Google+ is on its way to charm people and many of the Facebook users are already making their minds to take a shift, so it is just matter of time, but again these are somehow pre-mature thoughts, so we will have to wait and see the impact.
Frankly speaking, we had to spend sizable amount of time to get familiar with Google+, we thought of saving you from the effort. So let’s start with Google+ and here you will get some basic useful tips if you are just joining Google+ or are still wondering what to do here?
There has been much hype about how and from where to get Google+ invitations. People started writing tutorials on how to invite someone on Google+, but Google has resolved the issue now and you do not need to end up pasting your email address here and there to ask for an invite.
Registrations on Google+ are now open and you can sign up without any invite. Simply visit http://google.com/+/ and register yourself.
If you have ever used any of Google’s services (Gmail, Google Profile, Blogger, etc.), then there are chances that Google+will detect more than 50 percent of your bio – to fill your profile. Don’t worry, your privacy settings will not be disturbed. For instance, you can link your Picasa account with Google+ while maintaining the same privacy settings as they were with your Picasa account.
So it’s time now to upload your profile picture and write something about you.
Next thing that you should do is, build up your circles and invite others. But to know what really circles are, read below:
By default Google offers following circles to you, of course you can create more with ease
You can simply mouse over them to read what kind of circle it is and sharing settings.
So you are almost done with basic settings and this is the time to go out and say Here I am!
You must be familiar with wall posts on Facebook, here Google calls it stream. And for me, the most loveable feature of Google+ is to get stream from specific circle.
You can post an update, using the box given on top of stream – exactly like facebook has;
Hangouts is the coolest feature of Google Plus, it will let you start a video conversation with as many friends of yours as you like.
Simply click the “Hangout” button available on right sidebar or visit this link: plus.google.com/hangouts
You’ll be taken to a "green room" where you can select circles or individuals to add in your room (video chat).
Visit the Sparks menu from left sidebar and you will find featured interests. Don’t worry, you are not bound to like them. Search your interests and while adding them, Google+ will give you content suggestions that you can share on your wall, stream in fact.
Once again Google+ allows you here to set which circles you want to share with and it works the same way as described for the post.
By default, Google+ will email you for every post, comment, +1 or anything that happens and is related to you.
This may irritate you – so simply visit Google+ settings from the Options menu which you can find at the extreme right of black bar – codenamed the “Sandbar”, you must have noticed it appearing from few days.
So just un-check the relevant boxes and you are done.
If you are missing Facebook here on Google+ and all that blue interface still mesmerizes you, make your Google+ look like Facebook.
It is simple and easy. Visit http://userstyles.org/styles/50051/google-facebook and follow the two step tutorial.
First install Stylish extension by selecting your browser from the list and then install the script. Here you are with your Google+ converted into Facebook!
This was just a sneak peak of Google+ for beginners.
Google has planned to add more features like Games, Events etc. As project is considered to be one of the prime goals of Google to compete it’s rival Facebook so we can expect a lot from Google here.
Fell free to share any tip in comments.