Google backgrounds - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Madman · 06-10-2010, 07:32 AM

Maybe it's just me, but today on the Google search page, (non iGoogle), they now offer customizable background images.

Kinda cool....kinda annoying.

Ironhorse · 06-10-2010, 07:51 AM

I vote for annoying.

WilsonFourTwo · 06-10-2010, 07:55 AM

^^^Make that two votes.

BlackEleven · 06-10-2010, 08:09 AM

I think its pretty cool. You can put your own photos there too.

dobbles · 06-10-2010, 08:22 AM

apparently the reason they did it is because bing search has random backgrounds and i guess people really like them. i tested a background, but to me it was silly. i like the plain and simple google concept. however i am sure there are lots of folks that think its the bees knees.

WilsonFourTwo · 06-10-2010, 08:41 AM

You can't turn it off.....unless you have an active 'Google Account'.

I get the idea of "Turn it on if you want it", but to force every user? Blerg!

BlackEleven · 06-10-2010, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WilsonFourTwo

You can't turn it off.....unless you have an active 'Google Account'.

I get the idea of "Turn it on if you want it", but to force every user? Blerg!

Click in the lower left to changes images, go to editor's picks, scroll to the bottom, select the pure white image. That'll give you just a plain white background as before. They've changed the fonts and logo though it seems. Not sure if that's temporary or permanent.

Phaneuf3 · 06-10-2010, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackEleven

Click in the lower left to changes images, go to editor's picks, scroll to the bottom, select the pure white image. That'll give you just a plain white background as before. They've changed the fonts and logo though it seems. Not sure if that's temporary or permanent.

I click that and it takes me to a google accounts log in page. I don't want to have to log in with a google account everywhere to see their normal regular homepage. If I wanted this crap, I'd go use bing.

This should have been introduced as an opt-in 'feature', not something you have to opt-out of.

PS: their https site is still the normal page.

WilsonFourTwo · 06-10-2010, 09:25 AM

I can describe the change in two words: New Coke.

Phaneuf3 · 06-10-2010, 09:27 AM

If you have adblock, you can add this filter:
http://www.google.com/images/background/*

It gets rid of the stupid image but all the text and logo still look white. It's better than it was this morning and I don't have to sign into a google account to make it happen.

Shazam · 06-10-2010, 09:46 AM

Well I see Google is well on their way to becoming yet another company run by imbeciles.

I would've liked to been at this fataing meeting:

"Bing's got backgrounds! Pretty backgrounds! Our research indicates people like them!"

"OMGWTFBBQ! Quickly, assign fifty of our best developers to get pretty wallpaper on our home page!"

FUUUUU....

photon · 06-10-2010, 09:50 AM

I think this was just for 24 hours, like their special logos.

Or that's what they're saying so they can take it off if the outcry is too great.

photon · 06-10-2010, 09:51 AM

http://lifehacker.com/5559961/turn-o...ckground-image

FanIn80 · 06-10-2010, 09:53 AM

I think the real story in all of this, is that Google felt compelled to duplicate something Bing offers.

The only thing that does is help to legitimize Bing.

dobbles · 06-10-2010, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FanIn80

I think the real story in all of this, is that Google felt compelled to duplicate something Bing offers.

The only thing that does is help to legitimize Bing.

not to go too OT, but i really enjoy bing maps as their aerial view is much better than google maps. since we are about to move 1000 miles away, much of our initial research for houses is done over the internet. using bing maps for views of the neighborhoods is nice. thats the only thing that i use that is bing related though.

Sliver · 06-10-2010, 10:34 AM

I uploaded my own background image and I like it. Do all you guys have blank desktops as well? It's no different than that IMO.

Phaneuf3 · 06-10-2010, 10:39 AM

^^
Yup. Plain black. Absolute minimal icons.

Not sure how people can deal with extra clutter...

llama64 · 06-10-2010, 11:05 AM

People still use the main Google search page?

I use the address bar and the search box in my browser.

Madman · 06-10-2010, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by llama64

People still use the main Google search page?

I use the address bar and the search box in my browser.

If it would clear my last search phrase, then I would use it.

But to have, "12 year old tranny boys", search phrase staring at me all afternoon gets annoying.

WilsonFourTwo · 06-10-2010, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FanIn80

I think the real story in all of this, is that Google felt compelled to duplicate something Bing offers.

The only thing that does is help to legitimize Bing.

Agreed on point one.
Agreed on point two.

I'd heard of Bing, but today was the day I finally went and looked at it. I'm not one for adopting the newest fanciest stuff, as long as the current stuff does the trick. That said, I've had concerns about Google for a while, and now that they continue to 'Improve' without consent (it's getting annoying) I think it's time to seek out alternatives.