Adam Lasnik joked during lunch at SMX and at the SEOmoz party that I was “that guy who hates Google”. Maybe some of my blog posts such as “Hacking Your Way To Number One” gave him that impression, although I do truly love Google. It’s my default search engine of choice, my email provider, my calendar organiser and my income source. Sure, I’ve said lots of negative things towards the Big G, although correcting these issues will only make the company stronger.
I also cannot think of one person I dislike at Google; my comments about Matt Cutts’ views on paid links were aimed at challenging Google’s policies and plans on this matter - not challenging Matt on a personal level. I don’t really speak to Matt much at conferences as he’s usually busy in big crowds of star-struck newbies, although I’ve had a few drinks with Brian White, Vanessa Fox and Amanda Camp before and think they’re top notch. I’ve also seen a glimpse of the future and was very impressed after chatting with Google Webmaster Central intern, errr… Red Googler (sorry that I can’t remember your name despite you telling me several hundred times).
So in summary, please don’t hate me just because I’m evil. Anyway, more tips and tricks on how to spam and hack Google coming soon 
June 10th, 2007 at 8:51 pm
The red shirt Googler’s name is 634, I couldn’t remember his name either so I gave him a number. He thought it was hilarious =) Actually I think his name is Marciel? God knows how you spell that though so I’m sticking to Googler 634..
June 11th, 2007 at 3:48 am
Marcel! Although 634 has a nice ring to it.
June 11th, 2007 at 5:43 am
Was 634 his Borg designation? Hmmm, maybe a little too geeky. Hey, I haven’t put Buffy in my conference presentations (yet), so I can’t be the geekiest person in search. How about if we get Buffy, Firefly, Stargate SG1 and Star Trek all into one session at SMX/SES London?
If only there was enough time to put them all in - Farscape, Dr Who, Tru Calling, Stargate Atlantis, X-Files….
June 11th, 2007 at 10:32 am
If I remember correctly his name was pronounced Marchel. Very clued up kid - made me feel old!
June 11th, 2007 at 4:46 pm
Hmm… so, Rob, you like Googlers, you love Google’s services; I’m eagerly awaiting your turn to the Light Side, since it’s clearly your destiny
And yep, I agree with you about our Kirkland interns (Marcel, indeed pronounced “Marchel,” as well as Danielle); they’re sharp, nice, fun, and yeah, they make me feel old, too!
Anyway, thanks for the friendly post. It’s a good way to start my week and get me smiling pre-SES Toronto!
June 11th, 2007 at 5:01 pm
I did actually consider a job at Google when there was a vacancy in the Dublin based spam fighting team a while back, but I knew that I’d fail the first interview - being evil and without a degree.
June 11th, 2007 at 6:25 pm
I had a blast with you guys. Googler 634 is what you get when you say to someone “haha 634 that’s funny - you probably won’t remember that”. You have a great numeric memory, 71.