Under the covers, a Wave is a shared document; currently in XML format. Part of that format is including active parts (called Gadgets). This current “document container” (i.e. the Wave UI) is just the first application that’s being provided to edit these documents. It’s very simple.

Also, Google has opened up their Wave Federation component which really represents a play to allow bridging between Wave and other formats (e.g. email).

Much much more to come.

I think it will come in very useful when building websites and interacting with both clients and partners.

It’s still very new and thus people are reluctant to see the benefits…but once this is released to the public, they will get more feedback, make it even better and i think it will definitely change the way some communication is done…

Has anyone been able to go anything really cool with Wave?! I am totally interested to hear how anyone is using this thing.

It’s clear going to completely change the way with think about email and document collaboration.

Unfortunately I think a lot the people who are in my contacts list who are regular are in contact via email with will take an age to move on to Wave even if they see the benefits. I have the same problem with GMail and Google Chat. No one in the UK really use it apart from hardcore Google fans like me

Having sad that I’d probably just Wave with myself for a while!

I agree with everything you have said and the potential this technology holds to developers and businesses. I think with any technology it definitely needs the time to mature, and the developers to make the waves much more functional. Without the developers in this world, Google Wave will not be able to reach it’s capabilities as an emerging technology.

Thanks for the comments!

You’re absolutely right – I do think some of the younger set will grasp Wave’s concepts right away and understand what it really can do for them. However, with such a small amount of individuals as its user base (at least for now) it is going to be hard to find those people that you already know that you can collaborate with amongst them. That being said, like Twitter it has the ability to connect people with common interests so it could open up a ton of opportunities!

And it sure would be nice to have a notifier of some sort….Google probably has something up its sleeve in that regard. My bet is that it’s going to be wrapped up in a nice “Chrome” wrapper at first…

Until it’s adopted into the mainstream, they need to have some type of notification system to send me an email when I have a response on a wave

I know that’s kind of going backwards, but not enough of my co-workers or clients are using it.

I’ll still rely on good ole’ fashioned email for a while.

Troy

Nice post!
One thing I have to mention, is that Google wave is like a Chat Room, Instant Messaging, Email, and a Wiki all rolled up into one.

I think some of the younger generations or at least the Gen-X and younger will understand it pretty easy.

I think it will be one of those things that takes a day to learn, but a lifetime to master

mr.troypeterson@googlewave.com