It really is amazing that publishing to Facebook friend lists isn't more intuitive and easy. I do it but it takes like 4 clicks and some typing to choose a list. All they need to do is make that easier, creation of lists easier and all these kinds of narrow social efforts will be for naught. It must be that Zuck hates friend lists or they would be better by now.
Google to Launch Major New Social Network Called Circles, Possibly Today
91–100 of 129 posts
Re: Google to Launch Major New Social Network Called Circles, Possibly Today
#92I think a social network that has the ability for friend groups / circles is way over due. Will be interested to see this!
Yes, the name "Circles" is awesome. It's agressive and appealing when seen from the perspective of "what do you offer that's better than Facebook", but also generically pleasant if you just encountered it as a product.
Yes, the name "Circles" is awesome.
Yup. Circles was also the name of social groups in Microsoft's threedegrees software.
Re: Google to Launch Major New Social Network Called Circles, Possibly Today
#93I like the name, and the concept 'hook'. Here is to hoping that Google nails the UX and if its really really good. utilize google.com / gmail / android tastefully to get to critical mass. I am not sure if i want Google to be successful in social though, too much power in a single company...
Yes, I find it interesting that the article focuses on privacy. Google Circles, a product from a company that probably knows more about me than my mom does. I'll be able to hide from my mom, but not from Google's advertising algorithms, and presumably anyone who can subvert/subpoena themselves into the database.
Re: Google to Launch Major New Social Network Called Circles, Possibly Today
#94But the true question is: could Circles be used as a verb?
"Hey, I'll circle you. Don't worry."
Yes you can! So Circles is a possible contender to FB piece of the pie.
Re: Google to Launch Major New Social Network Called Circles, Possibly Today
#95Earlier quoted context omitted.
Yes, the name "Circles" is awesome. It's agressive and appealing when seen from the perspective of "what do you offer that's better than Facebook", but also generically pleasant if you just encountered it as a product.
Yes, the name "Circles" is awesome. Yup. Circles was also the name of social groups in Microsoft's threedegrees software.
Is that in a similar enough field for trademark infringement?
Re: Google to Launch Major New Social Network Called Circles, Possibly Today
#96Earlier quoted context omitted.
I usually don't like how every google product is just a subdomain or a folder of the google.com domain. Products with runaway success need to have their own domain. Can you imagine if Facebook was at microsoft.com/facebook? Or Twitter was at google.com/twitter? That would seriously slow down adoption.
Have you considered the cookie implications of every Google product living on a separate domain? We'd have to login so many times.
Bingo. It's not a bad domain, and I think they'll want to be sure users are logged into other google services when they're using it.
Re: Google to Launch Major New Social Network Called Circles, Possibly Today
#97Earlier quoted context omitted.
It's pretty simple to sign up for and use, actually. No more difficult than Facebook. You create an account, upload photos, read newsfeeds, etc. Unless you're talking about setting up your own server, in which case it requires experience with running a LAMP server, and about 5 min to install. The problem is that it's a volunteer open source project, not that it's difficult to use. Thus, it takes a lot longer time to…
It may seem easy to you, but it needs to be brain-dead easy for the average user or they won't even waste their time on it. Is there one site people can go to like Facebook and signup? There also needs to be a compelling reason to switch.
it needs to be brain-dead easy for the average user or they won't even waste their time on it.
A good chunk of the test users are average users, they're friends and family that I've roped into testing for me. I've been using their feedback to improve the software.
I'm doing a lot of work on the UI/UX in order to "train" users for the conventions of distributed social networking. Obvious things like tutorials and FAQ's, videos and such, but also I'm working on a redesign to replace link text like "Remote Login" with "I have an account on an other site", so there are constant improvements being made in that area.
Is there one site people can go to like Facebook and signup?
For now, no, it's still being developed. There will be many sites, some catering to niche audiences, others more general. I've registered a number of domains for that purpose, and I expect others to use the software to do the same. A social networking site for cosplayers, black professionals, or green party activists, or even workplaces or schools which manage their own employee or student social networks.
Re: Google to Launch Major New Social Network Called Circles, Possibly Today
#98About time, though I wonder how useful this will be since there are fundamental network effects standing in way. I actually hope this will inspire facebook to get it's act together.
I probably won't use social networking sites unless they are useful even as a standalone page. I like google profiles and would enjoy extensions including reader integration, delicious-like page, and a good CMS site, etc. Allowing a public view version and private/friends version would push me to join the social network club.
Essentially, I would want it useful to me first and the social aspect as an addition. This can allow for slow take-off that would bypass some barriers to entry.
Re: Google to Launch Major New Social Network Called Circles, Possibly Today
#99Fail, fail, fail until you succeed; I really like Google's resolve when it comes to breaking into social networking. I guess I also like any serious challenge to Facebook. Can't wait for the details.
Its so true, i really would quit facebook today if there were an alternative...
Re: Google to Launch Major New Social Network Called Circles, Possibly Today
#100Fail, fail, fail until you succeed; I really like Google's resolve when it comes to breaking into social networking. I guess I also like any serious challenge to Facebook. Can't wait for the details.
Except one thing: how many times are people willing to spend time setting up their social networks on yet another Google service that may or may not be useful?