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.

The Fear Is No More

The Fear Is No More

The world is dark and now I'm out.
The eyes adjust as I stand and stare
The stars shine bright and help light the night.
The air is fresh and has a cool feel.
The ground is soft as my feet rest on grass.
The senses take over as a smell drifts by.
The mind can't tell, from whence it came.
The ears hear a sound towards the rear.
The hairs stand on end, unknowing of what it is.
The body turns and the eyes see.
The dog stands and stares, not sure what to do.
The eyes meet and we stare.
The moment passes and the dog turns away.
The fear is no more.

Written by:

Roger Hoyt

Copyright July 2011

What I Like About Gaming

Some of us play video games.  Some of us don't.  Just because your an adult, doesn't mean you have to stop playing video games.  Heck, I grew up around video games  They can be great fun  Some people even incorporate the Wii into weight loss.  I'm a gamer generation.  My kids will probably be gamers.

First Person Shooters can be a lot of fun.  While I don't play them that often, because I tend to get headaches from playing them a lot, I do enjoy them.  Why?  You get to shoot people and blow stuff up.  I think that's the whole object behind First Person Shooters.  The multi-player aspect of these games is just awesome.

Racing Games are a lot of fun too.  Perhaps my favorite of the group to play.  I've played Burnout Revenge a lot.  Why do I like it?  Again, the multi-player aspect.  I like the fact that you can use your car as a weapon and knock other players off the track.

Role Playing Games.  Commonly known as RPG games and MMORPG for the Massive Multi-player Online ones.  Why I like them?  They tend to be Fantasy based, though you're starting to see more Science Fiction based, which is fine too.  Role Playing Games are great, because you can usually pick and sometimes customize your characters.  You get to pick their abilities or talents.  You can level them up to earn new abilities and skills.  Often times, you can find upgraded weapons that are appropriate for your level range.  It's a blast really.

Building Games or Sim Games  I love Sim Games because they give me an aspect of the game that I can be basically what ever I want  I'm in control to build and strive this: city, park, persons life.  They are great fun.  One Adventure/Building Game that I love a lot and play a bunch recently is Minecraft.  It's awesome.  I like Minecraft for the building aspect of it really, although I do enjoy going on adventures here and there and carving my path into the world.

Well, I think that about covers it.  What's your favorite genre and why?