Comments on: Social Media: Google Shared Stuff

By: Wayne Smallman

Wayne Smallman — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 07:50:00 +0000

“I’d think this would better fit as a feature of Google Reader which already has the ability to share items via RSS feeds.”

Yes, and that’s Google for you! Google hardly ever take things as far as they should, in my opinion.

“Also, where is the social part of this?”

They’d probably call the RSS feed to ‘outreach’ aspect, but again it’s not enough.

There’s a lot more needed yet, but this is a demonstrable effort on Google’s part, showing that they’re at least thinking about Social Media, even if Google aren’t getting Social Media…

By: Kristina

Kristina — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 03:59:00 +0000

A little late to the game here but I just played around with the Google Shared Stuff and I really don’t see how this fits with their current line of applications. I’d think this would better fit as a feature of Google Reader which already has the ability to share items via RSS feeds.

Also, where is the social part of this? I saw no way to add friends or otherwise specify who I was sharing with. Again, I just spent a few minutes with it, but that type of feature should be obvious I’d think?

By: Wayne Smallman

Wayne Smallman — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 22:12:00 +0000

Hi guys, I detect a common theme, here — it’s good ol’ Social Network Fatigue again!

I think what Google bring to the table is a broadening of the Social Media sphere.

By them entering into Social Media, they may well be introducing people that would have otherwise had no idea such things as Digg, Facebook and del.icio.us existed…

By: Heidi

Heidi — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 20:10:00 +0000

Well I just shared this, but it would be nice if my share page was listed on my accounts page where I get to all my other Googly stuff. And I think Kate and Howard both make a valid point. As we sign up for more and more of these services what time is left for doing actual work or going to the Pub? It seems like a person could spend all day reading, posting, and sharing without ever doing anything else!

By: Howard

Howard — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 15:18:00 +0000

I may have to check it out. This “sharing” stuff is getting kind of flooded though. Until I read your write-up, I hadn’t even considered it.

By: Kate

Kate — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 13:52:00 +0000

Nice review, Wayne. In today’s blog-o-sphere where sensationalism and/or bashing seem to push its way onto center stage, it’s great to see some people still preparing thoughtful evaluations.

That being said, I’m not sold on this particular product. What is the advantage to adding yet another site to my already too long list of social networking, media, etc. sites? I’m not a huge del.icio.us user, but even I would not take the time to move over to Google Shared Stuff.

I guess it comes down to the bottom line: What’s in it for me?