Tag: Google

Google Wave

Google Wave

By |

Google Wave is a new online tool that provides a platform for real-time collaboration and communication. Google has combined features of instant messaging, wikis, email and word processing so that users can work together to create and edit documents called “waves.”  These waves allow any participant to edit any part of the document and there is an option to add pictures, maps or graphics to the document. This tool could be useful for collaborating on group projects, brainstorming, class notes or even planning an event.

Initially Google Wave only released in a limited preview to a select number of participants, but now you can follow this  link to request an invite from Google. It still may take a few days to get a confirmation email though. For more information about Google Wave visit their website or watch a short video from some of the Google developers.

As of August 2010, Google Wave has been shut down.

Customize your Gmail Page with Google Gadgets

Customize your Gmail Page with Google Gadgets

By |

1X1If you use Gmail, there is a handy new feature that will enable you to add Google Gadgets to your Gmail page.  Google Gadgets are interactive mini-applications that you can display on your Web page, such as weather, personalized news and more.  When you add a Gadget, it will always appear on the sidebar of your email. Even though the sidebar is small, it is a convenient way to have resources readily available.

How to Insert Gadgets:

  • 1. In your Gmail account, click on Settings.
  • 2. Under the Labs tab, you can find different features to add to your Gmail. To add custom gadgets, go to Add any Gadget by URL and click Enable.

gadget-url1

  • 3. Then go to the Gadgets tab (within Settings) and you can enter any Gadgets’ URL, which is an XML page.  To get the URL, click on the gadget you want from the Gadgets page.  Click on the View Source link on the bottom of the page, then copy the URL from the URL window. 

Here a few URLs for popular Gadgets (copy and paste in the Gadget URL box to activate):

Discover New Blogs with Google Reader

Discover New Blogs with Google Reader

By |

If you have favorite news sites or blogs that you like to visit every day, you may already be already using a feed reader to manage your subscriptions.  Web-based feed readers such as Google Reader, enable users to subscribe to and read multiple weblogs and news feeds all in one place, from any computer or mobile device.  If you are just getting started with using a tool like Google Reader or if you are just interested in finding new sites then you should check out Google’s compilation of reading lists.  Google’s second edition of Power Readers features top picks from prominent journalists, techies, fashion critics and foodies.  Visit www.google.com/powerreaders to explore and subscribe to any of their reading lists, or to any individual Web sites that they recommend. 

Read more on The Official Google Blog.

Get Organized with iGoogle

Get Organized with iGoogle

By |

When you open up your Web browser, you most likely begin surfing the Web by weeding through your bookmarks to find your favorite websites.  With iGoogle, you can easily customize an internet start page that will give you quick access to your Google resources such as Gmail, Google Search and Google Calendar as well as RSS feeds, news headlines, weather forecasts, and much more.  With a personalized iGoogle homepage, you can quickly access all of your favorites and a variety of web tools in one place. 

Getting Started

If you already have a Google account then all you need to do is sign in here.  If you don’t have one, creating an account will give you access to iGoogle and other Google tools such as Gmail, Google Documents and Google Reader.  When you set up your iGoogle start page, you can choose “gadgets,” which are interactive mini-applications that can display your new email, weather, personalized news and more.  You can arrange your gadgets by dragging and dropping them in any order you like on your page and you can customize the look of your page by choosing a Theme.  Your iGoogle page is a convenient tool to keep all of your favorite internet applications in hand.

Get the Most out of your Google Search

Get the Most out of your Google Search

By |

While it’s all too common to “Google it” to find any information imaginable, you may spend more sifting through endless results than you need to. Using Google Advanced Search not only helps you refine your search, you might come across some information that you wouldn’t normally find.

Advanced Search

You can access Google Advanced Search by clicking on the “Advanced Search” link on the Google home page. Note: If you’d like to search for images only, click on the “Images” tab on the Google home page then click on the “Advanced Image Search” link. Once you are ready to start your Advanced Search, keep in mind that you’ll only need to enter information into the fields you’d like to use. If you’d like to search for items with a particular file type, such as a PDF or Flash video file, try selecting a File Format. If you wish to narrow your results to only Government or Education sites, you can type .gov or .edu into the Domain field. For more tips on refining your search, visit Google Help: Advanced Search.

University Search

If you’d like to narrow your search to a specific school, a link for Google University Search is located at the bottom of the Advanced Search page. You can use the alphabetical index to locate your target school and then search for information within that institution only.