Google Sites launches. Well, kind of.

Google Sites is the new incarnation of Jotspot, which they bought some time ago. This was a wiki-like resource, and Google sites is designed to build on that. The overview looks very interesting - you can create pages with single clicks, no HTML required, upload files, use their templates and so on. All the usual stuff in fact. Looks good so far - where do I start?

Well, I click on the 'compare editions and sign up' and choose the free, premier or education editions. Slight concern here - Google Apps can 'meet the needs or different organizations'. But I'm not an organization, just a person. Still, lets press on shall we? Go for the freebie. Next screen is all about signing up for Google Apps. Can't I just, you know - create a site in seconds, the way that I can with PBWiki or Wetpaint? I'm now being asked about domain names. Hmm, time to call on the help function. This one is a cracker... 'Signing up for Google Apps (already own a domain name)' OK so far, and then we get...
If you already own a domain name that you want to use with our services, we can skip all the domain name registration steps. We can fast-forward to setup, but make sure that you have access to the DNS settings for your domain. If your domain host doesn't allow you to customize your MX and CNAME records, you won't be able to activate all the services available with Google Apps.

What?? Thanks, that's going to be really helpful isn't it. I can really see that going down a bomb with people who want to use 'the easiest way to make information accessible to people who need quick, up-to-date access'. Going to Pageflakes and creating a Pagecast is making information easily available. Creating a Wetpaint/Squidoo/Zimbio/Wiki page/site is an easy way of doing this. So, basically this is just for an intranet, and not for a regular person then? Could they not have said that at the outset, or is it just me being dense here?

If they seriously think "Anyone can do it. Building a site is as simple as editing a document, and you don't need anyone's help to get started" they really do need to re-read their help screens.

[Edited to add: If you're still keen to try it, David Rothman has created a test area on his website that he is prepared to let people have access to - check out his post on Google sites (which he is more in favour of than I am)]

Comments

[AJ Cann]

I'm seriously underwhelmed by Google Sites, and had exactly the same experience as you, trying (and failing) to sign up, then deciding not to bother.
Focus Google, focus!

[Allison]

Hi Phil!

I couldn't agree with you more! I tried all the same things and found it to be obnoxious and slightly misleading. You are not alone!

[Jo Alcock]

Well at least I know I'm not alone in struggling with Google Sites then! I too tried to have a play yesterday but fell at the first hurdle, I spent about 20 minutes trying to register before deciding to give up. Such a promising sounding resource too, sort it out Google!

[Dave Briggs]

I don't think Google has ever pretended that the relaunched JotSpot would be anything other than a part of the Google Apps for your domain service. As I run my email etc through Google Apps anyway, I had instant access to Sites, and it really is a great example of how wikis can be applied to the intranet.

Signing up for Apps is a doddle, even messing around with MX records isn't that hard because Google give you walkthroughs that work really well.

Give it a go!

[David Rothman]

Hi Phil!

"...which he is more in favour of than I am"

I wouldn't say that. One can't be "in favor" of Google Sites the way that one might be in favor of a candidacy or a governmental policy.

I will say that it is a very nice, very intuitive wiki with no advertising and a handful of features that neither PBWiki nor WetPaint have- but one can't tell that until one tries it, right?

And trying Google Sites is, as you have noted, a pain in the tuchas without a Google Apps account.

For the record, I set up my Google Apps account as soon as the beta was available and found it not especially difficult to do. Adding Sites to that account wasn't challenging either.

I'm betting that 'Sites will eventually be as easily accessible as 'Docs, 'Spreadsheets, and 'Presentations.

Tangent: I love my Google Apps account. Managing my domain's email through a Gmail interface is just wonderful.

Best,

-David