Preview of Google Wave
For the past week, I have been able to take a look at Google's upcoming communication tool, Google Wave. The tool reminds me of an email client, chat forum, and message board rolled in to one. While I still think it has a long way to go in the development, I feel that it is ahead of its time compared to anything else out there. My question is, is it too far ahead of its time making it an uncomfortable choice for the public?
Lets take a look at what I mean:
1. Wave's Layout:
The organization of wave is just like an email client that gives you your mail folders and contacts on the left, email messages in the middle, and a preview pane on the right side. Lets look at the similarities between Microsoft Outlook and Wave's layout.
Microsoft Outlook Layout
Google Wave Layout
Both have a three pane idea to organize the content!
2. Wave Functionality
Wave Message view
The idea of wave is to allow these messages to have ONE copy for everyone instead of creating multiple instances of everything. After you create a posting, you add people to the top of the message so they can be included in on the topic. Once they are added, they can post replies in real time, even seeing the typing added as it happens. This form of communication acts like a chat forum. You can still attach files and talk when not everyone is present just like a message board.
At this stage of the game, google does not include a lot extra. They have two plugins of interest, a voting gadget to poll everyone in that message and a map viewer to place "push pins" in to various spots on a map. Many developers are working on things for the future, but right now we are only given two.
Wave Mapping and Voting Widgets
Google Wave can only get better as it gets more developed. Look for future information on Google wave in the coming months!