Nine Flaws in Google Wave

Google Wave is the latest buzz to hit the internet shores. Recently, the Web search giant sent out 100,000 select invites for a limited preview for the app that it claims to be the future of all internet conversations. What Wave does is to integrate e-mail, instant messaging (IM), collaboration, Google maps as well as search. Wave's most striking feature is said to be its speed. It lets users transfer data, pictures and files realtime and also facilitates collaborative editing.

Though it is still too early to pass a judgment on Google Wave, most users feel that there are still many issues with the application. From missing features to complexities in usage, the list seems long. eWeek's Clint Boulton has listed a few gripes that users have from Google Wave. Here's bringing to you the nine things most users didn't like in Google Wave.

Where is the killer app?

Don't believe the hype, writes Boulton. According to him, Wave is not the new killer Internet application. The app is not a replacement for Twitter, FriendFeed or Facebook.

Google Wave may be instant messaging and distributed editing in real time-collaboration on steroids, but it is surely not the new Twitter.

Chaos prevails
Google Wave is total chaos! Boulton writes using Wave seems to be like preaching to the choir, with multiple writings at the same time and several cursors zipping across the screen. According to him, "Instead of the one-to-one communications mode of IM, Wave is many-to-many."

Too confusing
Mastering Google Wave is not easy. "Because Wave is so confusing, it will take some time for people to learn how to use it. This isn't like Twitter, where you can pick up and just run with it," writes Boulton. Users will have to show patience as reading, grokking and working in Waves is sure to take time.

Mastering Google Wave is not easy. "Because Wave is so confusing, it will take some time for people to learn how to use it. This isn't like Twitter, where you can pick up and just run with it," writes Boulton. Users will have to show patience as reading, grokking and working in Waves is sure to take time.

Lacks `social' features
Boulton finds Google Wave `socially inept'. Unlike social networking sites like Facebook, LinkedIn and others, users can't see profile biographies or real names, or even manage Wave users and group them. "It's one, big free-for-all. This wouldn't work for a project management effort," writes Boulton.

No draft mode!
Users decry lack of draft mode in Google Wave. It' like a jungle out there, where everyone is typing at the same time. Users need a draft mode in Google Wave so that they can type without people seeing them. "This will eliminate the distracting cursor pulses," says Boulton.

No permissions
It seems it is free for all as no permissions are required! Yes, in Google Wave anyone can become your Wave contact. For, there is absolutely no permission required. Anyone who has your user ID, can add you to Wave. And, as Boulton writes, "That needs to change. There need to be permissions."

Regulator missing
Still wondering about the lack of requisite permissions in Google Wave? Here's another miss to add to your concern. Once a Wave is released, there is no control over it, no one to manage it. May be, Wave can do better with some Wikipedia-type editorship, adds Boulton.

Document format is XML, not HTML

Some users have also taken the issue that the document format in Wave is based on XML, not HTML so everyone can display it. According to Boulton, "This will make it more challenging for developers to build other presentation layers on top of the Wave platform."