Microsoft seem to be stepping up their game, well at least in the marketing department but can their "Decision Engine" ever be a realistic rival to Google?

They can rename MSN search, or Windows Live Search to anything they want, it still does not knock Google out of my first choice.

I actually gave it a try, and find it pretty nice. Here's some reasons I've come up with:

1. Homepage is always something interesting - The homepage has a daily background that's usually nice to look at, and the little Hotspots on the background have some cool tidbits you can search with. Also, if you're not interested in that, the search box loads up first and the fastest.

2. Web results are more convenient - I like some of the Instant Answers that Bing comes up with. Like if it's a very popular site, it will be the first results, and some important links (within the site) will be listed underneath. Sometimes even a search box will appear under the result so you can search within that site. Sometimes relevant news articles show up, weather, traffic data, etc. Also you can hover over a result, and a little thing will show up on the right of it that will show you a text preview of how the query relates to the site.

3. Superb image search - There's infinite scroll, so you don't have to click extra pages to find better images. It's a clean results page, and you can hover over a thumbnail for extra info., and there are some really great filters so you can a more exact image. You can even create a collection of images you like by dragging them to the Scratchpad so you can look at all the ones you like when you're finished.

4. Awesome video search - Bing has to be the best on the web. The neat thing about Bing's is that you can hover over a thumbnail and it will play a preview of the video, so you don't have to "guess and click" a result, and find that you wasted your time. Also, it searches many video sites and regular sites.

5. Shopping is better on Bing - You can find a LOT of good deals, because there is something called Cashback and you can get a percentage of the regular price paid back to you, depending on what store you buy from. It's like a rebate, but online and with definitely more certainty. Also, each product has user reviews and specs/features that are really handy to look at.

It won't hurt to give it a try!

Hi wanetom and welcome.

Mainly because they've hijacked everyone's computers via Windows Update and forced them to use it.

Well, you are off to a bad start because that is totally not true. I have quite a few computers going and none have had the default search engines changed.

Originally Posted by Digerati

They can rename MSN search, or Windows Live Search to anything they want, it still does not knock Google out of my first choice.

I second that.

as of now, don't think there is gonna be much difference between Bing n the old MSN search. Looks like microsoft is just renaming it and hoping everyone will jump on board and start using it.
What i'm hoping is microsoft has finally figured the google's search code n closed down some of the gap they have between google and yahoo. also, this is another way for microsoft to get the advertisement revenue away from google and yahoo.
Guess, we have to wait and see.

I don't see a Linux search preference under preferences so I am not gonna use it.

this is another way for microsoft to get the advertisement revenue away from google and yahoo.

That's called Free Enterprise and I don't have a problem with that - it keeps the R&D money flowing at Google and Yahoo. As long as my default search engine is not changed without my permission, I don't have a problem and hope MS keeps pushing to make a better search engine.

as long a microsoft continues to throw money into it,

it will have some kind of a future.

its doubtful that microsoft will throw in the towel, however.

if they do, then all of that market share will fall into googles lap.