I was kinda hoping it would get bigger because I do like how it works more than Facebook. But in the time I’ve had it I think the only conversation I’ve been involved in was Opalcat asking everyone who they are.
I like Google+ but the only people I have in my circles are people from the Dope with maybe two or three others who never use it. I’d use it if more people did and they probably feel the same way. It’s a vicious cycle.
I absolutely love it. I’m a scientist by trade and I have three science circles of over 250 scientists. I’ve connected with primatologists all over the world. Facebook is where my RL friends and family members mostly are, but google plus is the place I go to for fascinating articles and news.
Is someone willing to share a doper circle with me?
And, as bad as Facebook is, I’ve never seen this happen on there, despite policy stating that it should. I know several Dope mafia players use obvious screen names.
It’s stupid, anyways. They only want your real name for advertising/datamining purposes. So just implement a nickname feature, and let you hide your real name. Heck, it would give them more information, as people tend to use the same nickname in multiple places, so now you’d have a name to go with that nickname. I already have two browsers set up to use my private and public profiles (on YouTube, where you can’t be logged in to two at once). I don’t need a third.
Oh, and I use adblock on Google search when I want to protest their products. It’s better than not using them: I’m using their products for free. I’m actively costing them money.
And I sure as hell will never give them my mobile number. I don’t give it out to anyone but friends, and not even all of those. And I’ve never, ever gotten a telemarketing call on it. Just like I rarely get spam on my personal email address since I don’t give it out. (I get maybe 3 a day, which I blame on actually handing it out in the past for a short period.)
They wouldn’t allow me to register as “Cookie Monster”.
It’s all about “network externalities”. My entire network is on Facebook. I have a bunch of circles now on G+, but for the most part my network still only updates Facebook. When people want to contact me or invite me to stuff, it’s still through Facebook. And thus far, I haven’t had a compelling reason to switch.
“Facebook Über Alles!”