Google instant search

[beanzontoast]

What is going on with Google search nowadays? I seem to get a delay in the search results being presented - and I don't like how, when typing in the search bar in IE, the text I'm typing pauses mid word while the search happens.

I know instant search can be turned off in a session-based way, but when the cache is cleared, the settings for remembering which search I prefer are lost too.

Can instant search be switched off permanently? Any other browsers better at dealing with it?

 

[S_t_e_v_e]

I have it disabled - its a right pain. After I type a couple of words the cursor disappears so i have to click back into the search box to finish typing... I use NoScript, an Addon for Firefox to disable google scripts...

 

[661-Pete]

Well, I have good news for those who, like me, are stuck with p*xy old IE6 at work. It doesn't work on IE6!

But yes, it bothers me a bit, when I use Google at home (on IE8). I shall see how to turn it off. I'm often wondering about if - say - I had occasion to do a search on "Penistone" ...

 

[beanzontoast]

Got Firefox installed everywhere already, so I guess that's what I'll have to do.

Not the best move Google has ever made, IMO.

 

[661-Pete]

See also here:
http://www.google.com/instant/
I'll try this when I get home.

Incidentally:

typically taking 300 milliseconds between keystrokes

WTF! I mean, I ain't no typing whizzkid, but even I .....

 

[yello]

I both use it and like it. It is surprisingly quick ime.

 

[Wobblers]

If you use Firefox, install the NoScript add-on. It disables all javascript that you don't explicitly give permission to run - which tends to make websites quicker to load and more secure: there's a number of attack strategies that rely on javascript to be run on the host computer. It will take some getting used to if you use NoScript because you'll have to tell it to allow scripts to run in the websites you want to view (I always get complaints about it when others use my computer!) but I wouldn't use a browser without it these days.

On Google, if you forbid scripts from "google.co.uk", you won't be harrassed by instant search.

 

[beanzontoast]

Great stuff. Isn't it fun having things to try when you get home?

 

[Night Train]

<br />If you use Firefox, install the NoScript add-on. It disables all javascript that you don't explicitly give permission to run - which tends to make websites quicker to load and more secure: there's a number of attack strategies that rely on javascript to be run on the host computer. It will take some getting used to if you use NoScript because you'll have to tell it to allow scripts to run in the websites you want to view (I always get complaints about it when others use my computer!) but I wouldn't use a browser without it these days.<br /><br />On Google, if you forbid scripts from "google.co.uk", you won't be harrassed by instant search.<br />

&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;<br />I've just tried this so will see how I get on with it.

ETA: OK, so what's with all the <br> stuff?

 

[ohnovino]

The link below will give you Google free from instant and auto-complete, without having to worry about cookies, cache, etc.:

http://www.google.co...omplete=0&hl=en

I used this for a while, but went back to using instant because I need the help with my spelling

 

[661-Pete]

Instant search and auto-complete are two entirely different things.

Auto-complete works for me here, even on IE6, but it only suggests completions which I have already searched for before, on Google. E.g. I just typed in "pa" into Google and one of the 'suggestions' was "Park Tools", because that's something I searched for in Google a few weeks ago. A different computer, one which has never been used by me, will probably offer up completely different suggestions. Hence, it must be cookie-based.

But it doesn't offer up an instant results list: that's the difference. And that's the thing I don't want.

 

[Wobblers]

Instant search and auto-complete are two entirely different things.

Auto-complete works for me here, even on IE6, but it only suggests completions which I have already searched for before, on Google. E.g. I just typed in "pa" into Google and one of the 'suggestions' was "Park Tools", because that's something I searched for in Google a few weeks ago. A different computer, one which has never been used by me, will probably offer up completely different suggestions. Hence, it must be cookie-based.

But it doesn't offer up an instant results list: that's the difference. And that's the thing I don't want.

That's not cookie based - I have all my computers set to reject Google cookies and scripts as a matter of course (Google's getting far too ubiquitous for my liking!). But auto-complete still knows that I spend my time looking at an awful lot of bike-related websites! Google stores details of past searches on an IP address basis. It's this information that auto-complete suggestions are based on.

 

[661-Pete]

That's not cookie based - I have all my computers set to reject Google cookies and scripts as a matter of course (Google's getting far too ubiquitous for my liking!). But auto-complete still knows that I spend my time looking at an awful lot of bike-related websites! Google stores details of past searches on an IP address basis. It's this information that auto-complete suggestions are based on.

Humph.

 

[soulful dog]

Ah so that's what it is.... it was bugging me when I was using someone elses laptop for a couple of week, I figured it was some kind of add-on and was delighted to get back to my own PC. I'm using Opera as my browser and thankfully it doesn't work with it. Don't mind the auto-complete, it's quite handy, but I found that instant search really annoying.

 

[beanzontoast]

I'm sure we can't be the only ones that feel like this about it. Google must be getting some interesting feedback...