FOSSManiac's concerns about Google(at the last GeekMeetup on 16th Jan. 2011) may have some weight in them but that DuckDuckGo is a better choice is surely not something that I agree with.
Let me list out some quick findings after few parallel searches across Google and DuckDuckGo. 1.Google's search is more refined and to the point.Though it can be attributed to the fact that DuckDuckGo is a new player. But opt for DDG only if you have some patience to look through the results to find what you want and have some(if not plenty) spare time on your hands,which is very unlikely. 2.When searching in Google,you have a timestamp associated with each result(which enables me to decide whether the information is of any value to me) but DDG simply displays links which may lead to some time penalty if you hit a dead end after opening a link. 3.Google provides a handy feature in Link Preview that is not present in DDG. Now coming to the privacy part. 1.Everybody hates Ads.DDG doesn't have Ads but you can customize Google to act the way you want. Install Ad-Block Plus for FF and save yourself a lot of irritation. 2.If you don't want Google to customize your search results,Turn OFF Web History. Note:Google provides the Web-History Controls to both Signed-Out and Signed-in users. 3.And if you want to minimise the effect of searches being traced back to you,search when Signed-Out of Google. And if you are looking for some sensitive/classified info. or restricted keywords use a VPN/Proxy etc. Now some points that make DDG look evil than it is. 1.When you use image search on DDG.ie. <search-keyword> !i it redirects to Google Image Search.(wooottt???). 2.When you use news search on DDG ie.<search-keyword> !n it redirects to Yahoo News. 3.When you use Maps search on DDG ie. <search-keyword> !m it redirects to Google Maps. Now even if DDG doesn't track you,rest assured when you click on the Google Image,Yahoo News,Google Maps pages from above your IP is still being logged into their servers. So can I say that DDG is just adding one messy step to my Google way.Either way i am already being tracked (Privacy goes Boom!) ,so why not be smart with Google(use proper settings and protection) than be foolish with DDG. So IMO the trick is to make smart Decisions. My 2 cents on the issue. I would like to hear what you have to say to this... -- ~GAURAV LUTHRA~ -- LUG@IITD - http://tinyurl.com/ycueutm
