Web Tools

Google Services and Web Tools

By Carol ⋅ April 20, 2007 ⋅ Print This Post Print This Post ⋅ Post a comment

I have been using many of the Google suite of web tools for the past several months, and have been delighted, for the most part, with their functionality (they are always adding new stuff too), reliability, and performance. My husband and I run a small family business, and we needed a set of tools to help us with the logistical and administrative aspects of our day to day activities – email, shared calendar, live chat w/mobile device integration, shared files (docs, spreadsheets, images), – that sort of thing. Our experience with the Google tools has been much more positive than the one that we had with MSN. I have just begun to scratch the surface of all the services offered, and their associated functionality, but I am really impressed thus far. The tools are powerful, yet intuitive. The only interface needed is a browser. Sharing seems to be reliable and secure. New functions are added almost every day.

The news I heard this week is that Google will be adding Presentation functionality to go along with the document and spreadsheet functions. According to the blog post on this topic (on the Official Google Blog), the presentation function will debut sometime this summer, along with perhaps some sort of image sharing capability. This is great news.

Ciao,
Carol

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Discussion

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  1. Are you using the tools individually or as part of one of the organisation service packages (not sure of the name) they have for groups, small businesses, etc? I’ve been enjoying the individual tools though I wish development of their ability to interlink was farther along as well as more robust settings interfaces (or some way to import settings like gmail can import contacts and reader can import opml files). I’m pretty sure things move a little smoother & faster on newer/beefier machines than mine, so there’s something to look forward to. :)

    Posted by chaizzilla | April 24, 2007, 7:47 pm

  2. I am using the individual services (I didn’t realize there were other options), but the main Google page provides links to all of them. I think I understand what you are getting at as far as tighter interoperability between the tools, and I anticipate that these features and the richer settings options that you mention are on the horizon.

    I use the Analytics tool for metrics on my website, and it is a great tool. I love the calendar, and as more people and organizations use it, and make their entries public, it provides a great tool for letting folks know when special events are scheduled. I figured out this week that I can search the Google calendar for Second Life events.

    I have also had positive experiences with the document and spreadsheet imports and edits. All of my docs and sheets imported without a problem, and it is really easy for me to securely share these files and collaboratively work on them with others.

    Performance has not been a problem for me on either my older ThinkPad, or on my new HP desktop, except when my network connection is mis-behaving.

    Thanks for visiting my blog & taking the time to leave a comment.

    Carol

    Posted by carol | April 25, 2007, 5:54 am

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