Oh how quickly 'Google' became such a common household word. Like many parents I tend to benchmark events on the basis of when my children entered my life. So, Google has been a part of my life a bit longer than has my 8 year old son. It amazes me how many times a week I hear someone say, "Just Google it." Although Yahoo happens to have a perfectly fine search engine, no one ever says they are going to 'Yahoo' a topic or a person.

Now in the past few years Google has become more to me than the 'go to' search engine. In fact, Google's wide array of services have become an integral part of my daily routine. Here is a brief run down of the applications that I use everyday.

Gmail:

• Best way to keep all those email messages organized.
• Archive instead of delete. Searching easy and keeps all email only a keyword away.
• Very little spam compared to the email account provided by my cable company.

Google Reader:

• Aggregates and keeps my website and blog subscriptions organized and out of my email inbox. Go here for more information on web subscriptions.

Google Notebook:

• A 'must have' for web searching and information gathering.
• Add web pages or just snippets (great for comparison shopping).
• Add your own comments.
• Collaborate or share your notebook with friends.

Google Calendar:

• Great way me to keep all the practices, games, classes, appointments, and meetings organized.
• Syncs with my smartphone so I am up-to-date (but not necessarily on time).
• Keeps my husband plugged in while at work.

Picasa

• Desktop photo organization and editing tool.
• Hands down, the best way to organize your photos on your hard drive.
• Reviewers comment that editing tools are basic. Personally, there is more than enough for me.
• Easily integrates with online photo printing sites.
• Has an online photo hosting service, Picasa Web Albums.

Google Toolbar (for Firefox)

• Add functions like sharing, book marking, highlighting, and better searching right to your toolbar.

Google Docs

• Did you know that the end of desktop software maybe near? Or, at least, becoming less important.
• Online word processing, spreadsheets, presentations.
• Great for collaborating with one or more individuals. Stop the editing, emailing, downloading, editing, emailing cycle!

And as I have mentioned before (here), I think all these Google apps work great on the Firefox web browser. (Google does have there own browser called Chrome. I love Firefox, so haven't tried it).  Here is a page that provides you with what they call the essential Google Pack.  Just check off the software you want to try.  Here is a link to an even more comprehensive list of Google Products.

Now, I am not saying that I solely depend on Google for all of these services. Depending on my need, I may also use other online services (email accounts, notebooks, word processing) for other features not available in the Google apps.  Also, I am cautious and understand that to have everything 'online' is risky.  I back up my email, calendar, documents, and pictures to my hard drive.

Watch for more in-depth information on each of these services and tweaks that I find helpful. For now, if you are new to Google-land this should give you a good place to start poking around.

Update on Saturday, January 24, 2009 at 2:55PM by MidLifeMom

Talk about things changing fast.  Google recently announced that it will stop development of Google Notebook.  For those of us who already use Notebook, our service will continue as usual.  However, there will be no new features added.  If you were thinking about trying it out, you are out of luck because it will be closed to any new users.  So if you missed the boat, don't fret.  I actually use multiple notebooks (haven't found one with the perfect set of features) and I have been trying out a few new ones as research for a new post.  More to come soon.