Cliche’, I know, but it’s how I feel. It’s so easy to see why Google programs are as popular as they are! For years I worked exclusively in Microsoft Office using Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook (ugh). That’s all I knew and I was very reluctant (stubborn rather, as my husband would argue) in trying something new. He introduced me to Gmail and for the next 4 years gradually convinced me to work exclusively with Google. Boy did he know what he was talking about…as usual (comment inserted to ensure marital bliss). Now I’m a total convert!
Why am I such an advocate? Because, I’m a fan of “one-stop shopping” to simplifize my life and that’s what Google has done.When was the last time you switched computers? Do you remember the hassle getting all your Outlook emails, docs, and files ported over to your new digital digs? Sheeesh! Bottom line, I was working with a couple of different programs and email accounts. Now I just do everything in Google…I simply log-in and have instant access to all of my important “stuff.”
Now, I won’t bore you with the seemingly endless array of applications, but before I talk about my Top 3, I need to point out the most important thing: it’s FREE! All it takes is signing up for a Gmail account and you’ve got access. Of course there are packages for storage space, etc (we pay a “whopping” $5 per year for massive amounts of space), but just by signing up you’ll have access to all the programs. So, here we go:
Gmail
- Access it from any computer with Internet access.
- Set up labels (versus folders) to organize messages. Assign multiple labels to messages so they appear in more than one area, without duplicating the message and using extra space. Conversely, in Windows Outlook, your email messages can only exist in one folder at a time without duplicating them. With Gmail, that same message can have multiple labels and be found much, much more easily! As if that wasn’t easy enough, the search function in Gmail absolutely ROCKS!
- Set up filters on incoming mail so that identified emails go directly to their assigned
label or labels. You can even skip the inbox if you’d like and have them “archived” directly under their labels.
- With the right settings you can work with Gmail and much of the rest of the Google suite on- or off-line with minimal effort.
- Configure your account to send and receive emails from other (even non-Gmail) accounts.
- Once configured, you can send emails as if they were from your other accounts. When composing a message, you can pick which email account you want the message sent from using a drop-down menu.
- Create a task list and share it…incredibly easily!
- If you’re an iPhone user, the Google app allows instant access to your email messages.
- Gmail can be configured to chat, video chat, even send text messages.
Google Documents, a.k.a. “Docs”
- Work on- or off-line. Bye bye thumb-drives!!!
- Has standard document format (similar to MS Word), as well as spreadsheet, chart,
presentation and drawing programs
- Most of these documents have killer templates ready for you to use!
- Share your documents easily, and collaborate with ease
Google Calendar
- Create numerous calendars. I created calendars for daily events, workout schedule, workout
tracker, my hubby’s events and family events…OK, maybe I’m a little carried away with the
calendars, but I LOVE THEM!
- Give access and share your calendar with friends, family or co-workers. We use a Google calender
to track all the big family events, such as birthdays, anniversaries, major events, etc, and get text
messages sent directly to our cell phones as reminders. Or you can set the reminders to arrive in your
inbox. Better yet, do both!
- Color-code each calendar to differentiate them
- Hide one or more calendars at any time instead of viewing all of them at the same time
- As I mentioned above, you can set up alerts to notify you of any appointments via email and/or text
to your mobile phone…not just birthdays!
- Create multiple task lists (no more post-it notes or to-do lists everywhere)
- Invite others and track RSVPs to special events, meetings, etc.
- Get instant access to your calendar via cell phone apps
- Can work on- and off-line and sync
These are just a few of the ways I use my Top 3 Google programs. There are a lot more applications for these programs, I just need to save some tips for another post(s)! Thankfully, Google has a great help menu, user forums, and video tutorials to help you learn even more about each of these programs.
Give them a try, and soon you’ll be “gaga for Google” too!
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