Posts Tagged ‘google’

Found an excellent guide to how Google Docs work.  Their advantage lies in that documents are stored online rather than your computer.  There is no software to download and it is free.  Welcome to “Cloud Computing”, where the web is the “Cloud”.

Even if you don’t plan on using Google Docs (or don’t want to) it’s a quick read to learn more about the future of the web.

Stereotypical So What?: Google Docs can save time and money while increasing mobility.  Additionally, multiple users can access a document, thus allowing potential for collaboration.  Whether it’s just for you or for a committee, Google Docs can make church life easier.

Lifehacker provides a thorough review of the first phone powered by the Google Android operating system.  Available next week, the phone is described as a “killer device for heavy Google users”.

If you’re not a heavy Google user, look for a post in the future for reasons why you should be.

Stereotypical So What?: The days of phones just being phones are passing.  Though lamentable in some aspects, another thing of the past is being 100% (or even 75%) tied to a computer.

Developing countries are now bypassing the age of computers and going straight to smartphones as they’re cheaper, widely available, and becoming more powerful.

Trying to figure out what type of smartphone to buy?  Gizmodo has an easy-to-read (with pictures!) explanation of each operating system with its pros and cons.

Right now I’m using a Palm Treo the Palm operating system, and I agree with the reviewer.  The Palm OS is dated, but quite simple to learn.  I tend to lean more towards functional aspects of a phone and the Treo nails it.

I’m most interested in the Google Android OS… give that about 6 months and we should see some exciting uses for it.

Stereotypical So What?: Smartphones are great productivity tools, but their price, models, and operating systems can be overwhelming.  Pick the right one that works best with your current technology.

For the past couple of years, Google Calendar has provided an excellent way for churches to post their events on their website.

It’s easy to embed in the site, easy to update, and easy to understand.  Plus, the calendar is jam-packed with features and customizations to fit your church.

Yahoo Calendar is trying to get a piece of the pie.  They just launched a new beta that will be compatible with other online calendars using the .ics protocol.

Like Google, it offers multiple calendars that can be shared with the public.

Unlike Google, it’s a bit difficult to embed in your site.  It can be done, but it won’t look pretty.

Interestingly enough, it does allow you to use Flickr to put pictures on your calendar.  This feature is worth watching.

The key fact to remember is that it’s still beta software.  Auto-syncronization with Microsoft Outlook is in the future, but alas, Google can already do that.

Stereotypical So What?: As more online calendars are created, users will have more opportunities to use online calendars.  If your church has an online calendar, members and visitors can easily see what’s happening and add events to their own.