Karl Rove joins Google's Board of Directors as head of Blogger

"175.000 new blogs daily join the forces and I take the golden opportunity to build up the strongest army ever to fight any attack toward the american freedom on todays most important battlefield, the internet"
Karl Rove

After years of stagnancy and resignation we may soon see a bright and blissed future for the blogosphere. Todays press release by Google is for sure much more than a short note about personal changes in the board of directors. Hidden inbetween the lines you can get for the very first time an idea about the new Blogger Infinitas, codenamed Redeemer. Rumours about Redeemer are circulating among tech blogs since some weeks, but so far there was no official statement about it from Google. It will come as no surprise that we will see critical comments about the new head of Blogger in the liberal biased media, however, those who understand that the social networks of today are more than just a bunch of personal diaries will welcome one of the most skilled players in the global media and gladly support and follow the Redeemer into the new world, enjoying the freeom of blogging.

Karl Rove (left) and Larry Page fooling around at the after party of the stockholder meeting


the full press release

Karl Rove joins Google's Board of Directors as head of Blogger

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. – April 1, 2007 – Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) today announced that Karl Rove has been elected to its board of directors at the 2007 stockholder meeting. Karl Christian Rove (born December 25, 1950) is Deputy Chief of Staff to President George W. Bush. He has headed the Office of Political Affairs, the Office of Public Liaison, and the White House Office of Strategic Initiatives. His experience as a political consultant whos election campaign clients have included Bush (2000 and 2004 presidential elections), Senator John Ashcroft (1994 US Senate election) and Phil Gramm (1982 US House and 1984 US Senate elections) makes him the most eligible candidate to design the future of Blogger™.

"Karl's many contributions to Google over the years as investor and advisor helped us immensely," said Eric Schmidt, Google's chief executive officer. "His insights, drive, and determination are already part of Google today and will be so forever and ever."

"Larry and I both have valued Karl's counsel and wisdom from our earliest meetings," added Sergey Brin, Google's co-founder and president of technology. "His new position as head of blogger and member of the board of directors of Google finally reflect his crucial advice, funding and guidance to Google and we look forward to shape the entire blogosphere under his leadership in the future."

Rove introduced a first glimpse into the major redesign of Blogger during the meeting of the board of directors. The new Blogger Infinitas, codenamed Redeemer, will include many new features like word surveillance, nudity negation, post supervision, auto postings, banner enhancement and mini widgets, sometimes called midgets.

On 14 August 2006, Blogger launched its latest version in beta, codenamed Invader, alongside the gold release. This migrated users to Google servers, as well including some new features. In December 2006, this new version of Blogger was taken out of beta. Currently, only a small group of bloggers have access to the new Blogger Infinitas which offers more advanced features; however, Rove expects that all blogs will enjoy the benefits of the Redeemer within this year.

"Larry and Sergey's originality and the remarkable accomplishments of Eric and the Google management have generated substantial returns for all my clients," said Rove. "Now I'm delighted to be part of a team that will change the face of the world like no other."

Rove, who was named the "Most Fascinating Person" of the year by Barbara Walters in 2004, is widely acclaimed as a spearhead in the fight for freedom.
"175.000 new blogs daily join the forces and I take the golden opportunity to build up the strongest army ever to fight any attack toward the american freedom on todays most important battlefield, the internet" stated Rove, acknowledged with applause and standing ovation at the end of his keynote.


About Google Inc.
Google's innovative search technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top web property in all major global markets. Google's targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall web experience for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.google.com.

Media Contacts:
Google Inc.
Lois Kim
Head of Corporate Communications & PA
lois@google.com

Erin Fors
415.39.0582
efors@google.com

This Post Not Made In Chrome

Google's EULA Sucks

David Loschiavo points to the fact that Google's Chrome Terms of Service take out a royalty-free license for Google of any content submitted by users over the internet.

snippet:
If you're like every other geek, you were one of the many people who downloaded Google Chrome within minutes of it's 3:00PM EST release today. There's no doubt about it -- Chrome is ridiculously faster than Firefox and IE. But you, like virtually every computer user out there, probably didn't even bother to gloss over the Chrome Terms of Service.

11. Content license from you

11.1 You retain copyright and any other rights you already hold in Content which you submit, post or display on or through, the Services. By submitting, posting or displaying the content you give Google a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free, and non-exclusive license to reproduce, adapt, modify, translate, publish, publicly perform, publicly display and distribute any Content which you submit, post or display on or through, the Services. This license is for the sole purpose of enabling Google to display, distribute and promote the Services and may be revoked for certain Services as defined in the Additional Terms of those Services.

11.2 You agree that this license includes a right for Google to make such Content available to other companies, organizations or individuals with whom Google has relationships for the provision of syndicated services, and to use such Content in connection with the provision of those services.

11.3 You understand that Google, in performing the required technical steps to provide the Services to our users, may (a) transmit or distribute your Content over various public networks and in various media; and (b) make such changes to your Content as are necessary to conform and adapt that Content to the technical requirements of connecting networks, devices, services or media. You agree that this license shall permit Google to take these actions.

11.4 You confirm and warrant to Google that you have all the rights, power and authority necessary to grant the above license.

In other words, by posting anything (via Chrome) to your blog(s), any forum, video site, myspace, itunes, or any other site that might happen to be supporting you, Google can use your work without paying you a dime. They can go and edit it all they want. Even further, you're claiming that you have the power to grant these rights. So no one who works for Conde Nast (Wired, Arstechnica), TechCrunch, Gawker, any of the other big web publishers, or a university where the employee is performing research can agree to the Chrome ToS because they most likely don't have the right to give a license to the intellectual property (IP) they produce....

For those of you who are thinking this applies only to Google sites like blogger and gmail, read section 1.1
Your use of Google's products, software, services and web sites (referred to collectively as the "Services" in this document and excluding any services provided to you by Google under a separate written agreement) is subject to the terms of a legal agreement between you and Google....

And for the record, Microsoft tried this years ago with MSN messenger, where MS got an irrevocable perpetual license to all IP that passed through MSN messenger, and the net basically revolted.

With more and more apps being shifted into web browsers, this is almost like MS claiming that it gets a license to any document in MS Word, Powerpoint, or Excel.

full article here

Google Content Blocker

What is Google Content Blocker? Google's mission is to organize the world's advertising for maximum exposure to Web users. Unfortunately, annoying Web content often overwhelms the page, causing many users to become distracted and overlook the ads.

That's where Google Content Blocker comes in. It effectively blocks all Web site content, leaving only the advertisements.

How does Google Content Blocker work?
After you install Google Content Block, just surf the Web as you normally do. When we find a site that has content, we will block that content so you see only the ads. It all happens automatically, with no effort on your part.



Frequently Asked Questions

How does Google Content Blocker work?
You're probably too dumb to understand the technicalities, but we'll tell you anyway. We install special top-secret proprietary software on your system. When you browser to a Web site, this software examines the document. Ads are displayed, and everything else is hidden.

C'mon man, don't insult my intelligence. How does it work?
OK, OK. Here's a white paper that describes the process in detail: Google Content Blocker White Paper (PDF)

What type of Web content is blocked?
How many times do we have to tell you? Everything is blocked except the ads. It's not rocket science. One more time. Repeat after me: If it's an ad, it's not blocked. If it's not an ad, it's blocked. Got that?

What if I use this along with an ad blocker?
You figure it out, Einstein. You'll get nothing. Not a goddamned thing. A white page with nothing on it. Zilch. Nada. Nothingness. Only morons use an ad blocker.

What if I click on a page that has no ads?
A Web site with no ads? What do you think this is, 1991? The chances of that happening are very small. In such a case, we will insert some randomly selected Google AdSense ads so you'll have something to read.

Does Google keep track of the content that's blocked?

Of course we do. It goes into our database along with every site you've ever visited or even thought about visiting. As always, we strongly encourage you to read our Privacy Policy to be fully informed about how your confidentiality is protected.

I'm an advertiser. How can I get more people to use this valuable tool?
Google has established business relationships with some of the leading spyware companies. Our partners are working diligently to patch their software so Google Content Blocker is installed automatically. Within 4-6 months, 92% of all computers in the world will have Google Content Blocker installed. Then, for all intents and purposes, the Web will be completely content-free.


Google Content Blocker get it now

related

via

Second Earth

Google Earth Now Supports Textures.
Google has just released Google Earth 4 BETA that, unlike previous versions, supports textures on 3D objects. Google recently released SketchUp, a free 3-D modelling software with which you can build and texture houses -- or billboards, for example, and then place them in Google Earth.
People can now add their own assets to this virtual environment, much like they do in Second Life. Add physics, scripting and avatars and -- wham! -- a new virtual world arrives on the scene backed by Google's cash vaults.
"The result could be that we'll soon populate a virtual version of planet Earth instead of the made-from-scratch metaverses like online games or Second Life. The main element Google Earth is missing today is avatars, but at least one observer believes those to be added soon. Sounds like the competition to Second Life is coming from an unexpected direction.
source digged by Régine

Love is just another search problem




Pin All Your Romantic Hopes on Google

When you think about it, love is just another search problem. And we’ve thought about it. A lot. Google Romance™ is our solution.

Google Romance is a place where you can post all types of romantic information and, using our Soulmate Search™, get back search results that could, in theory, include the love of your life. Then we'll send you both on a Contextual DateTM, which we'll pay for while delivering to you relevant ads that we and our advertising partners think will help produce the dating results you're looking for.

With Google Romance, you can:
Upload your profile – tell the world who you are, or, more to the point, who you’d like to think you are, or, even more to the point, who you want others to think you are.
Search for love in all (or at least a statistically significant majority of) the right places with Soulmate Search, our eerily effective psychographic matchmaking software.
Endure, via our Contextual Dating option, thematically appropriate multimedia advertising throughout the entirety of your free date.




Learn more

Google Maps: The truth about the red markers.

Google Maps uses small graphical icons to show location related search results on a map in an alphabetical order. Most likely you have seen these weird red balloons already on Google maps standing somewhere in the streets. But did you knew they really exist ?
The project “Map” by Aram Bartholl questions the red markers of Google Maps in a charming, ironic and iconic way.





"On each new search ten red markers (A - J) known from the analogue world find their new position automatically within milliseconds. Interestingly each marker and even the speech bubbles with further information do cast a shadow on the map and satellite image. While zooming in the map the pixel size of the markers on the screen always stay at the same size. But if their size is seen in relation to their environment they shrink while the user does zoom in the map.
This effect corresponds exactly to the phenomenon of Mr. Turtur, the illusionary giant of the children fantasy novel “Jim Button and Luke the Engine Driver“ written by Michael Ende.

The size of the rebuilt red Marker in reality corresponds to the size of a marker in the web interface in max zoom factor of the map."

Go here for a Making Of Video (QT)


more about Aram inhere

digged at we make money not art

The Bono Probability Positioning System version 2



We know that for a visitor to Dublin an important attraction is the possibility that they may see U2 frontman and international celebrity Bono.

The Bono Probability Positioning System version 2 Google Bono (beta) is a mashup utilising Dublin's extensive surveillance camera network in conjunction with facial recognition software, Google Maps and advanced probabilty techniques to allow visitors to determine the probability of seeing Bono in any of the most probable locations in Dublin's city centre in real time.

Google Bono (beta) at stunned
via

Introducing AdSense for conversations

We're happy to announce the launch of AdSense for conversations, a new type of monetization solution that "puts the 'context' in contextual advertising". Now, in just a few simple steps, you can begin displaying ads that are relevant to the topics you're discussing -- in an unobtrusive screen above your head.

Anyone taking part in the conversation can hit the ad with their hand to immediately take advantage of the product or service being offered. With our new Teleportation Technology(TM), you'll be transported directly to the site where the service is available, or have the product appear instantaneously in your hands.

Based on our omega testing, we've noticed a few common questions among publishers that we'd like to answer.

How do I add Google ads to my conversations?
Once you sign up using the link at the bottom of this post, we'll send you an adjustable screen and special AdSense headgear to attach it to. Just follow our Screen Implementation Guide to assemble it and select your desired size, such as the very effective 300 x 250 mm. Don't forget to also visit the 'Manage Ads' section of your account to customize the look and feel of your ads -- try a color palette with 336699 to bring out the blue in your eyes!

Can I prevent ads from appearing in certain conversations?
Yes; we understand that there's a time and place for ads in conversations, as a chat with a friend isn't quite the same as an interview with a prospective employer or parole officer. That's why we let you choose which conversations to target using the 'Allowed Conversations' feature, located under your AdSense Setup tab.

Why are my ads not targeted to my conversation?
If you're not seeing targeted ads, it may be that you haven't discussed a particular topic long enough for our system to determine the meaning of your conversation. We recommend rambling and repeating yourself to help our system pick relevant ads to display. Also, you may wish to try our voice targeting feature -- you can speak more loudly to emphasize certain phrases. However, these activities may result in socially awkward situations, so please proceed with caution.

What reports can I view?
You can view reports about how funny your conversations were, how much your companion was actually listening, and, if you implement the 'review my spoken English' setting, how many times you said the word 'like' or 'uh' in a particular conversation.


What if I'm stretching and I hit an ad accidentally?
We understand accidents may happen, and appreciate your concern. However, we recommend that publishers refrain from having conversations during yoga classes to prevent these types of accidental hits.

Where can I learn more about conversation ads?
For more information or to sign up, click here.


via Inside AdSense
A look inside Google AdSense

Gatochy's "I Understand and I Wish to Continue" Award

The "I Understand and I Wish to Continue" Award, created by Mariana Pinheiro of Gatochy-fame, is a way to counter-attack Blogger's censorship of erotic blogs, by drawing attention to the fact that many of these have quality content. More and more often you can´t visit fine blogds without the ridiculous splash screen by google/blogger that states that "Some readers of this blog have contacted Google because they believe this blog's content is objectionable...". This stupid content warning suggest in it´s quiete objectionable wording that porn, hate or racism lurk behind, where instead engaged bloggers present fine art that may (OMG) contain nudity.

I wish there was this list of sites censored by Blogger. I'd bet good money that they are ALL, without exception, censored for sexual content, and that not a single one is racist, or homophobic, or anything else like that would actually be a good reason for considering it offensive.
Mariana Pinheiro


expand to meet the first four laureates of the "I Understand and I Wish to Continue" Award.

Gatochy's first "I Understand and I Wish to Continue" Award

art nudes



The internet has really influenced fine art photography in that the visual vernacular of pornography is being increasingly referenced. Sometimes the references are ironic and critical, sometimes celebratory, and sometimes fine art photographers shoot work that is simply pornographic. This is particularly true of ‘fetish’ photography, as it is by nature full of photographic potential. Psychologically, it’s about power relationships, sexual politics, and violence. Visually, it’s got great dark moody themes, shiny latex and all the various accoutrements that go along with it. Nonetheless, I seldom post that type of work, unless the photography is exceptional

Michael Barnes art nudes

Gatochy's second "I Understand and I Wish to Continue" Award

Au carrefour étrange



My last blog has been censored because there were a pic of Brassaï when you could see a tit… a 1930’s pic with no pornographic content at all… and I didn’t want to delete the picture… So this time I prefered to anticipate the censors…it’s just SAD but I prefer to do that that to see hundreds hours of work disappear in 5 seconds…To describe my site in english is complicated… let’s say that this place exists to show that connections exist between surrealism, erotic popular expressions, science-fiction, B-movies etc… And this is a crossroad where all this cultures can be found. To me the crossroad is a place of magic and creativity.

Losfeld, Au carrefour étrange

Gatochy's third "I Understand and I Wish to Continue" Award

fine Nudes



This blog was from the beginning on something like my personal collection of fine nude photography, something like the book I would print if I had the chance to do so, or the pieces I would like to hang on my walls. It is my very own definition of what I believe to be art in this specific genre. This definition of art is not only very personal, it is also something that is beyond language, something that cannot be defined by tags, labels or rules.Anyone who tries to approach art by using terms like objectionable or NSFW hasn´t understand anything at all.

fine Nudes

Gatochy's fourth "I Understand and I Wish to Continue" Award

A Flower A Day



photo by Ray Bidegain

This award is my way of showing solidarity with fellow bloggers whose sites have been censored by Blogger for puritanical reasons that, in my view, are just not justifiable. It's common for bloggers who have been tagged with the dreaded "I Understand and I Wish to Continue" splash screen to lose at least half of their usual visitors, because people just assume the screen must be there for a reason -- a good reason. If this award can in some way help to dispel that prejudice, I'll be happy.
Mariana Pinheiro

google

via

Johannes Schlueter The Bush Pilot



the simple truth that explains it all
see it here (Google) or here (where I found the light)

bogus urls How technorati's ruining it´s reputation

technorati,"the authority on what's going on in the world of weblogs."(selfdescribtion), is widely poular among bloggers as an indexer of who is linking to whom. So far nobody would complain that technorati inserts "related" ads between the search results, a business model similiar to google adsense. To be acceptable, such model requires a minimum of transparency and honesty, ads should be clearly marked as such and your blog should not found itself connected to unserious offers. Régine´s we make money not art is for sure a blog with a "risky" name, but she has all the right to be outraged as she found out that the ads inserted on her technorati-page are poor, yet effective fakes of her own url, making it very likely that one believes they belong to her. She posted about this impertinent behaviour here and it is interesting to follow the comments. While it is good to see that David Sirfry, the CEO of Technorati, joined in, promising to fix the situation, it is sad to see that so far nothing changed.
If technorati, claiming the ads are inserted by Overture(a Yahoo company) and it has no influence, remains unable to control it´s own system it may very fast loose it´s reputation among bloggers, the base of it´s sucess.

Fridgehenge







Amazing flickr set of a fridgehenge in Santa Fe, NM, which is slowly being vandalized and destroyed.
via

update: Valentina points to an article about Adam Horowitz, the artist behind stonefridge and to an aerial view on Google sightseeing. Merci