Status Update: Google Buzz Has Me All Atwitter
If you are a Gmail user (you should be) you have surely watched with delight every time a widget like Chat has been added. The latest feature roll-out is a status update field with picture and link embedding a la Facebook, as well as Flickr, Youtube, and Blogger connectivity. Google Buzz keeps conventional comments, "likes" and @callouts, while adding simple promotion system promising to "collapse the bad Buzz" while simultaneously keeping the "good Buzz" going. This attempt to Twitter-ize Gmail into a social networking hub is conveniently integrated into your inbox to sidestep the usual deluge of email notifications, and is also supported by an HTML5 mobile site and Android and iPhone Apps to boot.
The danger of Buzz is its built-in Gmail connectivity. In an attempt to hit the ground running, Buzz adds your contacts list to your followed Buzz-s and viola, instant network. In my case, every_schlep@gmail.com that I have ever had craigslist dealings with was added to my list and totally killing my Buzz. Just like Facebook privacy settings, managing your new Google profile is a good idea. So before you start Buzzing up a storm, remember to make sure your weekday girl can't see you following your weekend girl, and as with all Social Networking, don't mix Buzziness with pleasure.
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- 1 year ago
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