Tuesday 14 February 2012

The End of Google Friend Connect

You see that box on the right hand sidebar of the blog? The square with everyones faces and the "Join this site" button above? Well as of the first of March 2012 it will disappear unless you have a Google blog. This is the official announcement on Googles blog;

Google Friend Connect—Friend Connect allows webmasters to add social features to their sites by embedding a few snippets of code. We're retiring the service for all non-Blogger sites on March 1, 2012. We encourage affected sites to create a Google+ pageand place a Google+ badge on their site so they can bring their community of followers to Google+ and use new features like Circles and Hangouts to keep in touch.




Well, I haven't really taken to Google+ and I don't want to be forced into using it. The good thing is, I can keep the Friend connect but the downside is, you can only join Life in Clarity via the button if you have a Google blog yourself. 

What does this mean if you use Wordpress or other blogging software? Simple, you can subscribe to the blog. In the box under my profile there is space to put your email and subscribe. That way, when a post goes up, you will be sent the post into your email in box. For me, it's another example of how the big boys of the internet can't play together in the playground. I hope you will still follow the posts when you can. I appreciate everyone who reads, browses and comments here. What is blogging if it's not you right now?

Here's to many more blog posts, regardless of bits of software being added or removed!

Is this something you will be affected by?

21 comments:

  1. That is horrible news. I love seeing my Important One's faces smile at me when I log on. I have G+ but am considering moving the blog over to wordpress in protest.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wordpress keeps flitting through my mind Glynis. I'm always so indecisive though.

      Delete
  2. Just when you get used to something it all changes. Facebook is just the same. My theory is when everything's ticking along nicely, there's nothing for the techie bods to do, so they mix things up to keep their jobs! Not fun for us though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My thoughts exactly. They have to keep making changes, and also keep things difficult for those they see as opposition.

      Delete
  3. I love seeing who has liked my blog enough to click the little button. It's sad that none of these software platforms seem to like playing nicely with eachother. But that is a good idea for the email subscribe - at least that way people can stay updated.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like the button. I know not everyone uses it, but it's one of those things, that if you do, you like it.

      Delete
  4. Well, that's disappointing. But what about Networked Blogs? That's a connection app I've seen other people use. Any idea if maybe that would be a good alternative?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think Google reader is going to be used by me a lot more than it was.

      Delete
  5. I'm often getting emails from people who aren't on Blogger to say that they can't comment or can't Follow. I find it frustrating but at least they can read what I've said and that's the main thing... although I do love it when I get new Followers. It makes the blogging feel extra special.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Precisely. Seeing those smiling faces is wonderful. I think we will still have it, but those not using blogger won't be able to use it and it will be a different set up for anyone wanting to follow a blogger blog. All very confusing if I'm honest.

      Delete
  6. Hey Rebecca. I sent you email about your winnings on the 14th otherwise please go to my second last post on the blog. I just posted my review of your current good reads read this morning.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm sorry for the delay Wendy. It's been a really hectic week or two. I was lucky to have my blog posts scheduled in. I will email you today :)

      Delete
  7. Wait, what? I need to set up an email subscribe thingy like you've got i guess. This sucks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Doesn't it. I hope you managed to set up up easily enough.

      Delete
  8. This really bothers me and I'm not happy about it at all. :( I tried Google+ but I don't care for it at all and actually find it very annoying. It's been fun to see the followers build up on my page, I think it's a shame they are getting rid of the feature.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't like Google+ Its too similar to all the other things I use so I don't see the point. They need to come up with new ideas.

      Delete
  9. Just when I was getting the hang of things they go and ****** well change things!! Irritating or what? Sympathies to all those who are badly inconvenienced. It seems the customer is almost never right...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm not sure they're ever thinking about the customer in these big internet giant wars!

      Delete
  10. I recently found out that I can't use Google Docs anymore because I dont use Google Chrome while doing it. I use a different browser. Google are going the way of Apple if you ask me. Let's hope they dont move into baking otherwise we'd need to buy Google toasters! :-)

    ReplyDelete