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do read more on Suggestion Regarding Google/IE Search Default Controversy
From: David Farber <dave () farber net>
Date: Tue, 2 May 2006 14:14:54 -0400
Begin forwarded message: From: Brad Templeton <btm () templetons com> Date: May 2, 2006 2:12:39 PM EDT To: David Farber <dave () farber net> Cc: lauren () vortex com, zwhite () darkstar frop orgSubject: Re: [IP] more on Suggestion Regarding Google/IE Search Default Controversy
On Tue, May 02, 2006 at 12:39:42PM -0400, David Farber wrote:
First, google's share of the search pie will increase as techies go aroundswitching the search engine on their friend's and relative's computers.Since most users aren't even aware of what a search engine is, they'llsimply accept whatever comes up when they click in the "search bar" andtype in their search.Second, we'll see new malware that reconfigures the search engine for auser. Many users will just assume that "The Internet Search" is being redesigned everytime they get infected with a new malware.
Actually, it was suggested to me that people here are ignoring one very large gorilla -- the OEMs. The choice of what search to use will most likely be set by Dell, HP and the rest, and they are not under the same monopoly fears as Microsoft. Indeed, they will surely make the default choice depend on which searchcompany offers them the biggest kickback on the revenue from the searches
from the bar. As we know, Mozilla is now every well funded by offering that search barwith a default to Google. The potential kickback to Dell or HP or other vendors is even larger. If numbers are to be believed (72M for firefox with a 12% market share) this suggests 60M to 100M (there will be a bidding
war) per 10% of market share. No small change.Indeed, it seems entirely possible that the kickback could be large enough
TO PAY FOR THE OEM'S PER PC COST OF WINDOWS VISTA. Indeed, how long before search and online shopping become so lucrative that you can get a free computer so long as you agree to a few such arrangements. As Moore's law drives the price of the computer down andthe value of online commercial activities grow, the lines will intersect at
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- do read more on Suggestion Regarding Google/IE Search Default Controversy David Farber (May 02)