Every web search result in Brave Search is now served by our own index • Hacker News Board

Re: Every web search result in Brave Search is now served by our own index

#201

Post by dividedbyzero » Thu, Apr 27, 2023, 11:18 PM UTC

time_to_smile wrote: post #143

lotsofpulp wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I always buy directly from the hotel assuming that I will be treated better due to the hotel earning more money from me due to not having to pay commission to a travel agent. Also, I assume there is less probability of errors since when you reserve on a travel agent website, your reservation goes through an additional system before it gets to the hotel.

I worked for a travel startup for a bit and after that experience I only book airfare and hotels directly. Specifically with airfare, a 3rd party is not allowed to sell for less than the airline directly, so it's always better options since it is much easier to reschedule/cancel/refund directly with the airline. Plus, if you travel a lot, it is better to find a favorite airline and stick to them. Any bonus "features"…

> Specifically with airfare, a 3rd party is not allowed to sell for less than the airline directly, so it's always better options since it is much easier to reschedule/cancel/refund directly with the airline.

The last couple of flights I booked with Star Alliance were the same price on Lufthansa.com etc., but I got free checked luggage on booking.com/expedia and just hand luggage on lh.com.

Re: Every web search result in Brave Search is now served by our own index

#202

Post by eks391 » Thu, Apr 27, 2023, 11:20 PM UTC

toomanyusers wrote: post #194

bazmattaz wrote: post #140

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Interesting, my test of a search engine’s ability to return relevant results is usually some sort of obscure search for tech help like; “Best way to modify the xyz on a raspberry pi 4” I stopped using DuckDuckGo because it always failed at searches like this compared to Google. Brave was ok

I stopped using DuckDuckGo when it introduced its email relay service. This service had (and I think still does have) the peculiar requirement that the user must install a browser extension in order to use it. I can think of no valid reason why a (supposedly privacy-respecting) email relay service should require a browser extension to be installed. This made me realize DuckDuckGo may not actually value privacy. I sto…

I have two email relays from DDG and have never installed their extension nor even knew they had an extension when I got their relays. (I know now but at the time I didn't) If you download the app on your phone, you can get a relay and then immidiately uninstall the app.

Re: Every web search result in Brave Search is now served by our own index

#203

Post by EMM_386 » Thu, Apr 27, 2023, 11:24 PM UTC

I first used Firefox when it was Phoenix, back in 2002. You downloaded a zip file, extracted it and ran it.

For the next 20 years I used Firefox. But I could feel the performance difference from Chromium browsers.

I finally threw in the towel and switched to Brave out of the collection of them now. I hated switching because it meant yet another user lost to one of the remaining handful of unique engines for browsing the web. I like competition and standards, and the more the better with browsing engines. Even if it may bring developers some pain.

I've been very happy with it. People gripe about ads, crypto integration, etc. but it can all be avoided and/or turned off. It has the speed of Chromium but with additional features and is privacy-focused.

But to get to the point, regarding the search ...

I'm happy to see they (somehow!) have been able to build their own search engine now. Obviously that's no simple task, I have no idea what goes into powering that but it has to be a major investment.

It seems pretty good. If they can sell API access for cheaper then the others and still return quality results, that seems like it has potential to be a good revenue stream.

They are very clear about the Web Discovery Project, what the purpose is, what it collects, etc. And obviously it's opt-in.

I really hope they succeed with this. Another example of where competition is definitely good.

Re: Every web search result in Brave Search is now served by our own index

#204

Post by lisasays » Thu, Apr 27, 2023, 11:24 PM UTC

elzbardico wrote: post #196

lisasays wrote: post #111

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You mean in not caving to conservative-friendly "free speech" preferences? Its decision to downrank state-sponsored disinformation? One can question the wisdom of these decisions - but ultimately it's a matter of editorial control, not censorship.

You know, if the conservatives ever come back to power, this precedent that we are creating on justifying censorship will bit us hard, and it will hurt as hell.

Repeating that this is form of censorship doesn't make it so.

Ironically, what DDG is doing is exercise of its free speech rights - pure and simple.

Re: Every web search result in Brave Search is now served by our own index

#205

Post by Gustomaximus » Thu, Apr 27, 2023, 11:27 PM UTC

tobyjsullivan wrote: post #193

lotsofpulp wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I always buy directly from the hotel assuming that I will be treated better due to the hotel earning more money from me due to not having to pay commission to a travel agent. Also, I assume there is less probability of errors since when you reserve on a travel agent website, your reservation goes through an additional system before it gets to the hotel.

I've tried to do this for years and ultimately been disappointed. Even on my latest hotel booking, the direct quote was 20% more than Expedia and that's not an isolated incident. I suspect this is partly predatory pricing on behalf of Expedia (charge the hotel 30%, discount the price 20%, get all the bookings and take the difference.) Yet I really can't justify spending the extra $400 to stand the moral high ground.…

A few times Ive literally used an aggregator booking site at the lobby desk after asking to stay longer, and the hotels price is higher than online.

I've assumed they do this as a combination of lazy tax plus they don't want to undercut aggregators as these might stop showing them if they know people will go direct to the hotel after searching.

Re: Every web search result in Brave Search is now served by our own index

#206

Post by toomanyusers » Thu, Apr 27, 2023, 11:30 PM UTC

eks391 wrote: post #202

toomanyusers wrote: post #194

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I stopped using DuckDuckGo when it introduced its email relay service. This service had (and I think still does have) the peculiar requirement that the user must install a browser extension in order to use it. I can think of no valid reason why a (supposedly privacy-respecting) email relay service should require a browser extension to be installed. This made me realize DuckDuckGo may not actually value privacy. I sto…

I have two email relays from DDG and have never installed their extension nor even knew they had an extension when I got their relays. (I know now but at the time I didn't) If you download the app on your phone, you can get a relay and then immidiately uninstall the app.

Yes, but you had to install an app. Why? They already have your email. They're forwarding email to you as part of the service. And you probably had to verify your email with them when you started using it. So why should you be required to also install either an app or a browser extension?

Doesn't the very act of installing something on your devices increase their technical ability to collect information about you and your devices? That doesn't sound very privacy-oriented.

Re: Every web search result in Brave Search is now served by our own index

#207

Post by Aeolun » Thu, Apr 27, 2023, 11:31 PM UTC

tobyjsullivan wrote: post #193

lotsofpulp wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I always buy directly from the hotel assuming that I will be treated better due to the hotel earning more money from me due to not having to pay commission to a travel agent. Also, I assume there is less probability of errors since when you reserve on a travel agent website, your reservation goes through an additional system before it gets to the hotel.

I've tried to do this for years and ultimately been disappointed. Even on my latest hotel booking, the direct quote was 20% more than Expedia and that's not an isolated incident. I suspect this is partly predatory pricing on behalf of Expedia (charge the hotel 30%, discount the price 20%, get all the bookings and take the difference.) Yet I really can't justify spending the extra $400 to stand the moral high ground.…

Hmm, I guess I just only ever book through the hotel directly, so I never feel like I’m missing out. I don’t even know what the non-hotel pricing is.

On the other hand, that always includes free wifi and breakfast.

Re: Every web search result in Brave Search is now served by our own index

#208

Post by caslon » Thu, Apr 27, 2023, 11:34 PM UTC

toomanyusers wrote: post #206

eks391 wrote: post #202

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have two email relays from DDG and have never installed their extension nor even knew they had an extension when I got their relays. (I know now but at the time I didn't) If you download the app on your phone, you can get a relay and then immidiately uninstall the app.

Yes, but you had to install an app. Why? They already have your email. They're forwarding email to you as part of the service. And you probably had to verify your email with them when you started using it. So why should you be required to also install either an app or a browser extension? Doesn't the very act of installing something on your devices increase their technical ability to collect information about you and…

Most likely a feeble attempt to avoid the domain from getting blacklisted from most services by restricting the amount of relays a user can have by device.

Re: Every web search result in Brave Search is now served by our own index

#209

Post by Aeolun » Thu, Apr 27, 2023, 11:35 PM UTC

hattmall wrote: post #192

RajT88 wrote: post #187

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Unless you are really special (loyal and big spender), you won't get any special treatment. Lifetime Platinum Marriott member here. The special treatment is OK. It is nice to get room upgrades and freebies, but that's little stuff. It doesn't get you a room magically when they are sold out, and you don't magically get a better rate when prices are high. The biggest benefit if you're traveling a lot is your points a…

>don't magically get a better rate when prices are high. That's when you spend your points. Though it depends severely on the brand. Marriott and Hilton are no longer great. But Wyndham and Hyatt are pretty amazing. Starwood, used to be good until Marriott bought them out.

Mariott is pretty good. The single time I stayed in a Hilton was so nasty I’ll never do it again.

Re: Every web search result in Brave Search is now served by our own index

#210

Post by celsoazevedo » Thu, Apr 27, 2023, 11:44 PM UTC

metalliqaz wrote: post #150

riskycodes wrote: post #146

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, but you opt in, and you receive a share of it (in their altcoin) if you do.

they lost me at "altcoin"

Replace "altcoin" with "foreign currency" and it would be the same thing. You receive a payment, convert it to your local currency, and use it.