Google Wave, good or bad?

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This article discusses if the Google Wave technology is good or bad and whether or not companies and corporations will embrace this new framework into their network. This article highlights how the good or bad argument is irelevant when considering the bigger picture and what Google Wave represents.

Contents

• First impressions of Google Wave
• Lets be clear
• Summary
• References
• Further reading

First impressions of Google Wave

A quick Internet search gives an instant indication of how Google Wave is being received by the online public eye. This conclusion is obvious, Google Wave is a big deal right now with loads of hype surrounding itself and the scarcity of the invites¹. One thing is clear, Google Wave is one, if not the biggest Internet phenomenon in recent times².

Whether you use FaceBook, MySpace, Twitter, Yahoo, Google or probably all of them, the Internet is buzzing with '..Wave this, Wave that, is it good, is it bad..' but I would like to add this statement; does it really matter if Google Wave is any good? I don’t think so, let me explain why.

- continued -

Lets be clear

Lets be very clear, Google Wave in general, represents a significant step forward, much like Facebook and Twitter demonstrated the need for online networking, and before that with the rise of YouTube illustrating the power of streaming media across the Internet. Google Wave on the other hand, highlights the need to design systems for the future, based on the now. This is huge, and this is my underlining point. Good or bad, Google Wave highlights the need for system design to be free from legacy and old-fashioned technology that doesn’t need to exist in today’s world of super fast broadband, computerized mobiles, touch screens, real-time chat and super fast computers. And of course, hover boards, available from all good retail outlets (just kidding, regrettably).

This represents a huge shift to re-think what things should look like if they were designed for today³. This is so obvious, yet so brilliant because let’s not forget, the majority of modern day systems are predominately based on old fashioned traditional systems, constrained by out-dated politics.

For example, did you know that most automobiles in any form, whether it be a car, truck, trains in general (over and underground) and even the space shuttle are designed and controlled by design constraints that don’t need to exist in today’s world? It’s easy to understand why, take for example the train. Why are trains, and cars for that matter generally the same width? Well, the reason is simple when you look into their history. They were designed in a world when horses were used as the main tool for moving things around. Therefore these widths are based on the notion of two horses pulling the object forward, side by side.

The more you realise this, the more you realise not what Google Wave technically represents, but what it represents from a fresh new outlook, and that is, to design things for the future, based on what's available today.

With this said, I hope you've enjoyed this article on whether Google Wave is good or bad and I also hope I've managed to show you that the good or bad argument is really irelevant when considering the bigger picture.

Summary

Google Wave represents a new way of thinking by asking yourself how would something look if it was designed based on what's available today. This of course, refers to a technical platform and how the present day Internet has radically changed since the creation of email. Although this is an obvious question and feels like a pointless statement, Google wave has highlighted the need to start again and embrace new technologies to its fullness.

References

1. BBC News, Strong reception for Google Wave
2. Editors Web Blog, Google Wave the next social media phenomenon and journalistic tool?
3. Google Wave Lars Rasmussen

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