Google+ Is it the answer to Facebook?

[Alex]

Thanks for pointing that out. I had missed that I could add a single user's access without them being part of a defined circle. Is converse possible, can I say "Share with Circle X except for Bob" (I'm at work now so can't play with it myself).

That is a very fine improvement. Though I doubt I'll personally use it since while I use a broad basic filter my assumption is that anything I say online better be something I'm willing to have anybody in the world see.

But I don't really think about filtering who can hear what I say based on what I'm talking about. I initially set up 8 different circles along those lines, but I've already trimmed it back down to just three (People I Want to Talk To, People I Want to Talk To Except Family, and Courtesy Circle But I'm Not Actually Sharing With Them).

Though I'd love the ability to filter as the recipient rather than leaving that burden entirely on the broadcaster. A function of being able to pre-filter what I hear from friends based on what they're talking about.

As an example, my mom is a Glenn Beck acolyte. I do want to see what she's saying when she isn't talking politics. I also don't consider it her responsibility to keep track of who and who isn't interested in her politics so that she can broadcast to just the interested ones. But I'd love a filter where I could say "Don't show any post from Mom that includes the words Beck, Muslim, Blaze, etc."


Oh, and to be clear on the chat thing, I understand the appeal of group chat. I was very active on IRC in the past. I just don't want to do it via audio or video.