I’ve been on Google+ for all of a day now. I haven’t checked into it once, probably because I’m still in the habit of checking to the now archaic facebook and twitter. But I guess I’m not alone in being a little bit underwhelmed or maybe sidestruck by G+.
At first, everyone thought it was Facebook.
But as tech insiders take more time to explore Google’s new online social network, called Google+, which is currently available only to people who are invited to the service, they’re becoming more and more confused.
Is this Twitter?
Kind of. Some bloggers have rushed to declare Google+ as Twitter’s assassin; others say those claims are bunk; and still others say Google+ has made them rethink Twitter to the point that they say it never really was that valuable.
Is it Tumblr, the blogging platform?
Maybe. Kevin Rose, who founded the once-popular site Digg, is so enamored with Google+ that he essentially gave up his blog in favor of it.
Is it something new?
No one’s really sure about that idea, either. Google+ is the Taco-Bell-meets-Pizza-Hut of social networking, throwing Twitter’s “follower” mentality, Facebook’s look, and Tumblr’s digital-salon culture all onto one combo plate.
So yeah, I haven’t really figured it out, which I guess is part of the plan. One thing’s for sure: It will get political shortly if it hasn’t already.
Looking over my G+ feed or whatever they’ll call it for the second time…yup, it’s mostly political.
When you first log in, it looks like a blank slate. And when you add friends in your circles, it’s not totally clear whether they’re in G+ or whether you’re extending them an invitation to join it. I do predict that the circles thing, which segregates “friends” and “acquaintances,” will cause more than a few tiffs.
I thought we were friends!
Dude, we met at the 2004 convention and that’s the only place we ever see each other in the real world. Like, once every two years.
Whatever. Loser.
There is some major functionality power lurking inside G+ that’s not present or even on the horizon for the other social media networks, and that’s the combination of social networking with Google apps and video chat. That can open up some new possibilities for online collaboration and just hanging out that aren’t really replicated elsewhere. So, like everything else Google does, G+ is likely to be a little bit spooky and a whole lot successful. Once the 10 million people who’ve already joined up start figuring out what it is.
Are any readers here on G+? What do you think of it so far?
I’m currently on a Google-free internet diet. No gmail, no chrome, no search, no youtube, no docs.
I don’t think anyone can see what circle you’ve placed them in. I guess it could be possible to deduce it, but I doubt many people would make the effort.
Bryan, been on it for about an hour earlier today. Before even finishing an outline profile I was notified my daughter put me in one of her circles, and clicking over she finally posted her wedding photos which she said was super easy as they were already stored somewhere in the Google-cloud.
The brilliant niche is between Facebook and LinkedIn. The ability to keep work life separate from family separate from politics separate from the drinking life makes this really the next big thing. At least for two years.
Cheers!
As a conservative with a You Tube channel, RobtKraft, and a blog at Blogger, I can’t say enough good things about Google. Why? They leave me alone.
I’ve had some of the most controversial videos against Obama in existence (that aren’t totally insane) and I know they get complaints. I’ve had one strike against me in two and a half years for a minor copyright infringement. I’m most appreciative.
My only complaint is there is no help on You Tube. Literally. No email, no tel#. Nothing. (There is a nonhelpful help forum)I recently deleted 60 of my videos accidently. All except my most recent. There was nothing I could do about it. Although, I just reuploaded one of the deleted ones in honor of the walk-out and that one wasn’t among my most controversial
Joined Google +, not to sure about it yet. Any new ways you can use it for political campaigns? I heard Newt was doing some “hang outs” which apparently means video chats with supporters.
That seems like the most obvious political use so far – you turn the blog or supporter conference call into a video chat. That’s kind of cool, and you can probably find a way to use that to debut new ads and merch. You might also be able to use that to dish out campaign flyers and talking points via Google Docs, at no printing cost to your campaign and in a way that’s more personal than email.
Ok, I’m liking it more now.
love all of you
but no aid and comfort ffrom me
It can’t handle G5s it gets no props from me.
I tried joining G+, but it said the capacity for accepting new members is full. I guess it’s still in the testing phase.
The culture part of that is an artifact of the present limits on participation. As more people get into Google+ the culture will inevitably start to drift back toward the mainstream.
It’s also odd to define Twitter by its “follower mentality,” since to the best of my knowledge what defines Twitter is that 141st character you can’t ever use.
Not having had the chance to try it firsthand I’m reserving judgment on implementation, but the idea of somebody finally competing with Facebook warms the cockles of my free-market-lovin’ heart.
Not having had the chance to try Google+ firsthand, is what I meant to say.
Here’s a good summary of what G+ is (from a G+ user,copied):
Here’s what I love about Google+ in general and the Google+ Diet in particular:
Instead of saying, “I’m going to write a blog post now,” or “I’m going to send an e-mail” or “I think I’ll tweet something” you simply say what you have to say, then decide who you’re going to say it to.
If you address it to “Public,” it’s a blog post.
If you address it to “Your Circles” it’s a tweet.
If you address it to your “My Customers” Circle it’s a business newsletter.
If you address it to a single person, it can be a letter to your mother.
I’d say this is pretty revolutionary.