What's the Buzz Telll Me What's a Happening?

UPDATED 2/22/10

Original Post:

If you are a Google GMail user, Google has released Buzz into your personal email inbox. If you don't think there is a problem with an email program potentially exposing private contacts to a number of unknown people, think again. This article from the New York Times probably best explains the issues for the average user. (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/13/technology/internet/13google.html?hpw)

I have personally assessed and used Buzz -- it's not ready for prime time and is an intrusive email disruption. While I'm considering whether to give up on Gmail, I have killed my "following" and "follower" lists and turned the thing off. Consider your own options carefully.

Updated 2/21/10:

Google has been been making steady code revisions over the last week to stem privacy leaks, fix inadequacies and respond to user input. Fine. This question remains -- What was the collective hive mind of Google thinking when it decided to wedge Buzz into an email program without users permission? Some would have us believe that it's all better now. Crisis averted. Look away. Nothing to see here. (http://www.businessinsider.com/how-google-went-into-code-red-and-saved-google-buzz-2010-2)

Has Google lost trust with this move? Of course, I have my guard up, and certainly, there has been an outcry from numerous tech sources. Does the average user care or even notice? When a company is so fundamentally lacking in user experience and quality control, a user, especially a corporate user, has to wonder whether it's a good bet to place software business with that company. Here's one key take-away for Google and especially, Eric Schmidt. The "beta" culture of Google's swarm of tee shirt clad software "engineers" needs to be tempered with professionalism, management expertise, procedural consistency and probably fewer free massages. If the Google Buzz launch does not lead to a more mature, quality driven company then it will be a huge lost opportunity. Let's hope that the company can grow up just as quickly as it grows..