I don't know if there's a better measure of success for a social networking service than that.
1) "Well, I like Google better anyway. So I'd rather use their service."
2) "It just feels better than facebook to me."
Really surprised me, considering that we're going to replace her Android phone that she's only been using for 6 months or so because she hates it so much and because she really likes to use facebook.
I'm not sure if her experience is going to be the norm, but it seems to bode well for Google.
Background:
I am a rather technical person -- been messing with computers since MS-DOS 4 at the age of 8ish (sorry, not trying to show my epeen, just giving context) -- and was always apprehensive with social media.
Recently, when my work position became more of a project management position, I had to start getting to know Facebook -- which, previously, I've never touched at all before. This was about 2-3 months ago.
Starting with Google+, as a relatively new Facebook user, I just don't want to use Facebook anymore solely because of reason #2.
Also if you send something to one circle and then add someone to that circle later, they get to see everything sent to that circle.
e.g: You and your friends are throwing a surprise party for one circle-member's birthday.
Nevermind: just noticed that that only applies to posts you share publically.
With regards to the original blog post, I think holes are a stupid analogy since holes by definition can't overlap without modification. Personal Venn diagrams is what you should be going for, with the key being that your Venn diagram might contain some of the same people as the next guy's Venn diagram, but there will almost certainly be differences/gaps, too.
"Hey, want a Google+ invite?"
"What's that?"
"It's like Facebook, but without Farmville."
"Sweet, send it over!"
Deflection, a common strategy by those who have not taken a walk with Mark Zuckerberg. By changing the topic, they avoid the social discomfort that comes with acknowledging they were not woodsworthy.
Personally I like Google+ because it combines some of the things I enjoy most about Twitter (being able to follow/listen to people post things publicly) and my varied social networks (being able to segment users -- "put them in a hole" -- and speak to each individually as opposed to having to blast to the entire world every time).
The ultimate test, however, is how many people end up using it long-term. Because eventually I'm going to want to make a decision whether to use one or the other. I don't have time for both Facebook AND Google+.
That's kinda the point. It's comedy.
"It's like facebook and twitter had a baby and let skype watch."
I started to explain it to her, but then I became embarrassed at my subtle knowledge of the history of Google account identification and conflicts* and realized that the look on her face was right: no one should have to care about that shit.
* eg. Google Apps account and Gmail account with Google Apps email being different and having no knowledge of each other.
Totally family friendly ;)
thanks for helping to perpetuate the idea that smart people in technology are bizarre outcast freaks
I'll be the first to admit that I made a lot of new connections, strengthened current ones or reignited friendships based on the social need to be a pat of Fb, but after four years of Fb, I'm pretty sure that I won't carry that type of loose social activity forward and use G+ exclusively as an information share/catalog with my professional peers.
tl;dr: I hope my donkey friends don't follow me on G+ nor request a follow-back. I have enough cringe-inducing moments already.
It'll also be great for following celebrities/people that you care about but don't know you. The best parts of Facebook and Twitter.
Exactly. Also, someone, by request, added me to a circle and now I get those limited posts and I have now way to unsubscribe without unsubscribing that person entirely. They're putting the onus on the content creator to admin their circles. That's counter-productive.