There was no API. They had no choice but to rely entirely on Google’s vision and internal developers.

This is usually among the top criticisms of G+. I think it has a fair point. But a quick search says the first API announcement was on Step 15, 2011, about three months after G+'s initial launch. But the main problem could have been that the G+ API is not very powerful (disclaimer: I have never used the API), based on this: http://techcrunch.com/2012/06/28/dont-expect-a-full-readwrit...

But what Google actually built was a fancier Reddit

The word fancier is overrated. I rarely go to Reddit, but HN's appearance is similar to Reddit's. Simple layout fills with a table of rows of topics. G+ is like Facebook's newsfeed in a photo gallery style which is actually ugly and unfriendly (the ordering is such an awkward thing to adopt to). Humans, well, at least I, don't like G+'s feed layout.

Google hastily re-routed all its services through the Google+.

This is true. Most people have heard enough Youtube comedian and tumblr bloggers complaining about the whole G+ integration. I hate the fact that I would post Youtube comments to my public G+ when the two were first annexed.

That’s why I think the company should open source the code and seed it with cash and several developers. Give it the freedom that loyal power users deserve. It could become the next Mozilla (Firefox). And Google can still benefit from the data it generates.

I am not sure if he is serious about open sourcing G+ or G+ API or what? There is no way you can ever open source G+ because G+ is not a single software that you can git/hg clone down to your desktop and then start compiling like you can do with Firefox. G+ is not built with celery, ruby on rails. The stack is so complex. Unless he's promoting Richard Stallman (RMS)'s idea that we should just have an open platform where ever can log into Google's server and start hacking (anaology to his mention of someone logging into his computer and start checking out his mail directory). That would be nice if I can use the API to build "Extensions" and anyone who sees my page can actually make use of it.

Flexible layout is actually problematic for some people. Remember the days of Xanga, MySpace and today's Tumblr? You can layout your entire page yourself, but because everyone has some insanely different like/taste of layout, some profiles have the most accessible layout (missing back-forth arrows, or font too small, etc). Facebook allowed some minimal customization in the past (changing the order of how your sidebar will look like to you and visitors).

My rants:

1. Simple, please

Google needs to make G+ simple. I don't want a fancier look. I want a dead simple newsfeed. Facebook's newsfeed is not very bad to be honest. It may have some spams and sponsored ads, but afterall, the feed is linear and easy to scroll and stop reading.

I always tell people that I hate using G+ because G+ settings are so complicated. Stop making things so complicated.

2. Don't let strangers follow me!

Why would you even allow strangers to "add me to their circle" and start watching me when I don't watch them to follow me? Most of these strangers are not even real people.

3. G+ notification is annoying and yet not working all the time

The notification is so buggy. I would miss invites and I won't see the missing notifications. In fact, the integration with Gmail is so lame that if someone left me a message or I missed a hangout I will not receive any notification at all from Gmail's interface. I would have to click on the "Chats" mail folder on Gmail to find out missed conversation.