"Multiple Google services"

Speculations

[rjohara]

With Yahoo's purchase of Inktomi a number of people have been speculating on Google's plans. I just posted a message via Google groups, something I hadn't done in a while, and got this interesting message:

Your Google Groups account has been migrated to a new Google Account, which will allow access to multiple Google services using the same username and password. The terms and conditions of your Google Groups account are still in effect on this account. Additionally, we need you to read and agree to the terms and conditions associated with your broader Google account.

I wonder how many people have registered as users of Google groups? Google may already have tens of thousands of registered users it has so far done nothing with.

[Marcia]

I've registered, but with web-based email and I lost the password.

I've kind of nagged a couple of times for a Google start page, and with what you're saying plus Froogle it's starting to look suspiciously like a possibility, which is kind of scary.

Local weather, up to date news with the abiility to choose from a selection of sources, and shopping right there without slow banner ads and popups. Add being able to put selected information sites on a start page and it's all there with none of the regular annoyances.

Scary because of the prospect of even more power, especially with a captive audience that's voluntary. Who would want to stay with the competitors and wait 2 minutes for pages to load and then crash from JS when they could have it all with lean, mean and quick-loading with nothing forced on you.

I use Google as my start page, personally I hope they do go portal.

[rfgdxm1]

I definitely see a market for a good, non-bloated portal.

[Marcia]

rfg, check out the ISP start page for SBC/Prodigy users. If you don't crash first, it takes forever to load.

myhome.prodigy.net

The alternative is to switch to SBC/Yahoo who took them over - they're pressuring constantly to "move up." If that's not a clear choice for Google I don't know what is. I don't want to switch to a Yahoo ID for ISP, I'd have no problem with a Google ID.

[rfgdxm1]

Good grief about myhome.prodigy.net. Took a full minute for it to load on my dial up connection, and according to my pop-up blocker software it had to suppress a pop-up. Like you I also have Google as my home page. I can see potential for Google as a portal if they are smart enough to keep ads to a minimum and quick loading.

[troels nybo nielsen]

In Denmark jubii.dk used to be the the dominating supplier of visitors to websites. They are not anymore. AFAIK there are to main reasons for this.

1. Portal bloat drowning their directory.
2. Google.

I think that Google going portal would be a splendid idea.

> I use Google as my start page

Marcia, does Brett know that you don't use WW? ;)