Tech | February 19, 2010 | Comment on this video (20)

Buzz Ain't Bad, But Beta'd Be Better

sarahlane
There sure is a lotta buzz surrounding Google Buzz, much of it negative. In this Current Tech Google Buzz extravaganza, I'll weigh in with my thoughts after a solid week of use, including what Google *should* have done differently.

Links I mention:
Google Buzz - http://google.com/buzz
My Google Profile: http://google.com/profiles/sarahlane
  1. groups:
    Tech,   Geek Out Culture,   Current Tech,   CurrentTech
  2. tags:
    Tech,  Google,  Gmail,  Buzz,  3 more
  3. credits:
    sarahlane Starring, sarahlane Starring, sarahlane Editor, more
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20 comments // Buzz Ain't Bad, But Beta'd Be Better // Video

  • Atalanda_Cameron
  • sarahlane
    • 0
      sarahlane  
    • Atalanda_Cameron:

      Actually I thought I could get away with saying "shitstorm", but then the legal department made me bleep it. A lot easier than shooting the whole thing over again.

      As for my critique... I *did* say I liked the service, just that it needed some improvements. Honest feedback from the community helps companies understand how their vision translates into real-world use, no? :)

    • 2 years ago
  • nocturnus9
    • 0
      nocturnus9  

    • In time Buzz will be fine. They may not want to admit it, but they are actually in Pre-alpha. They just did not think the volume of work it took to get to this point was not going to be enough to get something that feels like an alpha. I hope there is not a mass exodus before we reach the beta period.

      The best feature for me is blocking all of the spamers that have been following me. My rule is, if I do not know you in real life, you cannot post something I have listed in my profile interests, say something I am interested in but have not posted in my profile, yep, you have nothing for me. Sad that Google cannot use all of that text in my Google profile to make an algorithm to keep the follower squatters away.

      Keep that profile photo Sarah, for some of us, it is a reminder of the Fun. Still waiting for that TWiF hiatus to conclude, but I am happy to things are so busy.

    • 2 years ago
  • twistmac
  • bo6us
    • 0
      bo6us  

    • i like buzz, but i totally agree with you. im going to stick with it. i have an android phone so im just going to roll with it.

    • 2 years ago
  • qthrul
    • 0
      qthrul  
    • Image

    • Feed chunking was a common complaint on the earlier iterations of FriendFeed. Longer term, if the iterations pace is consistent with that of FriendFeed, Buzz should be on par with other addictive community fueled services in less than a year. [1]

      While still undergoing significant iterations and A/B testing, Google Buzz will likely retain views within the Gmail (web) experience for now. As traffic for the mobile interface picks up steam to justify a stand alone experience this may form a bridge to Google Wave or other Google properties that desire traffic through navigation options (i.e. the Gmail Calendar Documents Reader Web more â–¼ menu above) and then later by incorporating wider sharing across properties (i.e. Documents vs. today's Link/Photo option). [1]

      It is important to note that Google Buzz does not yet present context targeted or preference targeted advertising. Expect this once there is significant views in line with internal metrics at Google as well as a Google Apps pay version that obviates advertising modes. [1]

      [1] as originally seen in Buzz

    • 2 years ago
  • Kamilo
    • 0
      Kamilo  

    • Is it possible to change up the story picture every once in a while. Seems just egotistical to put your own face constantly on the front page.

    • 2 years ago
  • sarahlane
  • parisinla
  • Maeveeo
  • aaronights
    • 0
      aaronights  

    • Ugh. It sounds like alot of work to get into something that doesn't even seem that great. I'll wait till its smoothed out (aka out of 'beta'). See you in 3 years...

      You shouldn't drink so much at work either, your potty mouth isn't very nice!

    • 2 years ago
  • RabidNick
    • 0
      RabidNick  

    • I'm a total Google fanboy but can't help but think that buzz is more of a fizzle. Releasing something out of nowhere, with a serious amount of flaws is not what I love about the ole G. But then it's possible I still have a sour taste in my mouth following Google Wave...

    • 2 years ago
  • Paven
    • 0
      Paven  

    • Thank You for saying its ugly. All my friends love buzz and when i had the nerve to say how boring it looked they launched into a tirade about sleek and clean vs cluttered. I just tuned them out and finished my nachos but buzz is ugly. I really like it but its not done

    • 2 years ago
  • bailey78
  • CarlosIsDown
  • Jason_Krac
  • sarahlane
  • aaronights
    • 0
      aaronights  
    • sarahlane:

      Had the crazy idea that this dancing along with Sarah thing might catch on with my cat…
      He apologizes profusely! He says that he loves your videos and they are very interesting, BUT it was his nap time.

    • 2 years ago
  • sarahlane
    • +4
      sarahlane  

    • I've got another design/functionaltiy bone to pick with Buzz, and I realized what the problem is just now: let's say I expand comments in a popular post... I read them, then I click away into Gmail. When I come back to Buzz, those comments are still expanded. By default, they should auto-collapse once I've actively left the discussion. That would be SO MUCH CLEANER and save SO MUCH UNNECESSARY SCROLLING. Do it, Google!

    • 2 years ago
  • thomasserio
    • +1
      thomasserio  

    • I actually like the concept of buzz, and I see the potential, but it's not there yet. Now, if they ever integrate with FriendFeed (and FaceBook) such that not only posts but post comments can be read, replied to and kept in sync, that'll go a long way toward winning me completely over...

    • 2 years ago
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