Delia Phillips
Mr. Elsesser
BCA
5/1/10
Google Docs is a free, Web-based word processor, spreadsheet, presentation, form, and data storage service offered by Google. It allows users to create and edit documents online while collaborating in real-time with other users.
Google Docs is Google's "software as a service" version of an office suite. Documents, spreadsheets, forms and presentations can be created within the application itself, imported through the web interface, or sent via email. They can also be saved to the user's computer in a variety of formats. By default, they are saved to the Google servers.
Open documents are automatically saved to prevent data loss, and a revision history is automatically kept. Documents can be tagged and archived for organizational purposes. The service is officially supported on recent versions of the Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari and Chrome browsers running on Microsoft Windows, Apple OS X, and Linux operating systems. Google Docs serves as a collaborative tool for editing amongst users and non-users in real time. Documents can be shared, opened, and edited by multiple users at the same time. In the case of spreadsheets, users can be notified of changes to any specified regions via e-mail.
I find it very convenient. I am a Google Docs user and it’s great because it replaces my use for a flash drive. All I have to do is save it to my account, and I can open it anywhere that has access to the internet.
Google Apps users will soon be able to upload any file up to 250MB. The service will provide up to 1GB of free storage, with any additional files costing $0.25 per GB per year. Google will start rolling out the service in the coming weeks.