Google Docs Forms update

Google Docs have recently gone through some changes with the Form application.

With Forms you can create surveys or any question based form, and collect the data from a GDocs Spreadsheet. Originally you could only create Forms (which are part of the Spreadsheet application in GDocs) from a Spreadsheet.
Recently the Forms have gone through a few interface changes; firstly the Forms can now be created from the list page view (Google Docs home) from the New drop down menu, secondly there have been some GUI changes, to make the application easier to use.

New additions to the website

We've added two extra pages to the website; Google Docs Training and Demonstrator Projects.

The Google Docs Training page consists of 4 sections to help you get started with Google Docs. There's a Quick Guide manual to Google Docs, a help point to ask any queries you have with Google Docs and YouTube and Screencast videos on using Google Docs.

The Demonstrator Projects page has been updated, with new links to provide more information about the individual projects.

So have a look and feel free to write a comment on the blog...

Google V's Microsoft

It seems that we are not only comparing web based office suites, but also the platform giants - Google and Microsoft.

Since the explosion of 'collaborative office based suites' (such as Google Docs, Zoho and ThinkFree) Microsoft have since launched their own collaborative office version called 'Office Live Workspace'. Whilst there have been many comparison reviews on Google Docs V's Office Live, Google Docs appears to come out on top when it comes to the collaboration features. However, some users may prefer using the familiar MS Office interface.

Whilst the debate over Google and Microsoft continues, I think Google Docs should pay more attention to the competition from the new up and coming collaborative tools online, such as Remember The Milk and Seesmic.

Google Docs Vs Zoho Vs ThinkFree

Web-based office suites have made a transition. While at first they simply imitated desktop applications in a Web browser, the new collaborative capabilities have developed new ways of working and studying, creating a whole new market in the web 2:0 environment. They've begun to grow away from simply imitating Microsoft Office to developing personalities of their own.

Google Docs, Zoho and ThinkFree appear to be the most popular web based office suites, and they have all been written about extensively on the web, so I'll save you from yet another comparison review! But from all the reviews I have read, in comparing functions and features, Computer World's review is the best one I have read so far. So have a read or judge for yourself to decide which one is best for you!

Over 2,000 institutions worldwide using Google Apps

Carrying on from my last blog on the Google Apps Education Edition , the latest news has just revealed that over 13 U.S institutions have just signed up to Google Apps, bringing over 2,000 institutions worldwide to Google's cloud computing.

Jeff Keltner, Google business development manager, wrote in his latest blog post. "Google Apps Education Edition is gaining momentum: more than a million users worldwide have adopted it to embrace the possibilities of technology in education."

The schools that have recently signed on to Apps include Collin County Community College District, Francis Marion University, George Washington University, Indiana University, Kean University, Kent State University, Kishwaukee College, Loyola Marymount University, Montgomery County Community College, New Jersey Institute of Technology, University of Florida, University of San Diego, and the University of Virginia.

Since debuting in October 2006, the free access to Google Apps allows students and staff free access to email and collaboration tools. It's also been reported that it's quick and easy to set up, as well as being versatile. "Technically Google Apps can be up and running in a matter of minutes," according to a spokeswoman. "Some universities offer services to just students and others offer to students, faculty, and staff."

The Web is less about the individual and more about a personal experience of participating in a group for work and play, says Jeff Keltner, business development manager for Google Apps Education Edition.

Google are also launching a 'App to School' road trip - a 10 stop tour coast to coast to talk about Google's applications.