Google all the way...

Hi then, I am back with some more interesting information. Yes you guessed it, its about Google and the way it works.

Most of us know Google for its search engine and email (gmail), and some of us don't even dare to try and understand what all Google can offer you FREE... I am about to tell you some of the coolest products provided by Google for newbies.

First and foremost, this blog itself is by Google, most of the people around the world didn't even knew this unless Blogger announced that gmail account can be used as Blogger account. Believe me, there are some maniacs who cannot live without blogging, blogging became a mean of projecting ideas to the whole world.

Google has many other products other than search engine, gmail or blogger. Google offers a wide range of products, not only web based but also based on enterprise requirement. Google has products which includes Baseball bat to Network routers. For now I will deal only with Web based products.

Some of the most interesting and useful products I worked with were, Google - Page Creator, Reader, Earth, Sketch Up, Groups, Code, Trends, Docs & Spreadsheet, Picasa Web and not to forget Maps.

I have used Google Page Creator extensively, using Page creator one can create their website (say 15 to20 pages) within 1 to 2 hours. And believe me this is one of the best WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) website creator I have ever used. You are allowed to use advance scripting (for those who know them) or use the predefined templates and methods to build you own unique website. The features can compete with any paid web hosting service available in the market. Google gives you 100MB of file storage space and a limitation of 500 pages (including files), you are free to use any advertising service in your site (AdSense) and best of all it comes free along with your Gmail account.

Google Reader, this is the newest product that I have started using from past few months. This was in Beta version for a long time and has not graduated from Google's lab. For those who don't want to keep searching Internet for a topic and want to keep themselves updated about a particular topic, this is the best tool. Reader simply keeps track of RSS (a technology to publish all the topics in particular site/topic). You can get all the required information under single site. After some initial configuration part you would have able to get all that interests you.

Google Earth, Sketch Up and Maps are interlinked. Using Google Earth you will be able to zoom though the streets of your place and find routs between two locations. Using Sketch Up you will be able to design complex buildings and actual buildings with ease. I built my home (with little difference) in not more than 2 hours. Once equipped with the knowledge to build structures you will find it very easy to make or break any thing you like. Some geeks build their house and upload it to Google Earth as a module. This building can be seen in 3D view by using Google Earth. Soon google is going to provide live weather related picture free. This will be revolutionary as only the deface or core govt. department had access to these information. This is possible due to the recent agreements between Google and NASA.

Google Group is like any other group provided by any other providers; Wrong!. I have been using google groups and was astonished by its features. For normal users it does not have any big difference, it provides all standard features as provided by other Groups or forums. In Google groups can also be used as Forums. You can post a question and even track it for answers till you find one. You can have your groups Home Page and host a mini website which can hold up to 100MB of data.

Google Code an open source forum run by Google to create, discuss and share open source APIs for programmers. This one is a great place for programmers who want to test their codes on various systems across different platform. There are already millions of codes available in the site to a newbie to start exploring and create his own application which is robust and reliable.

Google Trends, can be used by those enthusiasts who want to know what the world is looking for. Nothing much to talk about it, its about experiencing. You will be able to find out trends with respect to any specific topic. The result can be viewed for a particular period and region. This is a great tool for those who are in advertising and marketing industry.

Google Docs & Spreadsheet is comparatively new to google. Earlier Google only had its Spreadsheet service, later Google acquired Writely.com which offers Document support like .doc, .pdf, .html ect.

I will include Picasa, Picasa Web and GMap in the next article...

Till then....enjoy the artful presence.