Google Plus Review - Good or Bad?

Google Plus.  Facebook's biggest threat at the moment.  But why?  What does Google Plus have that Facebook doesn't?  There have been numerous reviews on Google Plus, obviously by Facebook Fanatics, because they didn't even give Google Plus an honest chance.  I'm not talking about all the reviews out there, I'm talking about the ones who logged in for a few hours, looked around, then turned tail and ran.  Not a very good impression is it?

I've been active on Google Plus for almost three months now.  This has given me a better look at the big picture.  I've had time to adjust and see what I don't like, and what I do like.  Quite frankly, there isn't really anything that I've found that I don't like.  Here are my thoughts.

My first thoughts of Google Plus were amazement, as thought this was something new.  I'm still in amazement at Google Plus.  It has a very clean and magnetic feel to it.  Once you start using it, it's easy to get drawn in.  This is indeed a threat to Facebook.  Why?  Because for one, Facebook is all cluttered and filled with ads galore.  Ever notice how many ads you're faced with each day on Facebook?  On top of that, Facebook's security features, just plain suck.  Most people will agree with that one.

What's with the circles?  One of the key features of Google Plus is the Circles.  These are groups that you can sort people into.  Put your family in one group, while your acquaintances are in another.  You can create other groups as well, such as Gamers or Minecrafters.  Part of an online Book Club?  Put those in their own circle.  Are you a blogger?  Put your fellow bloggers in a circle.  You can also add people to multiple circles.   This way, when you want to share something with just one circle, it'll only be shared with them.

What are Hangouts?  Hangouts are video chat groups that you can host, or join.  You can have up to eight people in one Hangout.  I've seen Hangouts ranging from various topics, such as: Falling Satellite, Writers, Lego Creations, etc.  There is a wide range of Hangouts, even just random hangouts that people start.  If you have a webcam, these Hangouts will be up your ally, especially if you use Skype, sense the Hangouts are powered by it.

Perhaps one thing I don't like about Google Plus yet, is one loop whole in the security of it.  If you make a post and share it with a group of people, those people can then share that post with another group(s).  That is my only complaint so far.  If Google Plus will fix that, they'll be Golden in my book.  I have yet to try out the Facebook's group sharing option.  I just find Facebook redundant all together.

In conclusion, Facebook is a mess of a mess and needs a lot of work.  While I think the new Timeline feature is fascinating and could be a game turner, I don't think a new profile look is really the answer to anything.  All profile changes do, is piss people off.  Don't believe me?  Look at MySpace.  Google Plus has a few things going for it, at least in my opinion.  It's clean, it's fun, and gives you more options.  I do enjoy having the Google Plus notifications at the top of my Google Home Page, Gmail, etc.  I'll most likely be sticking with Google Plus for a while, at least they have a way to send Feedback.  Facebook didn't start giving users what they wanted, until Google Plus came on the scene.  That should raise a red flag.

Is Google Doomed To Fail? Bloggers New Layout.

Blogger has a new layout and it's not really that bad.  I mean, it's not like Blogger is trying to become the next MySpace and Facebook.  Right?  Well, let's look at the details.

The over all look is clean.  The Dashboard is really well laid out.  I can't give enough Thank Yous to Google for making these changes.  Quite frankly, I'm impressed.  Your blogs are all right there at the top for easy access.  You can quickly create a new post in which ever blog you want, by clicking on the big orange Pencil button.  That easy.  Your Overview, Pages, Comments, Stats, Earnings, Layout, Templates, and Settings are all conveniently located in a Drop Down menu next to the New Post button.  You can View your Blog right next to that.  It's a very clean feeling.  Like someone went through the house and did some spring cleaning.

The Blogs that you follow, are all at the bottom of the page on the left hand side.  Their post, are to the right of that.  Easy to read, easy to manage and sort through.

Individual Blog dashboards are just as easily navigable.  Menu buttons are neatly arranged on the left hand side, while your page views is right dab in the middle.  The Blogger official post, are right below that.  Blog stats, Blogs of Note, and the Blogger Guide are all on the right side.

Your actual blog layout, stays the same.  No changes there, just to the dashboards.  I believe that this is a good change.  A much needed change.  Now, let's hope that Google doesn't become layout happy and start changing things like MySpace and Facebook.  One might argue that Blogger is doomed to be the next MySpace or Facebook as far as Layout changes go.  Google, take my advice and leave it as it.

All in all, I'd give this update 5 stars.  Many people argue that Google can't do anything right.  I beg the differ.  Blogger is a successful platform and will only grow with these changes.  Gmail is a major email system with a wide range of users.  Google Plus is gaining ground and gaining quickly.  Google a failure?  I think not.

Google Plus - Are You Using It?

Many people have already jumped on the Google Plus bandwagon.  Millions have created accounts, yet why are people leaving Google Plus and is it for you?

Google Plus, is Google's new platform.  It's a Social Network that many people believe has a strong potential.  It's main competition?  Facebook.  MySpace is basically dead, so now it's going to be between Google and Facebook.

Many people will probably stay with Facebook.  It will probably be the younger generation and the older generation that has their kids on there and or grandkids.  Though, Google Plus will definitely appeal to a more mature audience.

Key features of Google Plus -

Circles - the ability to sort your friends and share information with just that group.
Web Video Chat - Google has a partnership with Skype to enable video chat with local members.
Sparks - the ability to browse Google Plus by topic and find interesting post to read.

What are Circles?  An easy way to sort your post.  If you would like to make your post public, just choose to make them public so everyone can see them.  Want to make your post private so only a few people can see them?  Just type in the names of the people in your circles, or just use the entire circle itself.  Let's say you want to send out a post to your Family members.  Just click the Family circle while you're making a post.  Simple enough.

Web Video Chat has been with Google Plus from the Start.  Before Facebook even announced it.  Many people on Facebook wanted Web Video Chat, yet at the same time, Facebook ignored them.  Until now.  Perhaps Google Plus is a threat to Facebook?  With Web Video Chat on Google Plus, people can join in your video chat, or you can make it private between two people.

Sparks are a convenient way to separate your searches on Google Plus.  Let's say you want to look up what everyone is posting about Recipes.  Of course, this searches through Public Post and brings you back a list of post sharing Recipe ideas, etc.  You get the Idea.  When you first click on the Sparks tab, you'll find a list of popular search results on Google Plus.  Just click on of those if you see anything you like.  Let's say you want to add a category that isn't there.  Search for let's say, "Travel" and then click the Add Interest button.

These are three features that Facebook never had until Google Plus came around.  The fact that Facebook rushed these features in just a few short months, means that Facebook is a little bit scared of Google Plus rising up as a competitor.  Facebook doesn't care at all about it's users, but Google Plus does.  Google actually listens to user feedback and implements what the users wants.  Granted, it's probably something a lot of people want, but still, you get what you want on Google Plus, don't on Facebook.

Now, the problem?  Yes there is a problem.  Many people out there on Google Plus only use it for one day, then give it a bad review.  They claim it's nearly impossible to find you friends, convince them to move over to Google Plus, or even find new Friends.  I already have 185 people in my main circle that I'm following already.  I started my account with Google Plus on July 7, 2011.  These people making these reviews, are obviously not giving Google Plus a chance.  It take time to build up quality friends that you want to follow.  Think of the time it took you to get all those Facebook friends you have.

So, my plea?  Use Google Plus and give it an honest chance.  Use it for about a month.  If you aren't satisfied with Google Plus after one month.  Go back to Facebook.  Personally, I've been looking for a reason to leave Facebook, and while I just might, there isn't enough of my close friends over at Google Plus yet.

Facebook + Skype + Microsoft = Disaster?

So, Facebook just got done announcing a so called Major announcement.  They have been hard at work adding new features to Facebook over the past 6 months.  What new features are they adding?  So far they've only told us about three.  Group Chat, Chat Redesign, and drum roll.....Video Chat.

So, what about Group chat?  What's it like?  Basically, group chat is going to be added to groups so people can communicate easier.  Much of Facebook's traffic right now is in the chat system, so why not allow groups to chat?  Simple concept right?

Facebook has gone and done it again.  They are in the redesign mode.  Are they trying to be like MySpace?  In my personal opinion, MySpace is dead.  They've changed the layout so much, it wasn't funny.  They've changed so much and added so many features that the system couldn't handle it.  The pages had ridiculously long loading times, etc, etc.  So, why is Facebook doing all this redesign?  Epic fail if you ask me.  Seriously.  Supposedly, the new design will allow for your friends to be easier to chat with if you have a wide enough screen.  If you have that wide enough screen, the chat bar that shows all your online/offline friends, will appear automatically to the right.  Wow, what a make over.  Seriously?

Video chat to Facebook?  While many people think it's a good idea to have video chat to Facebook, I think it's just another way to slow down Facebook.  I don't know about you, but I'm not the only one that has had issues using Facebook and it lagging.  All this money, and they can't upgrade their equipment to support the users and the traffic.  Facebook currently has 4 Billion things being shared each month.  That's right, 4 Billion things.  I'm afraid that with all the changes to the layouts, and what not, that Facebook is only going to slow itself down with the Video chat.  On top of that, they are partnered with Skype?

My issue with Skype.  So, Skype apparently is in the process of being sold to Microsoft.  Gasp....That's right.  Microsoft.  Many of you have had experiences with Microsoft.  It seems that anything Microsoft touches, they destroy.  Heck, even their own Operating systems.  Vista was a Fail and unless you have at least 4 gig of ram, don't get 7.  It's almost as though Microsoft doesn't care about it's product.  Seriously.

So, what do I think about all this hype and updates coming to Facebook?  Personally, I think that it's a bunch of B.S.  I think I'll wait for Google Plus.  Google has the money and seems to know what people want way before Facebook.  On top of that, I've heard nothing but good things about Google +.  With that said, don't take my word for it.  Form your own opinion.