Purdue begins to utilize Google’s new social media

The assistant department head of computer science will be
“hanging out” with his students instead of holding formal office
hours this fall.

This shouldn’t cause alarm, however, because what’s really going
on is Tim Korb is utilizing Google Plus to hold office hours in a
more efficient way.

Google Plus is a new feature from the ever-expanding Google that
seems to encompass the best features of each popular social
networking site. It has been dubbed the “Facebook killer” for its
similar model of posts and newsfeeds, but it’s much more than that,
Korb said.

“It’s more of a symmetric relationship,” Korb said. “It has a
flavor of Twitter as well.”

It’s not just a new competition for Twitter and Facebook,
either. Korb explained some of the many features Google Plus offers
that mirror other social networking sites, such as the ability to
“check in,” similar to Foursquare, and the ability to follow
celebrities and other well-known figures, similar to Twitter.

One of Korb’s favorite features offers users a chance to “start
a hangout” and video conference with up to 10 people. As Google
Plus is free, another great characteristic of it in Korb’s mind, he
plans on telling students to sign up and instead of coming to his
office for office hours, he will be available on Google Plus to
hang out instead.

“Students could then come and go as they are interested,” Korb
said.

It seems Google Plus has also learned from other social networks
and privacy issues. Korb explained that users of Google Plus have
the option to decide what information they would like to share and
with whom. Overall, Korb is pleased with Google’s latest
product.

“Google has a mixed track record of success,” he said. “My
feeling is it’s useful.”

It was rumored in the computer science department that Korb was
the first person in West Lafayette to join Google Plus. Users have
to be invited to join Google Plus and Korb was invited the day
after it was announced by a student of his who is an intern at
Google this summer. Nathan Lyons, sophomore in the Krannert School
of Management, also joined right after it was announced.

Lyons and his Delta Sigma Phi fraternity brothers invited one
another to Google Plus and, like Korb, are considering the
practical uses of the features such as holding meetings with
hangout. As a Facebook user, Lyons especially liked the control
settings Google Plus has that allow him to choose which of his
“circles” – the organization system of Google Plus that allows
users to organize connections in group circles such as friends,
family and work – see his posts. Though that’s not complete
privacy, he said, it’s a step up from other social networking
sites.

Lyons found Korb’s plan to hold office hours via Google Plus to
be creative but isn’t sure it should become a trend among
professors.

“It’s not a Purdue sanction; it’s making students get
something,” Lyons said. “But, I think it’s a good idea because you
don’t have to make a trip to his office. It’s so much easier to get
on the internet and get on video chat.”

Though it’s still fairly new and still requires invites to join,
Lyons thinks Google Plus will catch on and his peers will soon
flock to it as they did to Facebook and Twitter because it’s what’s
hot right now. It’s what everyone is talking about.

“It will probably stay,” Lyons said. “There is always the next
new thing that will get bigger faster.”

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