How good is Google Plus ?

Well, I've been using Google+ for a couple of  months now, after I was lucky enough to receive an invite from a friend. When I first created my account, I have to say that I found the user experience a little dry. There seemed to be very few features, apart from the 'Circles' thing, which is great, but I wasn't really sure that it was a killer feature. Facebook has been annoying users for ages with their constant re-designs, clunky photo up-loaders, and their more than dubious attitude to intellectual property. However, Facebook has managed to develop some attractive features, and I was really keen on seeing Google improving on them.  I've been keen on Google technologies for a long time - they have been pushing the envelope while other companies that should have been stretching themselves have taken it easy - Microsoft were really slow in catching on to web apps, and Google beat the hell out of the with Google Apps (online word processing, spreadsheets etc.). This really impressed me, and I've had confidence that Google have the technical brains, and the motivation to push the web to where it should be (rich content - no lag, and platform agnostic). So, on using Google+ initially, I was left a little disheartened. I didn't really see anything that was going to blow my mind, or anything that could kick facebooks' tired arse. On using the features for a while though,  and allowing for loads of cool people to start using the service, I have to say that it is coming to life. The circles feature is starting to make a lot more sense. Rather than just seeing posts from people that have agreed to add you to their list, you can add anyone to your circles, and you can see their posts. This feature is a little like Twitter, in that it doesn't need to be reciprocated. On the recommendation of a couple of articles, I have added some very interesting people to my circles (including my friends who are also very cool). Now, when I log in, I can click on the circle tag that contains these nice fellows (Following), and I can read through a waterfall of top notch technical posts, amazing photographs, and general thoughts by people who are seriously interesting.  What a great feature Google Circles is turning out to be ! The best thing about google + is that I know it will be carefully developed, and that new features will be tested thoroughly before going mainstream. I really do have a lot of faith in Google, and I know we are in for a real treat in the future. Come on google, knock our socks off! On the recommendation of TechRepublic, here are some great people to add to your circles - 1. Harry McCracken - He posts interesting stuff and is discriminating about what he posts 2. Jillian C. York - Posts excellent links on global issues in media. 3. Alexander Howard - He focuses on “the intersection of government, citizens and the Internet.” 4. Vic Gundotra - Vic is the executive in charge of Google+. 5. Patrick Beja -  Beja posts a lot of interesting stuff  on geek culture topics. 6. Julio Ojeda-Zapata - This tech veteran posts lots of good stuff, especially about tech in the real world and in business. 7. Baratunde Thurston - The Onion’s Baratunde Thurston  has an irreverent, liberal take on current events. 8. Dwight Silverman - Dwight has been writing books and newspaper columns about tech for decades, which gives him great perspective and scepticism. 9. Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols -  Vaughan-Nichols  has a nose for interesting geek culture topics. 10. Patrick Smith -  His landscape photography is incredible, and he often describes his methods for getting the best shots.