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Google Wave, an end to or the beginning of online chaos?
8Nov2009 Filed under: Internet Babble Author: Island-Chic
The hype about Google Wave, ever since its launch to the privileged few, have definitely been causing enough waves in the social media to create curiosity among the ignorant and not-so-tech savvy lot (I’m in there somewhere) to want it, no matter what!
The array of blog posts, twitter accounts created merely for the purpose of seeking Google invites & you tube videos ‘will clean your house for free’ for a Google Wave invite, are few examples of the level of enthusiasm Google Wave has brought about.
Anyway, I have recently jumped on the Google Wave bandwagon and I’m proud to say I didn’t have to pay for it on ebay or expose any body parts to do get it! A fellow tweeter, Rafiq Phillips was kind enough to send an invitation my way. Thank you Rafiq!
Now, that I am on Google Wave, having seen the long video explaining what Google Wave is, reading like a kajillion blog posts about it, tweeting about it for weeks…I am thinking….now what? Since it only has limited number of owners, I only have few Google Wave friends and almost all of them are either on MSN, Gtalk, Facebook, Twitter or Flickr.
Here’s how my online presence works…
Skype – for close friends I want to have video/voice chat with
MSN & Gtalk – for friends I interact with almost every day (for eg. chat while working)
Facebook – Stay up to date with people I ALREADY know and share photos, news, organize events etc.
Flickr – Share photos and interact with people I have not necessarily met but whose work I enjoy
Twitter – Interact with anyone and everyone who has an opinion on something which is of interest to me, catches my attention, or is interesting in general
Linkedin – For professional acquaintances, to stay up to date and for networking
As we can all see, these are a lot of networks and it requires me to remember many passwords. So it seems like Google Wave is the end to all of this multi-verse online presence! Google Wave is supposed to converge all this into one big bundle of joy! I can talk, share documents, photos, maps, videos, organize events, brain storm and …blaah blaah all on just one account. Sounds perfect doesn’t it?
But then…I was thinking. On Google Wave, so far it seems like I am at a loud social gathering of some sort…where dozens of people are trying to talk to me about 10 things at once, show me pictures of their kids, work places, while others are want me to listen to this new song that came out, showing tid bits of movies they have recently watched, location of this new cool restaurant in town etc. There’s about 120 people on a Wave with everyone talking and cutting in everywhere, and have absolutely no idea what we are talking about at this point. Joy!
I am just wondering, is this how it’s supposed to be, or is this just the initial hype? Are we eventually going to get used to it and find a system among all that chaos? Are we going to get comfortable with the idea of letting go of all these different networks to keep everyone we know in the same place? Is it going to make our lives easier and more efficient? Is it the one mega-application we have always secretly dreamed of? Is it going to bring an end to the online chaos or begin creating even more chaos? I guess We will just have to wait and see!
Related posts:
- Tags: facebook, Flickr, Skype, Socialmedia, Twitter
5 Responses to “Google Wave, an end to or the beginning of online chaos?”
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Being a public policy enthusiast, I tend to dab into a lot of public and social issues, especially in the Maldives. Economic development, social cohesion, climate change and advocacy against child abuse are issues I am most passionate about.
Still, I do babble quite a bit about politics in general, entertainment, social media, travel and the internet. I try not to stick to one area and you’ll find an array of humorous cartoons and random ranting about my experiences!
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Jonah Kessel
November 8th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
I don’t see it replacing other social media giants (Twitter, Facebook are here to stay), but I could see it replacing email. Why would one use gmail instead of Googlewave?
I think the business application of it is tremendous too. I work in an office with 1000 people split up into 4 buildings. Email is fine, but there are some barriers with it – Googlewave knocks them down and opens up new doors. Where is the meeting at? What does this person do? Where are the notes from the presentation I missed? These questions are all answered specifically with Googlewave.
Its also a much more visual form of communication than a standard email client. The pattern in mass communication since the invention of the newspaper has really been continually getting more visual. With one symbol, people understand concepts now — that in previous generations used to take a label, explanation, etc. This platform caters to an expanded visual culture.
Alas, the platform is relatively useless until more people have it. I know they are in “preview” stage – not “beta” yet, but to really understand its potential we need everyone involved I think
sbn
November 9th, 2009 at 3:37 am
Thank you! for ur post
Recently I visit a nice article ablout google wave here: http://freshnewz.co.cc/
Paul Jacobson
November 9th, 2009 at 5:33 am
I don’t think you can really talk about Wave in terms of what it is supposed to do or not do. I might become a sort of IM replacement (although I doubt it) or it could replace wikis. I think we will only really know what it can do for us when we take it an use it for different things and see which applications work best for us. It feels more like a framework application that a specific purpose application. Its up to us to implement that framework productively.
Island-Chic
November 16th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
Thanks Jonah & Paul for your thoughts. Very valid points!
It’s great that Google keeps improving it almost everyday & once this really catches on, i think it’s gonna be my favourite app! Already loving it.
I’m giving away Google Wave invites! | Island Chic's Babble
November 22nd, 2009 at 7:15 am
[...] I have been on Google Wave for quite some time now. At first it was like being stranded on an island alone. However as more friends started using Google Wave, it’s becoming more fun & intriguing at the same time. [...]