----------------------------------- ProgrammingFun Tue Jun 28, 2011 7:47 pm Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- You might have heard that Google launched its Google+ social-networking feature today as an assault on services like Facebook and Skype. While quite amazing, it is just another social network that people have to join. What do you think of its attempt? Will it overtake Facebook? Vote and comment away! More information is available here: http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/28/google-invite-received-we-go-hands-on/ It's hard to argue with Google's track record. The company has scored a hit in nearly every space in which it's dabbled: search, email, ads, office software, etc. There's always been one glaring exception to this rule, however: social networking. The company hasn't made much of a dent in a world dominated by Facebook (and, once upon a time, MySpace and Friendster). For Google+, however, the company dove in with both feet, launching a multi-faceted service that brings a lot to the table with features like Circles, Hang Out, and Huddle. Is it enough to end the Google's streak?... http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2011/06/google-plus-marker-arrows.jpg ----------------------------------- Tony Tue Jun 28, 2011 8:11 pm RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- Why is there no option for "already got it"? :lol: Google+ is a "just another social network" in a way that Facebook and Twitter were "just another social network". Why would anyone join Facebook when all their friends were on MySpace? ;) I like Google+. I like it a lot. I'm ready to hit "delete" on my Facebook account the moment a few more of my key invites go through. Which does emphasize the problem of acquiring the critical-mass. In many ways, it's up to us (the tech crowd) to decide if the product dominates Facebook, or falls into echo-chamber obscurity and dies. Average users are not aware and/or don't care and/or are willing to put up with broken applications, privacy violations, etc. Heck, some people (apparently) still use MySpace. As someone on the internet has so gently put it (though I'm paraphrasing): "I'll switch to a new social network if it lets me get laid by any of my friends, just by clicking on their picture". They don't care about features. So Google is building Google+ for us. And it's up to us to be the first wave in, and drag all of our female acquaintances into this "hip new social space". ----------------------------------- apython1992 Tue Jun 28, 2011 8:16 pm RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- Interesting...I haven't heard of this until just now. With the way Facebook has completely dominated the scene, I would have been hard pressed to think it could be taken down. But if I were to give anyone a decent shot, it would be Google. Now, why don't I get this option when I go to the Google page? ----------------------------------- Tony Tue Jun 28, 2011 8:20 pm RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- It's a soft-launch, so you need an invite + wait for increase in allowed capacity. Remember gmail invites? ----------------------------------- apython1992 Tue Jun 28, 2011 8:21 pm RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- I've never had a gmail account, so I guess that would explain it! I'll just have to wait then. ----------------------------------- ProgrammingFun Wed Jun 29, 2011 7:09 am Re: RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- Why is there no option for "already got it"? :lol: Because I didn't expect anyone here to have it yet but I guess it makes sense for you to already have it (still waiting for mine :( ). In many ways, it's up to us (the tech crowd) to decide if the product dominates Facebook, or falls into echo-chamber obscurity and dies. Average users are not aware and/or don't care and/or are willing to put up with broken applications, privacy violations, etc. Heck, some people (apparently) still use MySpace. As someone on the internet has so gently put it (though I'm paraphrasing): "I'll switch to a new social network if it lets me get laid by any of my friends, just by clicking on their picture". They don't care about features. So Google is building Google+ for us. And it's up to us to be the first wave in, and drag all of our female acquaintances into this "hip new social space". I've already emphasized it on my Facebook page lol :lol: ----------------------------------- mirhagk Wed Jun 29, 2011 8:32 am RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- I really wanna try this out, wish I had an invite lol ----------------------------------- BigBear Wed Jun 29, 2011 9:52 am RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- I have seen the videos and to me it seems like they made a social networking site with a super easy way to hide content from people, which you can do on facebook. I don't care to classify my friends into groups, I just want to talk to people and join events that are going on. The video chat is a bonus, but it seems very much like facebook. Though I have not used it and actually want to test it out to see if I like it better. EDIT: Tony send me an invite ----------------------------------- mirhagk Wed Jun 29, 2011 10:13 am RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- Tony can you send me an invite too? mirhagk@gmail.com ----------------------------------- md Wed Jun 29, 2011 1:03 pm RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- *sigh* Not available for google apps accounts. I hate being a second class citizen. ----------------------------------- ecookman Wed Jun 29, 2011 1:19 pm RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- Im interested nraku@sympatico.ca if ya have got a spare invite I quite like most of everything google throws out onto the market/internet market/wherever so this could be good too. ----------------------------------- Tony Wed Jun 29, 2011 2:06 pm RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- There are currently no invites available; it seems that everyone who's in right now is within 1 degree of some Google employee... I'm told "soon", so I'll let you guys know if something appears. ----------------------------------- Amailer Wed Jun 29, 2011 2:06 pm Re: RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- *sigh* Not available for google apps accounts. I hate being a second class citizen. I second that. I don't think MySpace was as popular as Facebook is today so I don't see people switching over like they did from MySpace. I think it is tough - many people are happy with Facebook and might not see the need to switch over, not to mention they have to start from scratch and wait for all their other friends to switch as well :P Oh and I agree, its up to the tech-crowed. No other way this will succeed if it ever is going to succeed. ----------------------------------- mirhagk Wed Jun 29, 2011 4:07 pm RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- I personally am not a huge fan of facebook, and I have it merely to keep in touch with people, all the apps and photo sharing and stuff doesn't matter to me really. However if this has enough social in it to take out a need for msn (yes I still use msn, since skype doesn't introduce any free new features) then I may definetly consider using it. At the very least it intrigues me since google does things right, and the possible integration it could offer would be amazing (it uses the same google account right? I hate logging into every single website) ----------------------------------- SNIPERDUDE Wed Jun 29, 2011 4:33 pm RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- Well, if you do get any invites to spare in the future Tony I'd love to try it out.[code]leo.radio.leblanc@gmail.com[/code] ----------------------------------- Tony Wed Jun 29, 2011 6:11 pm RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- P.S.: md, Amailer Please tell your friends using Google Apps that we're working to make Google+ available to them. Sorry for the delay - we need to do it right! ----------------------------------- Zren Wed Jun 29, 2011 6:34 pm RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- How'd they do the video chat? Is it all sending client to client or is it going through a Goog cloud? What tech they using for it? Google video plugin/Html5+js/flash? Wonder how apps 'll link with it, and how fast we'll get a Farmville equivalent. Then again, how'd it be different than FB at that point? Also looks like they could push movie night on the net: http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2011/06/googlepluswebhandson-033.jpg , which could push forward they're movie service. They need to work on their "like" button and service, though. I dislike that button very much like. ----------------------------------- Tony Wed Jun 29, 2011 7:12 pm RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- The difference could be _not_ letting Farmville into Google+. Facebook apps have essentially exploited the API into spamming the shit out of Facebook's users (steam posts, notifications, etc.). (Some) Facebook apps also try to extract excess amount of personal information from their users. If Google does permissions/privacy right, that should not allow for another Zynga to be created. Should be interesting to see how they handle this. Group video chat should be very interesting. I want to see how well this could work with multiplayer games. The "like" button is interesting. Google+'s "like" is +1, which was originally build for the external web (+1 search results, +1 web pages) and now brought into social (+1 posts in stream). This contrasts with Facebook's "like" which started out as social (like posts in stream) and has been brought out into 3rd party pages (like this blog post). ----------------------------------- Tony Wed Jun 29, 2011 7:38 pm RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- P.S. mailed out some invites. PM me if you still want one. ----------------------------------- md Wed Jun 29, 2011 7:54 pm Re: RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- P.S.: md, Amailer Please tell your friends using Google Apps that we're working to make Google+ available to them. Sorry for the delay - we need to do it right! They've been saying that Profiles (which Google+ is built upon) would be coming to Google Apps "in a few weeks" for a few months. But I shall hold out hope. ----------------------------------- z_cross_fire Wed Jun 29, 2011 7:54 pm Re: RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- P.S. mailed out some invites. PM me if you still want one. Memememememe..... I have never been interested in FB, but I want to see what Google came up with.... :P ----------------------------------- ProgrammingFun Wed Jun 29, 2011 9:08 pm RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- Me too...I PMed you. Thanks! ----------------------------------- apython1992 Wed Jun 29, 2011 9:26 pm RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- Does Google+ have an equivalent of Facebook's wall posts? I can't figure out how to write any posts. ----------------------------------- Tony Wed Jun 29, 2011 9:47 pm RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- On the homepage, under title Stream there's a textbox with text "Share what's new..." -- click, and start typing. You can also drag stuff into it from desktop (e.g. to upload images), or use the control icons in bottom right to attach other stuff to the post. ----------------------------------- SNIPERDUDE Wed Jun 29, 2011 10:06 pm RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- Alright, gave myself a quick tour of it. Looks like it has potential. Add me if you like (my email was already posted on the first page). ----------------------------------- Tony Thu Jun 30, 2011 12:02 am RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- I am out of invites for now. ----------------------------------- ProgrammingFun Thu Jun 30, 2011 7:41 am RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- Thanks for the invite, currently waiting for its capacity to grow. :D EDIT: After invite, you just have to go to the Plus page rite? EDIT2: nevermind, http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9218068/Google_invites_shut_down_after_insane_demand_ ----------------------------------- Tony Thu Jun 30, 2011 5:21 pm RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- Yeah. Stay tuned for the next release of the floodgates :P Also, for those interested in the technology behind Hangout (group video chat) -- http://gigaom.com/video/google-hangouts-technology/ ----------------------------------- ProgrammingFun Thu Jun 30, 2011 8:07 pm RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- fml, just got through, decided to use real birthdate and "This feature is not yet available to your account due to your age." ----------------------------------- ProgrammingFun Thu Jun 30, 2011 8:37 pm RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- Here is how you can send more invites: http://www.redmondpie.com/google-plus-invites-heres-how-to-get-one-right-now/ Should I make another account to try this or wait for google to enable it for my age group? ----------------------------------- Sur_real Thu Jun 30, 2011 8:43 pm RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- wait when did you have to specify your age? I don't remember doing that... :/ I'm not 18 until later this year but w/e ^^ ----------------------------------- Amailer Sat Jul 02, 2011 11:45 am RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- Yep apparently for this phase of testing there is an age restriction of 18+ only. Later it will be reduced to 13+ ----------------------------------- ProgrammingFun Sat Jul 02, 2011 11:55 am Re: RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- Yep apparently for this phase of testing there is an age restriction of 18+ only. Later it will be reduced to 13+ This was the first time I actually used my real age online...and I get banned :x I was considering another Gmail account but then changed my mind...I guess I'll have to wait after all :shock: ----------------------------------- Sur_real Sat Jul 02, 2011 3:30 pm RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- where do you go to see your "age"? I don't remember specifying an age... although, my youtube account does say I'm 21 :/ is that how they know? ----------------------------------- ProgrammingFun Sat Jul 02, 2011 5:48 pm RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- No, they asked me to enter my birthdate... ----------------------------------- Tony Wed Jul 06, 2011 10:20 pm RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- Google+ invites are back. I've already sent out outstanding invite requests that I've had in my PM inbox. Edit: don't forget to include your email in a PM, for invite requests. Edit2: gone again. Damn it. PM me anyway, I'll check back when invites appear again. ----------------------------------- Insectoid Fri Jul 08, 2011 1:04 pm RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- I'm curious Tony, how did you get your invite? Do you have friends in high places, or does Google have a list of 'tech crowd' people (engadget authors, tech forum admins, etc)? I wonder who Google sent 'tier 1' invites to. ----------------------------------- Tony Fri Jul 08, 2011 1:09 pm Re: RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- Do you have friends in high places This. I wonder who Google sent 'tier 1' invites to. First degree connections to Google employees with "strong social networks" (Google can judge one's social network ahead of Google+ via gmail contacts, gtalk engagement, and publicly available information on Twitter, blog, etc.) ----------------------------------- ProgrammingFun Fri Jul 08, 2011 1:53 pm RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- Could you perhaps encourage your Google employee connections to lift the age barrier? :P ----------------------------------- Tony Fri Jul 08, 2011 2:00 pm RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- I'm under the impression that the age barrier will be lowered once the soft-launch phase is over. I guess the assumption was that people under 18 don't make many bug reports / feedback. ----------------------------------- ProgrammingFun Fri Jul 08, 2011 3:44 pm RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- It probably will be lowered (to actively challenge facebook) but I don't want to wait and feel stupid for entering my real age :P :oops: Anyways, I guess waiting is my only option...any ideas on the real release date? ----------------------------------- Tony Fri Jul 08, 2011 3:56 pm RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- No idea :( ----------------------------------- ProgrammingFun Wed Jul 13, 2011 10:11 am RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- Anyways, if anyone has any invites left, plz invite my other gmail: beta.shadow3d@gmail.com Thanks. ----------------------------------- Tony Wed Jul 13, 2011 10:14 am RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- invited ----------------------------------- ProgrammingFun Wed Jul 13, 2011 10:36 am RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- Thanks. ----------------------------------- ProgrammingFun Fri Jul 15, 2011 9:06 pm RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- LOL, http://www.redmondpie.com/google-plus-is-a-sausage-fest-with-74-males-out-of-which-24-are-engineers/ ----------------------------------- Tony Fri Jul 15, 2011 9:47 pm RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- That's pretty much the industry standard at this point. ----------------------------------- Nick Mon Jul 18, 2011 8:02 am RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- Just got it the other day, not many people added so far, but I like what I'm seeing. I've already sent a couple feedbacks containing suggestions ----------------------------------- jrcdude Tue Jul 19, 2011 6:22 pm RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- I still haven't been able to get an invite :( If anyone has one, I'd love one please :D jrcdude@gmail.com ----------------------------------- Tony Tue Jul 19, 2011 6:24 pm RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- sent ----------------------------------- jrcdude Tue Jul 19, 2011 6:25 pm RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- Got it thanks :) ----------------------------------- apomb Thu Jul 21, 2011 10:37 am Re: Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- Got any left for an old timer tony? apomber at gmail ----------------------------------- ProgrammingFun Thu Jul 21, 2011 10:50 am RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- Sent... ----------------------------------- Raknarg Thu Jul 21, 2011 11:57 am RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- "You should join Google+!" "What is it?" "Not Facebook!" "What's it like?" "Facebook!" ----------------------------------- Tony Thu Jul 21, 2011 12:04 pm RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- Who is using it? Not your parents! ----------------------------------- apomb Thu Jul 21, 2011 12:15 pm RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- Haha no, just me... but i havent been around in a while, so I feel old. ----------------------------------- Insectoid Thu Jul 21, 2011 12:15 pm RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- My parents don't use Facebook either. They just email me all the time. ----------------------------------- Raknarg Thu Jul 21, 2011 7:58 pm RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- Haha you guys are lucky then. ----------------------------------- ProgrammingFun Thu Jul 21, 2011 8:31 pm Re: RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- Haha you guys are lucky then. +1...good thing G+ invented circles... ----------------------------------- Amailer Thu Jul 21, 2011 8:36 pm RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- Circles are awesome - a must have for social networking websites. ----------------------------------- Insectoid Sun Jul 24, 2011 7:20 pm RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- The thing I don't like about Circles is that you can add anybody, and broadcast your status to them without their consent, unless they manually block you. I don't wanna be the guy that gets added to all of 4chan's accounts' circles and spammed to high hell. I see Google more as a personal, private place to hang with friends and people you know. Why do I want to be in one of Tony's friends' circles? I don't know them (this happened). Twitter, on the other hand, I see more as a public voice tool that lets you talk about stuff you like, to people who like the same stuff, and you can listen to (read: follow) them if you want. Google+ is trying to mix this aspect of Twitter with the 'personal life' (if it can even be called that) aspect of Facebook. I don't think it really works out. ----------------------------------- Tony Sun Jul 24, 2011 7:39 pm RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- Not quite. Even if the user has explicitly added you to their "to spam" circle, the post will at best make it into your "incoming" part of the stream. See http://i.imgur.com/X7l4c.jpg Twitter works in much the same way where I can make posts that @mention you, and they will show up in you mentions feed (even if you don't have me added). Where Google+ wins is that you can restrict your stream explicitly to only your "friends" circle, greatly reducing any noise. But on days that you are bored, you could look at "celebrities" circles as well. Twitter's all-or-nothing model forces you to either unfollow people, or face a lot of noise. ----------------------------------- z_cross_fire Thu Aug 11, 2011 6:25 pm RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- Google+ brings games... http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/11/google-brings-games-to-google/ ----------------------------------- ProgrammingFun Thu Aug 11, 2011 7:14 pm RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- Already tried searching for them....no results...I guess they haven't rolled it out to be yet. ----------------------------------- md Thu Aug 25, 2011 7:37 pm RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- Le sigh... still no support for Google Apps accounts. Anyone wanna give me an invite for my old gmail account? I'm sick of waiting :P jjblackwood at gmail ----------------------------------- Tony Thu Aug 25, 2011 8:25 pm RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- @md -- sent ----------------------------------- md Fri Aug 26, 2011 9:42 am RE:Thoughts on Google+ ----------------------------------- Excellent. Google+ is oh so much cleaner and nicer then facebook...