Help out the ignorant, Dr - What's Google+?

Facebook for Googleheads.

I will look over the linked article in more detail tonight.  Thanks for the link.

Daiwa - Google+ is a project to allow information dissemination in a safer atmosphere than facebook. Per Google:

http://www.google.com/+/learnmore/

You create "circles" of friends and acquaintances with whom you can 'share' different things - photos, announcements, etc.

"You share different things with different people. But sharing the right stuff with the right people shouldn’t be a hassle. Circles makes it easy to put your friends from Saturday night in one circle, your parents in another, and your boss in a circle by himself, just like real life."

Sparks -

"Remember when your Grandpa used to cut articles out of the paper and send them to you? That was nice. That’s kind of what Sparks does: looks for videos and articles it thinks you’ll like, so when you’re free, there’s always something to watch, read, and share. Grandpa would approve."

and Hangouts -

"Bumping into friends while you’re out and about is one of the best parts of going out and about. With Hangouts, the unplanned meet-up comes to the web for the first time. Let buddies know you’re hanging out and see who drops by for a face-to-face-to-face chat. Until we perfect teleportation, it’s the next best thing"

PCWorld: http://www.pcworld.com/article/231368/google_social_network_handson_first_impressions.html

Just got my invite today, will definitely look thru that link. Thanks.

Since Goggle has such a great reputation, will this also be a site that you will have to worry what happens to your information?

My guess is yes.

The more I read that "don't be evil" motto the more often I remember "the lady doth protest too much, methinks." Hamlet is some freakin' kitchen sink of literature. And trust is in very short supply in that story...

2 find this again some day

Google is just struggling for supremacy against Facebook.....

2 corporate megaliths trying to be on top of the pile.

And crush it in the process.

Indeed. Act III scene II.

in short

Don't trust them with your info

Trust them (and friends/acquaintances/others) with only the info you feel comfortable with.

Scams to anticipate? An increase in email scams (phishing) representing themselves as an invitation to Google+ or to those participating with Google+. Make sure to mouse over any links. anything that looks suspicious, make sure to report to Google and your ISP. Also make sure to pay attention to grammar and spelling. They are frequent "tells". Graphics are not: The phishers are quite good at using/stealing the original graphics and using them.

Addendum: In order to be more helpful, I'm adding a "How to Identify Phishing" to this post.

The Windows Club has done some very nice work in providing an article on this topic for the general public:

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/how-to-identify-phishing-attacks

I can understand why people are so skeptical but what confuses me is that they already have info online (otherwise they wouldn't even be able to comment on here) so why is everyone so terrified of, say, google anyways. What? Is everyone here on Stardock's multiple forums liars and simply made up fake accounts to post random stuff on here? I used my own email to sign up here.

I don't give any site any more info than I need to but that doesn't stop me from using the sites. DrJBHL has had to give up his info in order for him to bring us all of this wonderful information he post here daily. He doesn't seem worried. Is it genuine fear of people stealing your info or is it their own ignorance that scares most people? Not trying to intentionally insult anyone but I believe it's a legit question.

Not directed to anyone as a reply:

Please note Update 1 in the OP.