IHCPL # 88 Wave, Buzz and Mobile

I have an invitation to Google Wave but have not really used it. I think it could be useful as a document collaboration tool. The ability to work together on a document real time would be helpful if time were of essence or if several people were working on the same project from different places. The fact that maps, photos as well as documents can be instantly placed in the Wave conversation would be fun as well as useful. A person that needs or wants to stay connected all the time would like the ability to Interface with other systems such as blogger or twitter.

I just set up a Google group for my personal use with friends. Since some of us work outside the home and some don’t we can post and everyone can reply as they have time.

After listening to the video on Buzz I don’t think I will use it much at this time although I have the link on my G-mail. It is too much like twitter, where I have an account that I never use and Facebook where I often see much more information than I ever wanted to know about people. It sounds good for sharing pictures but there are other ways to do that too.

Google Mobile Apps
When I upgrade to an I-phone or Android I will definitely want Google maps and Google Tasks. Since I have no sense of direction it is easy for me to get lost and Google Maps will replace the GPS that I put in my car when I travel. Being a list maker I need Google Tasks to replace my obsolete PDA. Eventually I will add Google Docs and Google Calendar to my phone. I use them now with computer. Google Sync is awesome but I don’t need it right now.

I plan on adding Google Voice in the near future. It is a matter of me wanting it bad enough to take the time to make the change. For me it is not if I will use more Google programs and Apps but when I will use them.

IHCPL # 86 Google Calendar and Documents

My Google Calendar is very important to me. I get a daily reminder of what is going on that that day on the job as well as my personal life. Since it can be accessed from anywhere it helps me coordinate my job and personal life. I can also open my church’s Google calendar with mine to coordinate those dates as needed when working on my schedule. It would be nice if my family members and friends would create Google calendars and then it would be easier to plan activities with them too.

The Google document program has become my spreadsheet program because it is free and works as well for me as Excel does. I keep my personal information such as my daily walking record there and update it often from home. It is also useful for work as I keep a record of Movies shown at Freeman’s 50+ programs in 2007, 2008, and 2009. It has become a “safe place” to keep information and is easily accessed if I am not at work and want to see we have already shown.
Google Docs is quickly becoming the only desktop application I use for my personal life.