Home > Articles > Home & Office Computing > The Web/Virtual Worlds/Social Networking

What Can I Do in Google+?

This chapter provides a basic rundown of the available features in Google+.
This chapter is from the book

This chapter is from the book

Posting

Posting in Google+ is easy, and it’s similar to writing an email or blog post. Posting is at the heart of creating content in Google+. Some of the more useful things to know about a post in Google+ is that you can edit it after you post (no more typos!), attach a link, photos, or video to the post, tag people or pages, and set the exact security for the people you want to be able to view the post. Posts are also able to be +1’d, which is similar in function to a Like on Facebook or LinkedIn. Posts are where the bulk of the content is displayed in Google+ and a large part of what you will need to concentrate on. Content within posts are searchable (use those keywords!) from inside Google+ as well as Google Search, providing you or the general public have proper security to view the content.

The area where your posts show up in Google+ is referred to as your stream. You are the only person permitted to post on your stream, so no worries about spam! You are also able to write a nearly unlimited amount of text in a Google+ post, but it’s rare to see someone try to use all 100,000 characters.

The post entry dialog box can be accessed either from your own Profile page or your main Google+ stream. From here, you can enter text, photos, pictures and video, and you can attach links. Figure 1.1 shows what the post entry dialog box looks like. Some basic text formatting options are available as follows:

  • To bold text—put *asterisks* around the word or phrase
  • To underline text—put _underscores_ around the word or phrase
  • To strikethrough text—put—dashes—around the word or phrase
    Figure 1.1

    Figure 1.1. Basic post entry dialog box.

Figure 1.2 shows the options to attach a photo to your post. Content with photos tend to get shared and +1’d more often, but be sure you give a good description with supporting text.

  • Add Photos: Lets you upload a single photo from your computer’s hard drive.
  • Create an album: Lets you upload multiple photos at once from your computer’s hard drive and organize them in a single photo album.
  • From Instant Upload: This lets you choose from pictures you have automatically uploaded from the Google+ mobile application (iOS or Android). You will need to configure this setting from your mobile device.
  • Take a photo: This option will open a dialog window that opens the webcam on your computer to take a photograph. You must have a webcam installed on your computer to use this feature.
  • From Google Drive: Any photo you have access to in Google Drive (formerly known as Google Docs) can be attached with this option.
    Figure 1.2

    Figure 1.2. Post entry dialog box with the ability to attach a photo.

Figure 1.3 shows similar options for attaching video to your post:

  • Upload Video: Lets you upload a single video from your computer’s hard drive.
  • YouTube: Lets you link a video hosted on YouTube. You can insert the full URL and Google+ will insert the video attachment complete.
  • From Instant Upload: Lets you choose from videos you have automatically uploaded from the Google+ mobile application (iOS or Android). You will need to configure this setting from your mobile device.
  • Record video: Opens a dialog window that opens the webcam on your computer to record a video. You must have a webcam and microphone installed on your computer to use this feature.
  • From Google Drive: Any video you have access to in Google Drive (formerly known as Google Docs) can be attached with this option.
Figure 1.3

Figure 1.3. Post entry dialog box with the ability to attach video.

Typing a link starting with http:// in the body of the post text automatically connects the link to the content and inserts any pictures or description text associated with that link. Figure 1.4 shows the basic Link Entry dialog box. Once you click the Add button to attach the link, Google+ checks to see if the link is valid as well as attaches a photo and description text that can be found. If more than one photo is found at the link, you can select the one you want by using the left/right arrow scroll when hovering over the photo. You also have the choice to remove the photo, the description, or both from the link attachment.

Figure 1.4

Figure 1.4. Post entry box with the ability to attach a link.

A robust feature in Google+ is the Events post. The basic Events dialog box is shown in Figure 1.5 and contains everything you need to schedule an event or Hangout right from your Google+ stream. Following are the options:

  • Event title: Name your event something attention-grabbing and informative.
  • Time/date: Select the time and date your event will start. End time is optional.
  • Location: You can select a physical location and Google+ will automatically embed a Google Map (optional). If your event is to be held online or via phone leave this option blank.
  • Details: Enter a detailed description of your event here (optional).
    Figure 1.5

    Figure 1.5. Event Options for publishing an Event in Google+.

Advanced options for Events in Google+ include Hangouts and Hangout on Air as well as some additional input fields for event details. Figure 1.6 shows additional options for entering a website URL, ticket seller URL, a link for a YouTube video and transit and parking information.

Figure 1.6

Figure 1.6. Advanced Event Options for publishing an Event in Google+.

Actions you can take on a post include +1, Share, and Start a Hangout (red box on left). You can see actions taken on any post (red box on right), including how many +1’s and Shares. Click the numbers to view a drop-down box to see the names of the people as shown in Figure 1.7.

Figure 1.7

Figure 1.7. Sharing options available on a Google+ post.

One of the best features of creating content in Google+ is the ability to set security on a post by post basis and edit text after you publish. To access the Post menu, click the arrow on the right top corner of the post for a drop-down menu. Some options are available only to the account that created the post (Edit this post, Delete this post, Disable comments, Lock this post) but other options (Link to this post, View Ripples) are generally available on all posts you have access to view. Following is a description of all editing options as shown in Figure 1.8:

  • Edit this post: Allows you to edit the text of a post after you have published it. You cannot change security (Circle) settings or alter links or media such as photos or video. Any shares of the post will remain as it was published at the time of the share.
  • Delete this post: You can completely delete content you have created in Google+, including any attached comments. Note that any shares of this content will still be available.
  • Link to this post: This allows others to easily copy the URL “perma-link” to share just that post with others.
  • Disable comments: As the post publisher you have the ability to disable other people from commenting on your posts. Any existing comments will remain.
  • Lock this post: Once a post is locked, other people will not be able to share the post on their stream.
  • View Ripples: Ripples are a visual reporting tool that allows you to see all public shares of a post.
    Figure 1.8

    Figure 1.8. Drop-down arrow showing editing and security settings.

InformIT Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from InformIT and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites, develop new products and services, conduct educational research and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by InformIT. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.informit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020