Google Week: Docs & Spreadsheets

What is it?
Google Docs & Spreadsheets is a free online word processor & spreadsheet program that allows you to create, edit, and share files with other users in real time.

What is it good for?

Ability to work in collaboration with other users...

• Edit, create, etc. on their own time. No meeting necessary.
• Discuss and undo changes of other users at any time.
• Revise documents such as by-laws by upload your current .doc, .txt, .rtf file. Then begin the revision process by allowing a board/council to view or edit along with you.
• Create and share a setlist or order of an event between a Worship leader and Teaching Pastor.
  

What are the benefits?

• User permissions can be set to view only or full editing for each document.
  
• Peer editing is a breeze - your team can simultaneously edit a document from completely separate locations.
  
• No software to install on the PC and it works with any Windows, Mac, or Linux PC w/Internet.
• It's free!
  

What are some limitations...
This is Internet based so those w/o Internet or a slow connect will not reap the benefits of this product. Also it doesn't have all the bells & whistles that MS-Word & Excel has, just the basics. But don't worry, you can send your documents back to your familiar word processor (e.g., Word, OpenOffice Writer, etc.) or your printer when you're done.

Learning curve... is minimal. If you can use a word processor you can use it.

To get started using Google Docs & Spreadsheets click here.
FYI - they are working on Presentation software simliar to PowerPoint.

Google Week Series: [1] [2] [3] [4]