Search Engines: Evil Business Practices

I saw an article on MSN's web page that interested me, so I started reading it. It's four pages long, but all of the juicy details were links. (i.e. "How does she make that much money? Doing this, she's said." "Doing this" is a link.)

And to what does it link? Bing. It's a link to a Bing search. It appears as though Microsoft is submitting searches to their own search engine with the exact details of what you wanted to know. To get the details of the article one must only look at the URL of the link without clicking it. But what's the point?

I can only imagine it's a numbers and popularity game. If Bing jumped into the number one spot of search engines, it's because everyone who reads MSN articles are reading fluff and clicking links to get the real details. This increases Bing's usage counts artificially which allows Microsoft to claim they're rising in popularity.

If you ask me it's a cheap way to fudge your numbers and shows a lack of integrity when it comes to your business practices. If your search technology doesn't stand up to the competition, let it die. Do well what you CAN do, and leave the rest to someone who can do the other stuff better.

What Would You Do with 48 Cores Contest

AMD has asked, "what would you do with 48 cores?"

http://blogs.amd.com/work/2010/03/03/48-cores-contest/

This is my entry submission. Yes, it is a real submission. Yes, I would be surprised if I won (and probably the recipient of an excessive amount of hate mail).

My entry...

In short I would underutilize them.

Let's be honest: relatively few people or organizations can or would actually use eight or 16 cores to a somewhat full potential, much less 48 of them. Even if I had an idea that might change the world, neither I nor my organization have the capital to realize the technology necessary to use the cores to accomplish my idea. I'd need more than just the computer. Verily, I'd probably just virtualize what I have and do my part to save energy and costs as best as I can. The best way to change the world is to start in my own back yard.

I would certainly show off my new toy and boast to everyone who will hear from where it came and how I got it, though...