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My Thoughts on Google + vs other Online Social Media (long read)

Folks, please try to remember that G+ is a new paradigm in social networking. As such most people have nothing to judge it by/compare it to other than the existing tools, so let's remember the "social" part when dealing with questions or concerns.
 
Been on G+ since the 29th. I like it. Whereas with Wave, I hopped on and immediately thought, "This has no purpose and is going to die out," I think G+ has potential and has been quite popular among everyone I've invited.

This kinda summed it up for me:

googleplus.png

I basically stopped and said, "Why am I on Facebook anyway?" I don't care for Farmville or any of that malarkey, and of hundreds of 'friends' many of them are old acquaintances from high school or college that I don't really even keep up with.

I like G+ as I can have some separate circles for friends, coworkers, family, interests. I like that it's integrated with other stuff I already use.. web albums, g-chat, etc. Group video chat ("hangouts") might have interesting potential, though I haven't used them yet.

The "nearby" stream feature on the mobile app particularly intrigues me. If you opt to post an update to the "public" group (not one of your limited circles), and include your location - it can be seen by anyone within a set physical proximity. Right now it's pretty huge.. like an hour's drive. I imagine it will be tuned down as more people join. Kinda cool, being able to interact with whoever's around. I could see it being pretty fun tailgating for a game, or going out downtown or whatever. We'll see.

Like I said, I like it so far. I think it will grow. Is it a Facebook killer? No, but who says it has to be or should be? It has some overlap, but is its own entity. If I had to pick between the two, I'd probably go with G+. In a way I almost feel as if G+ is to Facebook as Facebook was to Myspace.

Just one man's opinion...
 
Been on G+ since the 29th. I like it. Whereas with Wave, I hopped on and immediately thought, "This has no purpose and is going to die out," I think G+ has potential and has been quite popular among everyone I've invited.

This kinda summed it up for me:

googleplus.png

I basically stopped and said, "Why am I on Facebook anyway?" I don't care for Farmville or any of that malarkey, and of hundreds of 'friends' many of them are old acquaintances from high school or college that I don't really even keep up with.

I like G+ as I can have some separate circles for friends, coworkers, family, interests. I like that it's integrated with other stuff I already use.. web albums, g-chat, etc. Group video chat ("hangouts") might have interesting potential, though I haven't used them yet.

The "nearby" stream feature on the mobile app particularly intrigues me. If you opt to post an update to the "public" group (not one of your limited circles), and include your location - it can be seen by anyone within a set physical proximity. Right now it's pretty huge.. like an hour's drive. I imagine it will be tuned down as more people join. Kinda cool, being able to interact with whoever's around. I could see it being pretty fun tailgating for a game, or going out downtown or whatever. We'll see.

Like I said, I like it so far. I think it will grow. Is it a Facebook killer? No, but who says it has to be or should be? It has some overlap, but is its own entity. If I had to pick between the two, I'd probably go with G+. In a way I almost feel as if G+ is to Facebook as Facebook was to Myspace.

Just one man's opinion...

Great post! The more I use G+ the more I see the potential. It is so much easier to communicate with people using G+ then Facebook. The Circles idea awesome and is going to change how we communicate throughout the web. It's pretty awesome that I can send a message to all my family without having to grab all there emails address etc.... just pick the circle send and everyone can add their 2 cents and communicate together. I am looking forward to see how/if Google intergrates G+ with Android, see a lot of potential in that too.
 
To the OP, i disagree with some of your points. The one about too many clicks, and too difficult for the average user. Everything is right there with google+ your stream, customized to your liking only showing the information you want to see. Your circles. One thing i think they did properly is make it very easy to get people into circles and for them to get you into their circles. Even some of my technologically challenged friends looked at it and said, WOW! this is so easy to use. Facebook is getting old for a lot of people, just like myspace did before it essentially died.
People are looking for the next big thing, and i think google delivered.
Not to say it is going to "kill" twitter or facebook, but it rather refines both and improves on the success that they have had, while focusing more on the whole idea of social networking rather than facebook's shift recently to make money off of games and adverts.
 
one thing folks should realize that this is SOCIAL media. when you talk to someone in person, are you wearing a mask or hiding behind a tree? you can't keep wearing your tinfoil hat to socialize. or maybe i'm just too much of an outgoing person that doesnt mind meeting new people. what you see on my sites (facebook, g+ or whatever) is what I want you to know. if i dont want you to know I don't post it.
 
I think integration with other Google services and robustness of the mobile experience are key to the success of this venture.

I am hearing that the "+1" button is already becoming ubiquitous.
 
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