Blog 3: Google Docs

Google Docs is a free, Web-based word processor, spreadsheet, presentation, form, and data storage service offered by Google. It allows users to create and edit documents online while collaborating in real-time with other users.

Main Features

Google Docs Document

With Google documents, you can easily create, share, and edit documents online. Here are a few specific things you can do:

• Upload Microsoft Word, OpenOffice, RTF, HTML or plain text documents, create documents from scratch, and download your online ones.
• Edit documents online simultaneously with anyone you choose, and invite others to view them.
• Keep track of who made changes to a document and when, and roll back to any version.
• Publish documents online to the world, as webpages or post documents to your blog.
• Email your documents out as attachments.

Google Docs Spreadsheet

With Google Spreadsheets, you can easily create, share, and edit spreadsheets online. Here are a few specific things you can do:

• Import and export these file types: .xls, .csv, .txt and .ods. You can also export data to a PDF or an HTML file.
• Format your cells and edit formulas so you can calculate results and make your data look the way you want it.
• Chat in real time with others who are editing your spreadsheet.
• Embed a spreadsheet, or a section of a spreadsheet, in your blog or website.

Google Docs Presentation

With Google presentations, you can easily create, share, and edit online presentations. Here are some things you can do with Google presentations:

• Import presentations in .ppt and .pps file types and export your online ones.
• Insert images and videos, and format your slides as you want.
• Allow simultaneous real-time viewing of presentations, online, from remote locations.
• Publish and embed your presentations in a website for the world to view.

Advantages of using Google Docs

• it is online
• fastest and easier way to use MS Office Application
• You don't have to install Microsoft Office Application in your computer
• Present and publish through the web
• Information access control – Each piece of content can be as private or as public as necessary.
• Worker mobility – Access your data from anywhere.
• Continuous innovation – Put the web's rapid pace of innovation
• Smoother information sharing – Improve traditional software with more efficient collaboration

Disadvantage

• The disadvantage is that they will need to set up a google docs account, tied to their email, if they don't already have one.
• Need Internet Access
• Not all application has the full version
• Microsoft Office Application updates its version through the years