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We’ve all heard the hype – Google Wave is the latest collaboration tool offering available and every one seems to be scrambling to get an invite.  Is it worth the wait and all the commotion?  This depends upon what your current collaboration needs are and if you’re willing to work with a tool that is still in its beta stages.

When you initially log into Google Wave you are presented with a nicely paneled page that shows a navigation box, a contacts box, your wave inbox and a box dedicated to create a new wave or working with an existing wave.

From here you can either work with waves that others in your contact list have included you in on, work with waves you have previously created or create an entirely new wave that is either private or shared with others.  To use an existing wave, simply click on the wave in question within your inbox and it is opened in the right-hand panel initially in view mode only.

A drop-down menu is available next to the date and time marker to the very top right of your wave.  Within this drop-down menu you can opt to edit the existing wave, reply to it, send a private reply or copy it to a brand new wave.  Any changes made to a wave that is shared by others are immediately seen by participants.

Google waves are not limited to just text and file inclusions as many collaboration tools seem to be restricted to.  There are a number of “gadgets” you can incorporate into your waves.  Nearly any iGoogle or OpenSocial gadget can be placed within a wave.  There are literally thousands of applications through these two sources that can dramatically enhance each and every wave you create.  Games, maps, quizzes, and video teleconferencing are just a few items you can add into your waves.

Robots are also a nifty added features.  In the most basic of terms, robots simulate having another person within the Google wave conversation.  They are designed to interact with other users, communicate with other waves and even are capable of gathering information from outside sources.

The usability of this new collaboration tool heavily depends on what your needs are.  This tool, as it is now, is perfect for intraoffice real-time conferencing needs.  With on-the-fly text editing, file inclusion and teleconferencing gadgets it works best in this capacity.  However, this writer has found that it works as a brainstorming tool as well.  Being able to drag and drop files, create links and make notes quickly has proven to be an invaluable service for a writer.  You may find yet another niche that Google Wave fits perfectly.

When the hype has died down and Google Wave has moved out of its beta stage, this is a tool definitely worth checking out!