So I've been browsing the promotional videos and blurb re the new Google+ service which I assume will be appearing in the UK in the near future. As far as I can tell it's Buzz version 2. I doubt it could be any worse than Buzz and to be honest from what I've seen it looks really decent. In fact if Facebook didn't exist I think it would become the de facto social network tool for the internet. Almost everything that's horrible and annoying about Facebook is fixed in Google+. It also seems to have legs for people who don't want to do the 'banal spill your life all over the web and post mindless drivel' sort of Facebook. Rather Google is doing it's usual trick of offering an intelligent, thought out and integrated way to connect to relatives, friends, acquaintances work contacts etc via the Internet.
The trouble is that Facebook, for all it's labyrinthine web layout and borderline illegal (non) privacy policy, is so widespread that I wonder if Google will be able to drag anyone away to what is clearly a far superior product. In the same way that Microsoft swamped the PC market with their products in spite of offering some truly dreadful operating systems, web browsers and early office applications it's entirely possible that Facebook will remain the standard for social networking even though their product stinks.
Happy to see a serious competitor enter the fray but not optimistic about it's chances.
I am on it and playing with it. It's alright has a up hill struggle but atm it gets my vote no stupid games like farmvile :)
it's a bit weird, might be useful as it ties in with the rest of the google ecosystem, ...which is all very good- but is also a bit scary as everything sits under the one umbrella
Also it takes a while to figure out how to turn some things off like what info you are sharing.
I do worry that I'm selling my soul to Satan as I get more and more tightly integrated with Google - Mail, contacts, calendar, Docs, RSS, video, search etc etc. The trouble is their stuff is just so well thought out, their privacy policy clear and 'not evil' (normally) and the adverts, such as they are are not intrusive or in your face.
It will be fun to see if they can beat Facebook, Twitter and Flickr. Then we can watch some new tec' company come along and knock them off their perch with the next new wonder technology
I'm on there. I have essentially no friends on there vs 200 odd on facebook so my friend feed is a bit drab. At first when I tried adding people it said they'd enable it shortly, now I just can't see the option to even get that far. I'm not sure if they moved it to somewhere I can't find, or if it's part of it being in closed beta and they've just removed the option. That's my biggest gripe so far.
Getting your data off is a total breeze. I tested it, and other than asking for my password a couple of times it couldn't be more straight forward. It makes me cringe at the thought of moving photos from Facebook. I hope it takes off, or at least the privacy policy is stolen by facebook. I don't see either happening fast, but Android was up against the iPhone and it now kicking ass, Chrome is against Firefox (Link (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Usage_share_of_web_browsers_(Source_Stat_Counter).svg)) so as a company they certainly can find a space where others wouldn't succeed.
I don't think it will happen fast. I started using Facebook in 2005 and it took a while for it to get to its feet (3 years maybe till it was a way of life not one of a number of useful tools) I'd imagine with services like Tweetdeck and the awareness they have they could do it in less than half that. It depends how quickly facebook react, a powerful stomp in the right place now could essentially kill this project before it properly gets off the ground.
Obviously it goes without saying that anyone who bungs an invite my way gets bundles of hard cash and/or my first born.
Quote from: smilodon;328448Obviously it goes without saying that anyone who bungs an invite my way gets bundles of hard cash and/or my first born.
The invite option has appeared on mine now, anyone who wants one can have one, just send me your email addresses (I have limited PM space so if I get flooded I might miss some)
Google+ is still a wien in progress, tho the only people I don't see switching over is parts of older generation, my grand parents just started using fb and their strugling with that still
Sent from my HTC Incredible S using Tapatalk
PM sent, plus temp boost to PM level to help community members who want an invite to get one. But remember subscription gives you 250 stored messages (wink)
That's OldBloke, Whitey and Smilodon invited (theoretically...hopefully I've done it correctly). Any more for any more?
(If the invite hasn't come through to your accounts that you provided me within an hour or so (it took 30mins for mine) you should send me another PM and I'll try something different).
Me please.....PM sent
No joy yet, maybe Google are taking their time... :)
Got mine. Thanks, T-Bag :thumb:
I've given everyone's invites a nudge (oldblokes wouldn't take the nudge as he's a fully fledged member already).
Hopefully the rest of you will get yours shortly.
Got mine. I have no idea how well Google + will do but it might be an idea to start a google + circle to compliment our Facebook Group. I'm not sure sure the Facebook page puts much traffic our way but anything that is free to set up can't be bad.
I'm still finding out how Google + works and if it offers anything useful for us.
A bit of a PR stunt but the first half hour gives a nice overview of the service. The oddest thing to get your brain round after Facebook is the lack of having to make friends with people...
http://goo.gl/V2QVB
Thanks, got mine as well.
It seems to have opened up quite a bit atm, but I can invite atm if anyone is still wanting...
Yep things seem to be picking up fast. I'm mostly using Google+ as a feed for posts by Professional Bloggers, Photographers and technology Bods. So most of the content I see is from people I don't know. Adding dozen or so interesting posters/writers/bloggers to your circles does seem to bring Google+ alive and make it more interesting.
I got about 5 invites off friends but it appears I cant activate??
Not sure if the server are at capacity or if invites have a limited time window to activate. Very weird!
Quote from: DrunkenZombiee;328677I got about 5 invites off friends but it appears I cant activate??
Not sure if the server are at capacity or if invites have a limited time window to activate. Very weird!
They write somewhere that it can be because of capacity limitations. They have opened and closed a dusin times this last week. One thing to check is that you must follow the invite link in the mail, not just go to the site (but I am sure you've done that).
anyone still got a spare invite kicking aboot? I'll PM me details if you have and be very grateful! :)
Quote from: A Twig;329161anyone still got a spare invite kicking aboot? I'll PM me details if you have and be very grateful! :)
PM me.