The Phantoms of Google+

theodp writes "Engadget reports that Google wants a patent on its System and Method for Generating a Ghost Profile for a Social Network. The brainchild of five Googlers, the invention is designed to convert anti-social-networking types to the joys of Google+ and its ilk. From the patent: 'A problem arises when users of social networks are friends with people that are opposed to social networks. The second group misses out on an important social component. For example, many users only share their photos on a social networking site. As a result, users that do not want to join the social network are forced to either join with reservations or miss out on the social component, such as viewing pictures.' By generating an unsearchable 'ghost profile' when a member of the social network invites a Google+ adverse friend to join, Google explains, non-believers get to participate in social networking activities without providing user information."

When will the Damn Real Name Meme Die?

[fast turtle]

I've been on G+ since it was incepted when the damn Meme about a real name started. Guess what. Google has never required a Real Name for it as long as you have a valid Log-In for their services. Those who only used GDocs/Gmail were fine. Even iGoogle (start page), Picasa or Google Groups worked if you had a log-in. The only service that has ever required a Real Name was Orkut due Brazil and the South American Problems. For EU/US/Asia, Orkut has been a non-starter as it's never been pushed for us to use it due to Picasa.

Re:When will the Damn Real Name Meme Die?

[Daetrin]

I've also been on G+ since it got started, and although i have managed to slip under the radar, several friends and people i know got nailed by the real name policy. Their algorithm for detecting "fake" names is crap, but the shit you have to deal with if you get targeted is real.

Re:It's only a problem because Google makes it one

[icebraining]

Duh, because people don't want to share with the public?

This is a way to limit access to those photos while at the same time giving access to people with a G+ account: they send you a private URL with which you can authenticate yourself without registering.

RTFA -- A for "Abstract" in this case.

[russotto]

As is par for slashdot, the summary contradicts the article -- "the invention is designed to convert anti-social-networking types to the joys of Google+" says the summary, whereas the patent abstract says "The ghost profile allows a user to use certain features in a social network without converting to a social network profile. "

In other words, the patent is for just the opposite of what the summary says it is for.

(Disclaimer: I work for Google. It's a big company; I had nothing to do with this patent.)

Re:nope

[grumbel]

A group email does the same thing.

Except there is no such thing as group email. All you can do is put multiple people in the To or CC header and that works like shit when you have people joining the conversation later as now everybody in your group is communicating to a slightly different group and some people might never receive the mail they should.