So much to keep up with isn’t there?

And, you know what?, I’m not going to spend my time really looking at the details of Facebook’s latest changes and how they stack up against this somewhat overdue offering from the Internet’s search behemoth so I can give you an in-depth analysis on the pros and cons of each.  Why?  Because I really can’t be bothered with Google+.

I love Google generally, I really do.  Over the last month I have smiled several times as it appeared to me that the latest additions and changes to the Gmail interface seem to have been made at the sole behest of my own wish-list.  The changes to the inbox and how it prioritizes and organizes would suggest that Google has had some electrode attached to my head over the last couple of years recording and deciphering every little ‘hmmm… wouldn’t it be great if this did that and if you could only …’ etc.

Maps have been a constant source of wonderment and search has so sublimely done what I wanted and expected that I have barely noticed how good it is bar the occasional silent acknowledgement from me when each beautiful enhancement appears.

But really, I mean REALLY, what is it with Google+?  Actually I don’t know that much about it because I have hardly used it.  I have tried a few times I really have.  But it just seems ugly in its appearance and I don’t know what its doing or trying to do.

There’s a lot of stuff competing out there for my attention.  You know what I’m talking about right?  – content, iPhone apps, hundreds of fantastic websites – and whilst Google+ isn’t about content per se, it had the opportunity to play a role as the next personal content curator albeit through the wisdom and at the behest of my friends.

Oh yes, the friends in those circles.

I loved the idea of the circles thing at first because I remember seeing a great presentation some time ago where a ‘Googler’ described very eloquently how the Facebook way of ‘friends’ (one lump and share with all or none) didn’t reflect the reality in how we (actually) belong to different groups (circles!) of friends and our membership might be the only thing those groups have in common.  ( I think the key example in the video was how the protagonist’s group of children (friends) that she taught not generally mix with her gay table-top dancing crowd).  There’s the potential for some strong affinity when you hear someone talking about key user-driven insights from a research program and then releasing a product a year or two later that addresses them right up front.

I don’t really understand it though.  I set up some circles.  And, in trying to really come on board with the idea I even asked someone if the notion of circles within circles existed – I had Venn diagrams going on in my head.  She didn’t know.  Does anyone know?

What’s wrong with it?  Well, I suppose I just don’t get it.  You know Instagram?  I got that.  And I got Facebook when I first started using it and, despite it’s own many mysteries, I still get it.  I just don’t want to have to get ‘up to speed’ with something like Google+.  

If I got a new job and I had to learn some new software program or interface for some half-complicated end of year management reporting function or something I could imagine needing to invest some time or going for training.  But not with Google+ – guys, you just need to do it for me and do it right away.  You just need for me to ‘get it’.

Perhaps it’s not complicated.  Perhaps it’s just rubbish?  Am I the only one who thinks this or are we possibly talking naked person riding on a horse time?

Feel free to let me know.  Add me to one of your circles even.  Do you have one for people who just don’t ‘get’ Google+?  Add me to that if you do.