11 replies to this topic

[sumon]

+1 for Google Plus. I'm an everyday user, and it's really nothing like you would expect it to be - most people compare it to facebook, but it's a quite different experience. Especially if you're a fan of other Google services (such as YouTube, Gmail, GTalk, etc.) you may very well find that G+ is the hub that makes it all "just that little bit better". The great thing is that it's "multi-social" due to the natures of Circles. Basically, you can group people up in a natural way, so that you can choose what you share and with whom you share it much easier. I would never be interested in mentioning AutoHotkey on my facebook status, but with G+ I can share it with the other AHKers who are present. Thesame goes for a bunch of other topics, too. Basically it lets you be social with more people, making the full web experience more social. Few real-life mates are active there, but those that are really like it.

Has anyone else tried G+, and what do you think about it? Are you active there?

Feel free to circle me and I'll return the favor: +Me.

Also, I'll officially start promoting and discussing AutoHotkey on the social network, so check out the G+ AutoHotkey page.

[JSLover]

Problem with Google Plus: Requiring (or even encouraging the use of) Real Names.

I know when they started, they required real names...I think they may have lightened up on that?...& if they have great. But the problem with Facebook & (at least the initial version of) Google Plus is requiring real names online.

Giving your real name online, just boggles my mind, it's soo unsafe.

I even hate it when I order something online & the "Confirmation E-mail" has my name/address/phone number (info I already know)...that is info I sent to that company over a secure (HTTPS) connection, then they put it in insecure E-mail...WTF? -- & that's when I'm actually buying something...why would I ever give my real name out to EVERYBODY?

I can't even signup for a PayPal (or other) Donation Account (to accept donations), cuz anybody that donates to me, would find out my real name. Accepting donations anonymously seems to be 100% impossible (without creating a fake business -- & then people might be able to look up the owner of that business -- so it's still not anonymous).

Why is everyone soo focused on using real names everywhere?

[polyethene]

Giving your real name online, just boggles my mind, it's soo unsafe.

I can understand why some people prefer to keep their personal privacy on the internet but how is it unsafe to give your real name online? Your name is most likely already public on the land registry, company records, employers website/social network etc.

[Eedis]

Giving your real name online, just boggles my mind, it's soo unsafe.

I can understand why some people prefer to keep their personal privacy on the internet but how is it unsafe to give your real name online? Your name is most likely already public on the land registry, company records, employers website/social network etc.

I agree with Poly. I mean, if someone who knows how to actually use your real-name AGAINST your in a bad way over the internet, they would know over hundreds of ways to get your name in the first place. I feel the same way about your SSN. I am not saying that it's safe to broadcast it to everyone and I do keep mine as private as possible, but the same thing applies. If someone wanted to steal your identity, you would have no choice of the matter. The only thing broadcasting your SSN would be unsafe is the fact that someone who be more likely to target you as they wouldn't have to go out of their way. In an interview (which I can't find at this time) of Kevin Mitnick, he proved this exactly. He asked random people from the audience to give them nothing but their first and last name. He then showed them their SSN in a matter of minutes using only the internet.

Besides, I read an article showing that whenever you make a photocopy/scan a document, the machine holds a digital record in an on-board HDD. Whenever the company who used that machine gets rid of it, they NEVER wipe the HDD. This guy walked into a photocopy machine warehouse and bought 3 used machines. He pulled out the HDD and sifted through HUNDREDS of people criminal records, medical records, banking records. There were hundreds, if not thousands, of names, addresses, phone numbers, SSN's, bank account numbers. The only bad part is, those people had NO control over that information. Link and link.

Your local police station might have to sent your record to another station to back it up. Just for something so trivial. Your record passed through that machine and is now on that HDD in which you have no control over.

Summary: If anyone possesses the knowledge to use information you hold private against you, they already know the information you hold private.

[tank]

+1 POLY
the sad reality is that you are already unsafe. your information is already out there. I work fraud in a financial institution. The good news is that those with such skills arent really that interested in YOU. unless your famous or hold some key role in some organization. I have never used my real name or posted my real address. I often make a simple mispelling of my name to detect which brick and mortar company has sold my information. OMG the utilities whore you out like some 2 dollar hooker. In the last couple years tho i have come to realize that this failed. ever since my wife set me up on facebook my shit is everywhere. I am now the easiest mother effer to find ever...... So i gave up and was one of the very first google + ers out there. and i do prefer it facebook. i dont mind that google uses my info to target my search results. in fact i like it. and i gave up protecting my realname on the web. though i still use a bogus email for every single web form i fill out

[Carcophan]

though i still use a bogus email for every single web form i fill out

So THAT is why you haven't been responding to me!?! You mean to tell me <!-- e --><a href="mailto:Tank.the.pink.pony@awesomesauce.net">Tank.the.pink.pony@awesomesauce.net</a><!-- e --> isnt real? Sadface.

[tank]

Nope that one is real i was just ignoring you

[Wingfat]

Real names aside.. i dont think i will be #1. adding my Cell number to Google or #2 sign up for yet another social media service that there isnt enough apps out there to use in conjunction with all the other sources of meida i post my pictures of BBQed meats and Computers parts to.
If they made an app that could post to G+, FB, Twitter and Instagram then maybe I would consider it.. lol... but then most my buddies do not have a G+ account execpt for my buddy who is also in IT, only so that when people ask us questions he can help out. ;-)

[fragman]

Wingfat: Check out "If this then that"

[tomoe_uehara]

I can't even signup for a PayPal (or other) Donation Account (to accept donations)..

Let me do that part :lol:
I don't even know how to use G+

[engunneer]

Wingfat: Check out "If this then that"

+1. I use iftt quite a bit. they got it right by letting you copy existing recipes, and you get control over what is connected. I have it set to sync anything Starred in gmail and google reader with evernote. You can even set it to keep profile pictures in sync across some services.

[fragman]

I actually don't use it since I'm not using so many different services
However, I agree that it's pretty useful. Maybe I can add support for it in 7plus for awesomeness!