Yes, I was required to set up a Google+ account some time ago to re-log-in to YouTube or Picasa Web Albums - I don't remember which. The description of what was

Yes, I was required to set up a Google+ account some time ago to re-log-in to YouTube or Picasa Web Albums - I don't remember which. The description of what was going on didn't make it clear to me that following the prescribed steps would create a Google+ account, but that was the effect. However, there was a saving grace, as far as I'm concerned. I was allowed to remove my real name from my Google account and use my ancient on-line alias instead. That's all I ever wanted.