On: Google admits Buzz social network testing flaws

[amichail]

What about using the word "subscribe" instead of "follow" in the user interface? Would that help somewhat in terms of privacy worries?

Nobody wants to be followed around, but people subscribing to your posts sounds great.

[enomar → amichail]

Please don't give Google any ideas. I'm still mad they're calling tags "labels".

Using well known terminology helps people understand the metaphor. I also think "follow" is for social interactions whereas "subscribe" fits better into a publishing metaphor.

[joshu → enomar]

Oh, YOU are mad?

Downvoter: there's a little more context here.

[RiderOfGiraffes → joshu]

I'm not the down-voter, but I've found your remark and your edit completely pointless and incomprehensible. Perhaps they mean something to you, perhaps they mean something to some others, but to me, and possibly to the majority of readers here, they're cryptic, content-free, and add nothing to the value of HN.

Your profile gives hints as to what the "context" might be, but perhaps if you gave complete, clear and coherent comments you would be more effective at putting your point, regardless of whether you care about karma.

[joshu → RiderOfGiraffes]

Explaining the joke would have been far less funny. Context is everything.

[enomar → joshu]

I didn't get it at first either. I think if you explain the context is in your profile, more people might understand.