So, apparently, Google bought Deja.com and screwed it up beyond recognition for Deja users, which really annoyed them. The Register writes, "You'd almost think Google wants to be thought of as a bunch of come-lately, VC-flushed hooligans with no inkling of the history or the culture of the Internet." I found this an interesting comment, because I was just thinking the other day about how excellent of a job Google has done in keeping a such a great image. Everyone loves Google -- even though they are a bunch of come-lately, VC-flushed hooligans. Okay, maybe hooligans is a little harsh. In fact, I sat with the co-founders, Sergey and Larry -- and a very cute Google PR girl -- at dinner the other night, and they didn't seem like hooligans at all. Well, maybe Sergey and Larry a little bit, but not the PR girl. I was asking her how they've managed to keep that wholesome, "best-kept secret on the Internet" image, even though they're so wildly popular and flush with cash. She wouldn't reveal many details, but it's obviously a conscious effort. The lack of design. The ugly logo. The text-only ads. Quite brilliant. It'll be interesting if they can keep this geek-friendly image going. The Deja thing, as far as I know, is their first screw-up in this area. And it's debatable how bad that will actually hurt them. I'm guessing there are more Google fans that will now say, "Hey cool, Google has newsgroups now!," than there are Deja fans who will say, "Hey, big, mean Google, you ruined my Deja!" Not that it was smart, but I'm sure it wasn't fatal.