So, Google has released Google Pack (beta of course), which is a package of applications that they believe is helpful and useful to web users. As far as I can tell, it’s kind of like an “internet for new users” package that gives you a bunch of useful (free) applications that you need, all in one place.
Okay, the above was a politically correct version of what I’m actually thinking: Google for Idiots. I mean really, this is just not that big of a deal. Yes, Google Earth is cool, but if you know that you’ve probably already downloaded it. I hope you already have Firefox and aren’t using Internet Explorer anymore. Offering Norton Antivirus is lame, what a bloated piece of scareware. Who doesn’t have Acrobat Reader already? Most people should already have almost all of these types of applications, and probably the better ones – not this useless mixed bag of junk.
I can’t help but be reminded of AOL when I see this. Maybe I’m being unfair… No, this really is only useful for the non-computer literate, just like AOL was.
Not all is a loss however. Google Earth, Picasa, and Firefox are all either well designed or interesting applications. Even heavy computer/web users have some of these applications on their computers. Here’s a full list of what’s available:
The Good
Google Earth
Picasa
Firefox
Adobe Reader
The Bad
Norton Antivirus
Google Desktop
Google Toolbar
Google Video Player
The Useless
Google Pack Screensaver
Google Talk
Real Player
Trillian
Gallery Player HD Images
You would be better served to go to Software for Starving Students and get their package of truly useful applications.
January 8, 2006 at 11:35 am
Wooooiiiii….I use Trillian. What’s wrong with that one?
Real Player: F.A.C.K.!! Just horrible 🙂
January 8, 2006 at 5:09 pm
There’s nothing wrong with Trillian, I just threw it in my useless category (partly out of bias) because so many people already have an IM client already that they’re used to using.
January 9, 2006 at 10:35 am
Yes, I agree, and Trillian only serves the basic needs of IM software as opposed to the full versions of Yahoo Msg, ICQ, AIM, MSN, etc which come along with various aditional functions like video chat & Co. Also, Trillian doesn’t offer the ease of use like adding another user or searching in a user database – so maybe it’s only useful for users like me who already registered their accounts with ICQ & Co and are looking for all-in-one solution.
Another s/w for the “bad section”: MSIE 🙂