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Climate Savers Computing Initiative

Posted by Bill Weihl, Green Energy Czar Last fall we talked about <a href="http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2006/09/towards-more-efficient-computing.html">our work on efficient power supplies</a> in the capable hands of Ben Jai, Ken Krieger and the rest of our power supply team. Since then, we've become involved in several projects focused on environmental stewardship. Today, for example, together with Intel, Dell, EDS, the EPA, HP, IBM, Lenovo, Microsoft, the World Wildlife Fund, and more than 20 other companies, we <a href="http://www.google.com/intl/en/press/pressrel/climate_savers_20070612.html">announced</a> the <a href="http://www.climatesaverscomputing.org/">Climate Savers Computing Initiative</a>. After working on this initiative over the last few months, we're delighted to join with so many organizations to form this new group. In particular this project should speak to every business with computers. Believe it or not, a typical desktop PC wastes over half the power delivered to it — and, when turned on, most desktops waste power — even when they're not in use. Through some very simple measures, there is an opportunity to save 70-80% of the power currently consumed by desktop computers. With a more efficient power supply, more efficient DC-to-DC converters, and power-management features turned on, that same desktop PC would save as much as 80% of the energy currently consumed! That energy savings means dollars, of course; it also prevents emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants. This initiative is one example of ways we as a company can work to reduce our environmental impact. A few others we've undertaken: - our fuel-efficient vehicle incentive project - our corporate shuttle program for commuting to work - organic, locally-sourced food in our café - <a href="http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2006/10/corporate-solar-is-coming.html">our corporate solar panel installation</a><a href="http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2006/10/corporate-solar-is-coming.html"></a> There are always more measures to take, of course. Through <a href="http://www.google.org/">Google.org</a>, for example, we are exploring innovative technologies that promise to reduce our collective impact on the environment. And as with Climate Savers, we hope to set an example as well as use the convening power of Google to further more environmental initiatives. All of these sorts of programs, and more, are what's needed. As ecologist <a href="http://www.rachelcarson.org/">Rachel Carson</a> put it, "Only within the moment of time represented by the present century has one species — man — acquired significant power to alter the nature of his world." Let's work together now to alter things for the good of the planet.

Climate Savers Computing Initiative

Posted by Bill Weihl, Green Energy Czar Last fall we talked about our work on efficient power supplies in the capable hands of Ben Jai, Ken...

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How long should Google remember searches?

Posted by Peter Fleischer, Global Privacy Counsel Over the years we’ve taken many steps to protect our users' data and privacy. For example, we have resisted <a href="http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2006/02/response-to-doj-motion.html">overly-broad government subpoenas</a>; we've designed our services to give users a choice between <a href="http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2007/02/personally-speaking.html">personalized services</a> and general services; and we've engineered our services to allow users <a href="https://www.google.com/accounts/ServiceLogin?hl=en&continue=http://www.google.com/history/%3Fzx%3D8TejGP12Uv4&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;nui=1<mpl=%20reauth&service=hist&srr=1">to see and control</a> how much data they wish to share with us. Recently, we took another important step to improve our privacy practices by announcing <a title="a new policy" href="http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2007/03/taking-steps-to-further-improve-our.html">a new policy</a> to anonymize our server logs after 18 to 24 months, becoming the first leading search company to publish a data retention policy. We also posted here to <a title="explain the factors" href="http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2007/05/why-does-google-remember-information.html">explain the factors</a> that guided our decision to retain server log data for 18 to 24 months. The Article 29 Working Party, an advisory panel composed of representatives from all of the E.U.'s national data protection authorities, has sent us a <a title="letter" href="http://ec.europa.eu/justice_home/fsj/privacy/news/docs/pr_google_16_05_07_en.pdf">letter</a> in response to our commitment to anonymize server logs. In it, they're asking us to provide further information about our new policy, and to explain why we feel that the time period of 18 to 24 months is “proportionate” under European data protection principles. For some time, we've discussed many things with the Working Party, ranging from issues raised by Google products like Gmail and Google Desktop to industry-wide concerns, such as the challenges of protecting privacy in the Web 2.0 era. We’re pleased that this most recent letter from the Working Party acknowledges our ongoing engagement with the data protection community and, in particular, our "readiness to consult with it [the Working Party] in contrast with a relative lack of engagement by some of the other leading players in the search engine community”. In the spirit of transparency, we're publishing <a href="http://64.233.179.110/blog_resources/Google_response_Working_Party_06_2007.pdf">our response</a> to the Working Party's letter. The Internet is a global medium, and the principles at stake -- privacy, security, innovation and legal obligations to retain data -- have an impact beyond Europe, and outside of the realm of privacy. These principles sometimes conflict: while shorter retention periods are good for privacy, longer retention periods are needed for security, innovation and compliance reasons. We believe we’ve struck a reasonable balance between these various factors. Our policies are consistent with EU data protection laws, which acknowledge the need to set data retention periods that are proportionate and that enable companies like Google to comply with legal requirements. We have a legitimate interest in retaining search server logs for a number of reasons: <ul><li>to improve our search algorithms for the benefit of users</li><li>to defend our systems from malicious access and exploitation attempts</li><li>to maintain the integrity of our systems by fighting click fraud and web spam</li><li>to protect our users from threats like spam and phishing</li><li>to respond to valid legal orders from law enforcement as they investigate and prosecute serious crimes like child exploitation; and</li><li>to comply with data retention legal obligations. </li></ul>After considering the Working Party's concerns, we are announcing a new policy: to anonymize our search server logs after 18 months, rather than the previously-established period of 18 to 24 months. We believe that we can still address our legitimate interests in security, innovation and anti-fraud efforts with this shorter period. However, we must point out that future data retention laws may obligate us to raise the retention period to 24 months. We also firmly reject any suggestions that we could meet our legitimate interests in security, innovation and anti-fraud efforts with any retention period shorter than 18 months. We are considering the Working Party's concerns regarding cookie expiration periods, and we are exploring ways to redesign cookies and to reduce their expiration without artificially forcing users to re-enter basic preferences such as language preference. We plan to make an announcement about privacy improvements for our cookies in the coming months. As we build new products and services, we look forward to continuing our discussion with the Article 29 Working Party and with privacy stakeholders around the world. Our common goal is to improve privacy protections for our users.

How long should Google remember searches?

Posted by Peter Fleischer, Global Privacy Counsel Over the years we’ve taken many steps to protect our users' data and privacy. For exam...

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TechnoServe in Tanzania

Posted by Alex Mkindi, Tanzania Deputy Country Director, TechnoServe <a href="http://www.google.org/">Google.org</a> supports efforts to promote economic development in developing countries. From time to time we invite guest bloggers from grantee organizations to tell us about their work. Today in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, TechnoServe and Google.org launched a national business plan competition called "<a href="http://www.believe-begin-become.com/Tanzania/index.asp">Believe, Begin, Become</a>". The program is designed to help Tanzanian entrepreneurs develop skills, obtain seed or expansion capital and establish the networks that help transform their business ideas into successful enterprises that create jobs and other income sources that transform the lives of all Tanzanians. We know, from our experience in Latin America and other African countries, what this kind of program can provide to entrepreneurs, who gain not only immediate benefits but a crucial business network that carries on long after the competition ends. Our Organizing Committee colleague <a href="http://www.believe-begin-become.com/Tanzania/2_committee.asp">David Bulengo</a> puts it this way: “The network of professionals and business leaders involved with Believe Begin Become will allow a new generation of young entrepreneurs the chance to learn from their experience and to create wonderful business opportunities.” If you would like to get involved, please <a href="mailto:tzbpc@tnstanzania.org">get in touch</a>.

TechnoServe in Tanzania

Posted by Alex Mkindi, Tanzania Deputy Country Director, TechnoServe Google.org supports efforts to promote economic development in develop...

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Spice up your schedule with the Google Calendar gallery

Posted by Peter Colijn, Software Engineer Don't you think that calendars should be more than lists of appointments and meetings? Well, we think an online calendar should be filled with what interests you most, which is why we just unveiled the Google Calendar gallery. Those of you with Google accounts and your friends (who might not have one) can create, share and save your favorite upcoming events directly in Google Calendar. Now you can find all sorts of interesting schedules to add to yours, like these: <blockquote><a title="Atlantic Records" href="http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=f58eimqodbpvj2j6rbedabvdefnv8hdj%40import.calendar.google.com">Atlantic Records</a> - See your favorite musical artist's concert schedules. <a title="Cordless Records" href="http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=info%40cordless.com">Cordless Records</a> - Find out where the latest independent artists are playing. <a title="TLC" href="http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=5lbtacr56qiru2fbc9spblujop8lkgn1%40import.calendar.google.com">TLC</a> - Keep up to date on new shows on the TLC Channel. <a href="http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=otpu0ncpmdp3vafd967si6vtes%40group.calendar.google.com" title="Disney">Disney</a> - Plan your family vacation around special events at Disneyland. <a title="Eventful" href="http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=ge8fu4qg5tndo3j7btidtkqeac%40group.calendar.google.com">Eventful</a> - Track fun events in your local area. <a title="Jambase" href="http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=6q67qpo026mf83v85l6mih1ld51iqr6r%40import.calendar.google.com">Jambase</a> - Know which live music acts are coming to your area. <a href="http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=NBAcalendar%40gmail.com" title="NBA">NBA</a> - Follow your favorite basketball team, and never miss a game. <a href="http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=up9ba31v77o3bvjfoh1soeqapk%40group.calendar.google.com" title="Netflix">Netflix</a> - Find out when your favorite new movies are available on DVD. <a href="http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=fija7g6us5f0120jublp5jd79o%40group.calendar.google.com" title="Orbitz Deals">Orbitz Deals</a> - See special travel deals next to your personal calendar. <a title="Zvents" href="http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=bf6s0b91gmdl4hr1dvl7fai8l8%40group.calendar.google.com">Zvents</a> - Gather ideas for things to do this weekend. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Ap14FtNN91w/RmdXGaOTHGI/AAAAAAAAAIU/1dEMKaEM5DQ/s1600-h/public+calendar.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5073119272886279266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Ap14FtNN91w/RmdXGaOTHGI/AAAAAAAAAIU/1dEMKaEM5DQ/s320/public+calendar.jpg" style="cursor: pointer;" /></a> </blockquote> The new Google Calendar gallery makes it easy to fill your days with events that you care about and don't want to forget. So <a href="http://www.google.com/calendar/gallery">take a look around</a> and see if there's something that interests you. Maybe you can even find a <a href="http://www.google.com/calendar/event?eid=czB0bWxlZXM3Z2QzbTA5NGIxYmIwZGc0NjggdGIwbTg5ZGc3dmsxb2l0b3M1ODkyZm9wa2tAZw&ctz=America/New_York">perfect excuse to duck out of the office</a> a bit early on Friday. We won't tell!

Spice up your schedule with the Google Calendar gallery

Posted by Peter Colijn, Software Engineer Don't you think that calendars should be more than lists of appointments and meetings? Well, w...

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Feeds on a plane!

Posted by Chris Wetherell, Software Engineer With last week's launch of <a href="http://gears.google.com/">Google Gears</a>, we're happy to let you know that <a href="http://reader.google.com/">Google Reader</a> is the first Google web application made for online and offline viewing. If you're not familiar with Google Reader, it's a feed reader for getting updates from your favorite blogs and news sites. Now, you can read these updates whether you're on or offline. It's easy to read today's financial news from the New York Times on the train, or catch up on your favorite blog while on a plane 35,000 ft. above the Atlantic. Once you've installed Google Gears, you can download your latest 2,000 items so they're available even when you don't have an Internet connection. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Ap14FtNN91w/Rmc12qOTHFI/AAAAAAAAAIM/-gzSt6vZMh8/s1600-h/Reader_feeds.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5073082718419622994" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Ap14FtNN91w/Rmc12qOTHFI/AAAAAAAAAIM/-gzSt6vZMh8/s320/Reader_feeds.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a> To get started, simply click the "Offline" link in the top right of Google Reader. Please note, though, that the current version of Google Gears is a developer release, which means you may notice a few kinks here and there. We'll be working hard to iron those out over the coming months, and as always, we welcome your <a href="http://groups.google.com/group/Google-Labs-Reader">feedback and suggestions</a> as we look to make Google Reader better every day.

Feeds on a plane!

Posted by Chris Wetherell, Software Engineer With last week's launch of Google Gears , we're happy to let you know that Google Reade...

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What U.S. immigration policies mean to Google

Posted by Pablo Chavez, Policy Counsel Our experience with American immigration policy dates back to one of our founders: when he was six, Sergey Brin's parents fled the Soviet Union in 1979 and settled in the United States. Today, there are literally hundreds of examples of immigrants and non-immigrant foreign workers playing a vital role in our company. In particular, employees who are holders of H-1B visas -- which allow foreign-born workers with specialized skills to work in the U.S. on a temporary basis -- have helped lead the development of Google News and orkut. Immigrants from countries like Canada, Iran, and Switzerland now lead our business operations, global marketing, global business development, and data infrastructure operations. Without these talented employees and many others, Google would not be where it is today. As Congress grapples with various immigration reform proposals, Laszlo Bock, our Vice President of People Operations, testified today before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration about the practical impact that the U.S. immigration system has on Google. (Laszlo's mother Susan, who fled Communist Romania when Laszlo was a child, was there too. She was welcomed by Rep. Zoe Lofgren, the chair of the committee, and she received an ovation from everyone present at the hearing.) In his testimony, Laszlo said that, due to limits on the number of H-1B visas, Google is regularly unable to pursue highly qualified candidates. This year, an estimated 133,000 visa applications were filed by H-1B candidates in the first two days of the filing period for only 65,000 available spots. Over the last year alone, the artificially low cap on H-1B visas has prevented more than 70 Google candidates from receiving H-1B visas. Therefore, Laszlo said, "We would encourage Congress to significantly increase the annual cap of 65,000 H-1B visas, to a figure more reflective of the growth rate of our technology-driven economy." He also urged Congress to address the backlog of employment-based green cards for highly skilled workers. Check out the <a href="http://services.google.com/blog_resources/Laszlo_Bock_immigration_testimony.pdf">full text</a> of Laszlo's testimony or watch the video of his opening remarks to the committee below. <object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-rAFmSYY6uE"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-rAFmSYY6uE" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>

What U.S. immigration policies mean to Google

Posted by Pablo Chavez, Policy Counsel Our experience with American immigration policy dates back to one of our founders: when he was six, S...

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Adding more flare

Posted by Susan Wojcicki, VP, Product Management As you know, we're constantly looking for ways to identify and offer new tools for content creators and website publishers. Likewise, we constantly aim to give AdWords advertisers broader distribution to an even wider audience of users. For these reasons, we're very pleased to tell you that we've just acquired <a href="http://blogs.feedburner.com/feedburner/archives/2007/06/its_truegle.php">FeedBurner</a>. For those of you who aren't bloggers, podcasters, or feed creators, Chicago-based FeedBurner is a leading provider of feed distribution and management tools. A <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_feed">web feed</a> is a way for online publishers to syndicate their content and deliver it straight to readers. Each day, FeedBurner delivers feeds to millions of users around the world and offers unique and useful tools for publishers to analyze, optimize, and monetize their content. Further, FeedBurner offers a feed advertising platform for advertisers to reach engaged feed readers through targeted in-feed ads and innovative techniques like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RSS">RSS</a> feed-driven ads. We're excited to continue offering the exceptional tools of FeedBurner to content creators throughout the world, and our teams will work together to improve the experiences of feed users, advertisers, and publishers. You can sign up for FeedBurner's services and take advantage of their feed tools and features immediately. Update: If you're interested, listen to the 45-minute <a href="http://services.google.com/blog_resources/2007_06_11_GoogleFeedburner.mp3">audio file</a> of our press call today with FeedBurner CEO Dick Costolo. (It takes a minute to load.)

Adding more flare

Posted by Susan Wojcicki, VP, Product Management As you know, we're constantly looking for ways to identify and offer new tools for cont...

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