Marc Cooper: Google Wave is hottest invite in town

We are approaching the festive season and the usual series of drunken parties in the build-up to the 25th.

The geeks of this world are desperately hoping to receive an invitation to the swankiest party in town, but it's got nothing to do with silver bells, mulled wine or snogging the boss's secretary.

Nope, what they want is to be invited to Google Wave.

As I write, nerds are busily drafting their emails to Father Christmas begging for their invite to this exclusive, albeit rather small and probably not very merry, party.

Launched last month, although only those deemed worthy enough by Google have been invited to play with it so far, the Wave has been hailed as the future of the web as we know it, the death of email, the new Facebook.

Only the geekiest of geeks have arrived as guests for now.

It's still early evening, they're making small talk, tapping their sandals to muzak - the coolest people haven't arrived yet.

But they will. We all will, eventually.

As it stands right now, you're not missing much. Google Wave amounts to users being able to communicate with each other online in real time, collaborate on an online document, and actually see each other's words appear as they are typed.

Instead of sending emails back and forth, a conversation or collaboration takes place within Google.

Say, for example, Geek A writes a thesis about whether Father Christmas exists. He posts it in a Google Wave which he shares with his friends in his email contacts.

Geek B, who shares a 'wave' with Geek A, could comment, perhaps add a picture of Santa.

Along comes Geek C. He adds a video of flying reindeers he saw on YouTube.

You could say it's like three drunk geeks in the pub debating whether Santa exists.

But give it time, and it will get better.

At the moment Geeks A, B and C are creating an online document. Or they could be three executives working on a three-way project.

Or, they could be online readers on this website, collaborating on a news story. As the document is updated by readers, it also changes here.

Anyway, whatever happens it's likely that if Google Wave does take off, it will only be brilliant for the first few years.

And then we'll move on to something new.

If you're not at this party yet, I wouldn't worry.

But if you do happen to wander in, I'll be next to the punchbowl, waving at you. Just as soon as I get my invite, that is. Apparently it's on its way. That's one Christmas present I can't blame striking posties for if it fails to arrive. Cheers!