Article by Noel Hines

If you have not already heard of it then here goes. Google Docs is a free way to store your documents online. The easiest way I can explain this is with an example using a Newsletter. A Newsletter is often created and modified by a group of people. The information for a newsletter also comes from a number of places local, nation or even international. Just think of it the number of phone calls and emails back and forth and the attempt to keep all the different pieces of data together, accurate and up to date. You would normally have to have someone organise all of the information into one document and then make changes every time a new bit of information comes to light, not a good position to be in.

So this is where Google Docs steps in, you can upload existing files so you do not need to start a project from scratch. The file formats that are accepted are generally found within an office setup they include DOC, XLS, ODT, ODS, RTF, CSV, PPT, etc. You may create basic documents from scratch of by using a template. You will get all the standard editing features you are familiar with such as altering fonts, adding images, adding tables, comments and bullet lists. You will be up and running in no time. A similar theme from what you are used to offers you toolbar buttons so you can easily modify the common elements you would expect when you work offline.

The beauty of Google Docs is that you get all the above for free and it comes with security and sharing. Your work is online and only in one place it can only be accessed by people who have your permission. Once permission is given then it maybe worked on this can be 2 or more people anywhere in the world.

Try it with a short document and see how good it is and remember it is real-time, online and free.

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Article by Mike Tweet

Most high school and college students have access to a computer that probably already has an office suite of some sort on it. With free office suites like Open Office, it’s hard not to have access to something to make documents and spreadsheets today. One application, an online one, called Google Docs might be something that students should consider.

Google Docs isn’t quite as full featured as some office suites but it does get the job done. For basic papers and spreadsheets it that functions that most students will need. It has the ability to open your Microsoft and Open Office documents and save them back in those formats.

The technical features aren’t where Google Docs shines the most. There are certain features that are missing in this word processor compared to some of the desktop based applications that are used. While this is a downside, the sharing features is the huge benefit of using this online application especially in a classroom or group setting.

Many students have group work or group projects. With the sharing features you can let other student have access to the same documents that you are working on. This means that if you are collectively writing a paper that it can be edited and shared easily without having to email a document back and forth to each other hoping the other one didn’t make changes while you worked on it as well. When there are more than two people, the email process can become a nightmare.

Something students might consider it taking their class notes and dropping them into a shared folder with each other on Google Docs. This would give those in the class access to much more notes than before so that the material can be learned as opposed to just learning what you happened to hear or write down personally.

Article by P.A. Jacobo

With the continually expanding, ever engulfing appetite of the internet, cloud computing seemingly has few limits. With the recent growth of cloud computing and the demand for instant access those few limitations are becoming smaller and smaller.

Where traditional desktop computing leaves computer users at the mercy of Microsoft, the desktop publishing and word processing giant, Google offers its users basic versions for free with access from any computer that can access the internet – anywhere in the world.

Google Docs as a cloud computing alternative to traditional desktop programs. A wonderful aspect of Google docs is that they are much akin to the Microsoft suite of programs, perhaps THE most used set of word processing and general desktop publishing programs on the market today so the learning is greatly increased.

The dog ate my homework. You know that commercial where a businessman gets out of a cab only to realize he left his presentation in the back of the cab, which is now long gone? Do you ever fear something like that would one day happen to you? Well, with Google Presentations you can set that fear at ease. You have the functionality of creating a slideshow presentation without the excuse and embarrassment of “I forgot the presentation.” With Google Presentations you can still make that important business meeting, even if your laptop was lost or stolen, all you have to do is connect online and viola, your presentation is ready and waiting for you.

At the mercy of Google. Google Documents is your most basic word processor, similar to Microsoft Word. You have full control over the margins, spacing, tabbing and general formatting with the exception of fonts. You are at the mercy of Google and how seriously limited their font selection is. I counted and there are 17. Catchphrase here is ‘basic.’ That being said, most other basic functionalities are present and usable, including the ability of inserting tables, images, hyperlinks and more.

Basic functionality for the low, low price of FREE. There is an intentional recurring theme throughout this article: basic functionality. You get what you pay for and for free, you get only basic functionality. Of course this is all many users need, but for Microsoft users like me, we don’t mind paying the extra cost for the extra functionalities of earth-based programs. That does not mean one is limited to one or the other by any means.

For whatever your word processing and information sharing need is, there’s a program to fit that need for just the right price, be it free and limited or costly and functional. Over all, Google Docs is a useful tool, especially when collaborating and sharing files with others.