A new Safari extension allows users to set ChatGPT as their default search engine. The extension intercepts search queries entered in the Safari address bar and redirects them to ChatGPT, providing a conversational AI-powered search experience directly within the browser. This offers an alternative to traditional search engines, leveraging ChatGPT's ability to synthesize information and respond in natural language.
Kagi Search has integrated Privacy Pass, a privacy-preserving technology, to reduce CAPTCHA frequency for paid users. This allows Kagi to verify a user's legitimacy without revealing their identity or tracking their browsing habits. By issuing anonymized tokens via the Privacy Pass browser extension, users can bypass CAPTCHAs, improving their search experience while maintaining their online privacy. This added layer of privacy is exclusive to paying Kagi subscribers as part of their commitment to a user-friendly and secure search environment.
HN commenters generally expressed skepticism about Kagi's Privacy Pass implementation. Several questioned the actual privacy benefits, pointing out that Kagi still knows the user's IP address and search queries, even with the pass. Others doubted the practicality of the system, citing the potential for abuse and the added complexity for users. Some suggested alternative privacy-enhancing technologies like onion routing or decentralized search. The effectiveness of Privacy Pass in preventing fingerprinting was also debated, with some arguing it offered minimal protection. A few commenters expressed interest in the technology and its potential, but the overall sentiment leaned towards cautious skepticism.
Artemis is a web reader designed for a calmer online reading experience. It transforms cluttered web pages into clean, focused text, stripping away ads, sidebars, and other distractions. The tool offers customizable fonts, spacing, and color themes, prioritizing readability and a distraction-free environment. It aims to reclaim the simple pleasure of reading online by presenting content in a clean, book-like format directly in your browser.
Hacker News users generally praised Artemis, calling it "clean," "nice," and "pleasant." Several appreciated its minimalist design and focus on readability. Some suggested improvements, including options for custom fonts, adjustable line height, and a dark mode. One commenter noted its similarity to existing reader-mode browser extensions, while others highlighted its benefit as a standalone tool for a distraction-free reading experience. The discussion also touched on technical aspects, with users inquiring about the framework used (SolidJS) and suggesting potential features like Pocket integration and an API for self-hosting. A few users expressed skepticism about the project's longevity and the practicality of a dedicated reader app.
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https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43173628
Hacker News users discussed the practicality and privacy implications of using a ChatGPT extension as a default search engine. Several questioned the value proposition, arguing that search engines are better suited for information retrieval while ChatGPT excels at generating text. Privacy concerns were raised regarding sending every search query to OpenAI. Some commenters expressed interest in using ChatGPT for specific use cases, like code generation or creative writing prompts, but not as a general search replacement. Others highlighted potential benefits, like more conversational search results and the possibility of bypassing paywalled content using ChatGPT's summarization abilities. The potential for bias and manipulation in ChatGPT's responses was also mentioned.
The Hacker News post discussing the ChatGPT Safari search extension generated several comments, primarily focusing on the practicality and potential privacy implications of using ChatGPT as a search engine.
One commenter questioned the usefulness of ChatGPT as a default search engine, pointing out that its strength lies in generating text, not retrieving information. They suggested it might be more suitable for specific tasks like crafting emails or code rather than general web searches. This commenter argued that traditional search engines are better equipped for finding existing information quickly and efficiently.
Another commenter echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the difference between a search engine and a large language model (LLM). They highlighted the inherent limitations of LLMs in providing source attribution and fact verification, which are crucial aspects of a reliable search experience. They further pointed out that ChatGPT's training data has a cutoff date, making it unsuitable for retrieving up-to-the-minute information or recent events.
Concerns about privacy were also raised. One user questioned the data sharing practices associated with using ChatGPT as a search engine, expressing apprehension about the potential for search queries and browsing history being sent to OpenAI.
Conversely, some commenters saw potential benefits. One user suggested using ChatGPT for tasks like summarizing search results, highlighting its ability to synthesize information from multiple sources. This commenter envisioned a scenario where ChatGPT could act as a layer on top of traditional search engines, providing concise summaries of relevant information.
Another commenter noted the potential use of ChatGPT for more conversational or exploratory searches, where the user might not have a specific keyword in mind but is rather looking to explore a topic more broadly. They suggested that ChatGPT's ability to understand natural language could be beneficial in such scenarios.
Finally, a technical point was raised regarding the implementation of the extension, questioning whether it simply redirects searches to the ChatGPT website or employs a deeper integration with the browser. This commenter speculated about the possibility of future integrations allowing for more seamless interactions between ChatGPT and web browsing.
In summary, the comments reflect a mixed reception to the idea of using ChatGPT as a default search engine. While some see potential in leveraging its natural language processing capabilities for specific tasks or search types, others express concerns about its limitations in terms of information retrieval, fact verification, and privacy.