If you've heard about Google Buzz on the news (the announcement is even showing up on mainstream AM Radio news and network TV news around here) you might be eager to take a look at it.
If you use Gmail, a Buzz link will eventually show up in the left panel of the Gmail screen. It will show up when Google manages to get around to it. There's nothing you can do to install it there on your own. This screen shot is from TechCrunch ... here is the link to their Google Buzz story
HOWEVER, if you have an iPhone or an Android Phone, you can install Google Buzz right now and try it out.
In your phone's browser, go to buzz.google.com, click the little "Do you want to..." message balloon, and stand by. On my iPhone the installation took several minutes;
UPDATE: There is is... I have been BUZZED IN.... now I have Buzz on my Gmail desktop
Hmmm. this is very interesting, I haven't heard of it before. I will hve to see if that Google Buzz tab is sitting there on the left, next time I log into my gmail account...
CJ - I got it yesterday afternoon. I tried to ignore it.
But, now, thanks to you...and the lovely people at TechCrunch, I have to admit that if its Google, it will win, and win big. So, here I go, taking the plunge. Hope I come up smiling.
Thanks for your wisdom as usual.
Hi - I just read about this in this morning's paper and will have to check it out. Thanks for the explanation.
Cheryl,
I am not sure that I want people to know so much information about it me. I am ambivalent at letting one company have so much of my information. And the concern gets bigger with my children. I can only control so much of what they are doing on the cloud.
Tere
Tere
I decided NOT to set my location until I am at the office. I don't think it is necessary for the whole world to know my home address.
On the other hand, I am quite happy to make my ~business~ location as easy-to-find as possible.
It popped up for me today- and irritated me. But I tend to like Google things, and I have a Droid. So we'll see.
Cheryl,
Thanks for this update. It seems the new Google application is the latest effort in challenging Facebook in the Social web. Maybe its too early to tell how successful Google will be. There is a lot of discussion about Buzz on Mashable . Google Buzz, and their efforts to expand in Social media ( which may effect Google search rankings ) are definitely worth following.
Mary
Very distracting when I'm trying to work. How do we disable it?
I think the way to disable it is to say OK. Well not "disable" .....
Once you accept it, the link just sits there in the left column under the inbox link, and you don't see any buzz messages unless you actually click on the buzz link.
Oh, jee whiz, I didn't know it knew where I was...Last week, Google kept asking for permission to map me and I kept saying no. Now, I'm buzzed and they accomplished the same thing? How do I undo it? Cheryl, help, help me, Cheryl.
This is a strange thing. but i am attempting to embrace it :) I wish I could use it with my www.ping.fm If it syncs with that I am set. I just dont want to maintain another site. It is nice to have all my social networking integrated with ONE update :)
My local talk radio station had information that this is similar to Facebook, and that there are certainly privacy issues. I know I didn't ask for it, nor do I want it. I find it annoying enough that gmail reads the keywords in my incoming and outgoing email and targets me with tons of ads about any subject or keyword mentioned.
Hi Cheryl. I'm liking the "Buzz". It is so easy to use and inserting photos is a real piece of cake, especially if you have them on Google's free Picasa Web Online.
Have a great day!
Mike
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Hi Cheryl.
Anything from Google interests me because there is generally a synergy with other Google products I use - so it is useful right out of the box. A Gmail account (or two, three, four) is the key to open the door.
Here is a link to Google's little video about the Buzz Product.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yi50KlsCBio
And, of course, if you use Chrome as a browser, there are extensions available that take you directly to your Gmail account. Remember the synergy thing I mentioned... Link <here> for Chrome extensions for Gmail.
By the way, if you are a Gmail user - be sure to watch the Gmail blog <link here> for new giggles and grins. Did you know that Gmail can remind you to add the attachment before sending if you have used language in the text of the message suggesting that you meant to attach a file?