I know you’ve been waiting to hear my review of Google+ and I’ll give it to you straight.
- It’s okay.
Let’s take a step back. In early June, I decided to write about Google profiles and the Google +1 feature because I heard that the new Google+ network was coming (like everyone else). I wanted you to be prepared.
My advice still stands. If you don’t have a google profile, you need one.
Your google profile is the underpinning of the Google social network called Google+. And how is Google+ different than the million other social networking platforms out there?
Well, I’m not sure it is different.
Like most sites on the social web, we don’t know what we don’t know. We make assumptions about the potential Google+ (and other sites like Facebook and LinkedIn) based on what we know today. And we don’t know squat. Most of us realize that we are on the cusp of using technology in a really interesting way to connect, share and learn — but there are still problems around language, cost, and access to the internet.
And have you noticed that we’re all very stupid? Technology is a huge part of our lives — and it’s often wasted because we are all screaming at one another. We consume a tremendous amount of content but our reading comprehension skills are plummeting, too.
We are dumber.
So what do I really think of Google+? I don’t care. The platform doesn’t matter because I’m pretty sure Google+ can do anything we want it to do.
We should dream bigger.
28 comments ...wanna add one?
Right now, Google+ is just the place where more of my friends and acquaintances get exposed to my Google Reader shared items. I’m making myself go in and fiddle with it every day ’cause that’s kind of my job, but I haven’t hit on any kind of “aha moment” with it yet.
I’m with you.
I am there because, hey, I’m paid to be there and tell HR software/services companies how they can use it. Right now, they really can’t… unless their leaders use it… but most of those companies can’t get anyone of influence to blog or tweet. How am I gonna get some dude on G+? And why would I even recommend it at this point? I’m connected to as many people on G+ as I am on FB and there’s duplicate content everywhere — even if it’s not the same people.
Crazy days. Pointless days. You can find me at the bar.
Google+ is the equivalent of the Grateful Dead. Everyone’s a fan, but no one understands it…unless you’re on acid. FYI- I feel the same way about the Beatles and Wayne Gretzky.
+1
Dude, you don’t get the Dead? Wait… What?
I never really liked the Dead, especially on acid. I was more of a Pink Floyd type of girl when me (alleged) misspent youth occurred.
I hate TGD.
Sorry.
Gah. Me too. Yik. I mispent my youth (and still do) on the Clash and Bad Brains. Hippies make me impatient!
Google + ees hoetist new huke up way at my club Velvet Snaps. Much spin! Fun good.
You need a G+ profile. Like now.
From the user experience, it seems to me that Google+ is just a combination of FB and Twitter features. I’ve got about 17 people in my circles, which are all FB friends anyway, and right now it’s kind of boring. A friend of mine said that Google+ is like watching a farm, and someday it will be a city.
V boring. Agreed.
Google needs to give me (and most people, probably) a seriously compelling reason to jump into this when we’re already trying to keep up with Twitter and Facebook (and I pretty much fail at the keeping up part).
At this point, Google+ is just one other thing to add to the pile of online stuff I don’t have time for. For the most part, unless I see it on my phone while waiting in line at Starbucks or while decompressing from the day with some very important TV brain candy, I don’t see it.
YOU JUST DON’T GET IT.
And neither do I.
Although I’m doing it. I’m there. Because I am a lemming.
It’s all about those circle thingies and controlling who I share what with. I’m pretty much only willing to deal with my learning curve because of that. It’s kind of brilliant.
This someecard just about says it all: http://www.someecards.com/usercards/viewcard/MjAxMS1kZTA5NjY4Y2E5ZWVkMDRi
Oh I could hug you for that. So. Effing. Awesome.
Dreaming bigger is hard. The reality is most social networks contain the same features that dial up bulletin boards and compuserve had during the 80′s, and that’s because people network and communicate in the same way. The only difference is that it’s becoming easier.
Ken and I were just talking on this. He was in graduate school in the early/mid 80s at Purdue and was on this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARPANET
And we talked about bulletin boards, mainframes, and DOS commands. And I made fun of him. Although I do remember using the first Mosaic browser. Amazing.
hmm. For those of us with online business ventures, we rely on Google search and utilize their analytics to keep an eye on trends and traffic. We have to figure out how to get Google to “rank” our pages and work on figuring out their algorithims. The whole SEO thing is mind-boggling.
Many of us “market” with business pages on Facebook. We Tweet.
Now I’ll have to figure out if this Google+ is worth the effort to add to my To Do List for online marketing.
Cathy, they say it’s worth the effort if you can tie your personal G efforts into your professional website & blog.
Good luck.
I have found Google+ to be fun and adventurous. True, it integrates features from Twitter and FB with its own little spin, but also integrates it with a much more expansive platform that has infinite possibilities. My problem with FB is that they are somewhat authoritarian, only giving you the options they want you to have, whereas Google, thus far, has been very responsive to feedback. We will see how long that lasts.
I have found G+ cool for 3 reasons. 1-It is more open like Twitter, allowing you a broader network with which to connect. 2-It is less random than Twitter, and allows a more expansive kind of content sharing like FB. 3-It allows you more control over what you share and what you want to view at any given time.
It has had some flaws, though. They probably should have developed a way for business profiles to be developed before they opened it to a broader audience. Now folks who developed private profiles for their profiles are getting suspended and making a lot of people mad. (Really? You shut down Mashable? REALLY???) They also are stirring up trouble by eliminating accounts that sound like they aren’t real names, which brings up a whole host of discrimination issues. BZ Tat could be on the bubble.
Bottom line is, though, Google owns the world. Not wise to avoid the inevitable.
Awesome description, BZ.
I know Google owns the world but I’m a bit of a contrarian.
Loved this. Agree. In any case, I still like Twitter best…Who has time for all that scrolling in G+, anyway? Like Average Jane, I’m there because it’s my job to know about the options for job seekers and entrepreneurs. Maybe I’ll meet some new people and/or attract some new readers for my blog along the way. I’ll be watching for the changes and upgrades.
Laurie — you are the voice of reason in a forest of chaos.
Laurie, When you invited me to join Goggle+ I accepted. I have all the time in the world to work with it but haven’t looked at it yet. After reading this thread, maybe I will just let it be until it grows up….
Mike
Google+ overcomes many of Facebook’s negatives. But there’s one big issue I can’t get past:
Many of the people I love most, including my family, extended family and friends from long, long ago are committed to Facebook. And because they in turn are connected to others, they’re not likely to want to move.
At some point, you make a decision that what you’re using — FB, LinkedIn, 10 a.m. visit to the coffee shop — works just fine for your networking. What seems to drive trial and adoption of the next “new” (G+) is either the fear of missing out on some new feature you never knew that you couldn’t live without OR simply being left out of the cool loop (e.g. not reading anything by Jonathan Franzen). What I find most interesting is that Google throws the app out there and others make the case for why to use it.