Google and all the Buzz

Since Tuesday, 9-th of February, 2010, Google Buzz became the focus of many an IT posts, reviews and studies. The Net is full of 'forecasts' like 'Google Buzz is the Twitter killer', and the like. Popular news blogs, such as Mashable, began to collect opinions, carry out polls and use the new network service, adding still more to their popularity.

I have also tried the new service. In case you haven't heard (which is very unlikely) or haven't tried yet (there can be a number of reasons not to dive into the Buzz), here are my thoughts about the service.

First, it's not "yet another" Twitter, nor it is aimed to the same niche in the statusphere. Buzz doesn't limit you with 140 characters. You may post much, much longer posts. And you can edit posts (a significant advantage over the statusphere services). And you can attach (insert) multimedia files, insert links and use basic text formatting (bold, italic and underlined styles).

Second, it is integrated into Google Mail. Yes, it means you should have a GMial account to make use of Google Buzz. It means there will be not that many people changing their loyalty in favor of Google Buzz and abandoning such services like Facebook.

Third, Google Buzz' developers are quite quick to react when user-supplied criticism is provided. If you visit your Buzz page every day, you will notice changes. The notorious "your contacts are seen by everyone by default" security issue has been addressed very quickly. The users feedback is well-monitored and security issues are not left unnoticed.

The ado about Google Buzz is understandable. The previous service of Google, Google Wave, wasn't that much of a hit, especially since it was so slow and cumbersome. The Buzz is working quickly, especially when Google Chrome is used.

One of most amazing features of Google Buzz could be its ability to offer you, whom to follow. The 'autofollow' feature has been quickly disabled (users got displeased, so to say, to become befriended with people they don't know), and it seems that the developers of the service are using an enormous flood of feedback to make important changes literally on the fly.

To me, the Buzz is yet another translation and group communication service. Until the following are implemented:

• RSS feed to comments
• Email notifications of new comments/posts
• Google Buzz for Google Apps (for GMail at users' domains)

I won't be too eager to pay Google Buzz too much attention. Yet I think many a new feature will be added rather quickly.

If the service is indeed improved/enhanced quickly, that alone can make those users reluctant to start using the Buzz change their mind. Alas, Facebook and Twitter aren't quick at all when users' suggestions about enhancements are in question.

By the way, have you noticed that all the links posted at Buzz timelines are without the infamous rel="nofollow" attribute? I wonder, will that stay for long?