Google’s Homepage Now Loads in Pieces
Google seems to have updated there homepage recently. The change is subtle (well, maybe not to geeks!) and it is an optimization for low speed connections. The essentials of the search page load instantly in the first request. This entails a the ubiquitous Google logo as well as the search form with only the character input HTML widget and no buttons (about time!) though also gone is the “I’m feeling lucky!” button that directed you to the first hit. I assume the latter feature was not popular with advertisers if popular with users in the first place. Anyway, the optimization enables you to start typing your query concurrently with the rest of the page loading. This is actually quite useful for users with slower connections. Some rail against Google’s user interface design changes but they are always for the better even if unorthodox. Google shows a willingness to cater to the wealthier user (i.e. one with a broadband connection) and those with a dial-up connection without making the experience any worse for either category of users.
All of this is the result of extensive use of AJAX technologies within the Google citadel of web applications. Following the quick return of only a few kilobyes (I will measure this later), additional XMLHttpRequests are made to load up the rest of the already simple interface. Using a useful measuring tool at WebsiteOptimization.com, Google’s front page checks in at just over 15Kb in four requests. This enables a fast connection to grab the page very quickly and slower connections can now retrieve the small page in pieces. Now, using the same tool, I decided to check out Bing.com, the latest name for Microsoft’s search comptetitor and surprisingly it served 11Kb in one request (Google took four). The Bing homepage has many graphics so I will need to do a more detailed analysis when I get home to Firebug (the best webpage/JavaScript/CSS debugger/analyzer ever).
The Microsoft engineers are certainly doing a better job at optimizing but I will refrain from any judgements until a more detailed survey is carried out on my personal computer (I’m typing this in the Tuft’s Tisch Library). I can’t help asking myself a feq questions though… given Microsoft’s extensive “Decision engine” advertising following the Bing re-branding, apparently better engineering, and a bite in Google’s search monopoly market share, is Google getting nervous? What are the next Google Products? I will discuss my feelings about Google products in a future post, especially now that I have been playing around with Wave since the first developer preview and also use Google Voice. I hope to present objective analysis of the company from an open source users point of view. Google’s motto of “Don’t be evil” needs to be severely scrutinized. Something inside says all the free things they give away mask their eviler side but more writing to come.
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