Google vs Bing - Who Wins?

Since the beginnings of the Internet there has been a constant argument over one of the basic aspects of usage; which search engine should I use? Until a couple of years ago there was little argument from me over the clear winner: Google, hands down. I don't believe that's the case anymore.

I am something of a "power user" of the web. I'm online pretty much any time I'm not actively doing something else. I've tried just about every search engine out there. Over the years a lot of players have tried to get into the game and failed.  There are only two big players to look at: Google and Bing. For quite a while now I've been using Bing. Yes, Bing.

Now, I hear the grumbling. "Microshaft sucks. Bing Sucks. I'm a Google user. But you are using Blogger". Well...

I won't touch on which company is more trustworthy (short answer: ultimately neither) but will concentrate on which engine gives ME better results and a better experience. And right now Bing is better for for my purposes. 

Search Results - I see almost no difference in results between Google and Bing. Bing results are just as relevant, and often far more useful, than Google. Bing also throws far fewer "sponsored" links into the results. Also, Bing doesn't censor image results. Google does. I'm an adult. I can choose for myself, thanks.

Layout - One place Google falls down is in how it visually presents itself. Nothing has really changed in Google since the early days. It gives you results, but mostly in the form of links to other sites. Bing presents photos, quick links to relevant sites (IMDB, Wikipedia, etc) on the right side. When searching films you'll see actor, director and other information. When searching bands you'll get former members and popular releases. MUCH more information is presented at your fingertips. Google gives some of that information but I feel Bing presents it better. And the Bing landing page is MUCH more attractive, if that matters to you. 

This:

Or this?

Overall User Experience - Here, to me, is where Bing outshines its larger rival. Bing offers the Rewards program which offers points for search, daily activities, daily streaks and occasional bonus points. None of the daily activities are time consuming being mostly certain holiday or history based searches and short trivia quizzes. This isn't a "get rich scheme" by any means. In roughly 3 years I've earned something in the neighborhood of $200 worth of gift cards, storage on One Drive and Hulu monthly subscription fees. The gift cards available as of this writing are

• Starbucks
• Amazon
• AMC Theaters
• Burger King
• Hulu
• Target
• Wal-Mart
• Regal Cinemas
• NFL Shop
• Dominos
• REI
• Sephora
• Dell
• Microsoft Store

There is also a program where you can donate points to various charities as well as sweepstakes for various computers and Microsoft products. The rewards change occasionally and more are added all the time.

I don't see any real downside to using Bing. I'm getting value back for doing what I do anyway. Any extra effort is minimal. The information I want is generally right in front of me. And if I MUST give my information to a faceless, soulless conglomerate at least I am getting something in return. 

Bing.com

How To Unclutter A Web Page In One Easy Step

Courtesy of one of my favorite bloggers, Book Of Joe, here's a handy website that turns normally cluttered webpages into an easy to digest and simple format. 

Turns this: 

Into this:

 

Can A Person Eat 110+ Year Old Beef And Survive?

YouTube MRE reviewer Steve1989 answers that question. 

Steve seems like a genuinely cool (if a bit twisted) guy and he's always worth a watch, even if you couldn't care less about MREs, which I generally don't. 

Lewis and Clark and Feces and Mercury

Dan Lewis is a writer who sends out a daily email called "Now I Know". "Now I  Know" is a daily nugget or two of information/trivia that is well written, well researched and very engaging. I've been a subscriber for years and can't recommend it enough.

Today's nugget involves explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, their western explorations and how we know where they were. Or at least one place where they were. Based on mercury.

Here's the web version of the article. The website contains the "Now I Know" archives. There goes the day.

http://nowiknow.com/the-gross-metallic-secret-behind-americas-westward-expansion/

Vic Is Upset, It Appears

And it's not the first time. Just the latest. 

NSFW language. 

 

Cuban Guitarist Hears Stevie Ray Vaughan For The First Time

Pretty much the reaction everyone has the first time they hear SRV. And his final comment is the EXACT reaction every guitarist has. Beautiful video. 

We Don't Use The Word "Nostalgia" Around Here

We'll call this "Vintage photographic recordings of past history".

Flashbak has a ton of old photos, advertisements and general nos...cultural memories. Most excellent site and a wonderful waster of time.

https://flashbak.com

Here's Mick Jagger (trying to make plaid look fashionable) and Marianne Faithful (who always looked fashionable) in 1969.