Oracle: Has It Put Extra Flavor in the Cinnamon Java Ordered Up for Google?
December 25, 2020
I read “Oracle’s Hidden Hand Is Behind the Google Antitrust Lawsuits.” (Note: This is a paywalled info item from a “real” news outfit.) I am not sure if the write up is on the money, but it is entertaining to thing that a giant company can hold a grudge for a decade and trigger a monopoly mindset. The main point is that Oracle has been working away to get Google into monopoly jail. That’s an okay idea I assume.
But the nifty part of the story in my opinion is this statement:
Oracle has fallen behind the tech giants in the marketplace, yet is notching one legal and regulatory win after another against them, Google especially. While Google, Amazon.com Inc. and Microsoft Corp. have experienced double-digit revenue growth in recent years, Oracle’s annual sales have stayed relatively flat at just under $40 billion. Earnings last fiscal year totaled roughly $12.7 billion, a fraction of its rivals’.
Wow. I thought that Oracle’s challenges stemmed from its core product, its support policies, and its founder’s flying his jet over Santa Clara when aircraft were to be asleep in their hangers. Then there is the Oracle versus open source database world. And there have been minor spats like the dust up with MarkLogic. Yeah, MarkLogic! Big time. I won’t mention the big house or the racing yachts.
Is it accurate to say that times are tough for outfits like Hewlett Packard, IBM, SAP, and similar dinosaur-style firms.
From my viewshed, Google is falling prey to management seppuku. Oracle’s efforts — assuming they were effective — are not going to exact revenge. Oracle probably believes they are. Nope, Oracle’s perception — like that of other fading technology giants’ about their future — is a digital Ptolemaic theory. Interesting but a bit off base.
Stephen E Arnold, December 25, 2020
Google Outmarkets Cloud Competitors
December 22, 2020
I read “Expanding Our Global Footprint with New Cloud Regions.” I skipped most of the announcements about data centers and zoomed to this statement:
The cleanest cloud in the industry. We do all of this while operating the cleanest cloud in the industry, matching 100 percent of the electricity we use with renewable energy. This commitment to sustainability enables our customers to meet their own cloud computing needs with zero net carbon emissions. You can learn more about our global infrastructure, including new and upcoming regions, here.
Okay, clean cloud, no dolphin skin lesion causing actions, no birds into wind farm blades, and no hot exhaust to fricassee feathered friends.
I ran three Google searches on a system which I assume runs on the clean Google cloud. Here are the results of each query:
1. Vegas 18 crack. The clean Google cloud result:
2. Cannabis online. The clean Google cloud result:
3. Hand gun suppressor. The clean Google cloud result:
After running these three queries on the clean Google cloud, one of the researchers working for me, said, “I don’t think your interpretation of the word clean is what Google meant?”
I looked at the researcher and replied, “Clean is clean, right?”
What’s clean mean to you gentle reader, saving the planet with giant data centers or making it easy for anyone to locate stolen software, potential contraband, and silencers for weapons?
I remain baffled about the clean cloud phrase. Presumably Amazon, HP, IBM, and Microsoft are not clean. I am struggling. Time for more marketing from Googlers I assume.
Stephen E Arnold, December 22, 2020
Quote to Note: AMP and Commitment
December 22, 2020
I read “I Have Resigned from the Google AMP Advisory Committee.” The committee was chock full of brilliant individuals. They are a team. Now it seems that a committee member wants to let a wider variety of people serve the Google. (Does this mean people who are less than brilliant?)
Anyway whatever the interpersonal dynamics were, the write up contains a quote to note; herewith:
The stated goal of the AMP AC is to “make AMP a great web citizen.” I am concerned that – despite the hard work of the AC – Google has limited interest in that goal.
Okay, a great Web citizen now under investigation by multiple legal entities., A great Web citizen with the mindboggling mismanagement of a person’s journal article about bias in training data. A great Web citizen which seems to buy traffic from Apple and allegedly engages in fancy dancing with the estimable outfit Facebook.
Limited interest. Yep, I imagine the Google does. AMP up with the GOOG by ejecting from a committee. Okay. I wonder if the AMPers were aware that only three million hapless Googler users obtain malware from 28 malicious Edge extensions. How does this make the Web a better place? Does Google ignore certain malware to create issues for another firm? Has Google’s management system created an environment in which teams, committees, and outside experts work at cross purposes?
Stephen E Arnold, December 22, 2020
Google: High School Science Club Mini Revolt. Mini? Why Not Maxi?
December 17, 2020
Ah, remember the good old days. No one knew about thumb typing. High school students contented themselves with chemistry experiments, electronics kits, and weird tin girder thingies. Now the HSSC has grown up, but has failed to leave behind the beliefs, precepts, and insights of their youth.
I thought about the then and now perspective when I read “Google AI Researchers Lay Out Demands, Escalating Internal Fight.” As if the assorted lawsuits were not enough to bedevil the senior management of the Google. I know the allegations about fiddling with online advertising are colorful, but just maybe that’s another facet of what I call HSSCMM or the high school science club management method. The idea is that teen spirit allows some bright young people to discard history, expected behaviors, and social conventions in order to demonstrate the superiority of the young mind.
Yeah, how is that working out?
Let’s recap:
- Google management seems to have an issue with staff who want to explain how smart software can become biased. How does this get fixed? Just work through the weird explanations emitted by Google and then ask the question, “Are there other ways to ignite a social issue powder keg?” The answer is, “Well, probably.”
- How can a company find itself in the litigation hot seat in multiple jurisdictions? Easy. Treat the European Community as if they were slightly dull and non-Googley critics of the world’s largest online ad system. Create a situation which allows the company to come to the attention of 40 US states attorneys general. Recite the mantra about competition and a free service. Are there other ways to catch attention of people who sue for a living? The answer is, “Well, probably.”
- A couple of days ago, the Google infrastructure with Chubby, Sawzall, and their pals crashed. Nifty. Some can get by without Gmail, but what about the father who used the fine tweeter system to share this thought: “I’m sitting here in the dark in my toddler’s room because the light is controlled by @Google Home. Rethinking… a lot right now.”
Does it seem that the HSSCMM is fraying at the edges?
Am I concerned? Nope. Just amused. I think there are lessons to be learned from these Google missteps just as there are from the SolarWinds’ misstep. (What’s the cost of remediating this minor hiccup? A few bucks? An ad like Facebook’s in the Wall Street Journal? Or an AT&T telemarketing promotion of its outstanding video service?)
Integrity, ethical behavior, and an effort to deliver solutions that work are not priorities. That’s too bad. Once upon a time, high school science clubs meant something sort of positive. Today the sort of negative has won.
That explains a great deal about the social and technical environment in which these almost comical actions are unfolding.
Do you have a HSSCMM T shirt? Messrs. Brin and Page may be wearing theirs now.
Stephen E Arnold, December 17, 2020
A Plan for a Recurring Google Tax Takes Shape
December 16, 2020
I spotted what looked like another ho hum the EC wants to penalize Google again story. “Tech Giants Face Fine of Up to 10% of Turnover for EU Rule Breaches -EU Source” contains a couple of nuggets. The first is that not just Google is a target. Now the goal is a company defined as a “technology” firm is fair game. With companies explaining that their operation is based on information, it is possible for the Google Tax to apply to companies different from the Google; for example, a health care company or a logistics outfit.
Second, this passage opens the door to financial and market data disclosures and may institutionalize a permanent penalty tax, maybe a tariff to just operate in the ED:
The rules, known as the Digital Markets Act, set out a list of dos and don’ts for online gatekeepers to ensure a level playing field for rivals and users. This could include requiring dominant companies to share certain kinds of data with rivals and regulators while practices such as companies favoring their own services could be outlawed.
This is likely to give some other nation states ideas for institutionalizing additional fees on “technology” companies. Who will pay these fees? Probably users.
Also, the write up does not identify a source. This is an interesting way to create “real” news when one is a trusted outfit. At least the source lives in the EC, maybe?
Stephen E Arnold, December 16, 2020
Google Issues Apology To Timnit Gebru
December 15, 2020
Timnit Gebru is one of the world’s leading experts on AI ethics. She formerly worked at Google, where she assembled one of the most diverse Google Brain research teams. Google decided to fire her after she refused to rescind a paper she wrote concerning about risks deploying large language models. Venture Beat has details in the article: “Timnit Gebru: Google’s ‘Dehumanizing’ Memo Paints Me As An Angry Black Woman” and The Global Herald has an interview with Gebru: “Firing Backlash Led To Google CEO Apology: Timnit Gebru.”
Gebru states that the apology was not meant for her, but for the reactions Google received from the fallout of her firing. Gebru’s entire community of associates and friends stay behind her stance of not rescinding her research. She holds her firing up as an example of corporate censorship of unflattering research as well as sexism and racism.
Google painted Gebru as a stereotypical angry black woman and used her behavior as an excuse for her termination. I believe Gebru’s firing has little to do with racism and sexism. Google’s response has more to do with getting rid of an noncompliant cog in their machine, but in order to oust Gebru they relied on stereotypical means and gaslighting.
Google’s actions are disgusting. Organizations treat all types of women and men like this so they can save face and remove unsavory minions. Gaslighting is a typical way for organizations to downplay their bad actions and make the whistleblower the villain.
Gebru’s unfortunate is typical for many, but she offered this advice:
“What I want these women to know is that it’s not in your head. It’s not your fault. You are amazing, and do not let the gaslighting stop you. I think with gaslighting the hardest thing is there’s repercussions for speaking up, but there’s also shame. Like a lot of times people feel shame because they feel like they brought it upon themselves somehow.”
There are better options out there for Gebru and others in similar situations. Good luck to Gebru and others like her!
Whitney Grace, December 15, 2020
Google on Search and Ads
December 8, 2020
I read “How Google Search Ads Work.” I usually ignore pay to play explanations. The phrase “pay to play” makes clear what is happening. An advertiser wants to display his or her message in front of people who are prospects. Pay more money and get more ads in front of prospects. For me, that’s the end of the story.
But there’s more. The write up from Darshan Kantak tackles the “more” from Google’s unique and advantaged position.
I noted these statements in the article:
We’ve long said that we don’t show ads–or make money–on the vast majority of searches.
That makes sense. Put ads where people are. However, people when viewed as statistical chunks are where the ads are placed. What outliers do is useful for disposing of excess inventory. Semantic relaxing or human mouse clicks can help too.
The article points out:
The experience of our users comes first, which is why we only show ads that are helpful to people. Even for the fraction of search queries where we do show ads, we don’t make a cent unless people find it relevant enough to click on the ad.
This statement reinforces the point that ads don’t appear too often. Check out the ads displayed on text search results pages from a desktop computer. Here’s an example for the query cloud computing with the ads before the unpaid search results:
Then at the foot of the page, there are more ads; for example:
The write up is interesting because it strikes me as what seems to be “reinvention.” The idea is that the simple proposition of putting ads in front of eyeballs is shaped to present itself as a benign process designed to improve access to information.
Interesting. Will those investigating Google for its ad business practices see the brilliance of the Google approach? Who knows. But I like the “ah, shucks,” “hey, everybody” approach.
Stephen E Arnold, December 8, 2020
Some US Big Tech Outfits Say Laisse Tomber
December 2, 2020
The trusted “real news” outfit Thomson Reuters published “Amazon, Apple Stay Away from New French Initiative to Set Principles for Big Tech.” Quelle surprise! The “principle” is the silly notion of getting big US technology companies to pay their taxes, fair taxes. Incroyable? Companies not getting with the program allegedly include Apple, Facebook, Google, and Microsoft. These four firms are likely to perceive the suggestion of fairness as a demonstration of flawed logic. It is possible that the initiative may become a cause célèbre because money. France is a mere country anyway.
Stephen E Arnold, December 2, 2020
Virtual Private Networks: Are These Private?
November 30, 2020
About a month ago, Google rolled out its own virtual private network. The timing was mostly in sync with Facebook’s expansion of encrypted services for its chat apps. Is encryption good for users, good for large technology companies, and good for law enforcement.
The story “Google One VPN: Everything You Need To Know” is representative of the coverage of Google’s VPN. I noted:
Google isn’t new to the world of VPNs. It actually has used one for its customers on Google Fi for many years now. Essentially with Google Fi, whenever you connected to a public WiFi network, you would automatically be connected through Google Fi’s VPN. As mentioned before, this is because Public WiFi networks are not secure. So while keeping you from using a lot of data, since Fi charges per gigabyte, it also kept you protected. Now, Google is just moving its VPN to where everyone can use it. Whether they are a Fi customer or not.
The write up does not answer the question about the “goodness” of the Google service. The write up asserts:
Google has said numerous times that it will not use the VPN connection to track, log or sell your browsing activity. But then again, how will we know that Google is not doing that? We won’t. And that goes for any other company too. It’s up to you, whether you trust Google not to collect this data when you’re using its VPN. But don’t forget, that if Google really wanted that data, it could easily get it from your Android smartphone too.
As I said in response to questions posed to me by a former CIA professional (view full 20 minute video here):
Online services are inherently surveillance mechanisms.
Many will not agree with this Arnold Law. That’s okay, but VPNs are particularly interesting because the user agreeing to participate in an allegedly secure and private man in the middle service. How secure is a man in the middle service?
Another good question just like “Are VPNs private?”
Stephen E Arnold, November 30, 2020
Google: Poetry Creation Made Eneasy
November 25, 2020
I spotted “Google’s Verse by Verse AI Can Help You Write in the Style of Famous Poets.” The subtitle illustrates why this Google innovation is probably going to find some Silicon Valley Shakespeares:
Quoth the Bugdroid, “Nevermore.”
The write up guides the reader to this url. Then the page displays:
Okay, let’s write a poem with the Google smart software. I am skeptical because Google set out to solve death. So far, no luck with that project. For poetic style, I quite like the approach of William Abernathy, who wrote a remarkable tribute to Queen Elizabeth called Elisaeis, Apotheosis poeticaas in Latin when he was trying to avoid arrest for religious heresy. (For more info on William Abernathy, navigate to your local university library and chase down Vol. 76, No. 5, Texts and Studies, 1979. “The Elisæis” of William Alabaster (Winter, 1979). Oh, the poem is a tribute to Elizabeth the First. Did I mention the poem was an epic, thousands upon thousands of lines. In Latin too. Hot stuff.)
Well, bummer. Mr. Alabaster is not listed as a stylistic choice on the Google write a poem Web site. I thought AI was smart. Well, let us sally forth with the clever and sometimes interesting Edwin Arlington Robinson who wrote:
Mininver loved the Medici,
Albeit he had never seen one;
He would have sinned incessantly
Could he have been one.
Yep, sin. But I had to pick other poets with which the smart Google AI is familiar. Trepedatiously I selected the fave of elderly literature teachers: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Plus in a nod to the Rona and rising infection rates, I plunked my mouse cursor on the liquor-loving and raven loving Edgar Allen Poe. Yep, I noted the “nevermore” in the article’s subtitle. Then I clicked “Next.”
I specified a quatrain in iambic pentameter with the rhyming scheme AB AB.
Google’s smart software wanted a chunk of poesy as a “seed” for the smart software. I provided:
Whoa, teenaged mind, cause no sorrow or pain
I want to point out that this is the first line of a poem my junior class English teacher Edwardine Sperling required us to write. (She loved cardinals, the bird, not the baseball team.) My poetic flight of fancy at age 15 on this line motivated Ms. Sperling to try and get me expelled me from high school. No sense of humor had she. (The compromise proposed by the assistant principal was that Ms Sperling could ban me from the National Honor Society as a result of my inappropriate writing, and I had to sit outside the class in the hallway for the remainder of the semester.)
And what was my “Spirit of Nature” poem about? Nothing much. Just sitting in the woods on a sunny day in early autumn. Then the Spirit of Nature emerged from a pile of leaves. I explained that my Spirit of Nature was the October 1959 Playmate of the Month from Playboy magazine. I elaborated via metaphors (terrible metaphors I must confess) how the Spirit of Nature or Miss October helped move away from “sorrow or pain.” I will leave the details to your imagination. My poem was a hoot. But I got the boot.
Back to the Google smart poetry writer, a system which I hypothesized would have zero imagination and would have been an A student in dear Ms. Sperling’s literature class.
I clicked the Next button again. Magic. Google’s fine system spit out after some prompting after I provided the first line in red. Google goodness is in blue:
Whoa, teenaged mind, cause no sorrow or pain
Enlife a phantom of an idle love;
Yet in a fancy I could now attain
Look on the beauty of that world above!
Great stuff those words in blue crafted sharp and true by Lord Google.
Ms Sperling would have relished the “enlife” word. The prefix “en” leads to many coinages; for example, enbaloney, enstupid, and enmarketing. Maybe enAI? Sure. But no Playboy bunnies. No filthy innuendo. No double entendre. The meaning thing eludes me, but, hey, Google couldn’t solve death either. The GOOG is not doing too well in poesie either I opine. Any questions about Google’s query ad matching semantic system? Good.
Stephen E Arnold, November 24, 2020
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