Google's box around scrolled over result

[Timetraveler]

I rarely post google grievances but this is so damn annoying I can't help it. (Looked for related thread so not sure if on certain datacenters or missed thread).

Anyways as you do a search, and scroll down the results a box appears around the entire listing. I have no idea what the hell it's trying to accomplish, except maybe now when I search I place the mouse to the right so maybe google thinks that will get our attention over the ads. Either way, all these minor changes are such an annoyance lately.

Sometimes I think Google employees do things just to justify doing something. If I weren't a webmaster I'd use bing.

[Aaron111]

thanks for the news - whats your targeted niche here?/ meaning whatss the benefit of such....?

[tedster]

Timetraveller - I don't see this behavior. What browser are you using?

[Timetraveler]

I'm using Mac OS X Tiger with browser Firefox. Both logged out of Gmail with everything disabled. There seems to be no disable button for this.

I finally figured out the point of the "boxes". If you click inside of this box, a "preview tab" of the website will appear to the right in a thumbnail. This might be useful if I could read a font size of 1pt even on a 24in monitor. Users are looking for information google, not teeny useless snapshots of what they're about to click on! Just really annoying as a user.

[Sgt_Kickaxe]

I see it in Firefox while logged out.

Millions of people have been doing just fine without this every day and I can't say I like it or even see a need for it. Perhaps that's the point but do I hate it enough to log in? not really because then i'm forced to see Google places which is equally as annoying to me.

I wish sites that are well trafficked would AVOID making such changes unless the public is actually asking for it.

The old Google was good because it focused on pure rankings without any other gimmicks, I miss the old Google.

[Robert Charlton]

...a "preview tab" of the website will appear to the right in a thumbnail. This might be useful if I could read a font size of 1pt even on a 24in monitor.

I'm not seeing these either, but it sounds like you may be talking about the controversial full page previews. If you are, and the snapshots really are teeny and useless, many who posted in this thread will be relieved....

Is Google Experimenting With Full Page Previews?
http://www.webmasterworld.com/google/4212402.htm [webmasterworld.com]