Google+?

[Stone_Cold_Sisko]

Is anyone here using it? What do you think of it? Impressions, please!

And on that note... anybody got an invite?

 

[Mr Silver]

Ughh! It looks horrible and is a shameless attempt by Google to force their way into the social network market. It won't take off, Facebook have destroyed all competition.

I hate this internet "infinite expansion" concept.

 

[Stone_Cold_Sisko]

Google has been trying for a long time. Buzz was just a clusterf-ck because of the privacy thing, coupled with the way Gmail automatically added people to your contacts.

This one has been much better received (so far)... I'm interested in trying out for myself.

 

[Mr Silver]

I heard a rumor a while back that they were trying to offer a merger with Facebook, but it fell through.

 

[Holdfast]

I managed to steer clear of Facebook; I'm sure I'll find a way of steering clear of this too.

 

[PianoWizzy]

I've signed up for an invite -- I welcome Google taking over the world. I'm not letting Facebook get away with that

With some semblance of seriousness, though, my curiosity wouldn't let this go unexplored either. I shall return with details.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

Wave sucked, Buzz sucked, this'll suck.

Actually, I hope Google gets social networking right, for once. Facebook could use the competition.

 

[hamudm]

The problem with +1 is that it needs an established user-base and the subsequent social networks that develop through that to grow. Facebook has done everything right on this front as it has become a social hub for people to interact through... something Google has never and I believe will never be able to do.

Fundamentally, we have opposing ideologies. Facebook is run and is successful because of "idea people." There's nothing overly complicated about the technology. Google OTOH is run by engineers and +1 screams of a half-baked idea dreamed up by engineers to go head-to-head with Facebook.

I'd liken this battle to the RIM vs. Apple/iphone war. RIM will never win without a change in the fundamentals of their approach to the market. Right now I, nor anyone who isn't reasonably tech-savvy (let's face it, Facebook is "idiot-proof") has any compelling reason to open a Gmail account just to use +1.

 

[Arrqh]

Actually, I hope Google gets social networking right, for once. Facebook could use the competition.

What I find most amusing about this is that I'm hoping that Google of all places will save us from the horrors of Facebook's lack of real privacy controls.

I'm actually sort of confused by some of the reaction to Google+ that I've seen. It doesn't seem "half baked" or "shameless" to me at all. It seems like a really thought through an intuitive approach to social networking that lets you share what you want with the people you want without getting saddled by privacy leaks and Farmville updates. Everything I've read from the people I know who have access indicates to me that it's a pretty solid foundation. I hope it succeeds because while Facebook is really useful to help keep in touch with people... I'm really fed up with the whole thing. And even non-tech savy people are starting to become aware of some of the serious issues Facebook has.

When my 60 year old mom who has trouble with the power button on her laptop is explaining to my 85 year old grandfather about Facebook privacy controls, you know you have a problem

 

[hamudm]

Actually, I hope Google gets social networking right, for once. Facebook could use the competition.

What I find most amusing about this is that I'm hoping that Google of all places will save us from the horrors of Facebook's lack of real privacy controls.

I'm actually sort of confused by some of the reaction to Google+ that I've seen. It doesn't seem "half baked" or "shameless" to me at all. It seems like a really thought through an intuitive approach to social networking that lets you share what you want with the people you want without getting saddled by privacy leaks and Farmville updates. Everything I've read from the people I know who have access indicates to me that it's a pretty solid foundation. I hope it succeeds because while Facebook is really useful to help keep in touch with people... I'm really fed up with the whole thing. And even non-tech savy people are starting to become aware of some of the serious issues Facebook has.

When my 60 year old mom who has trouble with the power button on her laptop is explaining to my 85 year old grandfather about Facebook privacy controls, you know you have a problem

I agree that the service is great in design. It's intuitive and doesn't have all the "Facebook baggage." However, it's the execution that seems "half-baked" to me. i.e. there's still no compelling reason for people to rush out to get G-mail accounts so they can use the +1 feature. Fact of the matter is that Facebook offered something more to get people onboard. The sharing of content was a natural evolution of this. I just don't know how Google is going to get people interested.

 

[Mr Silver]

I just don't know how Google is going to get people interested.

Some lame advertising campaign, perhaps spamming youtube and causing people to complain. They could also have a cheesy tv spot and if they really wanted to (although they won't) they could spend millions on facebook ads and get sued for corporate malpractise in the process.

 

[Arrqh]

However, it's the execution that seems "half-baked" to me. i.e. there's still no compelling reason for people to rush out to get G-mail accounts so they can use the +1 feature. Fact of the matter is that Facebook offered something more to get people onboard. The sharing of content was a natural evolution of this. I just don't know how Google is going to get people interested.

I'll let xkcd answer this question for me

 

[SVD]

I managed to steer clear of Facebook; I'm sure I'll find a way of steering clear of this too.

I'm NOT alone!

I probably will do likewise

 

[ed629]

Got the invite to it today, joined it figuring what the hell. So far I'm the only person in my 200+ contacts to be on it. I'll probably send out invites in the next few days and see what it's like.

 

[Shatnertage]

Got the invite, joined, and am playing around with it.

 

[Mr Silver]

Google would probably have better luck if they purchased MySpace.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

Google would probably have better luck if they purchased MySpace.

MySpace isn't a social networking site anymore, it's mostly a music promotion tool now.

 

[Mr Silver]

Google would probably have better luck if they purchased MySpace.

MySpace isn't a social networking site anymore, it's mostly a music promotion tool now.

Yes but they could also use the website as a platform to relauch the social networking. Its an established interface and still attracts millions of unique visitors. MySpace gave up too early when they realised they couldn't compete with Facebook.

Thats the thing I find about some businesses, they are quick to give up when they can't compete. Realistically, they should be trying to offer the best in the alternatives market.

 

[Arrqh]

I'm in as well now, there's some technical issues and bits that clearly aren't fully refined yet ("Huddles" on the mobile app have no way of talking to people who aren't on mobile for instance) but my initial impressions are very positive. I really hope it does take off, it feels like a breath of fresh air compared to Facebook's bloat.

 

[B.J.]

I haven't seen it yet, but I did like Howard Tayler's (of Schlock Mercenary) explanation:
http://www.schlockmercenary.com/blog/google-plus

Basic rundown is that you can have different circles of friends, so that you can share things with some that you don't want to share with others. I haven't ever been on Facebook, but this I might give a try.