'Miserable failure' links to Bush

Dreamer128 · 05-02-2004, 12:56 PM

George W Bush has been Google bombed.

Web users entering the words "miserable failure" into the popular search engine are directed to the biography of the president on the White House website.

The trick is possible because Google searches more than just the contents of web pages - it also counts how often a site is linked to, and with what words.

Thus, members of an online community can affect the results of Google searches - called "Google bombing" - by linking their sites to a chosen one.

Weblogger Adam Mathes is credited with inventing the practice in 2001, when he used it to link the phrase "talentless hack" to a friend's website.

The search engine can be manipulated by a fairly small group of users, one report suggested.

Newsday newspaper says as few as 32 web pages with the words "miserable failure" link to the Bush biography.

The Bush administration has been on the receiving end of pointed Google bombs before.

In the run-up to the Iraq war, internet users manipulated Google so the phrase "weapons of mass destruction" led to a joke page saying "These Weapons of Mass Destruction cannot be displayed."

The site suggests "clicking the regime change button", or "If you are George Bush and typed the country's name in the address bar, make sure that it is spelled correctly (IRAQ)".

(BBC)

Felix The Assassin · 05-02-2004, 01:29 PM

Hmm, I tried it. Must have done a change regime since you made the post.

Now we have Jimmy Carter and Billary Clinton

Stratos · 05-02-2004, 07:42 PM

Yes, I've seen those. Didn't they make one about "French military victories" as well?

Djinn Raffo · 05-02-2004, 09:18 PM

Try waffles.

Illumina Drathiran'ar · 05-02-2004, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Djinn Raffo:
Try waffles.

I would have guessed we'd get Bill Clinton.

Though to be fair, the French Military Victories is a doctored site (Nobody remembers Napoleon, do they?). This one is far more amusing.

Seraph · 05-03-2004, 12:06 AM

Napoleon was a Corsican, which allowed for some short term vitories, but in the long run, the mostly French armies still lost.

Donut · 05-04-2004, 06:05 AM

If you type the words "gullible americans" into google you are directed to the Fox News site.

Khazadman Risen · 05-06-2004, 10:38 AM

But Illumina, it's been 190 years since Napoleon,s last victories.

Stratos · 05-06-2004, 10:47 AM

I got John Kerry's site when I entered 'waffles'.

Illumina Drathiran'ar · 05-06-2004, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Khazadman Risen:
But Illumina, it's been 190 years since Napoleon,s last victories.

If you want to quibble, then, you might do well to remember that the French more or less won the American revolutionary war.

05-02-2004, 01:29 PM	#2
Felix The Assassin The Dreadnoks Join Date: September 27, 2001 Location: Orlando, FL Age: 61 Posts: 3,608	Hmm, I tried it. Must have done a change regime since you made the post. Now we have Jimmy Carter and Billary Clinton __________________ The Lizzie Palmer Tribute Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty. John F. Kennedy 35th President of The United States The Last Shot Honor The Fallen Jesus died for our sins, and American Soldiers died for our freedom. If you don't stand behind our Soldiers, please feel free to stand in front of them.

05-02-2004, 07:42 PM	#3
Stratos Vampire Join Date: January 29, 2003 Location: Sweden Age: 43 Posts: 3,888	Yes, I've seen those. Didn't they make one about "French military victories" as well? __________________ Nothing is impossible, it's just a matter of probability.

05-04-2004, 06:05 AM	#7
Donut Jack Burton Join Date: March 1, 2001 Location: Airstrip One Age: 40 Posts: 5,571	If you type the words "gullible americans" into google you are directed to the Fox News site. __________________ [img]\"http://www.wheatsheaf.freeserve.co.uk/roastspurs.gif\" alt=\" - \" /> <br />Proud member of the Axis of Upheaval<br />Official Titterer of the Laughing Hyenas<br />Josiah Bartlet - the best President the US never had.<br />The 1st D in the D & D Show

05-06-2004, 10:38 AM	#8
Khazadman Risen Manshoon Join Date: May 4, 2004 Location: The Glorious South Age: 62 Posts: 174	But Illumina, it's been 190 years since Napoleon,s last victories. __________________ I\'m reminded of the words of Socrates who said.... I drank what?<br />C. Knight

05-06-2004, 10:47 AM	#9
Stratos Vampire Join Date: January 29, 2003 Location: Sweden Age: 43 Posts: 3,888	I got John Kerry's site when I entered 'waffles'. __________________ Nothing is impossible, it's just a matter of probability.

05-02-2004, 12:56 PM	#1
Dreamer128 Dracolisk Join Date: March 21, 2001 Location: Europe Age: 39 Posts: 6,136	George W Bush has been Google bombed. Web users entering the words "miserable failure" into the popular search engine are directed to the biography of the president on the White House website. The trick is possible because Google searches more than just the contents of web pages - it also counts how often a site is linked to, and with what words. Thus, members of an online community can affect the results of Google searches - called "Google bombing" - by linking their sites to a chosen one. Weblogger Adam Mathes is credited with inventing the practice in 2001, when he used it to link the phrase "talentless hack" to a friend's website. The search engine can be manipulated by a fairly small group of users, one report suggested. Newsday newspaper says as few as 32 web pages with the words "miserable failure" link to the Bush biography. The Bush administration has been on the receiving end of pointed Google bombs before. In the run-up to the Iraq war, internet users manipulated Google so the phrase "weapons of mass destruction" led to a joke page saying "These Weapons of Mass Destruction cannot be displayed." The site suggests "clicking the regime change button", or "If you are George Bush and typed the country's name in the address bar, make sure that it is spelled correctly (IRAQ)". (BBC)

05-02-2004, 09:18 PM	#4
Djinn Raffo Ra Join Date: March 11, 2001 Location: Ant Hill Age: 49 Posts: 2,397	Try waffles.

05-03-2004, 12:06 AM	#6
Seraph Quintesson Join Date: September 12, 2001 Location: Ewing, NJ Age: 42 Posts: 1,079	Napoleon was a Corsican, which allowed for some short term vitories, but in the long run, the mostly French armies still lost.

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