Google Continues World Domination w/ Toolbar
May 5, 2009 by Jason Bean
Filed under Computers
When I started my computer earlier today I noticed something different along the very bottom of my monitor. It was something new in the Windows Start taskbar that I hadn’t seen before. Something had invaded my system and put something there I don’t remember asking for in the past.
There was a new button sitting right next to my "Start" button. I was familiar with the name on the button, as I’ve been generally pleased with my experiences using their products.
It appears in a recent update to my Google Toolbar, which I don’t remember approving automatic updates to my toolbars to be installed with no warning.
My first thought was "Do I really need to give Google anymore real-estate on my computer?" Particularly in my Start / Taskbar? However, I’ll give Google the benefit of the doubt here and see how I like it. Hoping I can remove it later, but I didn’t see any options for that at the time I was digging around in my toolbar settings for how the update got applied automatically.
When you click on the button you’re presented with the following options to choose from. I can see how this would be helpful.
My second thought was that with the ability to start programs and its similarity to the Windows Start button, could this be a foreshadowing of what a Google OS would start to look like?
Anyone else seen this and already using it? What do you think? I’ve got to say that I do love the Google Toolbar as it lets me access all my favorite items / bookmarks on the web, regardless of what computer I’m on.
Download any Googleware requires a little scrutiny – Do you really want Google to have access to your computer’s data? Not to mention all your web searches, e-mail, videos, etc.?
That’s why I often try to use a variety of stuff when I can, and absolutely avoid downloading Googleware of any kind.
I think in the grand scheme of things there’s not much difference in Google having access to it or a “variety” of providers having copies of it. If there’s nothing I’m worried about people finding out about me, then there’s not a whole lot for me to lose any sleep over anyway. I think there’s a significant difference between “private” data and “personal” data.