Google+
Thought I would spend a little time for my Tech-Friday to talk about Google+, or Google Plus if you will. It has been around for just a couple of weeks at this point and is booming already. Last count I heard (sometime last week) had the user base at over ten million already. Granted, that is nothing compared to Facebook’s user base at this point, but consider is still beta and only open to users who have been invited. It is clearly growing by leaps and bounds. Add to that the “+1″ tool that clearly moves right into the Google+ system and you are already seeing the system all over the internet today. As if the clear boom growth is not reason enough to get involved with Google+ at this point, here are three big reasons why I think you should consider jumping onto the Google+ bandwagon.
First of the big considerations are the enhanced security/privacy options and settings that are available. Recall that this is something that Facebook has never gotten right and is in general still behind the curve in regards of where they should be. Biggest problem is their system was built without it and now they are trying to add it into the system. Google+ has been built from the ground up with a clear mind of inclusion of security and privacy. In fact, the settings seem to be on the initial surface they seem to be set to the restricted side on default and you have to open things up if want to do so, where as Facebook clearly goes the other way on such things.
Second, and definitely related to privacy in a major way is the idea of friend circles. This is the one thing that is going let Google+ kick Facebook around if they want too. I have friends, some of which are general friends, some are work friends, some are family friends, and others are more specific like medieval/jousting friends and computer/geek friends. I add friends to circles I define and when I share things I share to specific circles if I desire or to all my circles if that is my choice. Facebook has groups implemented, but it is limited in functional ability. One big plus for Google+ is the ability to put friends in multiple circles – example the friend who is a geek, jouster, and just a good buddy or another that is a good buddy, fishing friend, and a colleague at the office as well.
Another big advantage at this point is what appears to me to be a cleaner user interface. Not sure if that is a major positive point or not, but it does exist. Not sure if you can put a finger on it other than to say it has less stuff on the page then the typical Facebook page shows. Some of it is not having the advertising, but expect that change in the future. However, it is a lot more than just the advertising – there is just not as much clutter.
At this point you have wonder what is Google’s aim with the product? Are they shooting to unseat Facebook as the premiere social network? I think they would take that if they get it, but the aim is probably to have additional information and outlet for the advertising they have already. Clearly though, the judgement on such things is still out. More to come on that in the future to be sure.
In the meantime, if you are out and need an invite, I have plenty available. Let me know and I will happily send you one.
Sorry I missed this earlier, but just sent you invite.
Hey, send me a google + invite!
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