Get the Best out of Google

Google: We use it to search for articles, images or even to find the best bargains on the Internet. Whenever I see a computer with Google logo and the search box. You know something- you are missing out on load of goodies form the search engine mammoth with this basic Google page.

You can customize your Google page to do a whole lot of things and find information in a jiffy. This feature has been around for a number of year, but very few people use it. I will show you how can get the best out of Google in a few  simple steps.

First, get hold of a Google account. The best way to do this is to type www.google.com/ig on your browser and then click on sign in. you will be asked to sign up for a new account. Then you will be offered a selection of items which you can display on your home page. I suggest you take BBC and CNN you will always be the first to know of any news break anywhere in the world. If you are a technology freak try engadget, Slashdot or Wired. Macheads should choose. The Unofficial Apple Weblog, also known as TUAW. Of course, don’t forget to add your Gmail account on your customized home page. You have the option to hide the preview of your mails if you are wary of others seeing your massages. Also, when you use its labels facility. It’s much better than keeping emails in folders.

Google Reader

Next, try out the Google Reader and add it to your home page. This is basically a personalized reading list. It is your own online RSS reader. You can keep adding feeds that you can read at your leisure.

Google Apps

Google introduce something called Google Apps. It is expected to be a Microsoft Office killer. With Google Apps your company can get Google’s nifty Gmail with 10Gb of space, an online equivalent of Microsoft word and Excel. All this comes for just a fraction of the cost of Microsoft Office. The best part of Google Apps is that it can be accessed from any computer anywhere in the world. Plus you get your online calendar where you can keep a tab your appointments. Added to this is a simple web page creator. The cost of the entire Google package is around $5o a year.

Microsoft, too, has some thing called Microsoft Office Live, but I think Google beats it hollow because of its much better email service. But Google’s drawback is that it still dose not have anything that is a good as Microsoft’s Powerpoint. But these applications are not for those who are wary of storing their data in a server in some unknown country. The next things you must get hold of is Google’s Desktop search. It indexes your files on your computer and you will be able to find emails, pictures, music and videos in no time at all. It is imfunction that comes with Windows. Get it from www.desktop.google.com.

Gadgets

Google has also borrowed an original called Widgets which has been available in Macs for years. Google calls them Gadgets. My favourite ones are those that give the TV timings of HBO, Star Movies and zee cinema. There is also a pretty little flower that will give you a real kick if you look after well with a few mouse strokes daily. These gadgets are basically visual objects on the screen that can be manipulated with the mouse and keyboard. You will find loads Gadgets at www.desktop.google.com/plugins/.

Google notebook

Finally, get yourself Google Notebook. As you browse sites you just select portions of text and keep adding them to the notebook. Google Notebook lives in your browser you will not have to tear your hear trying to find where you kept a piece of information.