Google Wave at eComm: propaganda or just a good story?

But okay, let’s move forward. After this Wave explanation they started to handle some questions about well known downsides. The massivity of Wave (Wave is chaotic), security (everbody can do everything), the high learning curve (Wave is difficult) etc. And although they were able to give a satisfactory answer, it appeared to me that they had to defend their product. And that’s no good.

Okay, they (and I) know it’s a premature baby, but why launch it so early? I know they need the world to complete the product, but on the other hand too much features aren’t there yet or just don’t work. And my fear is that a majority of the users will quit using it because of this. Maybe Google does also feel this and that’s why they’ve send out this team of Stephanie and Lars to do some Google Wave Propaganda around the world.

Propaganda may sound negative and I’m not a promotor of it, but I’m afraid Google has no choice. Like I said before they need the world to complete their product. Google Wave is just a product on the Wave technology. And this technology is far from ready. There isnt’t even a completed standard and they need developers to finish these standards and thus the Wave technology.

So, has Google launched Wave too early? Maybe, but they just need a large public to help them define all the standards. And what would have happened if they didn’t let it go public? Because this will be a complete new way of communication I think it’s good to let the world think along to improve this technique and product and work on the Wave specifications.

Google Wave is really a fantastic product, and I hope it will not be smashed down by the big (non-geek?) majority which don’t know how to use it or are disappointed about the lack of (working) features. Let’s just give it a chance, take a fresh look to a new way of communication and let’s help where possible to make this an outstanding technique!