Google Docs vs Microsoft Office Web App

There is competition out there who offers more when it comes to things such as using web based apps with the cloud.  I went through two different services Google Docs vs Microsoft Office Web App.  I found the two to be similar a bit when it comes to typing out a regular document with its basic features.  Google Docs saves on Google Drive while Microsoft Office Web app saves documents on the SkyDrive. Microsoft Office Web App makes it easier to type out a document in different formats like you would on the desktop program (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, OneNote), but don’t expect the full features it would have where your money eventually goes into by buying the program.  Nice features it has is it automatically saves whatever you type on the cloud or you can edit/save within your desktop Office app.  I notice the only thing that Microsoft has over Google Docs is a variety and better looking templates used for such as PowerPoint.  

I feel that Google Docs is more creative in this comparison because it has the collaborative editing live than Microsoft Office Web App when shared with a group of people.  Google Docs works just the same automatically saving it on Google Drive.  Microsoft is a pain trying to edit a document with another user.  As seen below in the picture comparing two users collaborating:

Google Docs provides drawing as well along with collaborative editing, but Microsoft doesn’t.

If you’re used to using Microsoft Office, then your best bet is to use the web based app they provide because people are not familiar with Google Docs.  The interface is not so much welcoming as Microsoft’s web apps, but it still works well. More than likely, I would use Microsoft’s web app for typing up papers for school if I don’t have the full desktop program just because it’s so familiar to me where I have used it growing up.  As for working with a group of people on a project or drawing, Google Docs is the way to go.

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Evernote vs Springpad

There are two apps that are the same concept when it comes to saving information from websites instead of bookmarking.  The apps are Evernote and Springpad.  I’ll start out with Springpad for having a great interface with the colors and the organization of the notebooks.  It looks more fun to use and connects to a community of people and all forms of media.  Springpad is more towards just web clipping the sites you want to save, finding recipes, movies, TV shows, ebooks, and matches liked interest with things you have clipped. As seen in the picture below, it matches the wine with the food.

I like how organized it is once you open it up the site compared to Evernote which lists all notes you clipped in one setting lagging a bit. The interface of Springpad gives it a since of simplicity making it a lot easier to access. Springpad seems a lot faster, but of course not so reliable if you have no internet. It just seems more like Pinterest to me for doing fun activities like doing art projects.  You have a social network on there as well adding your friends which is really nice to see their interests. It also helps send you a txt or a reminder via email of any tasks that you save.

When it comes to serious note taking, Evernote should be considered being used. Evernote seems more reliable than Springpad because the fact it has a desktop program you can download to your PC and work offline with it.  Plus, the browser extension just like Springpad making it convenient to clip a webpage. It is very good with third party support as a browser add-on and as a mobile app.  You can edit the webpages you clip with notes, add pictures, make up your own notes, save documents, and it will automatically sync.  The interface of Evernote is very simple and plain. You can work with other programs that sync to Evernote such as Skitch where you can edit pictures with notes.  Evernote overall provides more programs and extensions that help you connect more to media and people. 

If I were to choose between the two, it would be Evernote because I use it a lot for note taking and clipping webpages that I edit.  The fact that Evernote works online and offline on your PC, mobile, or their site.  Just seems you can do a whole lot more with Evernote.  Despite only having about 60MB of data to use on it a month, it’s more powerful than Springpad.  Springpad is all cloud based and the moment their servers are down, the difficult it is to access your data. It would be something used for fun and simplicity. It’s great for finding recipes, music, ebooks, movies, and any particular interest. I really do like both, but Evernote seems more of a long term use for me and more reliable.

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How to Video: IT104 My First Video

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4 Must Have Browser Extensions

Assuming we all have moved on from Internet Explorer in this day and age and no longer use it, the top competing browsers would be FireFox, Google Chrome and Opera. And if for any reason you have not then now would be the time to do it. Firefox and Chrome have a large amount of extensions to use for your everyday needs. Internet Explorer does, but it's extensions come nowhere as close as the numbers that Chrome and FireFox have. If you haven’t moved on from IE, then do it. Assuming you have, let’s begin.

1.  Adblock Plus

Adblock Plus, Probably the first extension I download each time I get on a fresh install of a new browser or what I install on other people’s computer. Nobody likes ads. They hog up the screen, they blink and flash and tempt our epilepsy. And then you get the ones that bounce around the page, skipping like Richard Simmons. Adblock Plus takes care of that. It trims the pages down, lets you view with ease. An older pc’s and slower connections, you no longer have to wait for the page  to load so slow due to the embedded flash ads, embedded videos, and animated pictures. This is where Adblock truly shines.

 

2. Unbaby.me

Unbaby.me has prevented me from literally screaming at people. I work with the public, I hear crying kids all day, every day. It gets old. So when I come home and get on Facebook the last thing I want to see is the posts from the person who takes 50 pictures of their baby or children and posts them one by one. Yes, I could block you from my wall, but I might miss you posting something decent from time to time. And When I can just block everybody from posting this it makes it even better instead of singling out people and then finding yet another chronic poster.

  

3. Social Fixer

Social Fixer is a nice extension for facebook with many uses. It can organize your entire wall, group posts together into certain categories and it can also block annoying posts from never showing up. I have put this to good use to block the annoying political posts from users or the users who have to give me a status update every 5 minutes. No, we don’t care about your latest jog nor do we care to have your political or religious views shoved down our throats. Thank you social fixer!

4. The Great Suspender

If you are using a lower end computer, this is a life saver. And in some cases, those higher end pc’s can use this too. If you are like me, you more than likely keep a lot of tabs open while browsing. I’m usually reading news articles, doing research for homework or hobbies, and also browsing forums.  After a while, having all of those tabs open will hog many of your systems precious resources. The Great Suspender performs like it’s name suggests, it suspends those tabs you are not using and saves your resources.  A must have those late nights while in college and doing your research.

By Chris Whitt

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