Happy Birthday Doodle from Google

Well, today is my birthday. And doesn’t Google know it. To some people it may seem scary that someone, or some thing knows so much about you. But this little Google Doodle for MY birthday is such a nice little touch, I don’t think anybody would mind seeing this.

It’s All in the Details

The birthday doodle is really cool, but what seals the deal for me is the Alt Text. Hover over the doodle and it says “Happy Birthday Kevin!” I know it’s a minor detail, an aside, something that not everyone will even notice. But it shows us two things:

1. Google is focused on the details of all of their projects, right down to the final execution.
2. The people who coded this little doodle know that there are just a handful of people who WILL notice the Alt Text and that those people (myself included) will really appreciate it. It takes extra time, extra effort, but it was able to float up the chain for someone to say yes. And it made it in.

Thank you, Googlers!

Google + eBay + YouTube = AWE$OME $AVING$

A few weeks ago, my Kenmore washing machine started giving us problems.  It would wash and rinse like normal, but at the end of the cycle the clothes were soaking wet. I got by a few days by reaching in and spinning the basket by hand just to get it started. But soon enough, there was nothing I could do to get that washer to spin.  What was I to do?

Enter Google

Some quick keyword searching “kenmore washer won’t spin” lead me to this brilliant post: Sears Kenmore Washing Machine Repair. Phenomenal. Someone had the same problem as me and all they wanted to do was share it with the world.  Fine by me, he posted step-by-step instructions (with pictures) on how to replace a motor coupling. The most common reason for my ailment. But of course that wasn’t my problem, the motor coupler was fine.

Sergey’s Law

Search long enough and smart enough on Google and you WILL find what you need. Google has all the answers… they don’t call it Sergey’s Law for nothing.

So through Google I found out that probably I had to replace the clutch on the washer. A few more clicks and I had a replacement piece for under $20 on eBay and a video installation guide from YouTube.  It can’t get much easier than that.

Disclaimer

I am not a home appliance, small-motor or machine repairman. But after some time on the internet I certainly feel like it. I imagine I saved myself anywhere from $150-$500 repairing this myself. My point is that if you know what to search for, if you know that other people have had the same problem or situation and if you know there is a reasonable answer, you will find it through online search and the powers of the internet.

And when I have something worthwhile to report, you can be sure I’ll be sharing it online because… I LOVE THE INTERNET.

Father of Gravity Makes Doodle Move

In honor of Sir Isaac Newton’s birthday, Google introduces the first Doodle to use animation. It seems fitting that Google used JavaScript instead of Flash or an Animated GIF to produce the effect. That would have been like cheating. Instead, they created a simple equation to help “explain” why the apple falls. Just as Newton helped explain the Universal Law of Gravitation through a calculus-like method of geometrical analysis, Google uses an interval function to make the apple drop.

Sir Isaac Newton, an English physicist, mathematician, astronomer, natural philosopher, alchemist and theologian is generally regarded as one of the most influential scientists in history. I’m not sure how he found the time to do all of that, but he he also found time to write the Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica (Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy). One of the most influential books in scientific history.

Google Doodle Drop

Image from Amit Agarwal

Google Interface Changes

If you’ve been to Google lately, and I’m sure you have, you might notice the slight fade in effect of the home page. On loading the page, the web page is missing quite a few of the usual links, titles, buttons and other options. You can type your search terms and keywords in the search field and press enter to search or if your mouse enters the page the other fields will show.  Everything “fades” in and gives you a nice visual instead of abruptly pooping onto the page.

I have read that it is causing a bit of confusion among users. I have to admit, when I first notice the effect I thought that my system was hung up or the page stopped loading. I thought was odd being that it’s Google, and I don’t recall a time that they were ever down. Also, some users may not be seeing this because it is based off of browser and system. I don’t know whether Google is rolling this out or just testing it. It may be a Google Labs project but I’m assuming that it will make it’s way past that and be part of the regular page.  They don’t make too many changes to the interface and if it’s made it this far to the public, you can be certain that Google is behind this 100% and only a major backlash from the web community would kill the new feature.

See The Google Fade In Live

Here’s a video of the effect if you aren’t seeing it on your computer:

I am getting used to this visual effect and actually like it. But that may be because I like to keep things simple.  One thing I was thinking would be to keep it empty until you type your search terms and then provide butttons to search based on your needs. So instead of pressing the “Google Search” button, you would press the “Web Search”, “Image Search” “Video Search”, “Blog Search”, etc. buttons. That would limit the need to switch search engines and thus eliminate one more unncessary click.