I really hate Google Instant and autocomplete – largely because I hate any user interface element that causes things on screen to change in unexpected ways. I also hate websites where little ‘preview’ windows instantly pop up when your cursor crosses over a link. When something unexpected pops up on my computer, I always think: “Waah! Something unexpected and unwelcome has surprised me unpleasantly!” and never: “How delightful! My computer did just what I wanted, without me even asking!”.
I am rather annoyed that even when you turn off Google Instant, Google turns it back on for your account after a few weeks. They really want those extra advertising revenues.
It is possible to avoid both annoying features by searching Google using this link. I call it ‘Quiet Google’ and it helps conserve a measure of calm in the universe.
I agree with everything you say about Google Instant. I’ll add that for a company claiming not to be evil, they’re getting irritatingly intrusive and insistent that you do a whole host of little things “their” way, since they unilaterally decided to bet the server farm on becoming a Plus “identity service” for everybody in the world, whether we want it or not.
Would love to try your quiet link. But it’s not working…
Link fixed (while waiting for my late bus).
The new GMail interface is a confusing mess that commits the cardinal user interface sin of constantly changing shapes for no reason.
Thankfully, the ‘basic HTML’ version still exists. It is worlds better than the bells-and-whistles interface they have now made mandatory for the normal version.