Do you want Google Wave? Unfortunately, so does everyone else.
And as the technology giant did when it released Gmail five years ago, users need an invitation to gain access to the service.
So what is a person who is craving access to the re-imagined Web-based e-mail interface to do?
Well, you have a few options.
The first option is to request an invitation through Google. However, there is no way of knowing when you might actually receive the ‘it’ ticket of the moment.
The second option requires about $50 and lots of patience and trust. There are several dozen folks on eBay claiming to have invites to sell. The going ‘buy it now’ rate is about $50. However, most of the sellers who are offering this option are saying that while they will immediately invite the buyer, Google has indicated there would be an undisclosed delay in processing and sending the invitations. Also, there appears to be a constant struggle between sellers and eBay, as all of the invitations (including multiple day auctions,) have been appearing and disappearing throughout the day.
The third option involves almost as much trust as patience. There are numerous tweeters (like @goowaveinvites and @googleinviter) who promise to dole out invitations if folks retweet their ridiculous plea for an invite multiple times. However, there is no independent indication of any success through this sort of method.
The final, and perhaps most promising option, is utilizing a Web site called Google Wave Invites. This site is incredible simple to use and is free! It also allows folks with invitations to donate them to those seeking them.
While I am still not among the lucky few, I am trying to gain access to Wave.
For the record, I have tried to solicit an invitation through Google itself as well as Google Wave Invites. I will let you know if I have any success, as I hope you will, too.
Good luck!
