Getting Started with Google Wave

Chapter 3. Riding Waves

Alright! Now that we’ve spent some time discussing Google Wave at a conceptual level, it’s time to shift our attention and start putting some of that newfound knowledge to use. Before we get started, I want to point out that this chapter deals explicitly with use of the Google Wave Client, which is the “layer” of Google Wave that most people are likely to utilize (remember that there are two other layers: the platform and the protocol).

As we progress through this chapter you will learn about the Google Wave Client user interface, working with other users, navigating your inbox, and creating waves, complete with other participants, gadgets, and robots.

Tip

As I mentioned in Chapter 1, it’s likely that the look and feel of the Google Wave Client may change over time. As a result, some of the screenshots included in the book may be show a slightly different interface than what is currently available on the client.

1-2-3 Let’s Get Ready to Surf

The Google Wave Client

Using the Google Wave Client is very similar to using other web-based applications. Once you sign in on the Google Wave web site (http://wave.google.com) with a Google account, you have access to a rich application that runs completely in the browser.^[21] There are a few things that I think should be noted about the Google Wave Client that make it a shining example of what we can expect from web applications that use the latest standards and features available on new browsers. It should come as no surprise ...