@ the corner of Search & Social!
GooglePlus vs Facebook? No Contest G+ Wins
I firmly believe that Google+ and Facebook can exist side by side because they are 2 very different worlds.
Though, they are both Social media platforms, they began for different reasons.Facebook began as a dating site, for college kids ONLY: An exclusionary platform that had to morph into a more inclusive set-up in order to become the juggernaut it is today. Currently at 800 Million Plus users, some say Facebook will hit 1 Billion by 2013.
Google+ began as an identity cull. After a number of false starts, and forays into Social Media (Orkut, Wave, Buzz) G+ hit the ground running and has grown into more of an inclusive, deeply engaging, social platform with multitudes of like minded groups who freely share their ‘photographer’ or ‘hangout buddies’ circles with all who are in their streams. I understood Google + hit approximately 60 Million by the end of 2011. The numbers just came out, approx Jan 20 2012 the figure is 90 Million (Pretty fast in my books since it has been just slightly over 6 months out the gate.)
Being a sharing platform you can circle any and all who interest you, up to 5000 peeps.I find the overall age of Google + users is a bit older than those on Facebook and the information stream tends to have more depth, to be more mature.(I know there are LOLCats, and goofy gifs aplenty, as well as all the great informative and engaging posts)
I love the ‘anything is possible’ attitude of the Google+ employees,some of whom I’ve met in one hangout or another. I really enjoy the Hangouts, one of the latest and to my mind greatest changes to Hangouts is the ‘On Air’ capabilities. For now only available to a some users: I understand it will be rolled out to many more soon.
An On Air hangout is recorded. Once recorded the person who initiated the Hangout can save and use the finished video for teaching, reviewing etc. The possibilities are staggering. While in progress, those in the hangout can share the link with anyone in Google+ who can then watch the Hangout live in the stream.
Lucky enough to be given the opportunity to create a chocolate bar by Chocbite in Austen Texas.. with CEO and chief Chocolate Lover, Adeline Rem. The chocolate is some of the best I’ve ever eaten (This bar with my 5 toppings and a few more bars were sent to me, beautifully packaged. You can order them online)
Hangouts are one of the coolest most addictive areas of G+ , everything you could possibly
think of can happen in a hangout.. music and jam sessions with seasoned talent like +Heather
Fay and +Cat Beach and +Doug McDermott.. or recently promoted new talent like +Daria Musk.,
or even studio tours.. like the one +Sammy Hagar did or will.i.am hanging out on Google+ ..
Google+ even had a hangout to help the +Dalai Lama share in his friend’s Birthday.
Excerpt From David Smith in Cape Town guardian.co.uk,
‘The Dalai Lama is set to deliver a peace lecture via videolink on Saturday.’
Thanks to +Chee Chew and the Google + hangout team the Dalai Lama was able to virtually be with Bishop Desmond Tutu while he was home in South Africa,
The Dalai Lama will host an on air Google Plus hangout Saturday that … To Air At Desmond Tutu’s Peace Lecture In South Africa On Oct. 8 (link to YouTube video)
There were tons of concurrent hangouts where we got together ( some of us at 4am)
to be a part of this historic moment.. share the camaraderie and witness the glint in the eyes of
both men as they teased each other about age and other little things that allowed us to see the truly
great spirit of the gentlemen they are. In a hangout you get to see the reactions and the body
language of those with whom you are spending time unlike walls and streams and texting where there in no real way to add the vibrant colors of emotion the truth one sees in anothers body language.
On Google+ you can find +Bruce Garber who produces a show called Hangin with Jennifer or you can use private hangouts where your distant family members can meet and catch up.
H
angout Chefs even offered up some amazing recipes while discussing current topics
Where you can hangout with some global friends; watch the midnight fireworks over Vienna ( 6 hours ahead of Ottawa) and then the Edinburgh Extravaganza (5 hours ahead)and then at midnight in my time zone, see the ball drop in Times Square.
Google+ is informative, useful and fun. The stream keeps you abreast of what is going on in the world as well as the thoughts and insights of all your chosen peeps.
Sunday Jan 15th this popped up in my stream: the re-entry of the Russian spacecraft. How cool is
that???
Philip Plait - 5:29 PM - Public
“The recording of my live video Hangout about the re-entry of the Russian spacecraft Phobos-Grunt is now up at YouTube. Science journalist +Emily Lakdawalla joined me as we talked about the mission and gave live updates as it made its final orbit around the Earth. I’m still awaiting details, but it appears to have burned up over the Pacific at roughly 18:45 UTC on January 15, 2012.”
Today, Jan 16, I introduced hangouts and the new ‘social search’ to some of a mastermind group….
(More on Social Search in a future post)
Is it any wonder I am TROOL-Y, deeply, madly in love with Google+ and all the wonders it has to offer, Google+ is the winner hands down in my book!
Peace – Happy Birthday -Dalai Lama says ‘Wisdom his Weapon’
Due to restrictions the Dalai Lama was unable to attend the birthday celebration of his friend Archbishop Desmond Tutu in person:
Kudos to Google+ who set up the On Air hangout.I had the amazing pleasure to be on a Google+ hangout this morning just after 4am my time to witness the first hangout with the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.. and to say Happy Birthday to Desmond Tutu …EPIC!!
From
onna Bryson, The Associated Press Date: Saturday Oct. 8, 2011 7:20 AM ET
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — The Dalai Lama on Saturday sharply criticized China, which is accused of blocking him from travelling to South Africa to celebrate Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s 80th birthday.
The Tibetan spiritual leader spoke with Tutu and answered questions via a video link, instead of attending an event honouring South Africa’s anti-apartheid hero a day after his birthday. Tutu asked the Dalai Lama why the global giant and South Africa’s main trade partner China feared his fellow Nobel peace laureate.
The Dalai Lama, sitting in a room decorated with orchids and silk hangings in his home in exile in India, was playful at first. He said communist propaganda portrayed him as a demon, as he raised his index fingers to his temples.
“Yes, I have horns,” he said, drawing laughter from Tutu and others watching him on a video screen at the University of the Western Cape, near Cape Town. The encounter was streamed live on the Internet, but not broadcast by South African state television as had been expected.
The Dalai Lama said for communist officials and those in other totalitarian systems, “telling lies has unfortunately become part of their lives.” He said he made Chinese officials “uncomfortable” because he tells the truth.
He added the Chinese people should be able to hear his views and judge for themselves. ”Censorship is immoral,” he said. He also called for legal reforms in China.”The Chinese judiciary system must raise up to international law standards,” he said.
The Dalai Lama earlier this week called off his South Africa visit after waiting weeks for a visa. South African officials deny they stalled because of pressure from China, which accuses the Dalai Lama of being a separatist. The Dalai Lama insists he is only seeking increased autonomy for Tibet.
In letters sent to H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirlef, Ms. Leymah Gbowee and Ms. Tawakul Karman, His Holiness the Dalai Lama congratulated them for being awarded jointly the Nobel Peace Prize for 2011…
The Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu in a live hangout Oct 8 2011
Both of these incredible men have an infectious laugh and a great sense of humour. They bantered back and forth laughing loudly and wholeheartedly at each others jokes..
Chee Chew of Google+ Team and Dalai Lama during the hangout
The Archbishop spoke about women and how we need to be given a better place he said “Let women over”.. He lauded the 3 Nobel Peace Prize winners who are women,Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirlef, Liberian peace activist Leymah Gbowee, and Tawakkul Karman of Yemen for their work on women’s rights. He also mentioned Bono and Geldof as great examples of consideration for their fellow men.
The Dalai Lama said It is not sufficient to have a smart brain we must have warmheartedness - once the motivation is there in all of us it will crowd out any bad thoughts and the world will be more peaceful. He said the #1 thing we all need is compassion. He also stressed that Peace means non-violence not just physical but also corruption. When asked by Tutu ‘Did he have an army’ he said ‘Yes… Our weapon is Wisdom.’
About Elaine Lindsay
Elaine Lindsay
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Elaine Lindsay is hands down THE Google+ Expert. Her passion and relentless promotion of Google+ is contagious. Elaine gets right to the features and benefits of the social network always leaving you with an invaluable nugget that makes you want more. Elaine is the Google+ guru I turn to, always.
03/14/2013
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