Google Hangout.
Having a Google hangout is a bit like going on a blind date. You show up early, wonder if you look okay, worry that your date won't show or – worse – that he shows up and you have nothing to say to each other.
Luckily, the Globe community team had a good time at our first hangout this week. Sure, there were a couple of people without working microphones, but they made do with waves and hand-written notes. Nobody seemed to mind. I think we were all so pleased to be trying something new and to actually see it work that we put our awkwardness aside.
What's a Google Hangout, you ask? It's a chance for Google+ users with a webcam to join a group of up to 10 people chatting face to face.
Being in the hangout was sort of like being in a chat room, where people pop in and out, some just lurking, some stopping to talk. It was a good chance to speak with readers and ask them what they thought of our new Google+ site.
It was also a chance to learn from our mistakes so we can improve the experience next time. For example, when we tweeted the hangout, we linked to a story about it on our site, and assumed people would find their way over to our Google+ page. Apparently, it was not that easy to find. Lesson learned.
If you haven't seen our Google+ page yet, you can check it out here.
If you didn't make it into this week's hangout, don't worry. This is something the Globe is planning to do on a regular basis, incorporating your ideas for future hangouts.
We hope to see you next time!
Dianne Nice is the Report on Business communities editor and is on Google+