Friday, July 30, 2010

A haiku a day keeps Byron sane. Sort of.

And Google continues to steamroll everything

So anyone who knows me at all probably knows that I am a huge user of Google products (ref: my own post all about Google here). Several days ago, Google launched Google Buzz, basically a new way to waste your day away very effectively. imageI spoke to several people and commented on how Google demonstrated the power of harnessing a build in user base, in this case, Gmail. Recall when Google wave was first launched: There was huge demand for invites, with people actually willing to pay to get into this new, exclusive club. In my eyes, once everyone got invited, nobody used it. Perhaps the communication protocol was too complicated – people did not need this new form of email/IM. Add on the fact that it was all residing on a new site? It’s no wonder that nobody (well, that I know) uses it.

But then look at Google buzz. At the end of the Google press conference, the product had already launched for the media who were there, and by the end of the day, many people already had it. It is built into Gmail, allowing – no, forcing – users to be force fed updates from their friends. And really, it’s quite interesting what has resulted from it.

Over the first 24 hours of launch, Google logged over 9 million posts and comments (http://techcrunch.com/2010/02/11/google-buzz-security-stats/). That is an insane amount of activity. I can actually see this as supplanting Twitter as the go to microblogging page. Twitter did a good job as the first to market, and trained people to type message in sub 140 characters. Now that people get it, Google doesn’t need to limit “buzzes”.

I personally have already seen people’s messages with up to 15 comments following it, many of those people who have never used Twitter. Google incorporating the Buzz inbox in your Gmail just makes it so easy. This is really just my own prognosticating, but people are likely to pick this up, and continue using it. That is, if they aren’t sick of all the updates and turn Buzz off altogether.

February 12, 2010 | Filed Under Technology | 1 Comment 

Today, I watched a YouTube video and smiled

 

Sometimes you just see stuff that makes you really happy.

In other news, I created an account at Formspring.me, where anyone can ask questions (anonymously) and I can answer them. (truthfully or not, i suppose). It seems to be an interesting product where people ask some good, some weird questions, and people give some interesting answers. My URL is http://www.formspring.me/byroncheng , send me a question or two.

It snowed a ton today, and my shoes and pants got kind of wet. While getting a ride back home, I commented that I still hadn’t bought boots (in the almost four years I’ve been here). But it’s time for me to buy some boots. Chicago is no longer just a temporary location – I’m in it for the long haul.

I spoke to my to-be supervisor last week. It’s just crazy to see how quickly I am moving towards the next stage of my life. During the benefits call, we discussed things like 401k and its vesting, and the various pension plans. For the first time, it really hit me that this new change in my life would really be a new step. Some people work at their jobs for years before changing – some never do. My mom has been working at the same company for at least 15 years now, and my dad just switched after about 8. Now it’s my turn to start working and building a career for myself. I realized on new years eve that it would probably be one of my last days living in my California life. Since I start right after school ends, I really won’t have much time at home.

Bob Dylan – The Times They Are A-Changin’

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February 10, 2010 | Filed Under Fun | Leave a Comment