Google timer • Hacker News Board

Re: Google timer

#91

Post by iamben » Mon, Sep 23, 2013, 12:22 PM UTC

martin-adams wrote: post #8

Interesting side effect. There's this web site: http://www.online-stopwatch.com/timer/1hour/ which comes up top of the google search results for "timer for 1 hour" for me. Now there is absolutely no way they can compete with Google's own offering from an SEO perspective. While this example is trivial to some extent, does it set a precedent that while you can advertise and compete with Google, they can always have the…

See also: flights, insurance, credit cards etc.

Sometimes I think that your only option as an affiliate in these markets now is to brand yourself so heavily (MoneySuperMarket, for instance) that people search for your brand, understanding what you do, rather than trying to rank first for the generic term (compare insurance, cheap insurance etc) and hope they click your link.

Even if Google's offering for some of these things is still not as pushed as it could be today, what's to say they won't butcher your traffic / revenue tomorrow?

Re: Google timer

#92

Post by rane » Mon, Sep 23, 2013, 12:26 PM UTC

Noticed that Alfred's default search URL for Google wouldn't work with the timer: http://www.google.com/search?q=set+timer+for+10+seconds

It has to be https://www.google.com/#q=timer+for+10+seconds so I made a custom search URL and can now use the timer through Alfred.

Re: Google timer

#93

Post by adamc » Mon, Sep 23, 2013, 12:30 PM UTC

rane wrote: post #92

Noticed that Alfred's default search URL for Google wouldn't work with the timer: http://www.google.com/search?q=set+timer+for+10+seconds It has to be https://www.google.com/#q=timer+for+10+seconds so I made a custom search URL and can now use the timer through Alfred.

No, the first url worked for the timer fine for me.

Re: Google timer

#94

Post by ximeng » Mon, Sep 23, 2013, 12:32 PM UTC

Fourplealis wrote: post #59

flyingyeti wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

More: https://www.google.com/#q=aal+1 https://www.google.com/#q=nfl+scores

https://www.google.com/#psj=1&q=what+is+my+ip

https://www.google.com/search?q=flights+to+new+york

https://www.google.com/search?q=flights+to+new+york+from+la

https://www.google.com/search?q=calories+in+a+pint

Re: Google timer

#95

Post by Kaizo » Mon, Sep 23, 2013, 12:39 PM UTC

marcamillion wrote: post #75

This totally freaked me out. I clicked the link to be opened in a new tab - and continued what I was doing. I heard that beeping sound, and was completely baffled where it was coming from (didn't sound like it was coming from the speakers). You should have seen me picking up papers on my desk listening to them. I listened to every potential port on my phone to see if it was giving off this sound. I felt like I was go…

Did the same thing too, couldn't find the source at all since it didn't sound like it came from the computer. Thought my phone had gone nuts because it had no indication at all of any alarm...

Re: Google timer

#96

Post by innino » Mon, Sep 23, 2013, 12:40 PM UTC

josefresco wrote: post #90

ok_craig wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Lesson: don't put to much stock into a product that can be replaced by a few lines of code on a search result page.

A counter-point to your argument. While I know Google offers calculator functions, and unit of measurement conversions, I usually don't know the exact format to use which will key the special functions. Typically searching Google for "percentage calculator" or something similar takes you to a site with a clear UI and instruction. Often times this is quicker than randomly entering searches into Google, hoping that my…

the "general use" nature of Google means that they'll never have these functions as prominent features.

Hmm. Why not? Why can't Google continuing builder richer and richer search results, results which become smarter and smarter in matching what users are looking for? The potential level of customisability for a search result/user to a search query is infinite. At higher levels you move beyond the crude "search" metaphor to what Google is really working towards: full brain-augmentation. Not a tool the mind must learn to use, but a tool built to work with the mind, a tool in fact that is tailored perfectly for each and every mind.

Re: Google timer

#97

Post by miguelrochefort » Mon, Sep 23, 2013, 12:41 PM UTC

Pomodoro Bookmarklet (powered by Google timer):

1. Create new bookmarklet

2. Name: Pomodoro

3. URL: javascript:window.open("-1" rel="nofollow">https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=cr#q="+((document.title.index...)?"":"2")+"5+minute+timer&safe=off",'_self');

4. Save

Click on the bookmarklet to toggle between "Work" and "Break" mode.

Re: Google timer

#98

Post by evadne » Mon, Sep 23, 2013, 12:42 PM UTC

I really miss per-application volume control (like in Windows).

Re: Google timer

#99

Post by aptwebapps » Mon, Sep 23, 2013, 12:48 PM UTC

Lewton wrote: post #43

Yet again I am reminded that my google is not necessarily the same as 'your' google Just like how "define: something" doesn't show a dictionary definiton for me anymore, a functionality i used all the time. And now can't be sure whether was actually removed, or just removed for me!

Didn't work for me when logged into Google Apps but did in another browser.

Re: Google timer

#100

Post by miguelrochefort » Mon, Sep 23, 2013, 12:53 PM UTC

domness wrote: post #60

Fancy, however, I still prefer things like http://e.ggtimer.com/ as it allows other functions such as a Pomodoro timer.

You can also use this bookmarklet:

javascript:window.open("https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=cr#q="+((document.title.index...);