Were you invited?
A week or so ago Google+ (‘Google Plus‘) went Beta to a number of developers, insiders, and people cooler than this blog writer. The jury is, to say the least, out. We shall be looking at some of the comments in detail in future posts. For now, comments range from the service being ‘Facebook to those who don’t like Facebook’ to Google’s rather late entry into the social-network portal races being downright ‘creepy‘.
Though yours truly does not have access to Google+ (and I’m not too down about it, really), I was invited to fill out my Google profile. I took the plunge to see what it was – and to see if it would improve my chances to get past the bouncers at Google+. Here’s what you are in store for if you too create your profile:
A Google Profile awaiting your information
The process is stunningly easy, and could be completed in five minutes (depending on the amount of detail you want to share). The list is not terribly extensive (at least not so far – like all things Google, I wonder if the profile will morph as it gets rolled into Google+): You list your occupation, home town, places you’ve lived (clearly the folks at Google Maps wanted to play too), and – a personal favorite – “Bragging Rights.” Offer as much, or as little, as you want to share.
You can also choose up to 5 thumbnail images that show some of your interest, family, etc. As no Google Face-Recognition has been announced, you seem pretty safe putting images of the children in your film strip (though I confess I did not).
No social network is complete without asking your Relationship Status and whether you are Looking. For many, such information might be a prime mover for joining a social network. For others, whatever the answer, we feel thrust back to the days of signing the high-school yearbook of the person we wanted to be dating but didn’t have the nerve to ask. I left mine blank. Indeed, any question can be left blank. The saved profile simply hides the question, so your profile does not scream “Heads up! He did not want to answer the question about his gender!”
Privacy? You can have your account searchable or not (the latter meaning if someone knows your specific Goggle account, he/she can get to you, but a search of your name will not appear in a general Google search). You can also create links to your Twitter, Flickr, LinkedIn, Quora, etc., accounts – even blogs you are writing or follow especially closely.
But what won me over was the button at the bottom of the page: ‘Delete Profile.’ Now, that option might not seem like much. But it means you can get rid of your profile, while keeping your GMail account and your settings in Google Maps (or whatever). I felt much more comfortable taking the plunge with yet another online ‘personal’ profile knowing that option was a click away.
Well, ten days later (admittedly around an Independence-Day long weekend) and I still haven’t gotten an invite or a way into Google+. But if and when the opportunity presents itself, I’ll have my online self ready to go. And I’ll report on Google+ as soon as I honestly can.
Are you already in a Google+ Circle? Willing to share your early experiences? Please let us know!
