Android News
Dear, Zuck: Sorry for deleting my Facebook account (not really)
July 11, 2011 | by Charles West
Featured post, Google
Yes it’s real, my Facebook account is no more. You can call it a break up, separation, or divorce — it really doesn’t matter because the fact is for a while now Facebook and I have grown apart. I’ve had a few days to think about such a decision, but I felt now was the time. I feel Facebook has run its course. It has turned into what Myspace was in its heyday, and just like when I jumped off of that ship, it’s time for me to do the same with Facebook.
Although in beta, Google+ has captivated me enough to the point where I’ve decided to do something so “drastic” as to deleting my FB account. I’m no fool, I know it’s still way too early to crown plus as the new king, but it’s hard to deny the awesome potential G+ has.
Coming out of the gate, this time, Google has done a great job making people believe they will have a more promising experience then its other failed projects (Google Wave and Google Buzz). Those who have already been invited and had time to poke around the new social network are generally pleased with both web and mobile versions; checkout how to use Google+ with Android. In fact, the only real universal complaint I’ve heard from experts, journalist, or casual users has been the barrier between new users joining because at the moment G+ access is invite only.
Let’s be clear, Google plus is not a Facebook killer, it’s just a better option. But like many have already stated, there is only one center and both social networks can’t occupy that center. I ultimately chose Plus over FB because of its strengths — simplified privacy settings, group separation (Circles), lightening fast photo uploading, editing status updates and Hangouts (group video chatting) — all was a no brainer.
If it seems like I’m singing the praises of something most people can’t access you’re right, I am. The fact that I’m speaking so highly about a project currently in beta should entice you even more to join (of course when your opportunity comes. We’ve been stealthily inviting our Facebook and Twitter followers). Believe me, the Zuck understands the competition that is ahead of him and at this point he’s observing what happens next far as development goes once plus is out of beta (whenever that may be).
At this point, it shouldn’t be any secret as to how optimistic I am about Google Plus. As I’ve said before: whether people like it or not, we’re in a new era and that era is running Circles right now. Make no mistake about it, Google isn’t even a player in this social network game without Plus’s core functionality, Circles — I wouldn’t have even contemplated leaving Facebook if Google didn’t have it. For those of you early adopters out there, I’m sure none of you need for me to get into the whole breakdown as to how complicated FB is compared to Google Plus — it’s been written hundreds of times already.
I don’t like the way Facebook manages both its regular consumers along with its business brethren. FB allows its regular users to be bombarded with ‘Like’ request, invite request and etc. With Plus, Google plans to get a head start not only from separating the two, but making both work together without any intrusions. There are lots of ways this could work — just think, ad links might encourage users to add a particular brand to their Google+ Circles, which would then allow the company to communicate more directly. The idea is to get regular users to imagine receiving messages from McDonald’s about discounts right on your Google+ news feed — the possibilities are endless.
With Google+ the search giant is hell bent at stealing some users and attention back from Facebook, which could help Google keep ad budgets from shifting away from Google to Facebook.
In this race of social giants I’ve decided to put my money behind a fresh-new thoroughbred and making the decision to delete my Facebook account this early in the game was a simple move for me. It makes me wonder how many people out there did the same thing I’ve decided to do.
If you’re currently using Google Plus, my question to you is, do you feel G+ is good enough right now for you to be willing to take the same plunge I took? Also, do you feel I’m crazy being way to optimistic with Google Plus? If so, why? As always, please sound off in the comment section below.
UPDATE 7/18/11: As some readers have suggested in the comment section, there is an easier way to officially delete your FB account. I was recommended to use Fbless.com — and it seemed to work. It was an easy process. Now, my account will be officially deleted within 14 days according to Facebook. Thanks readers!
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I have a "vacancy" sign as my FB picture currently. Unauthorized all app access to the account as well. Unistalled app from my phone. Just as I left my MySpace up a while before deleting, I will probably do the same thing with FB. I agree that it has become as jumbled and ad collected as Myspace was post-Murdoch. I agree with every reason that you said for leaving FB. It's not that + will kill FB, it has just found a better system for social networking that works.
Yeah, I'll agree with both of you. I like Plus a lot better and I'm rarely on Facebook anymore because of Twitter, but I need a few things. 1. A way to get pics of me off Facebook and into Picasa 2. A way to update Plus through Twitter Those two along with more people will have me completely sold. Easy enough I think.
http://move2picasa.com/ and http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/easily-download-face… should do the trick. Don't think there is a way to add plus updates from twitter, sure this will all change when Google release the API.
Will try those. Appreciate it.
Use http://www.twittermail.com to create an email address that updates your twitter feed. Then add this email address to your circles. Voila! Every time you post with this email address included, you'll be updating your twitter feed too!
You just deactivated your account. To actually delete it, follow these instructions: http://goo.gl/vp6j
I thoroughly enjoy +. Facebook has had 2 months of steady decline in new users signing up in theUS, but also millions of people are cancelling their FB accounts. I am hoping + takes off. Facebook is currently taking actions to prevent the transfer of FB contacts to G+, simply because they know that they have serious competition on their hands. G+ is in its very early stages, and hope it takes off, as it seems to be a great, easily personalized system. As far as deleting Facebook, not quite yet on my end. My friends and family are still there, but if they make the move to+ buy the end of the year, my account will go the way of Myspace, non existant. Do I hate Facebook? No, have had the account almost 2 years, and has given many hours of entertainment and news. I hope G+ can offer all this and more.
Are there really still people who want in but can't get in? I've had the invite option available steadily for a day or two now and everyone I know who seems interested is already in.
I am looking for an invite; seems nobody in my circle of people have gotten access yet. If you are able to, I would appreciate it. My account is jan.moren on gmail. My recent post Thunderbird
I don't blame you at all. I killed my FB account a year ago for many reasons (one of which Circles proves to be an innovative solution for).
By the way, where is Google's '+1' button on this post???
Don't worry, Plus buttons will be coming soon! My recent post Rumor: Google’s Blogger brand will stay as is
I stayed up all last night copying my contact info for all of my facebook friends to G+,and i just got my pics off facebook and into picasa with http://move2picasa.com/ …next step is deleting:) im not supporting Zuck or any other Google/Android hating homos out there anymore. G+ is the truth
It was exactly how I felt before I deleted my fb account a few months ago and it was doing more harm than good. Ironically, my social life actually got better after it.
watch, you'll be back on Facebook a month later
No chance that'll happen… My recent post Rumor: Google’s Blogger brand will stay as is
I don't get it…. People want to delete Facebook, but they want to bring all of their FB contacts over to Google +??? Kind of like moving because you don't like the neighborhood…. but telling all your neighbors they should move with you.
More like moving to a NICER neighborhood at no cost…and letting your neighbors in on the secret.
I'm still trying to find how or where I can add a +1 to this blog. Lots of "f" all over the page. Where is the "+1"?
Fbless.com will let you delete your facebook account in less than 2 minutes
iam fed up close my account
That actually worked, thanks! My recent post The ‘Change-Up’ takes the traditional body-switching movie to a whole new level