Bamboozled by Google
Comments: 7
I usually use Google’s JavaScript browser toolbar widget to do searches and so don’t often go directly to google.com. Last night however, after upgrading to MT 2.1.1, I wanted to get a Google API key so I could play around with some of the new features in Movable Type.
The problem was I couldn’t remember the URL for their API page (it’s www.google.com/apis/, logically enough) and when I tried to get to google.com to find it off the main page, I was immediately redirected to google.co.jp, presumably on the basis of a geographical resolution of my IP address. While I appreciate the gesture, this is just silly. If I want the Japanese page, I’ll specifiy the Japanese page. What I want above all is control, and this method of being helpful removes it.
So finally I figure out the URL I’m looking for and sign up and receive an e-mail message with a link I’m to click to verify the e-mail address I provided. OK, I click the link and am taken to a page confirming the verification. What’s supposed to happen next is I get my API key. But no further message arrive.
Is the long string of numbers at the end of the e-mail verification URL my key? Could be, but they’re not telling. I log into my newly created Google account and – voila! – I’m taken back to the original sign-up page. Sigh, quit the browser, fire it up again and log in again. Now I’m seeing something different but there’s still no way to simply see what your key is. By now I’m thinking it must be that string of numbers in the confirmation e-mail, but I’ve yet to test it.
I’m on the receiving end of either a minor account creation malfunction or a poorly designed account creation process, and am left scratching my head one way or the other. Sure it’s a beta programme and they’ll be working hard to get the bugs out. But this is user interface design 101 we’re talking about here.
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Posted to Computers • 2002.05.06 (Mon) • 21:42
Comments
Posted by James B 2002.05.09, 09:21
Googles a great company in many, many ways. Latelly though I’m worried they are stretching themselves to thing. I see more mistakes in design/usability with them then usual. Here’s an example.
Posted by jh 2002.05.15, 22:50
Great link - thanks. I finally received a reply from Google on the problem. There’s a somewhat convoluted series of steps I need to go through (apparently only once, but I need cookies enabled for them). I’ll post a follow-up on the main page once I’ve figured it out.
Posted by Dave 2004.09.04, 12:24
Im back again you looser
hehehehe
Posted by jh 2004.09.04, 12:34
Dave —- Did you ever see that Michael Leunig cartoon where the guy goes to a tattooist to get “Born Loser” on his arm but the tattooist spells it “Born Looser” and says, “Gee, I think I spelled Loser wrong” and the guy says “Don’t worry about it, pal”?
Well, don’t worry about it, pal.
Posted by looooooser 2004.09.04, 13:58
hey wakner
looser
Posted by frames 2004.09.04, 14:02
Good to see that you use frames you looooooooooooooser - for you dumbasses in the states if you look at my previous post (yes i’m sad etc but more to the point bored) see the text that runns over the text box
Love Dave the looser
Dont worry by the next addition - however stupid I will have become bored with this and have gone on to something elst to amuse my saturday afternoon
Posted by Final 2004.09.04, 14:19
I must admit that I do get a kick out of knowing that while you have not removed these silly posts the people that find them selves at this page as a result of a google search in regards to gmail.
They will nodoubt see that you have been targeted by a imbacile such as myself.
Sure, it will make me look bad but then do I care? I think not.
Love Dave Serial pest esq.
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