Thoughts on Google+

Hello LJ my old friend . . .

This is probably the longest gap I have ever had in posting to LJ.

Work is crazy-busy, life is the same and Pennsic's getting closer.

As I have noted before, my posting here has dropped off, directly related to life and facebook, and now I am playing with Google+ too.

I am also fascinating watching it from a news reporter/consumer's point of view.

There are links to a number of articles like this floating around out there.

I wonder if there are folks out there who agree with my opinion on this.

I am seeing a number of the technorati gnashing teeth about Google+'s supposed heavy-handedness in suspending accounts either because names don't seem to be real or because people are using pseudonyms.

First off, Rule No. 1 is "Don't be a dick." If Google, individually or collectively is being a dick, that's one thing. I would be really surprised if the majority of what's happening involved "being a dick."

My other thought is that when you have millions of accounts, shit's gonna happen.

But my main thought is this: When you pay for it, you get to complain. It's a free fricking service, just like facebook.

I get to complain on LJ and flickr, etc., because I am a paying member.

Yes, I know these services are becoming vital for people, but if there is no dickishness going on, then follow their rules.

It seems to me -- and if you're in the SCA and on the EK List you know what I mean -- that there are people who choose or become the cognoscenti, then feel they need to "get out their message" all the time. (Yes, I can be "That Guy" sometimes.)

I think the vast majority of people do not care about the nuances.

I especially think that is the case here.

Thoughts?

About my photos

I keep meaning to get this posted.

I take a lot of photos, and there are about 11,000 up at my account under this name at www.flickr.com

People often ask me if they can have the photos or if I can send them to them.

Personally, I have them up there for the taking.

But flickr puts a protection on them, which honestly required very little to get to them.

You should be able to just right-click on the photo and download it.

If that doesn't work, left-click it, *then* right-click, choose a size and download.

It should be that simple.

If you are going to use it for commercial purposes, please contact me.

If it's just for yourself/family/SCA stuff, then just take it, but do let me know.

If you feel as though you want to make a donation, I have a paypal at liamstliam@gmail.com

Thanks,

Bill/Liam