Possible name issues with G+

[elke_tanzer]

Name issues with G+ may be a deal-breaker for me, and for much of fandom. Gotta keep an eye on this.

References:
https://plus.google.com/103325808503679220346/posts/U2L7mooA2yF
http://www.technologyquestions.com/2011/06/01/gfail-sorry-but-i-cannot-use-1-because-i-dont-meet-community-standards/
http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/gmail/thread?tid=09855e7fbb13e027&hl=en
http://www.google.com/support/profiles/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=1228271
http://googlepublicpolicy.blogspot.com/2011/02/freedom-to-be-who-you-want-to-be.html

That final link there says that Google recognizes "Pseudonymous" use as one of the three uses that most of their products support. I really, really hope that holds true... otherwise I can't see fandom participating in G+, and in fact a bunch of techie types who go by online handles or nicknames that include non-Google-standard characters or no surname may also be turned away at the door.

(cross-posted to my Elke Tanzer G+ and also to elke_tanzer)

ETA: If you care about this issue and already have a G+, please send feedback. Google is listening, apparently, but there are other voices saying loudly "real names good!".

ETA more: http://geekfeminism.org/2011/07/08/anti-pseudonym-bingo/

And ETA even more: http://geekfeminism.org/2011/07/08/social-networking-requirements/

And an even more even more ETA: UPDATE: http://googleplus.dreamwidth.org/5176.html

Comments

[weaverbird]

Wow. Thanks for those links! I had previously seen only the last one, which had given me, apparently, a false impression. I notice in the other links that the fine print makes things far less cheerful about pseuds.

I was on the fence - and hopeful - about G+ but, based on this info, I'm now thinking that unless something changes I'm out. Alas.