Facebook started as an invite only social networking site. Where students had to use their school e-mail address to log in to create an account that was linked to their school. Times have drastically changed, with many “new” looks and the users struggling to keep up. Gone is user friendly outface and poking friends for fun. Now privacy is an issue—which if you are not careful means advertisers can use your pictures in ads that are geared towards your friends. And things that you may have posted in Groups (marked public) can be searchable by search engines.
Google+ started similar to Facebook, but since it has the backing of Google, it has more people to work on it. Also, it can be integrated with other Google products. At first Google+ kicked off brands and companies but they now have Google+ Pages. For more information, click here to watch a video of Bradley Horowitz, VP for Google+, being interviewed about Google+ and the new Google+ Pages. Horowitz explains that Google+ Pages will allow their followers to be marked under gold, silver, or bronze categories.
Google search allows users to +1 if they like the link to share with friends on Google+ Profile. But when searching for companies or brands users are able to add Pages to circle(s) while searching. Although Facebook has the "Like" button, adding companies and brands are still limited to a word search or by searching the following link, Facebook Page Directory.
Hangouts are a new add to Google+. Explained by Google+ Intro webpage, “Conversations are better face-to-face. Join a video hangout from your computer or mobile phone to catch up, watch YouTube videos together, or swap stories with up to 9 of your friends at once.” With this brands and companies can have live discussions with their followers. Or students can have virtual study groups much like Taylor Bell describes in his Google Student Blog.
Some people have deleted their Facebook accounts. Mr. Library Dude stated his reasoning by topics covered under: It’s Not User Friendly, Personal vs. Professional, and Privacy. He finally states, “Ultimately, I decided that I don’t want to live my life on Facebook. I want to live it in real life. That’s my call. I decide when and to whom I communicate with. I control the information. Facebook does not.” It should be noted that Joe Hardenbrook, Mr. Library Dude's real name, has a twitter page and a Google+ account.
While Facebook has made some changes since Mr. Library Dude’s post in September, in my opinion, are not all in the right direction. When I look at my Facebook homepage I feel like “where do I look?”. It’s visually overwhelming, causing me to look in several different areas trying to read: the latest post, new posts, and highlighted posts.
But if you had to, how could you choose? As librarians, information professionals, or business professionals, we all follow the same code. What do our patrons/clients use? In the end we will use both. Unless a new trend emerges…
A great review from the Associated Press was written by Mae Anderson on July 6, 2011. Even though it’s now November the information Anderson provides is still true. Review: Google Plus thoughtful answer to Facebook.
Also provides posts for updates for Facebook.
“Browse Pages
Bands, Businesses, Restaurants, Brands and Celebrities can create Pages in order to connect with their fans and customers on Facebook.”
Better explanation of Privacy.
Internet/Software. “Love using Facebook? Come here for tips & new feature announcements!”
Like many of Google’s products, Google Groups is being updated and reformatted.
“I organized a Hangout on Google+ with friends from math class. In order to make sure I would stay on task, I made a Circle for my math class friends, and set my availability to hang out to just them. We weren’t all on at the same time, but that’s what’s cool about Hangouts-- people can mingle, just like at school. Being able to watch YouTube videos together and talk about our interpretations of problem solving processes along with that of the video’s creator was awesome (and it will be even better when we aren’t working on homework!).”
Click Details and then the section needed.
“November 7, 2011
The Google Privacy Policy describes how we treat personal information when you use Google's products and services, including information provided when you use Google+. In addition, the following describes our additional privacy practices specific to Google+.
If you use the mobile version of Google+, the Mobile Privacy Policy applies in addition to this Google+ Privacy Policy.”
Bradley Horowitz, VP for Google+, being interviewed about Google+ and the new Google+ “Pages”.
Exclusive Interview with Facebook Leadership: Mark Zuckerberg, CEO/Co-Founder & Sheryl Sandberg, COO by Charlie Rose on Monday, November 7, 2011.
Interesting interview about the beginning of Facebook, how they want to connect the world, how they would like to include China on Facebook, shortly mentioning Google+, and other topics. At almost an hour it can be a bit long but worth watching.
“A workshop series presented by Luria Library Faculty. In this session, Kenley Neufeld demonstrates how to manage privacy settings on Facebook. With the ever changes options of Facebook, it is important to understand the environment. Learn to configure your account correctly, how to create lists for posting and reading, and see the value of Facebook Groups.”
A quick video created by Epipheo on YoutTube that explains Google+ in simple drawings but informative manner.
Written September 25, 2011 by Joe Hardenbrook (Mr. Library Dude’s real name). Provides links to related articles about Facebook.
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