Open Discussion: The Pace of Change

http://www.buildthatlist.com/ Tom | Build That List

The thing I am starting to get annoyed with is how everyone just seems to be copying each other, and you are expected to have accounts with all of them. I don't use gmail so I didn't have to worry about Google Buzz, but to me it just seems like another Twitter.

remarkablogger

Tom, Buzz really isn't anything like Twitter, but it IS another service that
got dumped into my life. I can't ignore it, I have to know how to use it,
it's my job to do these things. Thanks for your comment.

http://www.Escapingthe9to5.com/ Maren Kate

I'm only in my early twenties and I am already exhausted from the pace of change… I can't handle it, that is why I am a conscientious objector to Google Buzz.

remarkablogger

If something else comes along which you absolutely fall in love with, you won't feel exhausted from the pace of change, then.

juliusCharles

In my case, my friends are always the ones who are first learning about new technologies. Sometimes I get a bit concerned, sometimes it doesn't bother me. It also depends on the technology, if I feel that it falls under my interests and would help me in any way, then I'm inclined to learn it.

remarkablogger

Personal relevancy is key.

http://johnhaydon.com John Haydon

I'll be fed up if it will get me somewhere!

remarkablogger

LOL, good point!
- http://johnhaydon.com John Haydon
  
  I try.

http://twitter.com/sandijohnson1 Sandi Johnson

I haven't hopped on the Buzz bandwagon because I really just don't have the space in my head (or calendar) to learn one MORE thing. I have to admit, it's annoying trying to keep up with the latest & greatest doodads. I'd have to spend 4-5 hours a day learning all the new stuff in order to really decide if I need/want it. I really just don't have that kind of time to put into something that might not even be useful.

I find it a stark contrast how things online change almost overnight, but brick & mortars seem to hold out until the 11th hour when it comes to adopting anything new. You'd think there would be a happy median somewhere.

remarkablogger

That's what I thought, too, but now it's just a part of checking my email. And you learn it in bits & pieces.

There's far less drag at the cutting edge.

patriciaugo

Love the way you start the conversation.The thing is that I generally fall into the temptation to give these new things a try…but as you sais it takes a toll to keep up with,and sometimes I don't even have the time to answer your smart questions.I think I'll leave some to you to explain them to me (Thanks in advance),by the way,I have buzz as a matter of fact, but I don't pay attention to it.Greetings from Argentina

remarkablogger

You have the time to leave a comment about how you don't have the time to leave a comment?
- patriciaugo
  
  I think I was a little sleepy at the moment I wrote that.Sorry…You see that's how trying to deal with everything left me.
  - remarkablogger
    
    Been there, done that. No worries.

larryelkins

Yea, sometimes it seems overwhelming. It cerainly means you have to be adept at adapting to the constantly changing climate. I haven't been at this that long, and still it seems like I,ve been forced to adaapt to one major change after another.

larryelkins

I'm still pretty new at this and still, it seems like I've been forced to adapt to several major changes. Sometimes, it's just overwhelming.

remarkablogger

That seems to be the reality. One of my favorite quotes that Tom Peters throws around all the time is this: “If you don't like change, you're going to like irrelevancy even less.” ~ Gen. Shinseki (ret.)

http://marketingartfully.com MarketingArtfully

I tend to do the new things with big players like wordpress, apple, google and microsoft for sure. I focus my time on the things that are actually showing results and pop into the other ones when I free time or I need a break. I think about the fact that I used Stumble Upon for two years with no results and then one day they did something different and now I get 50-100 visitors to each post I stumble because I have a history with the site that extends for years not minutes. I guess my benchmark is – if it is adding a couple minutes to something I do already then I do it, if it something I like to do that adds to my happiness I do it, if it says it is “just like twitter and facebook, with a twist of blogging and a bit of linkedin” I sign up but never use it. I already use facebook and twitter so I don't need those re-twisted to add to my overload…:)

remarkablogger

You raise a good point: what happens now is not what will happen in the future. Results are cumulative on the web. Persistence pays off in more ways than one.

http://www.radicalmarketingsolutions.com/ Bill

The old adage goes…how do you eat an elephant, one bite at a time. This is how I approach technology.

I have a few select folks I read and pay attention to ( like remarkablogger) and wait to hear what these folks have to say before I jump into something.

Most times I save myself a ton of time letting others “figure things out” for me.

One thing I figured out early on was that my time is worth WAY more to me than money. You can always make more money but you only get 24 hours in a day. I try to keep my eye on the prize and only focus on those things that will lead me to my ultimate goal.

I don't waste time on twitter, facebook and buzz because when I do, I take my eye off the ball on more profitable activities.

So to make what should be a short answer even longer, I guess I really don't care about this stuff until someone of importance to me tells me I should.

remarkablogger

That old adage is true, but here's where it may not apply to technological tools: you have to know what the elephant looks like overall so you know where your bites are taking you.

In other words, without a plan, the tool has no job to fulfill.

This is why I am not wasting time on Twitter. Using Twitter as a marketing channel has been very profitable for me.

http://cindyking.biz/ Cindy King

I didn’t do anything with buzz until I read the first stats analysis and still don’t really use it. But I am more than annoyed that they didn’t warn you that it screws up your Google Profile. Today, I’d still rather keep Friendfeed for a full social media feed and keep my Google Profile more “sober”. I may change my mind later… but I don’t like the high handed approach by Google.

Without my knowing, by accepting Buzz my Google Profile now has a feel about it that I don’t like. I haven’t researched enough, but Ariwriter.com has a post outlining how to get rid of the mess. He says to delete everything – both Buzz and your Google Profile.

It’d really annoy me if I have to delete my Google Profile just to clean up the Buzz there. And then I’d have to decide whether I’d want to go back and create another Google Profile… of course, nothing would stop Google from doing something similar in the future. Yes, it only takes a few minutes, but I don’t want to have to do invest that time over and over again. And I dislike not being aware that they’d changed my Google Profile without telling me, and that they’d assume I would like their changes.

Unfortunately it seems like the decision to adopt new things early or not can be a hit or a miss. There are sometimes advantages to getting on board early… and I’ve regretted not being an early adopter in the past

Unfortunately Google Buzz reminds me of Microsoft products – if you don’t want to waste time, it’s best to leave well alone until at least the next upgrade.

Add situations like this into the picture and becoming an early adopted gets tiring very quickly.

http://cindyking.biz/ Cindy King

I didn’t do anything with buzz until I read the first stats analysis and still don’t really use it. But I am more than annoyed that they didn’t warn you that it screws up your Google Profile. Today, I’d still rather keep Friendfeed for a full social media feed and keep my Google Profile more “sober”. I may change my mind later… but I don’t like the high handed approach by Google.

Without my knowing, by accepting Buzz my Google Profile now has a feel about it that I don’t like. I haven’t researched enough, but Ariwriter.com has a post outlining how to get rid of the mess. He says to delete everything – both Buzz and your Google Profile.

It’d really annoy me if I have to delete my Google Profile just to clean up the Buzz there. And then I’d have to decide whether I’d want to go back and create another Google Profile… of course, nothing would stop Google from doing something similar in the future. Yes, it only takes a few minutes, but I don’t want to have to do invest that time over and over again. And I dislike not being aware that they’d changed my Google Profile without telling me, and that they’d assume I would like their changes.

Unfortunately it seems like the decision to adopt new things early or not can be a hit or a miss. There are sometimes advantages to getting on board early… and I’ve regretted not being an early adopter in the past

Unfortunately Google Buzz reminds me of Microsoft products – if you don’t want to waste time, it’s best to leave well alone until at least the next upgrade.

Add situations like this into the picture and becoming an early adopted gets tiring very quickly.

http://www.riverwoodwriter.com/ RiverwoodWriter

Dear Uncle Mike…:-) Thanks for being honest about your own frustrations. It makes me feel less alone with mine. I think Bill and some others are on the right track to give new things a chance to filter through experts like you who can then tell us the whys, hows, and wherefores. I hope you tell us it's not worth our time, but Google is known for doing interesting things, so Buzz is likely to have a place in our arsenal of tools.

remarkablogger

We all go through this. So-called “experts” can help, but nothing is better than diving in and exploring it for yourself. What uses can YOU put it to? Maybe things others haven't thought of yet. Who's the expert, now?

It doesn't take much.
- http://www.riverwoodwriter.com/ RiverwoodWriter
  
  Oh darned, you mean I have to take responsibility? Of course you're absolutely right…Onward, ever onward…

http://nathanhangen.com/blog Nathan Hangen

It's not so bad except that everyone else instantly adopts anything new for the sake of doing it. I prefer to take my time to see how I can adopt something, and I've never been one to do something juts because it's cool.

I just can't keep up. Twitter is mostly it for me, with some Facebook stuff on the side.

remarkablogger

One day at a time, man.

http://CraftingSpirit.com/ Pam Brackett

Tired. So tired.

mkakan

it's really crazy.there is always a company or someone thinking or building on the success of another website or idea.too many options will always get people confused and overwhelmed but the problem is, if you don't join in you may be losing out.The fear of losing out drives us to these websites to try these new services.

remarkablogger

In some cases, yes. In the case of Buzz specifically, no, because it's just “there.” It showed up in your Gmail unannounced and unasked for.

If you think you're “missing out,” ask yourself: missing out on what? The answer may mean you use Buzz (or any tool) but it might mean you don't.

http://www.blogcastfm.com/ Srinivas Rao

Michael

I would say I was definitely a bit annoyed when I heard about Google Buzz. My immediate reaction was “seriously another one. WTF.” It's starting to feel like there's so much to keep track of that you never become proficient at any one thing. It's only in the last month or two that I finally have started embrace and feel fully functional with Twitter. Yet, as a social media strategist for an online travel company, I know won't be able to ignore buzz for long. I just think that there's going to have to some massive consolidation at some point with a few well known players remaining.

remarkablogger

That may yet happen. People keep talking about who will buy whom. Most of us have a “main” network and all the rest are secondary. My main network is Twitter, no doubt about it. But suddenly Buzz has jumped to #2 just like that.
- Mike Korner
  
  Buzz will be the “blog” for some people that don't want to deal with the tech of setting up their own self-hosted blog. Google certainly seems to have an interesting plan underway. (Insert evil laugh)

Archan Mehta

Well, Howdy Uncle Mike:

Man, if you wanna us to jump on your couch, you either sound like a head shrink or a pervert and I don't need either of those in my life right now. My answer is, no thanks, buddy. And sorry if I sound like a guy from the Italian mafia, but I hate calzone and pizza.
You can also tell I am not Italian because I don't keep on touching myself with my hands. And if you're too dumb to figure that out, well my name ought to be a dead giveaway.

What planet you guys live on? The only “buzz” I know is the one I get from smoking my crack pipe. And there is only tobacco inside, since I can't even afford the M-plant.

See, pushy salespeople like Mike are always trying to get me to buy the latest “fix.” My strategy is to ignore such people by rolling over and playing dead. I believe it is also a good strategy to play dead if you are visited in the woods by an evil-looking bear.

Right now, my royal bee-hind hurts from sitting on a chair; my eyes hurt from staring at the screen; and my fingers hurt from having to type these words; and my head hurts from the brain(?) I have to use to process this information.

I am not a happy camper and I want out. Don't talk to me about the benefits of technology, people, I would rather venture outside and take a casual stroll. You folks go right ahead and build a business, but count me out of it. And if Mike keeps on embracing technology like a long-lost lover, he's gonna be the one on the couch talking to a shrink about lost childhood innocence!

remarkablogger

Well, you're smoking something, that's for sure. Pull the plug buddy. Nobody's stopping you.

BillGrey

I like Twitter and Facebook and recommend them to my clients for more exposure. But… come on… most people are not dependent on these services for their businesses. I have a number of very successful people who are slowly adopting these marketing methods and I think slow is just fine. Same for me… I post a little and share a few links. And it HAS influenced my propects with a few people. But mostly my business is proceeding forward just as it did 20 years ago. Do quality work, put it out there a bit and people find you. Gotta stay sane, folks. While we're spinning our wheels…. that's our life going by. Gotta stay centered.

remarkablogger

I've seen many people who are dependent on these services. Restaurants and retail brick & mortars have especially benefitted from Twitter by posting specials and “secret” discounts. Mobile food vendors use Twitter to disclose their location and have seen their business shoot through the roof.
- BillGrey
  
  Yep…. definitely dependent on who you are. And they can have a positive effect. The question is, for those of us “in the biz” (or even the clients): Is this level of complexity and speed of growth sustainable for human beings? What do we give away with our obsession with all of this? I think this whole social media thing needs a “reorganization” for long run viability. Especially for small business. Proctor & Gamble can burn through employees to do whatever they like. But we little guys…. well…. seems like energy and sanity is at a premium for us.

http://wahmbizbuilder.com/ Melinda | SuperWAHM

Ugh. I can't keep up. There's so much coming out these days, new ways to keep connected, and we're all rushing around so much LOOKING as if we're connected, but are we really? I feel that every time something new comes out our actual contacts become more diluted as we have to spread ourselves thinner to cover more applications in the same time. Buzz – I don't even read my gmail. I have a gmail account simply for gchat.

I haven't even looked at Buzz. I know several people who have and who use it, however at this point, for me, it seems to be just another learning curve that I have to figure out how to apply to my business and/or personal life.

I'm not an early adopter, never have been. Heck, I haven't even figured out how to get photo's off my phone yet! So I'll probably look at Buzz in a few months when the novelty has worn off, people know how to use it, and I can find a course/webinar/ebook or similar that can tell me how to use it.

I also dislike how it was just added to our gmail accounts. No opt-in, no opt-out. That sits very uncomfortably with me, it feels like peddling spam. I want a choice thanks. That's probably something else that keeps me from jumping on it immediately.

remarkablogger

Actually, you can disable it (link at bottom of Gmail page). Something to think about, which I said in a prev. comment above: there's a lot less drag at the cutting edge.
- http://www.BusinessKorner.com Mike Korner
  
  Unfortunately, it’s not that easy: http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10451703-2.html
  
  Very poor handling of our privacy from a company that has so much of our data. Big brother lives

Mike Korner

The good news or bad news is that the pace of change is going to keep getting even faster. Think how much has changed over the last 10 years. I think my mind needs a memory upgrade and my brain needs a faster processor. Don't laugh, in 10 years you might be able to get both at Walgreens while waiting for a flu shot

remarkablogger

I look forward to that, although our vision of the future changes with the
present. The “future” a few years ago was virtual reality. Now it's
augmented reality. When the mechanisms by which augmentation happens become
essentially invisible, that will be a turning point, but it will also mean
processing power on the level of general artificial intelligence. Agency and
agent rights/permissions will become a factor. But I get ahead of myself…

http://www.johnpaulaguiar.com John Paul

My issue with tech changes is that once you learn it, it changes and you are now spending more time learning new tech and not as much time to enjoy it fully.

I think depends how much the new tech will truly benefit my life, make it easier or more enjoyable.

Google Buzz does nothing for me right now,, but it might one day when I get tired of clicking “tell me later” lol

sue_anne

I wouldn't say that I was fed up with it, but as everyone tries to one up each other it does make it hard to “keep up” and also get work done. It's often a struggle to do both. I'm watching Buzz, but not being super participatory with it yet.