I "googled" the topic a bit and came up with this:

specifically regarding privacy (in the pasted text below there is more on privacy settings too!):

 

http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/238567/google_day_15_a_closer_look_at_google_privacy.html#tk.mod_rel

2 slideshows - top 10 and top 15 features (from 2 different sources) - basically cool stuff to know. (personally i like that i can drag stuff (ie photos) from my desktop!)

 

 

http://www.pcworld.com/article/235526/10_google_tips_for_beginners.html#tk.hp_new

 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/12/google-plus-guide-tips-for-newbies_n_896350.html#s307613&title=Start_By_Finding

here is a huge guide, written by google+ users, which is well organised and contains a TON of info - you can browse or search a particular topic:

 

http://www.pcworld.com/article/235352/a_mustsee_howto_guide_to_google_created_by_users.html

 

And here are some more bits and pieces I found (in no particular order), the first section relating, again, to privacy:

To begin, click on the gear icon in the top-right corner of your Google+ home page.

1. Restrict the visibility of your Google+ circles to increase your privacy

Unless you want everyone in the world to be able to see who your friends are, you'll probably want to limit access to this information.

To restrict who can see your friends and circles:

Click the "Profile and Privacy" link from the "Google+ Accounts" page:

Click the "Edit Network Visibility" button from the "Sharing" section of the page..

Uncheck the box for "Show People In" if you don't want anyone, including those in your circles, to be able to see who your friends are. Your other option is to leave the box checked, and choose whether you want your friends to be able to see who is in your circles, or you can allow the whole world to see this information. The current default is to allow everyone in the world to see who are in your circles.

If you want to be extra private you can prevent the fact that you have been added to other people's circles by unchecking the box that says "Show people who have added you to circles" at the bottom of the "Edit Network Visibility" pop-up box.

2. Remove global access to the parts of your personal profile that you don't want to share with the world

Identity thieves love personal details such as where you went to school, where you have worked, etc. These details are a gold mine for them. If you make these tidbits of information available for the whole world to see, you are just asking for them to use them to steal your identity. It's best to restrict access to most of these details, allowing only your friends the ability to see this information.

Anytime you see a globe icon next to something in Google+ it means that you are sharing that item with the world and not just with those within your circles.

To restrict certain parts of your profile to only be visible to people within your circles:

Click the "Profile and Privacy" link from the "Google+ Accounts" page.

Click the "Edit visibility on profile" link under the "Google Profiles" section of the page.

On the page that opens, click each item in your profile to modify its visibility settings. Click the drop-down box and change the items that you don't want revealed to the world.

Click the "Done Editing" button in the red bar near the top of the screen when you are finished modifying your profile visibility.

If you don't want your information made available to search engines, you should uncheck the "Help others find my profile in search results" box from the "Search visibility" section at the bottom of the page.

3. Restrict visibility of individual posts in your Google+ stream

Google+ allows you to restrict visibility of individual posts (i.e. status updates, photos, videos, links, etc...). When you're posting something in your Google+ stream on your homepage, look at the box underneath the text box you are typing your post into. You should see a blue box with the name of your default circle (i.e. Friends). This indicates the people that your post is about to be shared with. You can remove visibility for the post by clicking the "X" icon inside the blue box. You can also add or remove an individual's or circle's ability to see the post.

As Google+ evolves, it will undoubtedly feature additional privacy and security options. You should check the "Profile and Privacy" section of your Google+ account every month or so to make sure that you haven't been opted-in to something you would have rather been opted-out of.

WHY USE GOOGLE+

 

You Don't Trust Facebook

Facebook has angered a lot of users over

privacy issues, malicious apps, and intrusive advertising. I spoke to one friend who told me he was cancelling his Facebook account and switching to Google+ for those reasons. He felt that Google was more straightforward with their advertising and more trustworthy with his personal info. Google has had its own critics over privacy issues, but Google+ has been largely praised for getting privacy right. Andy O'Donnell has a few addition tips

for Google+ privacy settings.

You Use Other Google Services

Google+ is meant to dovetail with the rest of your Google experience, and that integration is only going to continue. If you're already using services like Gmail, Picasa, and Blogger, it makes sense to use a service that combines them all into one easy tag and share tool. Google+ members see a Google+ bar above many other Google services, allowing them to easily share the content they create.

You're Frustrated With Facebook and Twitter's Sharing Options

Google+ allows a combination of public and private posting options that make it easy to share with small or large groups. You're not stuck with either all public or all private posts. Google+ allows users to drag friends and contacts into Circles that define their relationship to you and allow for posts to smaller groups.

You Have Friends There

This is probably the most important aspect in a social network, and it's a bit of a catch-22. People don't tend to use social networks unless their friends are using them, and their friends aren't going to start unless you do. So, are your friends kicking the tires and making lots of posts? If not, you may just end up abandoning your page like countless others do with their Facebook pages and blogs. If you've got a strong community of friends already using the service, it's a great time to switch.

You Like Group Chat

I'll admit that video chat really isn't my thing, but if it's yours, and you've always been frustrated that you can only video chat one on one with most services, good news. You can chat with up to 10 people at a time using Hangouts. You can also group SMS chat using Huddles. I've heard a few grumbles that this is a feature in need of an audience, but I know plenty of people who text with their friends and have multiple SMS messages flying to different people all at once. Wouldn't it be easier to just have a group chat?

 

HOW TO GUIDE

Google Plus uses a "Stream" instead of a Facebook "Wall".

The idea is essentially the same, but Google Plus Streaming is much more selective in its broadcasting. Specifically: Google+ Streaming lets you choose whom you follow, who is allowed to see your posts, and most of all: Google+ Streaming allows you to edit your Stream posts AFTER the fact.

Instead of a click-type-share technique like Facebook, Google Plus Streaming requires a few extra steps.

How to Post to Your Google Stream (Wall):

Type in your text.

Copy-paste any hyperlinks you want to promote.

Optional: add a + sign to hyperlink directly to another Google+ user (e.g. +Paul Gil)

Optional: add in *bold* or _italic_ formatting.

Choose which specific individuals or circles can see your post.

Click "Share" button to post.

Optional: choose to prevent resharing of your post by using the dropdown menu at the top right of your new post.

 

Google Plus private messaging is different from Facebook's method.

Unlike the conventional inbox/sentbox email format of Facebook, Google Plus has a different approach to private messaging.

Google Plus messaging is based on your 'Stream', which is both a public broadcast tool AND your private inbox/sentbox. By toggling your privacy settings and target reader(s), you control whether your Stream post is a shout or a whisper.

In Google Plus, you send a private message by making a Stream post, but adding the extra step of specifying the target person's name. There is no separate screen or separate container for private messaging... your confidential conversations are displayed on your Stream screen, but only you and the target person see the message.

How to Send a Private Message in Google Plus

Type a new Stream message in your Stream screen.

**Type or click the target person's name into the sharer list.

**Delete any circles or individuals whom you don't want included.

Choose 'Disable Share' from the drop down menu at the right of the message.

Result: the target person receives your message on their Stream screen, but no one else can see your message. Additionally, the target person cannot forward ('reshare') your message.

Yes, this Google Plus private messaging is strange and counter-intuitive. But try it for a couple of days. Once you get used to the extra step of specifying the target person's share name in your postings, you're going to like the power of having private group conversations.

Google owns Picasa photo sharing service, so it makes sense that Google Plus links directly to your Picasa account.

As long as you have a valid Gmail.com address, you automatically get a free Picasa photo account. From there, you can easily post and share photos through Google Plus by using your Picasa.

How to Display a New Photo from Your Smartphone or Your Hard Drive

Switch to your Google Plus Stream.

Click the 'Add Photos' icon (which looks like a tiny camera)

Choose 'Add Photos' to grab a single photo from your computer hard drive.

Choose 'Create an Album' to grab multiple photos from your computer hard drive.

Choose 'From Your Phone' to grab photos from your Android smartphone.

(sorry, this upload feature only works from desktop computers and Android phones. If you have an iPhone, BlackBerry, or other cell phone, you will need to wait a few months for the upload feature)