Social Networks: How do You Like Google+ (Google Plus) So Far?

[Digilodger]

3 weeks since it launched, Google+ has hit 20 million users, with about 5 millions U.S. users. That's smooth-sailing right there! It's getting there, guys and girls; it's getting there. Soon, Facebook will have a formidable competition.

How do you like Google+ so far? Once it is open to public, would you switch to it as your primary social network place or would you stick with Facebook? Heck, would you even recommend it to your friends at all?


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For me, I really enjoy Google+ so far, especially its "Circles" feature. Circles lets us share with a selective group of people, even if they don't have Google+ account. It's arguably the major reason why I'm migrating from Facebook to Google+ in both my online account (VoidZN) and my real-life account.

For example, even if I have 100 friends, I can easily create a sharing-circle for only 12 of us---without the need to create a mailing list or a new group. It's great for collaboration works. And it's a nifty way to separate relatives, friends, and acquaintances.


The hardest part right now is convincing my friends to join it though. A social network is not much different from a graveyard if none of your friend is on it. So many people we know are on Facebook nowadays that switching to another networks seem like a pain in the balloon knot!

But hey, at least my parents aren't on there! That's a PLUS!


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What's Google+ (Google Plus)?

In case you've been living in a cave for the last month or so (seriously, this was all over the news back then), Google+ (Google Plus) is Google's attempt at social network. As of now, it has virtually everything Facebook has, plus a little more (Circle, free computer-to-phone calls, free video chats, no ads, etc.). The only downside is that currently Google+ doesn't have games like Facebook.

For more details on Google+, you can read or watch videos about it on Google's official blog.


Note: If you would like to try Google+ but do not have an invite, please feel free to leave me a message (PM or email, your choice). I have a few hundred invitations sitting around waiting for someone to pickup .

[how.we.operate.]

I found the layout of Google+ to be extremely interesting. I like how they are trying for that visually clean look. I did like the circles part on Google+, but it makes it feel more like you are in high school with cliques--categorizing people into groups.
Facebook has this feature (Lists), but it is just for your use--others do not see which list they are in etc. You can pretty much do the same thing with circles as lists.

I find the way that they arrange Google+ is a little confusing, especially if Facebook is your primary social networking website. It took me a while to figure out how to invite people from another page/other than the home page.

My views are that Facebook and Google+ are going to be very similar, but I haven't gotten into Google+ enough yet to actually say yes I like this or no I don't. Right now, I just don't use it often enough.
I think Google+ got the hype that it is going to be great, but really it is Facebook with better looks and stability. It also got hype, again like Facebook did, because they are doing by INVITE ONLY. This gives people that exclusive feeling because they were invited and it is not open-that is why Facebook was a big hit too.

I do have issues with Facebook-they keep amping things up, but they never fix their bugs! If Google keeps up with that, which I am sure that they will, then I will most likely lean towards Google+.

[The Morrigan]

I'm on it but I don't really use it all that much yet.

I tend to use Tumblr rather than Facebook these days anyway. I'll probably keep both accounts.

[TheCrowing]

I like the whole circle thing. How you can share with specific circles, and other circles can't see it, or how people don't necessarily know which circle of yours they are in. It's actually a really great design when you break it down. Of course, because it's still in the testing stage, there will be add-ons and improvements in the future, but honestly, google+ really could be the new facebook.

I also like the hangout feature. Facebook will probably somehow add a similar feature to compete, but google is tough competition. Google has always been a bit better with fixing technology and fast/convenient technology.. Take Chrome for example. There are faults in the browser, but besides a few lags and compatibility issues, it exceeds most browser capabilities.

Google+ has a bright future, imo. Of course it's still iffy because not too many people have an account, but like you said, once it becomes an open site, or more people actually join, it could be great.

[Cosmo]

I think it's too early to tell. Certainly, the interface is clean, sleek and user-friendly; the Circles idea is very unique and, again, user-friendly; the privacy settings etc. are very clear to understand (although dodgy in areas, eg. you can reshare a message posted to a circle to other circles); all it needs now is users.

If my friends start using it, I'll use it even more than I do right now. As it is I only have added people I know online, only one or two of my IRL friends actually have it yet. I suppose the waiting list may have something to do with that.

I think they need to iron out a few kinks, add a few features (Private Messages, Wall Posts and more) but if they can do that and find a way to attract users, I think Facebook may lose a significant amount of market share to Google.

[TheBabyEater]

I really like it, just wish there were more people around me on it. I heard you can link it up with Facebook, but I haven't figured out how or found the Google Chrome app yet.

[Cosmo]

Originally Posted by Mr. Gir

I really like it, just wish there were more people around me on it. I heard you can link it up with Facebook, but I haven't figured out how or found the Google Chrome app yet.

There's a plugin that lets you read your Facebook feed through G+, but I really wouldn't do it. It's potentially a very dangerous plugin. Has access to your internet history and data, the dev can edit the code remotely and there's a particularly malicious line that could, in theory, send him all the data.

[TheBabyEater]

Originally Posted by MonsterCosmonaut

There's a plugin that lets you read your Facebook feed through G+, but I really wouldn't do it. It's potentially a very dangerous plugin. Has access to your internet history and data, the dev can edit the code remotely and there's a particularly malicious line that could, in theory, send him all the data.

Oh that's creepy. >.> I'm just going to hope everyone in the world joins Google+ then. Thanks for letting me know

[Cosmo]

Originally Posted by Mr. Gir

Oh that's creepy. >.> I'm just going to hope everyone in the world joins Google+ then. Thanks for letting me know

No problem. I'm not saying it's necessarily true that the developer is going to steal your data, his name is fairly well publicised and everything, but I would stay away until he tightens up his code. I think he has good intentions but didn't realise that people would be inspecting what he coded and so his little mistakes like that suddenly become larger than they really are.

[Brandon]

Too soon to tell. When I have more friends and actually talk with people, I'll be able to accurately judge. It has potential, I suppose.

[udontno]

I like the look of Google+. On Ravelry (a social networking site for knitters/crocheters) there is a group full of people who are also interested in technology so I have a ton of people from that group on my Google+. I've been able to communicate with them... but ultimately, I want my real life friends up there! I think it won't be very useful for me until I get more of my friends on there.

I love how I can view my notifications from my Gmail inbox with the little menu thing at the top.