I don’t know about you guys but I do not like Google+. It makes me feel less of a person. It depresses me. I have attempted to “get it” with complete and utter failure. Now it seems that more and more businesses are being swallowed up by the juggernaut better known as Google and are disappearing. Saturday I received a super depressing email. Here is a brief segment of it.
Official Announcement: Picnik is closing
Since joining Google in 2010, we have been creating editing magic in Google products while continuing to keep Picnik awesome. But now we get to focus on even awesome things. Picnik will be closing on April 19, 2012.
Your photos liberated
Amazing photos are created in Picnik, so we have launched a new feature, Picnik Takeout, that easily downloads your photos to your desktop in convenient zip files. You may also elect to copy your photos to Google+ where you can store and share your creations. You may request your photos at any time and use this handy tool as many times as you like until our closing date of April 19, 2012. Learn more.
See? Big, crazy company swallowing little brilliant company like Picnik and poof, we get these kind of emails!
Now here is when I go into a toddler like tantrum with lots of kicking and screaming.
I don’t wanna add my photos to Google+!!!
NOOOOO!
I don’t wanna!!! You can’t make me!
I know there are plenty of people who love and adore Google+, I am not necessarily NOT one of them {poor, poor grammar, just go with it}. I just feel it is potentially duplicating networking efforts. As an owner of a Social Media company I’m sure this sounds like blasphemy, but really, I don’t see purpose in this. I think Google is now forcing this upon us, almost shoving it down our throats, if you will.
I love circles, but I am also quite partial to ovals, squares, and rectangles. When are those going to be introduced. Suppose I have a fear of circles. A phobia of sorts. Whatcha gonna do now Google?
I’m curious how you guys feel about Google+. Is it a thumbs up or thumbs down for you?
I need to thank Danielle Elwood for getting my creative juices going this morning when I was kinda stalling out. Thanks Danielle!
*Photo credit Redmond Pie
I don’t get it, either. You’re not alone. I’m set up and all, but I never use it to check in on my friends. Some of my content gets posted there, but I don’t make a huge effort. Darn…just dropped my Klout score by 3 points just thinking that out loud, didn’t I? :\
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Ha! Yup, I think you did just do that Meagan! And don’t get me started on Klout, love ‘em, hate ‘em, can’t make up my mind.
I liked Google+ initially, but I am not too crazy about any behemoth corporation and I hate it that they are potentially becoming that big company that shuts down perfectly good small companies.
I feel torn and that’s just philosophically. In all reality, I rarely log in to G+ and when I do, I just feel kind of lost in there.
That is how I feel too Martha. Bottom line is Picnik did not have to sell, but still.
I don’t like Google+, but I love Picnik. It’s so easy to use. I’m really going to miss it, but I won’t be taking my photos to Google+, at least not initially.
Grams recently posted..What I Know Now That I Didn’t Know Then
I really did too! I’m kinda flailing on where I will take them and then where will I do editing. Argh!
I never use it. But you know that.
I’m sad about Picnik. Pretty soon we’re going to be shopping at the Google Grocery and going to movies at Google Cinema and vacationing to Google Grove. They are trying to take over the world!
Missy @ Wonder, Friend recently posted..Age Inflicted Aches and Pains
Oh man, I never ever thought you would take it there Missy. Google Grove? Really?
I am not going to lie.
I am devestated about Picnik.
Seriously.
Stupid google. I don’t even understand it.
Thank you for feeling my pain Kimberly. I am also devastated.
I am up in the air about Google+. I don’t fully get it even though I have an account for both me & my blog. I haven’t seen the benefit in it at all yet and am really unhappy about Picnik closing!
Stupid Google.
Good expression, up in the air. Kinda my mind, up in the air.
I agree completely. I was so excited when I first found G+, and I tried to convince my friends to come on board. Now I find that days and even weeks go by when I don’t check it, and I almost never post. I don’t know why, but it doesn’t feel social in the same way that Twitter or Facebook does. it feels that Google put it out, but they don’t have the follow-through to make it great.
I wrote about this on my blog. http://www.workwithhope.net/?p=220
Greg Dhuyvetter recently posted..Losin’ My Religion
Greg, I agree. It feels forced and for me, no where even as close to social as FB or Twitter.
I don’t get it, but then again, I spend zero time on there. Like I need another social media outlet. I agree though, it seems like Google is on their way to taking over the world. Why would I store my photos on Google+? Why not Picasa, yet another Google product? Are they doing away with that too?
Bite your tongue LA. I’m more bummed that the great editing software will be gone. I can store anywhere.
I attended a G+ info session at the Google offices and they didn’t even seem overly excited about it. I resent what they’re doing to force users to actually use the platform and its effect on SEO.
Well that’s not comforting. What a drag Corrin. At least fake like it’s a killer application, right?!
I didn’t even try it out. I’d only just joined fb when it came about and I wasn’t about to try to navigate a second social media outlet when I was still figuring out the first!
Helen, I don’t blame you. I did because it was the new toy on the block but that certainly has not held true. ha!
I’ve been avoiding Google+ simply because I can’t handle yet another thing to learn! Feeling similar about Pinterest. Where does it all end??
IleenieWeenie recently posted..The Blind Leading the Blinder
Ilene, don’t tell me you don’t love and adore Pinterest. I do, but am rarely on, too much to do. But, the pretty pictures speak to me.
I’m just avoiding it because I may never leave once I start…
IleenieWeenie recently posted..The Blind Leading the Blinder
Okay, that’s more like it! It is so beautiful and makes me think I can cook or craft anything in the world!
Yeah, I have an account. I just haven’t started following people, and I only have a handful of pins. I’m trying not to get hooked. Yet.
BTW, can you pin anything or just stuff that has the little Pinterest icon?
You can pin anything just so you have the Pinterest toolbar.
Thumb – in the middle. lol. Google+ is too little too late. It’s not badly done, it’s just unnecessary. I only use it for marketing and blog promotion purposes, but even then it’s just repetitive of what I’m doing on Facebook and Twitter. I think Hangouts is really cool and wish they would have focused more on that instead of creating a whole new network that we don’t need. And I agree with you. They’re shoving it down our throats.
Brittany Rubinstein recently posted..Skiing for Techies
Brittany,
I so agree about hangouts. That was a very clever, very needed concept. There has to be a great middle ground with that in mind. Google is smart enough to figure this one out.
I really really don’t get it either so I very rarely visit it.
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I was listening to a podcast this morning and the host said those that don’t find value in Google+ are not using it enough. I completely disagree. I get it, I see no point in it. Period. Glad to hear you feel the same way, ha!
Whew…I’m so glad to hear your thoughts on this. I thought it was just me. I too try to embrace all the latest and greatest. But I find Google+ annoying. It seems that only the social media folks are crazy about it. But on a brighter note – have you tried Pinterest? Lot more fun and interactive but it can suck you in. Thanks for your post.
Yeah, Google+ is annoying. What is even sadder is I am one of those social media folks. I own a Social Media Mgt. company. Ha! Yes, Pinterest brings me great joy, ahh, if only there were 26 hours in a day.
AGREE..I don’t play much or am that thrilled with Google+. Not many of my mainstream friends are on G+. Jumped on Pinterest a couple of weeks ago and couldn’t believe how many people I knew were playing on Pinterest. For me G+ got off on the wrong foot when I had to always be in a different browser because of my e-mail address… I have an account because of search, but if people aren’t there then who really cares..
mike@web site design recently posted..Have Interest In Pinterest It Could Be For You
Mike,
You are spot on about the email address thing. That drove me nuts and still does. I hate having to keep a separate email just for that. Ugh. Yeah, Pinterest is really taking off. Another network connector I use is Instagr.am.
Wow, nice to see others agree with me. i am on Google+ piknik etc. and seems too confusing for me. Most people I am following are tech ppl.
Spend most of my time on FB.
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