Google Services scrutinised - Part 1
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(No vote) Google is now world famous for its excellent search engine. However, Google is also an incredible nebula services in all genres that deserve to be better known.
# 1 - Gmail
Gmail, still in beta, is the messaging service, according to Google. It follows, indeed, the ingredients of success engine of the Mountain View, namely:
- 6.4 gigabytes of storage space (constant increase);
- A menu interface;
- A speed display incomparable (Live Mail would do well to inspire);
- Accounting POP / IMAP;
- Engine integrated research;
- Archiving messages;
- Anti-spam formidable;
- Saving the history of your conversations Gtalk;
However, free service is paid by advertising Adsense, but it is possible to remove via the Adblock extension in Firefox or even repatriation messages directly to your PC via Outlook or Windows Mail.
Gmail is also the starting point of any use of Google services. Indeed, your Gmail account is your Google that your passport (yes as in Microsoft) to access all the Google services.
# 2 - Blogger
This is the blogging service from Google. In contrast to other services, the interface change style loses the theme of color typically own Google (white dominant shades of grey and blue) for the benefit of a more graphic style. This change does not affect the quality of service.
That is to say, if WordPress is the best platform blogging at the moment (and for a long time I hope), everyone has no ftp at its disposal hence the advent of free blogging services such as Overblog and Skyblog.
But Blogger is certainly one of the best in its class. Indeed, he finds himself halfway between management and any automated system fully customizable; flexibility without disadvantages sum.
Ideal for beginners and other users a little more experienced, this service is changing regularly and many blogs cover the canvas today!
Success is therefore to go!
# 3 - Google Desktop
Google Desktop is to your Windows desktop (Mac or Linux) that Google is seeking web. In other words, Google comes at you to index your entire computer. Then, through a search bar integrated into the taskbar, you can make instant search.
Nevertheless, this program is not very useful for Vista to him, includes default, such an engine indexing. By cons, it is very useful for other systems whose search features are poorly developed.
Moreover, this program can be displayed as a sidebar friendly gadgets… Google. Again, owners of Windows XP and the pursuit of the Vista sidebar, please!
Note, however, that according to some rumours, the engine indexing benefit to copy the entire hard drive on Google servers.
However, the program operates without requiring an internet connection… So Google would have a Big Brother?
# 4 - Google Picasa
Picasa is a manager of ultra-powerful photos to organize and easily find all of your images on the hard drive. With a module retouching classic but powerful, is the essential software especially since it offers enormous opportunities for additional services such as:
- Creating Web Albums;
- The impression of your photos via a lab online;
- Sending photos to Blogger (the blogs sauce Google);
- The creation of videos or posters;
Another interesting feature is watching a chronology, ideal for easily find your photos!
You have understood this software has nothing to envy Adobe Photoshop Album or other ACDSee, ergonomics and proclaiming its free Picasa among the best managers photos!
# 5 - Google Earth
Google Earth is undoubtedly the ultimate software tour of our planet Earth by satellite. Although requiring a good Internet connection and large system resources, this program you will discover more places in the world in 3D.
You can, for example, enter an address of your choice (yours) and admire locations, famous or not.
Here is a brief overview of the features offered by Google Eath, an outline because it deserves an article on its own:
- Creating reliable route;
- Views varied and customized using the content of Wikipedia and the Hubble telescope;
- World Community very active with the possibility to post your own photos of places;
- Options metric very advanced;
And among the new, it should be noted:
- Google Sky, the Google Earth from space (ideal for astronomy enthusiasts);
- A flight simulator very brief;
Google Earth is also declines in 3 versions:
- Version basic, free;
- Plus version, $ 20;
- Pro, $ 400;
The Plus version supports GPS devices and offers better performance while the Pro version is particularly interesting for companies with features dedicated to the business.
# 6 - Google Maps
It does more Google Maps, which as its name suggests, is the mapping service made by Google. Very linked to Google Earth, it offers 3 display modes: Relief, Satellite and Plan (default). You can of course find an address, find a route and search for specific businesses.
# 7 - Google Reader
Google Reader is neither more nor less than a RSS feed reader. It helps to receive updates to your blogs and your favorite sites and share information with friends and family. As usual, this service works on most browsers including mobile phones.
# 8 - Google News
Information has become one of the major activities of any individual, the advent of the Internet being for many. Nonetheless, it is Google is there for you. Indeed, Googe News that are not 500 sources of information updated continuously and ranked by categories (International, France, Economics, etc.)..
Besides, you can make very extensive research. And say that this kind of service is often so enjoy!
# 9 - Google Talk
Google Talk is the messenger who wants to be the future competitor of Live Messenger. Although it takes a minimalist interface and a total connectivity between Google services (including Gmail) and is accessible directly on the net or a classic, this software is not the most disappointing of the firm.
Too few features are present in relation to its conccurrrents but at least has the merit of being easy to use. It should be noted, however, the call from PC to PC and the fact that this is still a beta.
# 10 - Google Docs
If you're not very comfortable with desktop applications such as Office or OpenOfficeOrg or that you do not use, why not make use of online solutions?
So does Google Docs, a service combining a word processor, spreadsheet and presentation tool (in the genre PowerPoint). With an interface and basic functions, the fact remains that this free service is fulfilling its purpose, namely to easily create and unhindered access of documents.
Another advantage of using such a service is to be able to access your documents wherever you are via your Google account and can change them with your friends.
# 11 - Google Notebook
A simple and convenient to quickly take notes and record them on his behalf Google. Again, there is an interface sober and clear-service publishing standards. To test!
# 12 - Google Web History
This service offers simply find your entire Google search classified by categories (Web, Images, Books, etc.).. Useful to precisely locate a site or a page of search quickly through the chronology.
# 13 - Google Language Tools
Translate pages instantaneously, expressions of research, a full text, and in a wide range of languages, this is exactly what offers these tools.
Very practical and easy to use, the fact remains that this service will never replace a dictionary because they are translations robot and thus basic. Do not therefore use it in a professional!
# 14 - Google Groups
This service offers many tools to establish groups…! Thus, you just have to find a subject (computer club, association football, etc.). To create a group. Then throw dicussions, share documents, enrich your groups of new friends and that's the job!
Please note that this service is valid throughout the world, it is preferable to classify them according to your mother tongue or use it to improve your English, for example.
