What’s the Buzz Google

Google has finally launched its social networking utility called (yes, you guessed it) Google Buzz.  And get this, it’s already bigger than Twitter. If you have a Gmail account you automatically get a Buzz account and the integration is seamless. So the launch base in the US alone is over 38million users, not to mention the other tens of millions of non-US users, like us South Africans.  This is where the flood of questions started; what is it?  Will it kill Facebook and Twitter?

If you have a Gmail account and have logged in during the past few weeks you would have found the Buzz application seamlessly integrated into your Gmail account.  You can create a free Gmail account and  then you can also get access to Buzz.

Once you have a Gmail account and Buzz everything just slots in.  There is no setup required and your incoming and outgoing Buzz comments flow via your inbox.

You have Buzz; now what?  Cited as a complex and disorganised messaging system with social networking dropped in, Buzz has a few problems.

Its user experience is complex for new users to understand especially if you are not a social networking guru. Buzz is like a blog and a bit like Twitter but does not have the simplicity of either.  It allows you to link your Gmail contacts (it does not do this automatically anymore) into a social network cloud where you can communicate and chat to them individually or collectively.

So the question is, is Google Buzz worth joining?  If you have Facebook or use Twitter then you don’t need it, but if you are a techno junkie and an early adopter get it now.  It’s new, seems to have been launched too quickly and has lots of catching up to do with other social network sites.

But it will grow and evolve and get better and attract more users.  It’s the integration of mail, social networking, search and chat that may still make it a winner.

The money question as always is; should I use it as a tool to communicate with my clients?  If any of your clients or prospective ones are using it, then  of course --  otherwise Facebook and Twitter are a very good, simple and established bet.

One of the greatest investors and businessmen of all time, Warren Buffet, said “Rule number one, Never loose money.  Rule number two,  Never forget rule one.” And don’t you forget that.  If you can make money or grow and get new clients use Buzz.  If you want some new thoughts or ideas on what you are currently doing, or can do, email me on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or goto www.solarstorm.co.za or call me on 011 0234 369 (Skype francoisv100).   And who said you can’t teach an old dog new clicks?