils down to you not properly reading an email that even says "Important Information". I don't understand how that part isn't your fault. They even tell you that your account will be suspended in the email. How do you not have a special filter to route emails from critical service providers? And I don't agree that GCP is "the only one that will suspend you for things like this". AWS can and has susp…

> Your whole story boils down to you not properly reading an email that even says "Important Information".

Because 99% of emails labeled "Important Information for your Account" get discarded by spam filters including the one in your brain. In most cases it's nothing more than just another bad spam/CEO scam/phishing attempt.

Clear communication is important - a proper subject line would be "Your GCE account #XYZ is going to be terminated unless verified until 2023/01/01".

Re: Google Reader shut down announced ten years ago today

#153

Post by djmips »

pirsquare wrote: post #135
maccard wrote: post #122

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm usually one for blaming the big company and arcane processes, but this squarely your fault. You missed emails asking for verification, and had your account suspended because of it. This will happen to you again on AWS or any other provider. Stadia was disappointing, but they refunded everyone everything they had ever spent. Short of keeping the service running for free forever I'm not sure what more they could ha…

I want to add one more thing. Whether or not if it's my fault for the initial suspension isn't the main thing. The main thing is how they "react" to help a customer get things back to normal when something goes wrong. Verdict: Never ever trust Google Clown Platform with your business

Your next startup will be a ChatGPT administrative assistant that reads your emails and makes sure you never miss the actually important ones. And go!

Re: Google Reader shut down announced ten years ago today

#155

Post by BonoboIO »

After 10 years im still puzzled how they could kill this product. Absolutely minimal costs to run, free data for their search business and even the possibility to monetize their tool with ads.

They could have incorporated news and build a whole platform on it.

And what did Google do ... they replaced it with NOTHING.

Google Reader was THE original Newsfeed.

Re: Google Reader shut down announced ten years ago today

#156

Post by raizer88 »

izacus wrote: post #146
raizer88 wrote: post #82

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I never understood why Google doesn't hire B teams to do the maintenance work, or outsource it. It's normal that if you hire only top players that no one wants to be stuck doing tickets.

Why would Google (or any company) _pay_ for outsourced teams to maintain a declining unprofitable product? Would __your__ company ever do that?

Because if the product is not in red (pretty sure Google Reader was in green), closing it burn user trust. I know about opportunity costs, but I'm not sure Google is in a position where it bleeds money so bad that need to rationalize things. And having one more product helps you synergize strategies across the board.

Re: Google Reader shut down announced ten years ago today

#157

Post by djmips »

saurik wrote: post #130
synu wrote: post #120

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I always thought it was something like a comparison between ballistae with fewer shots and larger arrows (javelin size, really) doing more damage, and a storm of smaller regular arrows. Maybe I was being too generous with my interpretation.

I just remembered remembered that I had read something about the history of this phrase, and I found it: an answer on Quora from five years ago. https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-origin-of-the-phrase-putti... > The background seems an oft-used phrase in Sun Microsystems by the former CEO, "all the wood behind a single arrow" which means focus on a single product and be the best in it. > When deer hunting .. "Real men…

Corporate buzzword bingo cards must have included 'wood behind arrows' in days of yore. I haven't heard it in a while...

Re: Google Reader shut down announced ten years ago today

#159

Post by iguana_lawyer »

A terrible business decision. It killed blogging and concentrated content into a handful of silos. They probably thought Google+ would be one of those but that failed miserably. Now search is something you do inside an app or website, not on google.com.

Re: Google Reader shut down announced ten years ago today

#160

Post by djmips »

whatshisface wrote: post #88
erik_seaberg wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Despite the prior “more wood behind fewer arrows” announcement, it might be the first time Google killed something that was popular with Googlers. I think it was an “Elves leave Middle-Earth” moment for my friends on campus. Memegen was full of “we can launch (ultradoomed project) but can’t keep Reader alive?” snark, less good-natured than usual. I’ve heard it blamed on Vic and G+, actual security issues from scrapin…

I haven't heard the phrase "more wood behind fewer arrows" before, but I am pretty sure that never in the history of the evolution of projectiles was that tradeoff ever taken in that direction.

I guess if the word 'wood' means weight/power in this instance it kinda makes sense. (as outlined in the child comments)
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