The Docs team is always looking for interesting information on how you
use Google Docs. I'd like to get a discussion going about some ways
that you use Google Docs in your life.
We really look forward to hearing a wide array of information from you
about your experiences with the Google Docs product.
> The Docs team is always looking for interesting information on how you
> use Google Docs. I'd like to get a discussion going about some ways
> that you use Google Docs in your life.
> We really look forward to hearing a wide array of information from you
> about your experiences with the Google Docs product.
I'd like to be able to use Docs to build student directories but there
are some key functions missing.
I work with several high schools and within each school there are many
different sub-groups (i.e. PTA, sports teams, clubs, etc). Each of
this groups produces a directory of the members. It may be something
as simple as a single printed sheet or it may be a 100 page bound book
underwritten by advertisers. Docs could be a great collaborative tool
for building printed and online directories.
If Google wants to get wildfire-type adoption across the county I'd
suggest you look at addressing the education sector. I'd really like
to talk with a product manager about some of the specific needs of
this market.
I work in a dental office and we use it to track patient's treatment
plans. It works well because other dr.'s can see what their patient's
progress is and the discussion option lets me ask the doctor questions
while he's with patients - he answers at his convenience.
> The Docs team is always looking for interesting information on how you
> use Google Docs. I'd like to get a discussion going about some ways
> that you use Google Docs in your life.
> We really look forward to hearing a wide array of information from you
> about your experiences with the Google Docs product.
I use google spreadsheet to combine all of my classes assignments.
That way, I can have a record of all my asignments in order to know
what I should be focusing on. The only thing that would make it
better is if google offered a simple database product. That way, I
could assign different attributes to the different assignments,
opening up all kinds of different search options.
I'm betting that eventually Google will nail down a rock-solid 'office
suite' that enables users to create full-featured documents,
spreadsheets and databases wherever they are on the planet (perhaps at
other locations as well, eventually).
That should coincide with ubiquitous Internet access, eliminating the
need to carry laptops or to keep information in filing cabinets, 3-
ring notebooks, etc. etc.
My current use of Google Docs is based on that scenario.
I used Google Docs last semester to write group project reports with
classmates. I am in Graduate School in Engineering, so my reports are
heavy on charts and graphs. I would typically have to prepare the
plots in MS Excel or MATLAB since Google Spreadsheets is not
sufficient for intensive scientific plotting. Usually I would save
plots in .PNG format for pasting into the presentation.
The main benefit for us was the ability to work on the document
simultaneously. It would have helped some to have a chat screen as
with the spreadsheets program, but other chat programs worked fine,
too. We were able to split writing assignments and not get confused
with many versions.
Yeah, I would love to work on some of my group projects with google
docs, unfortunately my classmates are old school and we continually
email each other the word document back and forth... I need to
somehow convince them!
> I used Google Docs last semester to write group project reports with
> classmates. I am in Graduate School in Engineering, so my reports are
> heavy on charts and graphs. I would typically have to prepare the
> plots in MS Excel or MATLAB since Google Spreadsheets is not
> sufficient for intensive scientific plotting. Usually I would save
> plots in .PNG format for pasting into the presentation.
> The main benefit for us was the ability to work on the document
> simultaneously. It would have helped some to have a chat screen as
> with the spreadsheets program, but other chat programs worked fine,
> too. We were able to split writing assignments and not get confused
> with many versions.
Get someone to help then sit down with your old school classmates and
show them the program in action, collaborating in real time with your
helper - that might do the trick?
> Yeah, I would love to work on some of my group projects with google
> docs, unfortunately my classmates are old school and we continually
> email each other the word document back and forth... I need to
> somehow convince them!
> On Feb 22, 3:01 pm, "[email address]" wrote:
> > I used Google Docs last semester to write group project reports with
> > classmates. I am in Graduate School in Engineering, so my reports are
> > heavy on charts and graphs. I would typically have to prepare the
> > plots in MS Excel or MATLAB since Google Spreadsheets is not
> > sufficient for intensive scientific plotting. Usually I would save
> > plots in .PNG format for pasting into the presentation.
> > The main benefit for us was the ability to work on the document
> > simultaneously. It would have helped some to have a chat screen as
> > with the spreadsheets program, but other chat programs worked fine,
> > too. We were able to split writing assignments and not get confused
> > with many versions.
Personally I use GD for collaborative prose writing with friends.
They write a paragraph, I write a paragraph... We've probably done
over 500,000 words that way in the last year. It's a lot of fun and I
haven't found a better or easier way to do it than via Google Docs.
> The Docs team is always looking for interesting information on how you
> use Google Docs. I'd like to get a discussion going about some ways
> that you use Google Docs in your life.
> We really look forward to hearing a wide array of information from you
> about your experiences with the Google Docs product.
I am currently using Google Documents to manage my Tim Hortons
(Canadian coffee chain) Roll Up The Rim statistics for this year. The
best thing is that Google Spreadsheets has become my pseudo web-
publishing tool. I update my statistics online in an entry sheet, and
then those changes flow to a publicly viewable spreadsheet that I've
embedded in my page.
For the icing on the cake, I have a statistical formula that is
plotted on a graph (because everyone loves those), and then I
reference the image on the graph straight on my page. It saves me a
little bit of time every day, and makes doing the previously hard
stuff so much easier.
We use this for our club to keep track of members contact details, as
well writing regular updates on our activities as we operate virtually
(so it's useful for other members of the national team to be able to
view reports from each other)
I think it's a fantastic tool and like the new functionality meaning
you can see the font size, style etc wherever you click on the page,
but still liked the Save and Close button!
> I am currently using Google Documents to manage my Tim Hortons
> (Canadian coffee chain) Roll Up The Rim statistics for this year. The
> best thing is that Google Spreadsheets has become my pseudo web-
> publishing tool. I update my statistics online in an entry sheet, and
> then those changes flow to a publicly viewable spreadsheet that I've
> embedded in my page.
> For the icing on the cake, I have a statistical formula that is
> plotted on a graph (because everyone loves those), and then I
> reference the image on the graph straight on my page. It saves me a
> little bit of time every day, and makes doing the previously hard
> stuff so much easier.
We're using GD at work to solve some cross-platform problems with
using Word docs on PCs and Macs (things kept deleting themselves). We
just started this week by putting our catalog copy online. I can
write / edit the copy while the graphic designers are laying it into
the design program. Pretty handy!
> We use this for our club to keep track of members contact details, as
> well writing regular updates on our activities as we operate virtually
> (so it's useful for other members of the national team to be able to
> view reports from each other)
> I think it's a fantastic tool and like the new functionality meaning
> you can see the font size, style etc wherever you click on the page,
> but still liked the Save and Close button!
> On Feb 29, 9:10 am, Jon Lin wrote:
> > I am currently using Google Documents to manage my Tim Hortons
> > (Canadian coffee chain) Roll Up The Rim statistics for this year. The
> > best thing is that Google Spreadsheets has become my pseudo web-
> > publishing tool. I update my statistics online in an entry sheet, and
> > then those changes flow to a publicly viewable spreadsheet that I've
> > embedded in my page.
> > For the icing on the cake, I have a statistical formula that is
> > plotted on a graph (because everyone loves those), and then I
> > reference the image on the graph straight on my page. It saves me a
> > little bit of time every day, and makes doing the previously hard
> > stuff so much easier.
(sorry if this is not the right thread, but i couldn't find a more
suitable one)
Am i the only one who thinks that the latest toolbar changes are for
the worse?
I use google docs as an online note-taker and i write my blog entries
in it.
My typical workflow is: New document -> type some text -> save ->
(different time, different computer) reopen -> type some text ->
publish -> re-read -> save & close.
I mean, come on. Removing "Save & Close", the most useful button of
all? Why oh why.
In fact, I feel that every design change since Writely is for the
worse. You are making things more "familiar", but by that, more
complicated.
Originally, "new document" was one click. Now its two, new ->
document. OK, i can live with that.
I disliked the "folders for tags" idea at first, but i got used to it.
And yes, drag-n-drop to folder is very useful.
But when I want to place a document under new tag, that is now a
complex process. Originally i could just click "add tag" and fill in
new tag name. Now i first have to New->Folder (it took me five minutes
the first time, because it never occurred to me that i'd have to
create a new folder just to tag a document), wait until it appears and
then drag the document into it.
Okay, enough of -that- rant. Now about the new toolbar.
a) how nice of you to add (redundant) tiny "save" icon when, as you
said, Docs save automatically anyway. Personally, i always use ctrl+s
to save. But i understand that some people click. What i -don't-
understand is how a tiny "floppy" icon instead of big labelled "save"
button helps them accomplish that. Familiar location, maybe? So why
not keep both?
b) said it before, will say it again - save & close, the most useful
button ever. saves (so i don't need to worry) and returns me to work
on other docs in one step. Now i have to save manually and either
locate "close" in "file" menu, or "google docs home" top right - why,
why, why? What was wrong with that button?
c) "discard changes" gone too? how do i discard changes now? that's
not just a button gone, that's missing functionality.
d) spellcheck, apart from being tinier, now doesn't seem to be able to
select languages. what if, just what if, docs didn't recognize my
language properly? (on a sidenote, i prefer interface in english,but
write in czech, my native language. docs don't seem to be able to
accommodate that)
Well, that's about it. Other than that, i think you are doing a great
job removing bugs and adding new features. It's just that you should
think more about keeping the old features comfortable to use ;e)
regards, and "pleasegiveusbackthetoolbar",
matejcik
> The Docs team is always looking for interesting information on how you
> use Google Docs. I'd like to get a discussion going about some ways
> that you use Google Docs in your life.
> We really look forward to hearing a wide array of information from you
> about your experiences with the Google Docs product.
> (sorry if this is not the right thread, but i couldn't find a more
> suitable one)
> Am i the only one who thinks that the latest toolbar changes are for
> the worse?
> I use google docs as an online note-taker and i write my blog entries
> in it.
> My typical workflow is: New document -> type some text -> save ->
> (different time, different computer) reopen -> type some text ->
> publish -> re-read -> save & close.
> I mean, come on. Removing "Save & Close", the most useful button of
> all? Why oh why.
> In fact, I feel that every design change since Writely is for the
> worse. You are making things more "familiar", but by that, more
> complicated.
> Originally, "new document" was one click. Now its two, new ->
> document. OK, i can live with that.
> I disliked the "folders for tags" idea at first, but i got used to it.
> And yes, drag-n-drop to folder is very useful.
> But when I want to place a document under new tag, that is now a
> complex process. Originally i could just click "add tag" and fill in
> new tag name. Now i first have to New->Folder (it took me five minutes
> the first time, because it never occurred to me that i'd have to
> create a new folder just to tag a document), wait until it appears and
> then drag the document into it.
> Okay, enough of -that- rant. Now about the new toolbar.
> a) how nice of you to add (redundant) tiny "save" icon when, as you
> said, Docs save automatically anyway. Personally, i always use ctrl+s
> to save. But i understand that some people click. What i -don't-
> understand is how a tiny "floppy" icon instead of big labelled "save"
> button helps them accomplish that. Familiar location, maybe? So why
> not keep both?
> b) said it before, will say it again - save & close, the most useful
> button ever. saves (so i don't need to worry) and returns me to work
> on other docs in one step. Now i have to save manually and either
> locate "close" in "file" menu, or "google docs home" top right - why,
> why, why? What was wrong with that button?
> c) "discard changes" gone too? how do i discard changes now? that's
> not just a button gone, that's missing functionality.
> d) spellcheck, apart from being tinier, now doesn't seem to be able to
> select languages. what if, just what if, docs didn't recognize my
> language properly? (on a sidenote, i prefer interface in english,but
> write in czech, my native language. docs don't seem to be able to
> accommodate that)
> Well, that's about it. Other than that, i think you are doing a great
> job removing bugs and adding new features. It's just that you should
> think more about keeping the old features comfortable to use ;e)
> regards, and "pleasegiveusbackthetoolbar",
> matejcik
> On 21 Ún, 23:01, Google Docs Guide 1 wrote:
> > Hi all,
> > The Docs team is always looking for interesting information on how you
> > use Google Docs. I'd like to get a discussion going about some ways
> > that you use Google Docs in your life.
> > We really look forward to hearing a wide array of information from you
> > about your experiences with the Google Docs product.
One of the interesting things about Google Docs is that although, as
of the current date, it doesn't work well for transferring documents
back and forth from MS WORD, a Google Docs document transferred to
WORD (without the intention of bringing it back to Google Docs) does
work quite well.
This still has the unfortunate limitation of requiring WORD (or
another full-featured word processing program), rather than being able
to do all document processing in Google Docs. But maybe Google will
get around to 'fixing' that eventually.
hi marie: I really am having a problem - have left messages on a
couple of other user groups - when i try to email a google document,
which ahs worked fine in the past, the send button doesn't work. i can
read it, but not click on it.
as a result, i am unable to email stories/manuscripts i am working on
to others, as i have in the past. it's a real problem for me, since i
am facing several deadlines.
if you or someone else could get back to me at this address or at my
real email address - it's paul.wilner@gmail - it would be enormously
helpful.
i think it's probably just a technical glitch of some kind, but i
don't know what i've done wrong (if it's on my end) or how to fix it,
but need to do the sooner the better. many thanks!
pw
On Feb 21, 2:01 pm, Google Docs Guide 1 wrote:
> The Docs team is always looking for interesting information on how you
> use Google Docs. I'd like to get a discussion going about some ways
> that you use Google Docs in your life.
> We really look forward to hearing a wide array of information from you
> about your experiences with the Google Docs product.
Have you tried from FF and IE, Paul? When I jsut tested mine (FF) the
Email button went through to the email dialogue box as expected - I
admit I didn't actually add any email addresses and try sending it.
> hi marie: I really am having a problem - have left messages on a
> couple of other user groups - when i try to email a google document,
> which ahs worked fine in the past, the send button doesn't work. i can
> read it, but not click on it.
> as a result, i am unable to email stories/manuscripts i am working on
> to others, as i have in the past. it's a real problem for me, since i
> am facing several deadlines.
> if you or someone else could get back to me at this address or at my
> real email address - it's paul.wilner@gmail - it would be enormously
> helpful.
> i think it's probably just a technical glitch of some kind, but i
> don't know what i've done wrong (if it's on my end) or how to fix it,
> but need to do the sooner the better. many thanks!
> pw
> On Feb 21, 2:01 pm, Google Docs Guide 1 wrote:
> > Hi all,
> > The Docs team is always looking for interesting information on how you
> > use Google Docs. I'd like to get a discussion going about some ways
> > that you use Google Docs in your life.
> > We really look forward to hearing a wide array of information from you
> > about your experiences with the Google Docs product.
I am an educator in Japan teaching English writing. Last semester I
used Docs on a collaborative effort among groups of students in the
class. So they could add their information during real time. they
typed directly onto an outline I had prepared.
Now I want to expand my class' use of documents. I am thinking of
setting up a folder for each student to use to paste or type their
essay homework each week, for 14 weeks. I am wondering if this is a
good idea. On the one hand it would eliminate the excuse of having
forgotten and left the homework at home. BUt I wonder how I can
monitor all those folders easily and quickly to see who is uptodate
and who isn't. IS there some way I can be notified of each submission?
The second issue would be accessing those files in all those folders
during class time. It seemed sometimes last semester there was some
kind of traffic jam in getting a response from Google Documents by the
students using it at the same time. Is that a univ. server problem or
Google limitation?
regards,
Edo River
On Feb 22, 7:01 am, Google Docs Guide 1 wrote:
> The Docs team is always looking for interesting information on how you
> use Google Docs. I'd like to get a discussion going about some ways
> that you use Google Docs in your life.
> We really look forward to hearing a wide array of information from you
> about your experiences with the Google Docs product.
If I were to setup the folders I'd set them up in a folder per
assignment and put the copies on which each student has to work in
these folders. The sorting system of Google Docs shows which students
have accessed their assignment this would help in determining which
ones have at least looked at their assignments.
Note that by using the item 'Opened by me' you should be able to sort
on the name of the files (and thus sort all assignments too); this
view also gives an 'updated' indication if a file has changed.
Traffic jams can be the result of many things. Probably the server at
the university causes it by having to narrow a bandwith but there also
are traffic jams when Google Docs launches a new feature; everbody
want to play with it.
To minimize problems with your unuiversity server ask your students to
log in through secure http, i.e. https (the secure login for private
users of Google Docs is https://docs.google.com but you may be
employing an other Google Apps login that is associated with your
university's domain; yet try to use https as it bypasses proxy servers
and thus gives a more direct connection with the Google Servers
> I am an educator in Japan teaching English writing. Last semester I
> used Docs on a collaborative effort among groups of students in the
> class. So they could add their information during real time. they
> typed directly onto an outline I had prepared.
> Now I want to expand my class' use of documents. I am thinking of
> setting up a folder for each student to use to paste or type their
> essay homework each week, for 14 weeks. I am wondering if this is a
> good idea. On the one hand it would eliminate the excuse of having
> forgotten and left the homework at home. BUt I wonder how I can
> monitor all those folders easily and quickly to see who is uptodate
> and who isn't. IS there some way I can be notified of each submission?
> The second issue would be accessing those files in all those folders
> during class time. It seemed sometimes last semester there was some
> kind of traffic jam in getting a response from Google Documents by the
> students using it at the same time. Is that a univ. server problem or
> Google limitation?
> regards,
> Edo River
> On Feb 22, 7:01 am, Google Docs Guide 1 wrote:
> > Hi all,
> > The Docs team is always looking for interesting information on how you
> > use Google Docs. I'd like to get a discussion going about some ways
> > that you use Google Docs in your life.
> > We really look forward to hearing a wide array of information from you
> > about your experiences with the Google Docs product.
I use docs for making all kind of lists for personal use. I have at
least 20 document and 2 spreadsheets. They are for my personal
interests: learning english(many english words lists), teaching,
mathematics. I keep even journals for my daily life, relationships,
psychology. I am a bit of perfectionist and this is why I like to have
the things organized and Google Docs gives me this opportunity.
Moreover, in the eventuality of a computer crash it's better to have
these documents online. The spreadsheet is used for a list of my
books. The number of documents will be bigger in time and I may share
them with others.
> The Docs team is always looking for interesting information on how you
> use Google Docs. I'd like to get a discussion going about some ways
> that you use Google Docs in your life.
> We really look forward to hearing a wide array of information from you
> about your experiences with the Google Docs product.
> The Docs team is always looking for interesting information on how you
> use Google Docs. I'd like to get a discussion going about some ways
> that you use Google Docs in your life.
> We really look forward to hearing a wide array of information from you
> about your experiences with the Google Docs product.
Google doc is simple and useful, however, it missed a very import
function is the "index" and "sub-total" as what excel do. They are the
most popular and useful function in excel, if google doc including
this, then we don't need to use MS excel.
> The Docs team is always looking for interesting information on how you
> use Google Docs. I'd like to get a discussion going about some ways
> that you use Google Docs in your life.
> We really look forward to hearing a wide array of information from you
> about your experiences with the Google Docs product.
We have a small public relations firm in Chicago. At various times, we
work from home, from the road, etc., so we need an online
collaboration tool. I have convinced my colleagues to join me in using
Google Docs in a variety of ways.
- Our account coordinator enters her timesheet every day in a Google
Spreadsheet. It's easy for the firm's owners to monitor her time every
day, and it's easy for our bookkeeper to download the spreadsheet into
Excel for billing purposes. (Eventually we're going to migrate to a
true online timesheet program.)
- We keep a spreadsheet of deadlines and deliverables for several of
our clients. We give the client access to edit the document. It help
keeps us and the client on the same page in terms of project status.
- We use Google Calendar for a joint office calendar. Each person has
his/her own calendar, and we share them with each other. So each of us
can see everybody's status at once. I gave my wife access to my
calendar so she can see where I am, but she can't see (doesn't need to
see) where everybody else in the office is. We also put major
deadlines on the Google calendar. It's easy to see the calendar with
my phone, too.
- When we need to jointly draft a document and we're not in the same
office, we use Google docs. The other day, I was writing a new
business proposal and my colleague was watching and commenting on
everything I wrote in realtime.
I'm thinking of giving some kind of class on how to do all of this
stuff. Would anyone come?
> The Docs team is always looking for interesting information on how you
> use Google Docs. I'd like to get a discussion going about some ways
> that you use Google Docs in your life.
> We really look forward to hearing a wide array of information from you
> about your experiences with the Google Docs product.
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