wrote:
> Keith,
> This is a partial response. Certainly Google docs is far from as fully
> featured as Word, but there are at least some features in some of the Google
> apps that are better than the desktop versions...
Well, since I initially asked that question, I did a little more playing
around with the Google Apps and looked at what the people at Google had to
say about them. My conclusion is that they're specifically meant for stuff
that requires collaboration between two or more people, and not necessarily
for your run of the mill document needs.
For example, while I wouldn't use it to write a letter to a friend who has
no Internet access, or to do the family newsletter, I might consider using
it the next time I write an article for *The Lutheran *magazine, to make the
editing and revising process a lot easier. No more multiple attachments
going back and forth between me and the editors, with multiple versions of
the article sitting on my computer. Just one copy online, with each party
being notified when changes were made that need to be looked at.
> For example, Google's spreadsheet app is awesome, particularly the Forms
> function that enables creation of online questionnaires that feed results
> directly into your spreadsheet...
Ah! Now that's something I'll have to look into. That could be really cool
for anonymous data gathering in class.
I don't understand your problem with composing and reading email online.
> It's not like the old days when we were charged by the minute for our time
> online, now it's unlimited. Actually, I'd rather write and read online and
> save the extra keystrokes.
For me the issue boils down to being somewhere where there's no Internet
access, when the ISP is down, or the connection is just way too flaky. Yes,
there's a lot to be said for anywhere access to my email, even when I don't
have my own computer, so I suppose I should just treat those no-Internet
moments as rare exceptions. After all, I could always compose in Word and
then copy and paste into Gmail later on. It's just reading the old stuff
that would be a problem if I had no access.
Don't want to start a flame war, this is just my 2 cents.
No flames inferred, I was just wondering why so many people saw this as
being the greatest thing since sliced bread. Obviously, it's not meant to
replace the desktop apps for everything.
Now I'll have to try out some of those other features you mentioned!
--
keg
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Keith E Gatling - Computer Instructor
Manlius Pebble Hill School
5300 Jamesville Rd
DeWitt, NY 13214
315.446.2452
http://www.gatling.us/keith
Some teachers teach subjects. Others teach students.
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