Comments for Google Stiffs Nonprofits, Launches Second Rate Widget Builder With No Hosting

Google Stiffs Nonprofits, Launches Second Rate Widget Builder With No Hosting

2008-04-09T15:48:36Z

The new Google Gadget Builder for Organizations looks like the easiest way there is to build a widget for webpages or a gadget for iGoogle. Intended for nonprofit organizations, the Gadget Builder lets widget authors combine RSS feeds, YouTube video playlists and links to donate or join the email list serve for your organization.

That sounds great, until you start kicking the tires. On the same week Google launched it's ballyhooed App Engine, which offers powerful Google-style development architecture and gobs of free hosting and scaling - nonprofits get stuck with a substandard builder for widgets that Google won't even host for them.

]]> Below is one that I built, there's very little customization enabled in the wizard but you could substitute some of the image files once they were on your own server. The service is probably best for organizations that want to look pathetic and out-of-date right away.

"Remember, your gadget will only bring people to your web site if they know about it, so be sure to follow all four [of the following promotional] steps," the Widget Builder's last page says. The fourth step is to buy AdSense to promote your nonprofit widget. How tasteless.

Did I mention that Google won't even host your nonprofit widgets for you? The day after they announced their new program to provide free scalable hosting for for-profit applications?

Organizations interested in a more powerful option should check out the even easier to use SproutBuilder. SproutBuilder comes with built-in distribution hooks, unlike this Google Gadget that prompts people to do nothing but add a widget to a Google page. It's pretty absurd.

Comment from Peter T on 2008-04-09

2008-04-09T18:01:22Z

So google takes it upon themselves to provide a free tool for noprofits, and this is somehow warrants the title "Google Stiffs Nonprofits"?? Talk about spoiled child mentality!

Comment from Marshall Kirkpatrick on 2008-04-09

2008-04-09T18:07:06Z

Peter, I can understand that perspective - can you understand the perspective expressed here? Nonprofits getting substandard tools certainly seems like a trend worth criticizing to me. Perhaps people dedicated to making the world a better place should just shut up and be happy with whatever crumbs this global giant is willing to drop off the table for them. I don't think so.

Comment from Alastair Mitchell on 2008-04-09

2008-04-09T18:39:24Z

It's a very valid post. Everyone should look at what more they can do in their jobs outside of just making money for the company they work for, or run. We give Huddle web plans away free to charities and not-for-profits, for instance. (apologies for the blatent advertising but I thought it would be ok given we're giving stuff away for free!) Not much, but we do what we can and everyone who works here really believes in it. 'Not-just-for-profit' is becoming an increasing trend globally - and with good reason - long may it continue.

Comment from Sarah T on 2008-04-09

2008-04-09T18:48:39Z

I recently used Sproutbuilder to make a widget for my workplace, and it was super easy to use and fairly powerful. I can't believe that with technology like that available, Google would put out such a subpar competitor.

Comment from Kevin Marks on 2008-04-09

2008-04-09T19:08:04Z

Clearly, the non-profits can use any of Google's existing hosting options, from Pages to Blogger to Apps for Your Domain to AppEngine, or their existing webserver. That's how the web works. Google donates Ads to non-profits through Google Grants: http://www.google.com/grants/

So, no, I don't see how the article supports the headline.

Comment from borris on 2008-04-09

2008-04-09T19:13:16Z

I agree with Peter on this one.
Where exactly does it say that this is intended for NFP organisations? As far as I can tell, this is free for all to use. In which case they are completely justified in suggesting you promote your gadget using AdSense.

The app engine they have just "lauched" is in BETA, which is limited to 25,000 developers at the moment, and only supports python. Who knows how long it will stay that way?

And considering they are yet to release a pricing plan for the app engine, who's to say that there won't be a free or discounted version for NFPs?

Comment from Ben R on 2008-04-09

2008-04-09T21:02:49Z

Where exactly does it say that this is intended for NFP organisations?

The word 'organizations' and the language they use sound like NFP-speak to me:

"Whether your campaign aims to build awareness of your issues, engage your base of supporters, or educate the uninformed,you can build an online strategy for traffic to your website using Google Gadgets.... ...Get in front of your supporters...Encourage your supporters to add your gadget..."

(The assumption being that your supporters are all using iGoogle already.)

Sure, the headline is a little strong, but that's the nature of a headline. I think the point is a good one.

It's the same old story of friendship in a market economy: If you have something to sell, we'll help you since we're selling stuff too. If you're not selling anything, well, you're not really in the game, are you? --So get off the field and go play in the sandbox. "Don't be evil" but make money to be somebody. Does a capitalist culture encourage evil? This is the question begged by Google's monopolistic tendencies in the online economy of which they want to be the central hub.

Comment from Michael Hoffman on 2008-04-10

2008-04-10T15:14:40Z

Lets focus here on the product. Is it good or not?

Google has a history of reaching out to nonprofit organizations and they have a history of releasing crappy stuff (along with great stuff.) They also have been known to release something crappy and then improve it.

They are also known for empty gestures, such as adding free Google Checkout accounts for nonprofit video channels on YouTube - that no one will ever use.

Marshall knows what he is talking about in terms of the product. For now, I am sticking with SproutBuilder, which is elegant and flexible.

Comment from Peter T on 2008-04-23

2008-04-23T22:51:12Z

Apologies for taking so long to get back to you on this one. I suppose I can see where you're coming from in hoping for improvement, but I don't think any reprimanding of Google is merited. From my perspective, although I greatly admire any charity or non-profit work a company undertakes, I believe that none of them have the imperative to do so. Because of this I would never object to any services they want to offer (for free!). We have a saying back home "don't look a gift horse in the mouth", which is a polite way of saying beggars can't be choosers! I suppose what I was trying to say is, if I had written the article, the title would be along the lines of "Great start Google, now let's try do even better!"