Google+, I’m on the horns of a dilemma.
I don’t love you, I don’t hate you. Do I even like you?
You’re nicely-laid out.
I like dragging and dropping people into circles.
It’s interesting to know who’s added me.
It’s annoying that your preferences are preset to email me anytime anyone sneezes in Google+. Yes, I’ve changed them.
The notifications at the top of my Gmail screen are disconcerting. I’ll get used to them.
You’re stressing me out.
If someone adds me, do I need to add them?
If I don’t add them immediately, will they take offense?
Circles are already making my head spin.
Hangout with my webcam? I have to put on makeup?
I’m going to cook food instead.
![[How To]: Make Your Twitter Chats Soar](https://shonaliburke.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/soaring-bird-692070_1280-500x383.jpg)
[…] the day I joined). So I’ll spare you my thoughts. But the invites and the circles and the ruminations, cautious optimism, analysis, and even love is already showing up in a few of the circles I run […]
@AlmostSavvy That’s true. I thought I read on the “about Hangouts” thingy that they, however, can invite people (which they probably wouldn’t do if they knew it was a class thing), and that it’s visible in their circles… so presumably their circles would see that they are “hanging out” and someone might be curious enough to join.
On the other hand, since a hangout is limited to 10 people, maybe that would work if everyone signed on at the same time, because then an 11th wouldn’t be able to join until someone dropped off. Hmm…
You can make it private by posting the hangout only to a specific circle or specific people. Only they will know about it.
@Shonali @AlmostSavvy it seems you can control who gets the invites but I have not confirmed that it isn’t visible to others when you use that option. When you start one it asks you who you want to share it with.
@hackmanj @AlmostSavvy I thought he used it very well; I didn’t watch the whole thing. That is a really smart tool – but I wish they’d give you an option to make it private. Eg – it would be neat for me to “hang out” with my Hopkins students like that to discuss class stuff, but it would need to be private.
@AlmostSavvy @Shonali I think it’s a hit already personally, the initial numbers are impressive but I won’t go as far as to evangelize the system because like any good thing if it’s meant to be it will be. Know what I mean? I will continue to enjoy the hangouts for sure. :)
@hackmanj @Shonali irenekoehler Hey Joe and Shonali, I’ve still got mixed feelings, too, about Google+, but it is still too early to call it a hit or a failure. It certainly has made strides beyond anything Google has tried before. The hangouts can be a very interesting tool and as @hackmanj mentions, just plain silly.
@Shonali I was on Newt’s page the night he was going to hang out but didn’t see it. I love the hangouts, for me they have ranged from hilariously funny (with thatdrew langley and irenekoehler doing #mutenation) to just very interesting. I can’t wait to hangout with you, Gini, Howie and all the other usual suspects. :)
@hackmanj You are indeed a serial early adopter! I’m starting to like it more now, especially Hangouts. Did you see the one that Newt Gingrich did?
@bdorman264 @Lisa Gerber Deal. Make it happen!
@Lisa Gerber @Shonali Lisa and I just might have to hold you to that……………:)
@Shonali @bdorman264 Um, hi. I’ll be right over. I love butter chicken.
@bdorman264 I know this sounds like boasting, but I make the BEST butter chicken. You really do need to come over for that.
@Shonali I heard you were a good cook, but how about some Butter Chicken? I’ll be right over………..
@Shonali I am but as you know I am a serial early adopter when it comes to anything technology related. I am guardedly optimistic about the impact G+ will have on social media. I see it motivating Twitter, Facebook and others to push the envelope a little. Should be interesting, competition is good.
@hackmanj I did turn those off – gosh, they were irritating! Are you enjoying it, Joe?
@JGarant You don’t like the layout either, eh? The circles are a great concept, but I think I’m going to have to go back and redo mine at some point, if I’m going to use them properly. I don’t have a lot of segmentation between “personal” and “professional,” unlike a lot of people, and frankly, it’s too painful to have to re-do Facebook lists, etc. Here’s a chance for me to at least try to get it right!
@bdorman264 What do you want me to cook?
@Brankica LOL! So are you off Facebook completely now?
@justinthesouth I think Google will do its utmost to make sure that it does indeed stay around for a while. I agree, it’s not much worse than Twitter & FB were… but I just wonder why they couldn’t have learned from Twitter’s & Facebook’s mistakes – not to mention Google Buzz’ mistakes – and ironed out some of the kinks beforehand…
@KDillabough It’s interesting to see how it unfolds, especially now that they’ve stopped the real-time Twitter mentions from appearing in search… veddy veddy interesting…
@EricaAllison You’re so nice – I hope you’re enjoying your vacation? This post was literally me typing my thoughts down. Not quite the car diaper post that @Griddy wants, but I’ll get there…
@KenMueller What don’t you like about the layout?
@Lisa Gerber I made spinach & black bean enchiladas last night. Scrumptious.
I think the point here is cooking food resolves everything and I’m with you!!! LOL!
[…] Too segmented – As I was musing to Shonali Burke the other day, Google+ seems like Buzz on steroids. A bunch of disconnected conversations, or […]
The best tip I can give anyone starting Google + is to turn off most of the Email notifications. Then it becomes a much more manageable opportunity. :)
I’m yet to get on board with this one either @Shonali. Layout doesn’t attract me that much, but I do like the overall concept, and yes- circles are a great way to manage our community and social graph. However, just with any new social tool, I think what we’re experiencing is the teething process of protocols and etiquette. Much like you, I don’t know whether to add those that add me, and whether they will take offense if I don’t. Just as these protocols emerged over time for Twitter, Facebook etc, so too they will emerge for Google+. In the meantime, I think the important thing is to get in there, engage and try it out- which means I’ve got to go and explore some more on Google+. Enjoy your cooking!
Food is good; I vote for food.
I am loving it. then again, I am so annoyed with Facebook that I was just searching for a reason to leave it, lol
I for one am loving it! I mean honestly at this point it is not worse or no better than what Twitter or Facebook were in their first days. I think once the API is opened up you will see some major grow. I’ve started using it with a client already and its a great tool. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a great fan of Google but this one will be here for a while.
@KenMueller I’m with you, @EricaAllison and @Shonali …not at the top of my hit parade to check out right now, so Ken, I look forward to your post too. Cheers! Kaarina
I. am. clueless. This is one more thing that’s not on my priority list to handle right now. I’m joining you in the kitchen @Shonali (and if you knew how much of a non-cook I am, that should give an indication of how much I’ll avoid this newest shiny object…at least for a while) Cheers! Kaarina
Ha! Very nice analysis, Shonali. I have not personally seen the whole shebang, received an invitation, nor put in the time to really investigate. I’ll hang back…thanks for stepping out front!
though…I disagree about it being nicely laid out…
Yup. I’ll be posting about this next week, including some of our conversations about it. Still….not on board.