So here's the problem I have with Google Buzz.
It's not the privacy issues; these don't seem to affect me although I understand how troubling they could be to someone who has relied on Google in a different way. I use Gmail as my catch-all for mailing list subscriptions and as an archive of my other email accounts; my primary activity happens elsewhere.
The problem for me is that I just don't have enough time to maintain and curate my presence on all these social graphs and networks. I've got Facebook for personal relationships, LinkedIn for business relationships, and Twitter to broadcast to people who choose to follow me. That kinda works.
Now along comes Google Buzz, and it seems I've got to be there because, well, it's Google and everything flows through Google. If you make your living on the internet, as I do, and your reputation is derived from your "presence" on the internet, then you can't ignore a big new social graph or you risk a loss of visibility.
Ideally, of course, you are also getting something from your interactions with people on the various social networks. On Facebook, I get to hear from friends and learn what they're doing. On LinkedIn, I learn about the endeavors of business colleagues.
On Twitter, I mostly get to broadcast outward, but at the same time I can learn and glean new information thanks to its open API and the many searching and filtering tools available -- so Twitter effectively is my newsfeed and my replacement RSS feed. There's a lot of clutter on Twitter, but at least each message is short and I can get past it quickly.
On Google Buzz I'm now a participant, or observer, in many conversations -- most involving people I don't know in any way whatsoever. These are looong conversations. I just don't have the time.
Yes, I know, we get out of it what we put in. But I've only got so much to give. Too many social networks, not enough time.
So hey Google, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter -- let me know when you've got it all sorted out. Thanks guys.
Completely agree. I too work online but am getting to saturation point with how many networks I can manage usefully
Posted by: MickDickinson | 17 February 2010 at 10:11