Is Google+ supposed to be a Facebook Killer?
Monday, July 25, 2011
Or are we all just trying to pigeon hole it into that so we can grasp what it is. When my company launched Wolfram|Alpha the tech community, blogs, and web comics all started talking about how Wolfram|Alpha was a "Google Killer", when in fact it was an entirely new product.
But reviewers and critics and the general populace couldn't grasp that there was a page online with a search box that didn't search the INTERNET, but rather searched a DATA SET provided to to. It was not something that everyone would use (although, I'm sure the guys over at Alpha would LOVE it if that was the case), but rather a tool that was available to everyone, but not that everyone would necessarily want to use everyday.
Trying to kill Google in search is just bad business sense. The market is filled. Everyone uses Google for search, every one knows Google for search, it would be an uphill battle that you would loose. Quickly. The smart move is to find a void and fill it. Thats what we did with Alpha, and it makes me wonder...is that what Google+ did?
Facebook is saturated. It's world wide...everyone is on it. Why try to steal people away from that? It was hard enough to get people ONTO that, now you want them to switch? Every time Facebook changes its look or the way things work, there is a huge backlash and groups start up about how they want the old shit back. Do you really expect these people to willingly change the way things work? No. They wont, and you wouldn't expect them to. But if you offered something new, something that provided a different function, they wouldn't necessarily have to switch...just check out the new thing.
Let's look at this....Google+ thing. There is no wall, like in Facebook. You cannot place a fun message on a frieds profile for ALL his/her friends to see. You can only post to YOUR stream, and have enough people watching you that it get's seen. I guess you could make a circle that only has one person in it so they would see it....but what's the point?
There is no integrated messaging system. Google already did that years ago..it's called gmail. And while there is a little bar across the top that gets you to things like your mail, calendar and other google services, you may use yahoo mail, and then this is worthless. Facebook has Facebook messages that you have to log in (and view their ads while there) to see.
Video group chat was the big new feature Google+ introduced. Hangouts they call them. Go online, and hangout with friends via webcam. Now Facebook must have been working on this too, but their video chat came out later, and it's not widely used, and it's in beta. So what we see here is a NEW market that google is breaking into.
Facebook has groups which rely on people in the groups posting content, sharing links, etc. Google+ doesn't have this. They have sparks, but that relies on using search to find relevant topics. As near as I can tell, I can't post things to a specific spark, nor can I communicate or find other people interested in the same topic. It's more like a jumping off point (or a spark....get it?) for you to find interesting content and post it to your stream.
I think the NEXT job SEO people may have to face is how to get your content in to a SPARK, not just be high up on Google search results. Maybe that's the same job. I'm not sure how sparks work behind the scenes.
Google+ seems more like a way to integrate alot of their services (gchat, gmail, Google Docs, Google Reader, Buzz, Blogger, etc) into a tighter, more unified package. It's not trying to kill Facebook, its trying to add a social layer to it's existing products.
Google+ is not a Facebook killer. It's just been pigeon holed into this David and Goliath story...cause the media loves a good story.
Labels: gmail, review, Wolfram
Zelda
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
I wrote a post for the Electronic Gaming Society. It's about Windwaker and I ask why so many people hate it. It's a really good game. This post is a huge departure from my typical "here's how you install a game" posts. It's more of a real review of a game.You can check it out here:
http://www.egschicago.com/2011/07/19/why-all-the-hate-for-windwaker/
In addition, I've added a new category with links to ALL my EGS posts up at the top there. Kevin was kind enough to give me my own post section.
Labels: blog, review, update, video games, website
Begging in Logan Square
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
So last Friday I'm meeting up with Colin for lunch. As I'm walking down California, this young, well groomed, pink polo'd man stops me and says:"Excuse me sir, I'm trying to get to Whiting..."
"Oh man, did you ever ask the wrong guy...I barely know where I am...let alone how to get to Whiting" I replied, naive as ever to the oncoming con.
"Oh no, I don't need directions. My girlfriend spazzed out on me and kicked me out of the car. She's got my bags and wallet and I just need some cash to get home. All these people out here are treating me so poorly, like I'm some degenerate...."
"Uhh...I only have cards, sorry bud"
And I left, and went on to my destination and relayed the story to Colin over some delicious Louisiana chicken strips.
Now, that's not a very fun story, right? Well good thing it doesnt end here.
So 3 days later, I'm helping Colin move into his new house. We are struggling with the sofa. We have been at it for 20 minutes, and will continue to struggle for 10 more, but this happens:
Picture this, 2 guys out on the stoop yelling in to a third... "PIVOT! Now bring it back....PIVOT!" and this guy calls out from the street...
"Excuse me guys, can you help me and my son, we are trying to get to Bloomington...."
I turn around and see the SAME DAMN GUY on the street, cept this time he's got "his kid" with him. I look at Colin who's stuffed behind the couch inside and whisper...."That's the SAME GUY from Friday!"
Immediatly Colin jumped into action.
"Hey, I don't mean to be an asshole or anything, but clearly we are busy here, and you gave the same sad sack story to my friend here last Friday."
The guy sheepishly looked at the ground and moved on. First of all...that wasn't his kid...it was PROBABLY more like his brother. I mean, they looked alot alike. What kind of example is that to set for this kid? That THIS is a way to spend your afternoons? Secondly....beggers of Logan Square...Chicago may be a big city, but if you don't move OFF THE SAME DAMN STREET, you are bound to run into the same people, and your cover will be blown.
Finally...good sir, you ARE a degenerate. People were treating you exactly as they should have.
Hunka out.
I get to see this...
Wednesday, July 06, 2011
Guys....on Saturday I get to see this:
on this:
in this:
Best day ever. Do you know how hard it was to not see it last weekend? Do you know how hard it has been to not read reviews or look at scenes posted online? Megan Fox or not, this movie is still going to rock my socks. You know how I know? Cause everyone HATES it. Everyone hated Revenge of the Fallen too. They whined about how it had no plot, was over sexed and had no actors. It STILL made a shit ton of money, so clearly people just wanna see big robots fight. This movie is getting the same scuttle butt (as near as I can gather from headlines...remember, I'm not reading reviews), so I know it's gonna be awesome.
Side note, Anything I should do/eat while at Navy Pier? I figured I'd go early get lunch...make a day of it.
Labels: Chicago, movies, transformers
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