Life before Google: What was it like?

janusz · 21 Jul 2018, 11:04 PM

In the 20 years since it was founded, Google has provided answers to the most random queries, become a verb and, on Wednesday, received a record $5bn fine after giving itself a bit too much of an edge over its rivals.

Some jobs with an emphasis on research have been altered in major ways by its invention, to the extent that it's hard to imagine how those jobs were once done.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-44871028

RaymondClaypool · 8 Sep 2018, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janusz

In the 20 years since it was founded, Google has provided answers to my why do i become a verb and, on Wednesday, received a record $5bn fine after giving itself a bit too much of an edge over its rivals.

Some jobs with an emphasis on research have been phenq from GNC altered in major ways by its invention, to the extent that it's hard to imagine how those jobs were once done.

I remember using Yahoo, AltaVista and Ask Jeeves. Also, there was WebCrawler, which I believe is still alive.

somdcomputerguy · 8 Sep 2018, 10:37 PM

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/88/1b/1d/8...41f29b8071.jpg

- Bruce

**Gankaku** · 11 Sep 2018, 03:41 AM

Before the internet, it was encyclopedias and much library research.

TenFour · 11 Sep 2018, 05:45 AM

There were lots of ways to search for things well before Google existed. I used to amaze people by how fast I could find obscure stuff using Apple's Sherlock, starting around 1997 or so I think. Prior to that I was accessing government records and such using the Internet before the World Wide Web existed. I created several printed books that were best sellers in their obscure niche based on my accessing this stuff using the Internet before most people even knew what it was. Google was/is really good at searching, but it has cemented its dominance by creating an entire ecosystem of services like Gmail, Google Drive, Google Photos, etc.

TroyWhite · 30 Oct 2022, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RaymondClaypoosl

I remember using Yahoo, AltaVista and Ask Jeeves but when i searched and found this webpage regarding best otc weight loss pills. Also, there was WebCrawler, which I believe is still alive.

Libraries were more popular, research articles were more original, the world was somewhat disconnected, recommendations were made by only people

hadaso · 31 Oct 2022, 04:58 AM

I remember around 1980 when I was in high school and we needed to write an essay about something from World War 2, I took the bus to Tel Aviv to a library that kept an archive of newspapers from back then and looked for information there.

Lat week I found some phone-books in my basement (thought they were not from pre-Google era. They were from 2012, not so long ago).

21 Jul 2018, 11:04 PM	#1
janusz The "e" in e-mail Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: EU Posts: 4,942	Life before Google: What was it like? In the 20 years since it was founded, Google has provided answers to the most random queries, become a verb and, on Wednesday, received a record $5bn fine after giving itself a bit too much of an edge over its rivals. Some jobs with an emphasis on research have been altered in major ways by its invention, to the extent that it's hard to imagine how those jobs were once done. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-44871028

8 Sep 2018, 10:37 PM	#3
somdcomputerguy Cornerstone of the Community Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Rupert, WV Posts: 879	https://i.pinimg.com/736x/88/1b/1d/8...41f29b8071.jpg - Bruce

11 Sep 2018, 03:41 AM	#4
Gankaku Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Virginia, USA Posts: 3,264	Before the internet, it was encyclopedias and much library research.

11 Sep 2018, 05:45 AM	#5
TenFour Master of the @ Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: USA Posts: 1,719	There were lots of ways to search for things well before Google existed. I used to amaze people by how fast I could find obscure stuff using Apple's Sherlock, starting around 1997 or so I think. Prior to that I was accessing government records and such using the Internet before the World Wide Web existed. I created several printed books that were best sellers in their obscure niche based on my accessing this stuff using the Internet before most people even knew what it was. Google was/is really good at searching, but it has cemented its dominance by creating an entire ecosystem of services like Gmail, Google Drive, Google Photos, etc.

31 Oct 2022, 04:58 AM	#7
hadaso The "e" in e-mail Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Holon, Israel. Posts: 4,833	I remember around 1980 when I was in high school and we needed to write an essay about something from World War 2, I took the bus to Tel Aviv to a library that kept an archive of newspapers from back then and looked for information there. Lat week I found some phone-books in my basement (thought they were not from pre-Google era. They were from 2012, not so long ago).