BS: What does the g+1 button actually do?

Subject: BS: What does the g+1 button actually do?
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 05 Apr 12 - 09:18 AM

My apologies if this has been answered somewhere already but: What does the little red g+1 icon at the top of the home screen actually do? I know it's got some connection with Google Plus (where I have a page) but searching the internet only gives me G1 and a whole load of unrelated stuff; and Google's own help section on this is worse than useless! I can't even be arsed to do a clickie for it... :-p

I imagine the reason for having it here is to help the Cat, something I want to do - but experience has taught me to always find out what I'm getting myself into before I click. Anybody enlighten me? Thanks!

Subject: RE: BS: What does the g+1 button actually do?
From: Will Fly
Date: 05 Apr 12 - 09:23 AM

When my mouse hovers over it, I get the popup "Publicly recommend on Google. Learn more".

But I think if I clicked it, it might start WWIII, so I'm leaving it strictly alone...

Subject: RE: BS: What does the g+1 button actually do?
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 05 Apr 12 - 09:26 AM

PS: If any other catters are on G+ and want to share a circle with me, please don't hesitate to send a thingy. I'm a little shy because the people Goog suggests are all from my ordinary Gmail account, not necessarily folks who would appreciate being nabbed for social networking. I'm worried about making anyone feel spammed.

I actually like G+ because it's so peaceful and quiet and behaves itself in a sane manner. The latest Facebook timeline is like being trapped inside a neon slot machine and I hate it! Not come across anyone yet who doesn't...

Subject: RE: BS: What does the g+1 button actually do?
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 05 Apr 12 - 09:27 AM

Nicely put, Will! I've just seen your post. My reaction exactly.

Subject: RE: BS: What does the g+1 button actually do?
From: Will Fly
Date: 05 Apr 12 - 09:29 AM

I avoid Google like the people - as much as it's possible to do these days, which isn't saying a lot - and use Stealth for web searches.

As a friend of mine says, "If you get anything for free on a website, odds are you're the product."

Subject: RE: BS: What does the g+1 button actually do?
From: Will Fly
Date: 05 Apr 12 - 09:30 AM

Bugger - for 'people' read 'plague' - and a plague on my typing!

Subject: RE: BS: What does the g+1 button actually do?
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 05 Apr 12 - 09:32 AM

Hmmmm... deeply Freudian... ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: What does the g+1 button actually do?
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 05 Apr 12 - 09:36 AM

Since I'm on the subject, why does it appear on the screen only sometimes, but not others?

Subject: RE: BS: What does the g+1 button actually do?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 05 Apr 12 - 09:54 AM

I use Norton Safe Search rather than Google.

Subject: RE: BS: What does the g+1 button actually do?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 05 Apr 12 - 10:40 AM

I have added you Bonnie

Subject: RE: BS: What does the g+1 button actually do?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 05 Apr 12 - 10:55 AM

I haven't actually used Google+ but from what has been described by the newsless reporters it is Google's attempt at a "social network" vaguely similar to Facebook, Twitter, and the like.

To participate, you have to be registered with them, and be logged in as a "member." It's possible that you only see the G+ when you're currently logged in with Google, and perhaps it doesn't appear when you're not logged in(???).

Using the Google search engine, or the Google toolbar doesn't make you a Google+ "member."

While you're logged in at Google+, Google can track nearly everything you do on the internet, although of course they "don't take any personal information." If you're not logged in you're treated like anyone else, and Google can of course track just about everything you do on the internet, although of course they "don't take any personal information." Whether you're logged in or not, all the information collected is, of course, anonymous, but when you're logged in it's your personal anonymous information, which makes some people feel "more loved."

Google+ has created a new system for registered participants to view what information has been collected on them, to "delete" some of what may have been collected, and to make some changes in what kinds of things are "collected," but you can only change the rules for what's collected while you're logged in." While you're loggout out, you're like any other "anonymous" wanderer and information that's collected is limited to "whatever they want" - anonymously of course.

In other words, the G+ button is pretty much like the TwitterTwatter "Like" button and all the other "*** loves me and I'm special" buttons for the other "social" blather exchanges.

Google probably has a slightly different explanation.

John

Subject: RE: BS: What does the g+1 button actually do?
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 05 Apr 12 - 11:01 AM

Cheers! I've now done the same - took me awhile to figure out how, though. I didn't get any sort of notification of an add, either in G+ or Gmail, and finally located a "Have you in circles" heading under the relevant tab, and there you were. But I had to go hunting. G+ seems to be the opposite of "in yer face". (Still don't know what that g+1 button actually does...)

Subject: RE: BS: What does the g+1 button actually do?
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 05 Apr 12 - 11:02 AM

I'm posting this quick, before I've even read JiK's no-doubt helpful message to say that I cross-posted with him and was referring to John's add.

Subject: RE: BS: What does the g+1 button actually do?
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 05 Apr 12 - 11:08 AM

> It's possible that you only see the G+ when you're currently logged in with Google

Nope, I'm logged in all the time because of my email.

> In other words, the G+ button is pretty much like the TwitterTwatter [actually, Facebook!] "Like" button and all the other "*** loves me and I'm special" buttons for the other "social" blather exchanges.

Does it actually link anywhere or do anything? Still a scaredy-cat...

Subject: RE: BS: What does the g+1 button actually do?
From: GUEST,Beetle Bailey
Date: 05 Apr 12 - 01:09 PM

If you're going to click on it, put all of your back-up data discs in the refrigerator first.

Subject: RE: BS: What does the g+1 button actually do?
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 05 Apr 12 - 02:15 PM

I'm thinking of starting an anti-social network. To start with, I'm not divulging the URL.

Subject: RE: BS: What does the g+1 button actually do?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 05 Apr 12 - 02:45 PM

Bonnie -

I assume that you'll recognize that my comments above weren't entirely serious. ...

A while back I'd have suggested checking whether Google+ has a FAQ to tell you something, but the recent trend is to just keep repeating "It's wonderful and you'll love it" without actually telling you what anything is or anything about it, so that would probably be pretty useless.

dick g - there are already several of those, but I can't tell you the URLs or they'll kick me out.

John

Subject: RE: BS: What does the g+1 button actually do?
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 05 Apr 12 - 05:03 PM

Thanks, Dick. First chuckle I've had all day.

Subject: RE: BS: What does the g+1 button actually do?
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 05 Apr 12 - 05:11 PM

OK, so I clicked it. If World War III starts, you'll know who diddit.

Subject: RE: BS: What does the g+1 button actually do?
From: catspaw49
Date: 05 Apr 12 - 06:34 PM

It posts a vaginal sonagram online highlighting your personal g-spot......


Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: What does the g+1 button actually do?
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 06 Apr 12 - 03:55 AM

So THAT'S what that was...!