Google has dived into the social networking arena with their offering of Google+.

Please note that I used the word ‘dived,’ which is the past tense of ‘to dive.’ The word ‘dove’ refers to a white bird.

I don’t really know what to think of Google+. It’s basically just Facebook done different — at least that’s my first-blush impression.

For me, Google+ is like trying out a new word processor: It’s just a word processor. I mean, what else does it do besides help you write stuff?

All word processors, like social networking sites, have similar features. They just present the features in different ways.

Facebook built upon the social networking metaphors and paradigms established by MySpace and Friendster. The only thing it offered was the exclusivity of the invite system.

Well, and the ‘Like’ button. The Facebook ‘Like’ button is genius.

What Google+ tries to do is re-invent the social networking interface. It does that by using something called circles, which is similar to the Friend Group concept in Facebook but more visually interesting.

Beyond the circles, I really see nothing spectacular or OMG about Google+. Seriously. It’s kind of boring.

Then again, I’m not a big Facebook nut. And what can you say about Google’s attempts to wrest away a group of people who get off on playing Farmville?

I’ll probably write more about Google+ in the future, as I figure it out. For now, it’s an invite-only system. So if you don’t have any friends who’ve sent you a Google+ invite, drop me an email and I’ll fire one over to you. Then let me know what you think.