Google does have a book that actually helps you understand its apps!

This week we were asked to read Chapters 2-4 and 8-9 of the Google Apps: The Missing Manual. At first I had no clue where to locate this resource, so I tried using Google. Then when that failed, I moved onto the ULS, which is where I ended up finding this manual. I wasn’t really expecting a whole lot out of this, but was willing to read it. Now I finally know where to go when I have a question about Google; it’s the Google for dummies that I have been waiting for!
Chapter two talked about Google Docs and I felt this chapter was important because of the usefulness of Google Docs. My group in my Multicultural class is using this program to interact with each other, when we cannot meet face to face. This has been nice since I live 45-minutes away from campus and the other three members live in Pittsburgh.
In this chapter the first sentence really summed up what I like about Google Docs, “accessibility” and “collaboration.” It’s a great way to send information and read what others have written. It also documents everything, so my group can share with my professor as well as each other. The manual continues by stating that everything is stored on Google’s computers and can be accessed “from anywhere with an Internet connection.” This is really beneficial to those who use multiple computers throughout the week. I know when I meet with my group I use a computer on campus and if I forget my jump drive I’m in big trouble. I can e-mail it to myself, but that can cause a variety of problems. By loading a document onto Google Docs, I do not have to worry I just log in and there is my item. When explaining the benefits, the manual says that a person does not have to worry about losing a flash drive, which is very, very easy to misplace. When I was at Seton Hill, I was in a hurry to leave my class at the end and I accidently left my flash drive in the computer. When I realized I had left it, I went back to school, only to discover my flash drive had been taken. Google Docs eliminates that problem.
I did not realize that Google Docs allowed ten people to edit the same document at the same time. I thought you just loaded it and people looked over the document whenever they got a chance, similar to e-mail. I find that to be remarkable and a great tool; groups can have meetings and work on projects, in real time, without having to leave their houses. What the manual states is true, Google Docs is “redefining the whole concept of working together.”
After I was done looking over the chapters we were required to read, I went back to the table of contents to see what else the manual had to offer. I really liked how they broke everything down for you, especially with the chapter on Google Docs. It gave you the browser requirements as well as a step by step walk through of what Google Docs does, how to do, and what to expect. I really liked this manual. I even told my mom about it and she is thinking about purchasing one for her library.
I sincerely wish I would have known about this manual prior to starting all of my assignments, I think it would be a great introduction to this course and how to approach and use the applications for Google. I would recommend this to anyone who has never used the Google applications before. It is a great resource!