Re: Statements against new.net?

[Patrick Greenwell <patrick () cybernothing org>]

On Thu, 15 Mar 2001, Richard A. Steenbergen wrote:

> > > Search engines are horribly inaccurate for trying to reach any
> > > single particular page, unless it's so bizarre that you only get a dozen
> > > search results. I would definitely not advocate search engines to replace
> > > the current DNS system, unless a whole new generation of search engines
> > > was created that could effectively deduce exactly where the user _really_
> > > wanted to go, accurately, every time (which is what DNS currently does).
> >
> > So tell me when I type in the word "apple" where exactly do I want to go?
>
> Ok this is getting downright rediculous. 

No, it's not. It's just that rather than discuss the issue rationally,
you'd like to shut down conversation on topics that extend beyond
your preconceptions.

> There is a reason we HAVE search engines, to find the links between
> content names and destination names. If I want to order an apple I don't
> goto www.apple.com.

And why, pray tell is that? If I type in www.wine.com, I get to a site
that sells wine. Why shouldn't I be able to type www.apple.com and get to
a site that sells apples? (I hope the question is rhetorical.)

> These levels of naming exist for a reason. If you want to find content
> about apples you goto Google and search for apples, if you want to goto
> Apple Computer you type www.apple.com

So what tribal knowledge is there that is passed from generation to
generation that causes this to be intuitive? You only know this from
experience, and if you can put all the advertising training you've
received(which has successfully wired "apple" to mean the computer company
in your mind) you might see that what you are saying is non-obvious to
those that haven't been advertised to as successfully as you have.