Why it's hard to love Google Plus in Africa

#1

Post by Kabweza » Wed, May 23, 2012, 7:14 AM UTC

I don’t use Google+ much. It’s not that Google plus is a ghost town. No. There’s a flurry of activity from the people I follow - Zimbabweans, Kenyans, Googlers in Africa, and Robert Scoble. The decision for me boils down to one practical thing; page load speed.

Why it's hard to love Google Plus in Africa
techzim.co.zw

Re: Why it's hard to love Google Plus in Africa

#2

Post by simondlr » Wed, May 23, 2012, 8:24 AM UTC

I'm from South Africa. I'm not sure if they cache Google+ here (I know they cache YouTube) or use a CDN, but I've found Google+ to do exactly this. It's slow, and sometimes stuff just doesn't load (especially images).

It's strange, because Google+ is the first social network I've seen that actually promotes itself on my campus (large installs with lifesize Angry Birds).

Re: Why it's hard to love Google Plus in Africa

#3

Post by Hov » Wed, May 23, 2012, 8:40 AM UTC

simondlr wrote: post #2

I'm from South Africa. I'm not sure if they cache Google+ here (I know they cache YouTube) or use a CDN, but I've found Google+ to do exactly this. It's slow, and sometimes stuff just doesn't load (especially images). It's strange, because Google+ is the first social network I've seen that actually promotes itself on my campus (large installs with lifesize Angry Birds).

I'm in South Africa too and see the same thing.

Facebook loads almost instantaneously even when I'm on a crappy connection.

Re: Why it's hard to love Google Plus in Africa

#4

Post by richardw » Wed, May 23, 2012, 8:55 AM UTC

simondlr wrote: post #2

I'm from South Africa. I'm not sure if they cache Google+ here (I know they cache YouTube) or use a CDN, but I've found Google+ to do exactly this. It's slow, and sometimes stuff just doesn't load (especially images). It's strange, because Google+ is the first social network I've seen that actually promotes itself on my campus (large installs with lifesize Angry Birds).

Also from SA, and while Plus is fine for me, Youtube has become unusable. For years it was perfect but now I rarely get through a five minute movie without it going belly up. Vimeo and others, no problem whatsoever.

Re: Why it's hard to love Google Plus in Africa

#5

Post by mossplix » Wed, May 23, 2012, 9:04 AM UTC

and again SouthAfrica != Africa

Re: Why it's hard to love Google Plus in Africa

#6

Post by antihero » Wed, May 23, 2012, 9:08 AM UTC

richardw wrote: post #4

simondlr wrote: post #2

I'm from South Africa. I'm not sure if they cache Google+ here (I know they cache YouTube) or use a CDN, but I've found Google+ to do exactly this. It's slow, and sometimes stuff just doesn't load (especially images). It's strange, because Google+ is the first social network I've seen that actually promotes itself on my campus (large installs with lifesize Angry Birds).

Also from SA, and while Plus is fine for me, Youtube has become unusable. For years it was perfect but now I rarely get through a five minute movie without it going belly up. Vimeo and others, no problem whatsoever.

To be honest I often can't load a YouTube video on a "50Mbit" connection here in the UK. Because Virgin Media don't give a crap about capacity.

Re: Why it's hard to love Google Plus in Africa

#7

Post by rowanseymour » Wed, May 23, 2012, 9:12 AM UTC

In Rwanda here - can't say I notice much difference between Google+ and Facebook. The Facebook website is significantly more usable than the Facebook Android app which doesn't work at all... but I think that applies the world over.

Re: Why it's hard to love Google Plus in Africa

#8

Post by vibrunazo » Wed, May 23, 2012, 9:13 AM UTC

> Maybe providing a ‘Google+ Lite’?

Have you tried the mobile website? Is it any better?

http://m.google.com/app/plus

Re: Why it's hard to love Google Plus in Africa

#9

Post by _djo_ » Wed, May 23, 2012, 9:15 AM UTC

mossplix wrote: post #5

and again SouthAfrica != Africa

In what sense, out of interest?

Re: Why it's hard to love Google Plus in Africa

#10

Post by niel » Wed, May 23, 2012, 9:21 AM UTC

mossplix wrote: post #5

and again SouthAfrica != Africa

I agree that, in many respects, South Africa is an outlier in Sub-Saharan Africa. With regards to the issues at hand, though - internet connectivity and page load speeds - South Africa experiences most of the same issues as its neighbours and other developing countries.

Edited for grammar.