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Normally, we won’t be bother to think how much time search engine like Google saves us precious time in completing our daily routine (net-based routines of course) until the internet connection is interrupted or perhaps when Google is down.  So, out of boredom, I set out to conduct a mini research with an aim to answer the following research question: “What life would be without Google and how much time we’d be spending solving our problems?”. To answer these, I chose three key tasks to be examined:

 A) Finding the definition of Exabytes

With Google: I entered “Define Exabytes” and the pages immediately list all available definitions, which include: “A unit of information equal to 1000 petabytes”

Time spent: 1 minute

Without Google: I quickly grab my Oxford dictionary on my desk and was surprised to note that the word didn’t exist and I ran up the stairs asking for another dictionary from my housemates. I managed to get a Longman dictionary and found the definition with a quick flip.

Time spent: 7 minutes

Time saved using Google: 6 minutes.

 

 

B) Checking up on a new friend’s profile

With Google: I entered the name of the friend plus “profile”, and like I have expected, Google lists all her available profile in Facebook, Friendster, Orkut as well as MySpace. Of course, the authenticity of the profile info may be questionable. So, I browsed deeper, and found her profile in a society she participated in her university by entering “HER NAME profile Filetype:xls”

Time spent: 3 minutes

Without Google: I don’t know what to do actually, the first way that I could think of was by calling up friends who know that new friend. Was surprised to note not many of my friends know her and had to make almost five phone calls before I got to get the information I need.

Time spent: 12 minutes (plus RM4.35 for call charges)

Time saved using Google: 9 minutes.

 
C) Finding ways to save petrol consumption

With Google: I entered “how to save petrol consumption” into Google search box and stumbled upon plenty of tutorials on various engine modifications as well as steps to reduce fuel cost. Was even surprised to note that some of the tutorials did work!!

Time spent: 5 minutes

Without Google: I went to the library, digging into piles and piles of books related to cars and fuel. After an hour of extensive search, I managed to find only ONE useful book – “Cars for Dummies”, which when I read carefully, most of the facts inside were taken from the pages available on Google search (with their links included!). Gees…no wonder they are making lots of money out of it.

Time spent: 1 hour  (excluding the time taken to go to the library)

Time saved using Google: 55 minutes

So you see the importance of Google in our life? However, with our without Google, life must go on. So, don’t worry when you can’t load Google page as long as you remind yourself that there are other search engines around. And when your internet connection got interrupted, well just curse the ISP! Hahaha….