Hello people. I'm new to the awesome Maemo OS, which in my opinion doesn't have much competition right now. I'm almost sure about that I'll get the N900, but there's just one little thing that keeps bothering me: its dual morality.

Now, please don't try to tell me that it's the most open device availible, because obviously I already know that, else I wouldn't call it "dual morality", right? Otherwise this should be considered as a fact, but in this case I have a small, although quite important, issue: can we call the N900 being the most democratical device of choise?


My problem is very simple: why the heck was Google Search chosen by default in the N900 brownser? While the answer is obvious (Google has money, Mozilla wants it, and Nokia can't match Mozilla's quality), it does actually counter to the ideal of Linux, namely openness and freedom (with other words the opposite of Google's policy), and I believe that even the most informed N900 owners won't most likely change the default search engine.

Don't get me wrong here, Firefox is still unmatched, but why didn't Nokia choose another browser instead, if the N900 is supposed to be as open as a world which isn't owned by one organisation, or company for that matter. Allowing monopolists like Google (Google Search market shares anyone?) to take control of the N900 isn't the wisest move, neither for the entusiaists, nor PR-wise. Google is already worse than Microsoft and Apple combined, and keep in mind that they're growing in a rapid pace... if they continue dominating like this, then they'll be completly impossible to compete with (no competition is never good for anyone, besides the stock owners of course)... oh wait, this has already happened! I can't imagine what further growth will lead to...

To feel some of my hate, just look at what they did to the European book market with the introduction of Google Books (which is not even legal in Europe, but what's good for Google is that they're an American company), they didn't give anyone a choise, no matter if you're a normal book writer, or a small company that wants to compete, and of course no competiton leads to worse offers for average Joe, no matter where he lives. Also keep in mind that this is one of Google's nicest behavior, so you can just imagine how the are otherwise.

No doubt about that this will affect my opinion about the N900 device as a whole, with its amazing hardware and simply stunning OS, but I'm a bit disappointed of that it can't be called "the democracy's best friend" anymore (you have to agree about that it'd be a nice selling point to have). If it wasn't for the deep Google support, then it would've been the ideal device for any idealist hands down. Now some people can have an argument agianst it, by saying that they don't want to support Google's growing monopoly... because it's scary (it really is)!

Just look how competitive the digital world will be if Google realizes all their plans: domination in searching (information to sell, not to mention ads, and of course the influence over nearly all the world wide web's sites), domination in browsers (less money to pay to other companies, securing the company and enabling themselves controling another market, in order to archieve the previous goal, some hardware manufacturers have already been moneyhatted), domination in mobile OS (actually this will be interesting, I mean Google has undoubtly the most resources to spend here, but I'm hoping for a major "Google boycott" to happen; dreams aside, they're almost there, conisdering they've moneyhatted almost every major player out there, if not everyone) and last but not least domination in desktop OS (as of now they're pretty far away for this target, and anything could happen, but this might succeed as well... at least since Google has the right quality, eh... I mean power and money). And this didn't even mention all their minor projects, which isn't too good for us either, but as long as they give nice options without getting too dominant... eh, we all know this will never happen with Google. With other words: they plan to take over more than they already have, and believe me, they already have too much!


The best thing the communicity could do right now is to choose another alternative search engine (isn't Linux supposed to be an alternative to Windows too, why not take Windows in the first place?), not only to save their own pride (unfortunately by losing Google's funds), but also by gaining a hardcore fanbase that have longed after a solution without Google for so long.

But that's what I think, how about you? Do you think that Iäm overreacting, or do you possibly see Google as a threat for the global democracy? I know I'm a little bit too biased against Google, but too few people do critize them, and I know for sure that there are reasons to fear a world dominated by Google. I'm just wondering what the Maemo communicity thinks regarding this rather small issue...

And by the way, than you all for accepting my own opinion, which does most likely differ from yours The N900 is really awesome, no doubt about that, but I really hope that my belief isn't in a minority (which I'm afraid of, to be honest). However, I'll continue to recommend the N900 for those who wants it, but doesn't know about that yet. I'm really interested if anyone sees Google as a major threat for freedom and competition, as I do, and I'm proud of doing so. If you don't agree with this, please don't bash me for not sharing your opinion.



By the way, Morrowind GOTY is the best RPG I've played by far, it'd be nice to see it on the N900. The TES games' source haven't been that strictly secured... ah... never mind, there'll still be some legal issues if it won't be an official port.

@c0rt3x:
Which alternative search engine are you suggesting, exactly?

I fully understand what you're getting at, and I agree with a lot of your points, but I thought I'd just answer one which is highlighted in my mind:

1. Firefox is Open Source
2. The Mozilla foundation generously supported by google funds.
3. Google is the most cleanly coded, fastest, most-lacking-in-advertising-and-images search engine currently available. This makes it a good choice for mobile devices.

Maybe most people won't change it. But they have the option to, if they want, and that's what counts.

I just have one thing to say about this: lol

It sounds like you're far less worried about things being open as much as you are worried about being alternative for the sake of being alternative.

There's nothing forcing you to use Google anything. Go ahead and change the defaults if you want... the N900 lets you do it.... so I don't see where you get the idea that the N900 isn't "democracy's best friend"... not that anyone was calling it that to begin with.

And right after all that "being free" stuff... you pretty much advocate stealing the source for a game you want on the N900.

wwwwtttfffff.

What's so bad about monopoly?

I'm about to blow his mind.

Guess who one of the biggest contributors to the Linux kernel is?

Google. RUN FOR THE HILLS!

Bergie: Can I has stolen source for monopoly?

Looks like you might like to contribute to this project or a similar one.

I personally use AdBlock and FlashBlock on my N800 given I have to pay for the Kb and in general I rather not pay to see ads.

Personally, I haven't thought much of the default search in MicroB, but I guess you can hack your own HTML file for the homepage and put whatever search engine you see fit.

As per other browsers I have Midori and Fennec installed.

I have no axe to grind with Google.

They have helped advanced the cause of Open Source from what I can see. Don't forget that Mozilla Firefox number one funding partner is Google.

I'm sad to see the position recent on Android, but hey its their code, and they can choose to protect whatever they want, as long as they don't violate the GPL or what ever license of code they have based their own work on.

The beauty of Open Platforms is you can always change what you ' like, and hey guess what on the n900 the choice is yours........ have you ever tried to change the search box on Safari now that is hard work.

Mike C

No comment.

@c0rt3x:

i share many of your concerns.
google is evil and should be avoided - from a moral point of view.

but: nokia never intended to produce a device based on GNU/linux becaue of ideology or any moral issues. it's not the aim of the N900 or any othe Maemo based device to be best in class when it comes to these issues. i bet they're not even discussed inside Nokia.

so yes, we have this tight integration with google. we have skype. but as others said here: it's still up to you. there's alternatives and you can use them on this device.

i prefer to look at the issue the other way round: i never expected to ever own a device that lets me avoid these things so easily. i cannot and must not expect the Maemo team to prevent others from using what i believe is morally unacceptable.