As most researchers and academics know - studying and writing can be a lonely business - but the internet can make it better!
Google+ is the latest shiny social media playground and admittedly it looks pretty good so far.
Through #mooc, #edumooc and cck11 I have become ever more involved up in the world of online social media - so rather than working on my book I have prevaricated all day and played on twitter and google+.
I do like most features on google+ so far - although it can be a little creepy. A comment on my stream that the platform seems faster than FB, prompted a little pop up message thanking me for 'a nice post' from GOOGLE itself.
I am slightly undecided on how to judge this message - in a way it is a timely and transparent reminder and that all our information, which is put out by us on FB, Google, Twitter and our e-mails do get stored and semantically analysed. Consequently to maintain the illusion of a 'private conversation' or 'direct message' online is basically insane.
On the plus side, google+ IS actually very nifty and the whole Circles thing is much better than Facebook Friends.
There are already some early adopter networks out there, like the interesting sounding 'women of google plus'. Apparently only 10% of subscribers on google+ are women - and despite my reservation of single-sex groups, I find myself tempted to actually sign up.
As most researchers and academics fastest way get followers instagram know - studying and writing can be a lonely business - but the internet can make it better!
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