Google Public DNS, your opinons please

[alfredo]

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2356618,00.asp



In an unusual move, Google announced Google Public DNS on Thursday, a new means by which users can utilize the Google DNS servers to access the Internet.
Google has even added telephone support for those who choose to make the switch.

For many, the DNS settings that lie at the heart of a user's router rarely need to be touched. When a user types in "http://pcmag.com", for example, the user's PC contacts the DNS server via the router and asks for the numerical IP address of the site, somewhat like 1-800-FLOWERS actually connects to a numerical telephone number.

Google's motivation, according to the company, is to both speed up Web browsing as well as provide enhanced security. "We believe that a faster DNS infrastructure could significantly improve the browsing experience for all web users," Prem Ramaswami, of Google's Public DNS Team, wrote in a blog post. "To enhance DNS speed but to also improve security and validity of results, Google Public DNS is trying a few different approaches that we are sharing with the broader web community."

[Duer 157099]

1. Nice

I predict that Google's next move is into the domain registry business, and I can't wait for them to do it.

[RoyGBiv]

2. Haven't tried it yet ...

I use OpenDNS, which I wouldn't do without now. It's so much faster and more reliable than Comcast's that the difference is visible. They do redirect failed lookups, to their OpenDNS guide, which is a search engine I think is powered by Yahoo, but not in an obnoxious way.

I'll try Google's eventually. My only concern at the moment is what they intend to do with all that information about resolved lookups. People have complained about their tracking cookies. That's nothing compared to the data they can mine with a DNS server.

Of course, so can any other DNS server.

[alfredo]

3. Where is Google going with this?

[RoyGBiv]

4. World domination?

Long term, Google is seeking to redefine what a computer is to people.

The Chrome browser was a part of this. The Chrome OS is the next step. Android (mobile phones) is also in play. The goal will be to blur the distinction between personal desktop, laptops, netbooks, and mobile phones behind a unifying system of operation. (I word it that way to distinguish it from an "Operating System," which is different conceptually.)

Since this is a long-term goal, it's subject to change as other players enter the market and inject their own ideas, but, basically what we're talking about is the amorphous "Cloud." You have a device. The device connects to a network. From there you get everything you do on a computer-like system, e.g. communication with others via voice, video, and text; utilize business applications such as word processors, spreadsheets, etc.; play games ... hell go fishing for all I know.

A fast DNS system will be integral to this, and Google can't rely on a thousand different ISP DNS servers to make sure it all works well. One of the major drawbacks of the system envisioned is that it relies on network connectivity with reliably connections and routing. We have nothing like that in the US at the moment. All those little stutters and delays and momentary drop-outs are indicative of the kinds of problems that would kill productivity on a system based entirely on the cloud concept. So, as one step in this, they're making their own DNS server system.

Eventually they will get into providing network connectivity, probably by partnering with someone, but perhaps not.

P.S. On a personal note, I like very little of this. It removes all effective control over personal data. But that's where we're headed right now.

[alfredo]

5. So they could eventually do away with the need for ISP's other than what they

are providing?

[RoyGBiv]

6. ISPs as we know them ...

Of course, that sort of thing has already happened at least three times since the 80s, more if we get into the details and distinguish between pure ISPs and services that eventually provided Internet access or interfaced with the Internet in some way.

In short, the way we access the Internet would change, but you'd still have a service provider of some type.

"The Cloud" is a nonsense term, imo. What it refers to, in this context, is the relationship between the end-user and his or her access to applications and data. Right now, you have a machine with all these programs and data on it, and you access a network to use your programs, exchange data, etc. In "the cloud," in its ultimate form, your machine is simply a dumb terminal with a relatively small application that works as a client to access applications and data on the network.

In Google's embryonic plan, they have their "Google Apps," and you store any data created or retrieved with them on Google's servers.

Another way of looking at it is a change of the business model. Software is property for the most part right now. The Cloud works off the idea of software as service. And, you'll pay for the service. The connection to the network is simply a pathway to it.

[alfredo]

7. In other words, we are going back to the bad old days. I like my software

on my drive. Same goes for my data.

I would read the EULA very carefully. I remember what MS tried to pull in the early days of .Net.

[RoyGBiv]

8. That's my perception ...

I could be wrong. I'd *like* to be wrong.

Did you see Deja Q's thread in which he posted part of the EULA for Google Chrome OS?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=242x28500

[alfredo]

9. It's pretty much what I've experienced over the years. At least they don't

say that copyrighted material sent over their network becomes their property and you lose all rights to it.

[totodeinhere]

10. Google DNS doesn't have very good ping times.

At least that's the case from my location. I have been using Level 3's national DNS servers at 4.2.2.1 and 4.2.2.2. There are no redirects or advertisements, just pure DNS. It's ping times are identical to OpenDNS and much faster than either my ISP or Google. And unlike OpenDNS or most ISP's, they do not redirect mistyped URL's to a proprietary page with ads. Instead you just get a generic server not found page generated by your browser.

[alfredo]

11. I can't wait to see what Google is up to. Are we seeing the build up to a challenge

to Microsoft?

[RoyGBiv]

12. I think that's already started ...

Android is challenging Windows mobile and now ChromeOS is challenging (or trying to challenge) Windows on netbooks. They starting small and working their way up. There's also the search engine thing thrown into the mix, but that's a challenge from the other direction, with Bing being the underdog.

A lot is riding on ChromeOS, I think, but for the moment, the real battle is with phones.

[alfredo]

13. I hope the Chrome browser doesn't stay this ugly. I runs well,

but it is butt ugly.

[Gore1FL]

14. I include my ISP DNS as well as other public DNS in my list

I suspect if Google offers one, it is worth adding.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

15. My opinion is that Google will find a way to monetize this "service"

With control of DNS, they can track how many users visit a specific site, and use those data in their search engine algorithm. If you don't mind Google knowing your browsing history, then I guess it's not a problem. :shrug:

[alfredo]

16. If it isn't Google, it's Comcast or Windstream. Pick your poison.

[salvorhardin]

17. That's what I was thinking

If Google sees wide adoption of their DNS service, they would be able to build a much more accurate version of Alexa. I wouldn't be surprised to see Google make a bid for Alexa in the not-too-distant future.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

18. That's the direction I can almost guarantee they'll take it

Google is a long way removed from the progressive company they once were. As someone who has experience running websites, I found that it became harder to make money the larger that Google got. Like Microsoft, Google tends to eat up any competition because they have a serious monopoly on internet advertising.

I'll wait and see what happens, but I'm not confident that Google is doing this for any reason other than revenue.