LostInTechnology

OK, it’s no secret that Google Buzz didn’t take off, like Twitter or Facebook. But that doesn’t mean Buzz can’t help you with some other ways. I am still using Buzz, but in different ways than intended. Below, find what I am using Google Buzz for.

Archive Google Chat Statuses

This one is my favorite. I use Google Chat Statuses to highlight the best interesting tidbit of the week. This is somewhat like Twitter, but a simpler idea that I have used for a while, sometimes leaving an awesome link there for a week or two. But my one big gripe about the chat status was that they weren’t stored in my Gmail.  Now, with Google Buzz, you can store your statuses for later viewing. Simply go into Buzz, click on add next to “Google chat status” and then make sure that it is set to private unless you want all to be able to view your statuses.

Backup Twitter Feed

There are several great free Twitter backup services, including TweetBackup and Backupify. But, if you need yet another service to backup your tweets, Buzz is your application. Go to Buzz, click add next to “Twitter”, enter your Twitter username and you’re golden. While this method of backup may not be as great as other services which offer better export options, it is certainly an easy way of backing up your tweets.

Aggregate Your Life

More and more of us tend to acquire online accounts and realize one day that are lives are completely fragmented accross multiple platforms and services. With Google Buzz, you can add all your online services, and let your friends just subscribe to your Google Buzz feed. For me, I especially like using Buzz to integrate Flickr. In this way, others can see in my Buzz when I upload photos to Flickr.

Interact With The Big Guys

While Buzz may seem like a graveyard of unused accounts, a spare few are still using Buzz. The two I am thinking of now are Mashable and Leo Laporte. If you are building an online reputation, use Buzz to comment on Buzzes, and interact with others using the service.

Other Buzz Tips

There are several tips for Buzz that are not known very well. The first is the markup of text, in which you want to make part of your Buzz bold or italicized. To make a phrase bold, surround the phrase with astericks. Example: It must be done *this* instant. = It must be done this instant. To make a phrase italicized, surround it with underscores, like so: _italic message_ = italic message

If you want to link to a specific buzz, click on the date at the top of the buzz to be taken to the direct URL.

In order not to be stressed out by another unread label in Buzz, I dragged the link into the # more drop down.

What are you using Buzz for? Let us know in the comments!

The writer of this post compiles the latest tech news as Squealing Rat and tips for deception, trickery and survival at Lone Iguana. Find him on Twitter.

Photo: Unhindered by Talent