I just tried to sign up for Google’s new FriendConnect service. I filled in all the details and clicked “Submit” and then up came this page:
It appears Google is using one beta service (Google Spreadsheets - specifically, the feature which allows you to use forms to create spreadsheets for databases) to register for another (FriendConnect). As a result, “something bad happened.” This probably isn’t best practice for a hotly-anticipated new service from Google, much as I understand the urge to eat one’s own dogfood, as it were. Wouldn’t a standard web form with a more robust backend have done the trick?
At any rate, I’m looking forward to trying out the service if and when I can get it working. Looks like an interesting approach to “socializing” non-social networks, but a lot will come down to how it works in practice. I’m also looking forward to trying the other similar initiatives that were somewhat suspiciously all launched within a few days of each other (MySpace Data Availability and Facebook Connect).
May 15th, 2008 at 17:48
This message sounds familiar
I should try again actually.