Google

Get Googling

We’ve all heard a lot about Google. But if you are still among the very few who haven’t, then what in the real world have you been up to? With almost all of your search queries entertained by Google, it’s easy to limit Google to what it does best: online searching. But then again, to dismiss Google as a search engine would be like trying to cover the sun with you palm, only limiting your own online and offline convenience. Google is way more than ‘just’ a search engine. Just like an iceberg, the search engine is only the tip of the vast empire that is Google.

Here is some of the best Google services you can use. From the simple yet powerful image and photo organizer to the virtual atlas to a dedicated mail and chat client, enjoy the best Google has to offer.

Image handling: The Google Way

Thanks to digital cameras in every device imaginable, who hasn’t got loads of pictures stashed somewhere in their computer? The problem is not with storing, but with trying to find it when needed. Most of us don’t have a dedicated hard drive or an external one just to store pictures. So what to do when you’ve really got to see what you have on your computer? Well, the answer is simple: turn your computer inside out. Or just try Picasa. Picasa is ‘the’ software that looks up your computer and brings all your images and pictures in one sleek and intuitive interface. Picasa locates all your photos in your computer and allows you to view them in a single window interface. The best feature of this power-packed freebie has to be its collage making ability and its simple editing features. Try it: http://picasa.google.com/

What as Atlas!

So you’ve taken a fancy to geography. Thick atlas books and inaccurate globes are outdated. So what are the options for increasing your knowledge of the world? Google Earth is here for the rescue! Google most controversial release yet (on account of security), Google Earth is the best thing when it comes to viewing the 3D model of the Earth. With accurate satellite imagery. It brings the world’s geographic information to your desktop. With Google Earth, the possibilities are endless: zoom into your house and street, scan the presidential palaces of flaunt your knowledge of exotic places or just scan the horizons: you don’t know what you might discover. One word: download! http://earth.google.com/

Simplicity: the name of the game

Well, I’ve had just about everything with the free web mail sites that proclaim they’re the best in the world. It just might be true to some folks, but after countless hours I’ve wasted ‘testing’ their beta version and trying for the umpteenth time to upload the attachment. I’ve decided to make the switch. And what better alternative than Gmail! With over 5GB of online storage (and counting!), you surely won’t feel the need to delete those important mails ever again. Plus, the no-frills interface gives you the best aesthetic feel. The best thing about Gmail has to be its integrated chat feature: you can directly chat from the email page. No need to install an extra messenger client!

Get Published!

You have a way with words and all your friends praise your skills with the pen. But, with no one coming up to you with positive reviews and critiques and suggestions, you are finding it difficult to sustain that inner flame you have for writing. For starters stop writing; with a pen that is and start typing. To get more readers and to get ‘published’ try Google’s blog engine: Blogger (http://www.blogger.com). Blogger allows you to publish your thoughts online and maintain a blog space. And what more, with the advanced editing features you can make your blog as private as you want. It’s all up to you. If you want to share some of your pictures, Picasa has just the right tool to upload it to the net. Utilize its collaborative features, and build a class blog where everyone from your group or your class can post their entries to the blog.