Google+ does a whole lot, but is a little too cumbersome
Posted By RichC on July 9, 2011
First Impressions:
After a couple of days playing with the new social networking service being rolled out by Google call Google+ (or G+ or Google Plus), it is my conclusion that it is 
it is far better than the ungainly Google Wave — which really isn’t what most think of as social networking services. Google+ offers the features that are present (and then some) through the leading social networking sites and integrates a bunch of the Google apps many of us are accustom to as well. The “what’s new stream” updates are easy and offers optional email notifications for selectable updates. One of the better features is a way to group contacts into “circles” making different groupings easy easier to monitor. Users can also include photos, video and location inline as well as interfacing with Google’s photo sharing service currently known as Picasa. Unfortunately this is where the “isn’t this great” ends at the moment for me, because once your connected lists — circles — grow, the longer posts similar to Facebook as well as included inline photos becomes a little more “screen filling” — Twitter updates are only 140 characters, far easier to monitor … especially on a small screened smartphone device. For the sitting at a desk/table, it is not too bad to just read selected circles (fewer connections), but that makes it more likely that you’ll not really be keeping up with those you might want to stay connected with. Now if you’re the type who enjoys a few updates from family and a few close friends, then this may not be a big deal.
Advice: If you are comfortable with the TOS agreement, go ahead and give Google+ a try … but don’t go into it thinking that you’ll be replace Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn anytime soon. If you do decide to try Google+ (currently invite only), add me to your circle.
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