Google+ Games: Do You Play?

Honestly, I've been a little behind in my exploration of Google+ the last few weeks.  This afternoon I had some time to kill and noticed a button on Google+ I hadn't previously noticed.  And when clicking it, I found it threw me right into their 'Games' section.

Looks like they have definitely gotten the clue from Facebook that people want to play games.  I have played around with some of the games on Facebook and I haven't found anything there that warrants special attention from me.  If I have a little downtime I may play a round or two of Tetris on Facebook.  But that's about it.  And I have yet to start getting any of the spammy game requests from people in my Circles on Google+.  Which tells me that the people I'm following aren't playing that many games either.

Did Google jump into the social game sector a little late?  Maybe, after all I have noticed a huge drop in Farmville Requests from my Facebook Friends.  And I know many people who no longer play Farmville because they felt burned out.  Doing something in your free time should never give you that 'burned out' feeling.  After all, that's why it's called free time.  So do you think games will help populate Google+?

Their offerings are somewhat slim right now.  With the following games being offered up:

Personally, Google will need to bring in more games/talent to catch anyone's eye for this to become a reason for people to spend more time on Google+.  However, this is just the starter games being offered there are more games on the horizon.

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The Buzzkiller: Google

As part of the reorganization of Google products that started several months ago when they killed off Google Labs; they have now killed Buzz.  Not a big deal to me as I never used it.  But it just goes to show that Google definitely seems to be reorienting themselves since the launch of Google+.  It's a good sign to see a company being progressive.  But it also makes you wonder how they decide which projects to close.

Anyways, Bradley Horowitz (Google's VP or Product) commented in a blog post that they will be aiming to bring something 'truly awesome to Google+'.   And with the number of user's on Google+ seemingly starting to drop a little, it's probably a good idea if they would unleash some of the awesome a little sooner than later.

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Facebook's Timeline Feature Goes to Court...

If you have seen the new Facebook Timeline feature, you're probably thinking that looks cool, but...(Where the... can be any random thought or idea).  Well according to Timelines.com; they claim it will not only infringe upon their trademarks but also put them on the endangered list.

On Thursday, Timelines.com filed a lawsuit against the social networking giant on the grounds that Facebook's latest feature will lead people to believe that Timelines.com and Facebook are affiliated (which they are not).  However, Timelines.com does hold the trademark for both their URL (the .com) and the word timelines.

Looks like Mr. Zuckerberg is in a little hot water (again).  Personally, I say do what they do best (and have done in the past).  Quit screwing around with the Facebook layout.  If they search the web, they will know that their user's hate it when they switch things up.  Because with every new layout change, they always find a way to obscure the line between Facebook, their users, and privacy settings and all in the name of progress.  Quite making things confusing, and continue making your money the way you always have.

My response to their latest changes, I think that the release of Google+ had them spooked.  And as a draw to either keep user's on Facebook or at least keep Facebook in the headlines during that time was to roll out immediate changes to the layout and immediately start teasing shots of the Timeline feature to keep people hooked in.

For more info on the new Facebook feature, checkout: http://www.facebook.com/about/timeline

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Google+ Keyboard Shortcuts and Text Tricks

Odds are good you've heard about Google+.  If not, Google+ is a Social Network created by Google where you can keep up with your friends and other people who you may not directly know.  I have mentioned in a previous post that Google+ feels like a mix of Facebook and Twitter.

Did you know that there are built in keyboard shortcuts for Google+?  There are, and they are rather simple.

Function	Shortcut Keys
Scroll Down One Post	Press J
Scroll Up One Post	Press K
Scroll Down Your Stream	Press Space Bar
Scroll Up Your Stream	Press Shift + Space Bar
Start A Comment	Press Return or Enter key
Finish a Comment	Press Tab + Return (Enter) key
Jump to Chat	Press Q

For some fun with words:*Note: Substitute "yourword" in my examples with your text and use the symbols before and after each word.

Effect	How to:
Make Bold	*yourword*
Italicize Word	_yourword+
Strike Thru Word	-yourword-

Finally, how can we mention another Google+ user in a post?  Much like on Twitter you simple put the @ symbol infront of their username or twitter handle.  Same way in Google+, simply place either the @ or + symbols just before their name and they will get a mention in your post.
If you haven't signed up yet for Google+, why not do so now?  It's free!Visit: http://plus.google.com

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Google+ is open to all!

This past week Google+ opened to the public.  Honestly, it was probably great timing on their part.  Especially since Facebook rolled out their rather crap-lousy new look this week as well.

I'm sure that enabled quite a bit of extra traffic flow into Google's Social Networking venture.  Personally, I have been playing around with Google+ for several weeks (I was invited by a friend, thanks Greg!).  And it is pretty nice.  It has a handful of cool features.  One of which I am eager to try out is the 'Hangout' feature.  It seems pretty unique sounding; in that it is basically a Live Video Chat with a group of people.  But from my understanding, he who talks the loudest takes center stage.  Which is kind of a cool concept.  I just hope it doesn't fill up with loud, crazy people trying to out talk each other for speaking rights.  :)

The other day, I had a friend ask me 'What is Google+ like?'.  And the best way I can describe would be: if Facebook and Twitter had a kid.  Tha kid may look something like Google+.  You can follow celebrities (or non-celebrities) and at the same time keep abreast of what your friends and family are doing.  That makes it pretty unique in my book.  The 'Circles' organization system is nice to play with too.  'Circles' allow you to prevent that 'How the crap do I know that person?' feeling I tend to bump into on other sites.  And I will be the first to admit it, but when I first jumped into Google+ it just felt strange.

It had that kind of creepy, ghost town feel to it.  However, in the last few weeks as more and more people have been jumping in, it now has a really nice populated feeling to it.  The mobile app is awesome as well.  It's well laid out, and it works pretty smoothly.  It is lacking the 'Hangout' feature; but everything else seems to be there (and it feels comfortable to use too, not imposing).

So, if you're looking to try out the new kid on the block, or even if you are tired of Facebook's new look; than swing by Google+.  If you do, add me (I have a link on the right side of the website).

See you there!

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New Facebook Layout?! What the crap?

Okay, we all knew Facebook would be changing up it's layout before too long.  But holy crap, when I logged in this afternoon I was assaulted by a platoon of pop up boxes telling me how to use their new layout.  How the crap is this accessible to everyone?  I went to make my first status update of the day and I had to answer three prompts before I could post it.  I kind like the update section at the top right of the page, because it looks cool.

But otherwise, the remaining 85% of the page is complete information overkill.  And by way of their new 'Smart Lists' is feels almost like they are recycling ideas from Google+.  If you are using the Google+ app for Android, you can swipe from the left to right and access a 'Who's Nearby' screen that will give you posts from people near your geographic location.  Now Facebook is doing something similar?

What do you think?  Like it?  Information Overload?  Let me know!

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We are now on Google+ too!

Just a heads up we, we are now on Google+ now too!  So look us up!
https://plus.google.com/112939964760624486208/posts

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Google+ Confusion?!

Maybe I'm not thinking about it right, but for some strange reason Google+ feels like complete chaos to me.  lol

I had this same feeling when I started a Facebook profile and moved away from MySpace (back in the day).  However, now I have a Google+ account and for the love of me I can't seem to make myself feel comfortable with their layout/interface/site design.  I currently only have two (inactive) friends and am following one other person.  I have had my Google+ account now for several weeks and seem to keep going back to Facebook for any form of real communication.

Is this just my experience, or are others out there finding the same thing?

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