Idea for Steemit.com: Replace Google as Site Search Provider To Increase Privacy & Integrity of Search Results
Currently Steemit users are only given the option of using Google as a tool to search Steemit. This is a problem for several reasons:
- Google is one of the primary entities responsible for tracking internet activity for espionage and data mining purposes. Search activity is NOT private on Google.
- Google openly admits to tampering with it's own search results to eliminate controversial pages from search results to attempt to force us into perceiving a consensus version of reality akin to the 'Department of Truth' in George Orwell's 1984.
Alternative search engines exist that do not track user searches and which do not artificially filter search results for political reasons. Switching to an alternative to Google could be done pretty easily too.
Users who come to Steemit expecting a cutting edge, intelligent platform that is sensitive to the needs of modern internet users seeking an uncensored experience will be somewhat let down when they see Google in use at Steemit.com.
DuckDuckGo.com is a trusted alternative and others also exist.
Perhaps an even better option would be to host an instance of a dedicated search index tool such as Solr that can return search query results efficiently and quickly with total customisation available too.
Some of the issues with using google as a search tool can be found in James Corbett's video on the topic here:
I have never successfully implemented a dedicated search engine, so my knowledge on the subject is very limited. The last time I looked into search solutions it was a difficult problem to solve. For example, the Reddit search feature has been less than optimal in the past. Many users would go to their search engine of choice and use "site:reddit.com" to search for content.
How successful do you think a dedicated search solution would be given the current resources available to Steemit?
Greetings! I don't know the exact level of resources available to Steemit, but given that ned's and the steemit account bot hold many millions of dollars worth of currency - it is safe to say that enough is available to build a reliable, dedicated solution.
My only experience has been using Solr, along with custom written code to integrate it into the Elgg Social Networking Framework I use for my own social network. The main task involved is to define how Solr will index the site and to test it all to make sure it works correctly. There is an indexing engine that does all the hard work, so that needs to be health checked as any server service does. Additional UI changes would be needed for Steemit.com too - but nothing challenging.
Overall, I'd say it is a relatively simple challenge when compared to some of the complex challenges that have already been overcome in the development of Steem.
In terms of success, it should be absolutely fine as far as I am aware.
The price of Steem is tanking and issues such the the one you highlight as well as the way the curation rewards work (highlighted here) do not help attract new users who are looking for something different.
The problem you highlight could be fixed very quickly although the curation issues might take a bit longer. Hopefully the witnesses and those running Steemit.com are paying attention.
Ned has confirmed he has read my recent posts about changes to the witness system and likes the idea. Maybe he's looking at my other suggestions too. Improved communications would go a long way!
There should be an advanced search and filtering option with steem specific options. I would love to filter posts by tag and author ...
Other thing is that current tag filters don't work correctly. They don't show all posts.
That would be ideal yes, I imagine these are planned to be added at some point soon anyway.
I use DuckDuckgo...
It's a decent option, yes. :)
startpage .com is another private search engine. As Steve Jobs once said: "It's good to have options"
source
Yep, Microsoft OR Apple OR Google - options...
Good points. Maybe they'll make changes to the search engine.
I've never heard of duckduckgo or solo.
Gooble SUCK - I use Duck Duck go too because Goofle censor most of the stuff I'm looking for...
Perhaps Presearch https://steemit.com/ico/@pedrombraz/presearch-ico-review will be a candidate once it gets legs; or changes its name to something more cool as suggested by suppoman on here. Search is/will be of the utmost importance to steemit as it gathers steam (pardon the pun).
I agree that google doesn't quite fits on steemit.
Well said, google scares me...