#8 iGoogle

iGoogle is the newest way to bring all your daily tasks and interests together in 'one' easy to use, easy to waste time on, page! For anyone who is attracted to sparkly things or likes to procrastinate iGoogle is the easiest place for them to fill the day. Have I stirred the pot enough?
On a serious note I think iGoogle has many good features and it is a lot of fun to use. Like most Google tools it is quite easy to navigate and very easy to personalise. The only part that I don't really like about iGoogle was that I couldn't resize the boxes to the size I wanted, only minimise if needed.

As for working at Google, MOST people, if given the chance would love to work in a place that offers this relaxed environment. My questions are,...Where do they spend the rest of their life?  Do they see their families?

#7 Google Books

Google Books works well in eliminating other search results for the same item. One book i searched for through google had 400,000 hits come back, while the same search through Google Books only had 3470 results. It still gave enough info about the book and other titles from the same author.
I also searched our students texts and came back quite impressed about the results available. While it's not a feature I'd use everyday it certainly has merit for more avid readers.

#6 Google Maps

Google Maps have helped me save time on many occasions. I first used it to find directions to a cricket ground I was playing at a few years ago. It has certainly become useful in planning directions to different locations and I find i now use it first before I use my Melways, since I can print the route and not have to worry about turning pages etc...
The ability to edit locations and save 'My Maps' makes it more user friendly. Being able to choose between Map or Satelite view is an advantage and the addition of Google Street view also makes finding the correct address even easier.

#5 Google Docs

Will Google docs spell the end for Microsoft Office? Probably not!
While Google docs does the basic Office functions it certainly has it's formatting limits.
That said, I will trial it's uses in class and see what the reaction is across the board.
I guess I'll use it most to eliminate saving multiple versions or copies of files to send to others.
The best feature so far is the ability to collaborate with others in the same doc at the same time.
To be continued...

#4 Web 2.0

Web 2.0! Best explained as a new way we interact with information on the web.
It's more than just using 'open source' sharing of information. We can access, navigate, share, collaborate and review information/data in new and innovative ways. The overall appeal and sophistication of websites has changed dramatically with increased interactivity.

What is Web 2.0

How 2 of Web 2.0 - #2 Create a Blog

Hello one and all,
I have joined the blogging revolution! Yay!!!
It's nice to be here. Personally, I hope to find a use for blogging in my classes.
Hopefully you can help me on my journey.

DMS