The magical machine in science fiction stories or films, which allows scientific kids or Mr Bond to know anything by simply typing in a question, was an enchanting idea a long time ago, while more recently people were disappointed to find dull PCs could do nothing other than run programmes. Now Google has made the fairy tale come true!

Google is amazing both as a technology and as a successful online-service company. Not only has it brought about many innovations, such as an uncluttered interface, built-in calculator, a varying logo signifying certain events and an "I am feeling lucky" option, it also has a sense of humour, with a "recruiting on the moon" April 1 story, for instance.

Google was not the first search engine on the Internet, but it has been the most successful one by far. It is serving hundreds of millions of people worldwide every day - with many of them relying on it. Perhaps it won't surprise you to find that a prayer now exists for computer lovers, including the words: "May my searches be blessed." Yes, Google is yet another fantastic technology that has changed our lives since the invention of the Internet.

The way Google is affecting our lives depends on what it provides for us, that is, instant answers to specific questions or random information related to general topics. As a law professional, I don't need to pile hundreds of statute books on my shelf, I can find laws located in web servers somewhere else instead. As a gourmet, I am able to spend one minute getting a list of the best restaurants or bars near my office by inputting my favourite food or wines into the computer rather than searching the city guide. Enjoying the many conveniences it offers, I have found a perfect slogan for Google: "Wei Ren Min Fu Wu" (Serve the People), with no one qualifying more than it.

However, Google is still less than omniscient, despite its overwhelming search ability. And it also needs skills to extract answers to specific questions from thousands of web pages. This is understandable because even God may not satisfy every prayer, but it is still annoying to waste time looking for information on the wrong websites. In addition, you will risk losing your own knowledge by relying on Google for work or writing. For example, I am rather worried about the forthcoming bar exam now.

Besides the up and down sides it brings, Google may have an even more profound meaning for this world, namely: integration. Just as Thomas L Friedman said in his piece "Is Google God?": "...people outside America will be able to build alliances more efficiently in the world we are entering and they will be able to reach out and touch us - whether with computer viruses or anthrax recipes downloaded from the Internet - more than ever."

Google is now playing exactly the same role as a door that links our little rooms to the big world.