![\"\"](\"http:\/\/pingler.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/Google-v-Facebook-300x150.jpg\" "\\"Google")
So, what do you think of the new Facebook layout? \u00a0Pig\u2019s ear? \u00a0Sophisticated and useful? \u00a0Don\u2019t really care? \u00a0Whichever camp you are in, you will have noticed a lot of people boldly shouting about how they\u2019re off to Google+ because they\u2019re \u201cSO fed up with Facebook always changing its layout!\u201d<\/p>\n
But what exactly is Google+ and what can it offer its users? \u00a0It was originally intended to rival Facebook but, given Google\u2019s less than impressive track record with social networking, that was probably an overly-ambitious aim. \u00a0However, with their impressive collection of products, Google is brilliantly placed to create a network of socially compatible tools for its users, in a way with which other networks cannot currently compete.<\/p>\n
Instead of a \u2018news feed\u2019, Google+ features a \u2018stream\u2019 of updates and information from your friends. \u00a0The stream consists of four parts: Circles, Hangouts, Huddles and Sparks.<\/p>\n
Circles is a cunning way to compartmentalise your goings on. \u00a0One of the biggest problems for a lot of people on Facebook is that seemingly inevitable moment when your mum decides to join. \u00a0Cue frantic untagging of all photos in which you\u2019re smoking, removal of all comments in which you use deplorable language and deletion of all evidence of that chap you were seeing that she never knew about. \u00a0Google+ Circles allow you to create groups of people such as friends, colleagues, relatives etc. and enjoy interaction privately with that group. \u00a0You can click and drag people to their relevant \u2018circle\u2019 and bob\u2019s your uncle, there they shall stay.<\/p>\n
Hangouts is all about virtual get-togethers. \u00a0You can invite people to hang out with you and others at any given time and enjoy face-to-face chatting with them in your hangout. \u00a0Pretty straightforward really.<\/p>\n
Huddles, like the name suggests, are little collections of people you can create to make planning that little bit simpler. \u00a0If you\u2019re trying to organise a night out for example, texting back and forth between 5 or more people can become a logistical nightmare. \u00a0Huddles allow you to create a big old cluster chat and organise things quickly and in one place.<\/p>\n
Sparks are what make you tick. \u00a0You can tell Sparks what kind of stuff you\u2019re into and it\u2019ll fire back stuff it thinks you\u2019ll like. \u00a0Have a search through the items available in Sparks and if you like what you see, click \u2018add interest\u2019 and you\u2019ll be kept up-to-date. \u00a0It\u2019s a great idea in theory but it\u2019ll be interesting to see how Google+ stops it from just being a valuable marketing tool for those who might want your interest. \u00a0So it\u2019s wise to use it carefully.<\/p>\n
Now is a good time to check out Google+ as it\u2019s still in its relative infancy and it\u2019s also enjoying some healthy interest due to Facebook\u2019s makeover. \u00a0You might be unsure as to whether the world really needs another social network, but it\u2019s certainly worth checking out. \u00a0Waiting for your social groups to migrate over might be the sticking point for a lot of users, but only time will tell.<\/p>\n
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