We Need To Talk, Google • Hacker News Board

Re: We Need To Talk, Google

#11

Post by AJ007 » Wed, Aug 21, 2013, 3:51 PM UTC

This is a good example of a "forced" or "assisted" conversion. The user really doesn't want to do it, they just want to view the damn YouTube video.

Google is employing these same optimization techniques elsewhere. I've noticed very subtle, and consequently expensive, things that have been done with Adwords.

There is a simple solution to this, which unfortunately castrates Google's entire platform. Its the same reason why I've been avoiding Android. It is also why I have to tell my friends I can't view their Youtube link because it says I have to sign in.

Re: We Need To Talk, Google

#12

Post by spindritf » Wed, Aug 21, 2013, 3:51 PM UTC

Logging into Google and its services has always been a mess. Once upon a time you could even have a Google Account associated with an e-mail address hosted elsewhere, not through Google Apps.

It was always a confusing maze of separate cross-associated accounts (YouTube, Google Account, GMail, Google Groups...) strung together. Actually, it's one of the aspects of Google's services that has clearly improved over time. Even with all the G+ nonsense.

Re: We Need To Talk, Google

#13

Post by drill_sarge » Wed, Aug 21, 2013, 3:55 PM UTC

Don't use Google Account then. I have one just for unimportant stuff (like for registering on certain forums) and only access it via imap with mail client. Don't know why you want to be logged in to Google while searching the web. Same for Youtube.

Re: We Need To Talk, Google

#14

Post by dombili » Wed, Aug 21, 2013, 3:58 PM UTC

Kind of ironic for someone who works for an internet security firm to say that he's deleting his Google account not because of privacy issues but for other "inconveniences". I get where he's coming from though. That YouTube pop-ups are really annoying.

Re: We Need To Talk, Google

#15

Post by ChikkaChiChi » Wed, Aug 21, 2013, 3:59 PM UTC

Don't mistake piss poor execution for being evil. Google has had more missteps with its acquisitions and cross service communication than any other company I've worked with in recent memory.

Re: We Need To Talk, Google

#16

Post by dxm » Wed, Aug 21, 2013, 4:00 PM UTC

About three months ago I wanted to download the original of a video I had uploaded to Youtube since I had lost my local copy and it was sentimental. I was unable to even access the video without first creating a Google+ account, I was unable to download my data and cancel my Youtube account without first creating a Google+ account. I went to Google Takeout and removed everything, and cancelled. (Note: This was a business account that I was paying for, not a free account. I felt as if my data was being held hostage despite me paying for the storage and usage costs.)

Re: We Need To Talk, Google

#17

Post by dohertyjf » Wed, Aug 21, 2013, 4:02 PM UTC

lawdawg wrote: post #10

Get over it people, Google+ is the new account system for all Google products. If you don't like Google having a single account/profile system, or the fact that Google+ profiles include a "social" network product, then you best look for alternatives ASAP.

I don't think that's the point. The point is that Google isn't differentiating between a business profile and a personal profile well.

Re: We Need To Talk, Google

#18

Post by kevingadd » Wed, Aug 21, 2013, 4:04 PM UTC

sirkneeland wrote: post #8

Is it "evil"? No. While I agree with the author that it sucks, I feel that calling it evil dilutes the word of the power it should have when used. So much ink has been spilled on the "evil" stuff that it seems as though people's energy and attention spans are exhausted when the more "banal" stuff comes around. And so Google can get away with shoving as much G+ on us as they like. "Google, don't be banal"....more accu…

Tricking/coercing users into broadcasting their real name to the internet (through repetition, malicious UX design and just plain broken software) is actually pretty close to 'evil', since it can put some groups at risk. Less relevant for a Youtube account, perhaps, but the same criticisms of FB and G+ 'Real Names' policies apply here to Google trying to force YT users to display real names.

Re: We Need To Talk, Google

#19

Post by lawdawg » Wed, Aug 21, 2013, 4:05 PM UTC

dohertyjf wrote: post #17

lawdawg wrote: post #10

Get over it people, Google+ is the new account system for all Google products. If you don't like Google having a single account/profile system, or the fact that Google+ profiles include a "social" network product, then you best look for alternatives ASAP.

I don't think that's the point. The point is that Google isn't differentiating between a business profile and a personal profile well.

Which is a UX problem, not a "Google attempting to drive me into yet another unwanted "social" network". You don't think it's in Google's best interest that channels create Google+ Pages rather than individual Google+ profiles?

Re: We Need To Talk, Google

#20

Post by darklajid » Wed, Aug 21, 2013, 4:05 PM UTC

lawdawg wrote: post #10

Get over it people, Google+ is the new account system for all Google products. If you don't like Google having a single account/profile system, or the fact that Google+ profiles include a "social" network product, then you best look for alternatives ASAP.

I try to. The single thing I struggle with? Android.

Maybe Firefox OS will be interesting, iOS isn't. And .. right now I can pay for Android apps, but I'm banned from rate them, comment on them. Ignoring all the 'Do you want to be tracked to provide Better Services (tm)" stuff in that ecosystem.