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Google Docs Updated

George T — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:16:16 +0000

There are some major changes in Google Docs. To begin with, the left navigation panel transformed itself to a much better one. Things now are more organized, optimized and, you may as well say, more social. Better sharing options (incl. shared folders) and multiple file upload are two of the most important highlights in the updated Google Docs.

To share a group of items, all you have to do is put them all into a folder and share the folder. As you’d expect, if you add an item to a shared folder, it will automatically be shared and if you add someone to an existing shared folder, they will instantly get access to all of the folder’s content.

You can learn more about shared folders here. Except for the shared folders and the multiple file upload features there have been a few major interface updates which you will definitely notice when first entering Google Docs. Anyhow, the truth is Google Docs is getting more and more serious and I love this.

Finally, you can just jump to docs.google.com and explore by yourself.

View documents online without leaving your browser

George T — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 17:29:11 +0000

Ever wondered how much convenient it would be if you could just view this nice powerpoint file your friend emailed you last night without the need of a third party desktop software (i.e. Microsoft Office, OpenOffice, etc.) Well, last year Google introduced the “View” link in Gmail attachments, which allowed you to view online PDF files that you had received with Gmail. They also added support for viewing PowerPoint and TIFF files. Two days ago Google opened this technology to all webmasters and blog owners with the Google Docs viewer.

Google Docs Viewer, lets you view any PDF document, PowerPoint presentation or TIFF file without leaving your browser. All you need to do is go to Google Docs viewer, enter the document URL, and click on the “Generate link” button.

What’s next Google? :)

Google Docs, sharing with Google Groups

Argy A — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 17:13:36 +0000

Recently, Google introduced an easier way to share documents, calendars, etc — using Google Groups.

Sharing capabilities were limited, because you could only share a document with a friend of yours, or make it public so that everyone can see it. Now, sharing enhanced, with the option to share docs with multiple people — you can now share with an entire Google Group.

The group members, can simultaneously open and edit the same documents, and everyone will be aware of each documents’ status (awareness). This way of sharing, makes collaboration better between several individuals, and we expect more to come from Google.

Sharing with a Google Group is easy, all you have to do is type the Google Group’s email address and it’s done! The magic starts when people join or leave the group and they automatically gain or lose the rights they were given (as a group).

This was a feature that people wanted to “just work” — and now it does. Go ahead and try it out with your sites, calendars and documents!

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Google Docs mini ui changes

George T — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 08:21:36 +0000

There seems to be a very slight change in the User Interface of Google Docs this morning. At the left, inside the navigation menu and under the folder “My folders”, the small folder icons have changed. They changed towards a more simple and clean design. So simple and clean that they tend to stand out from the current UI design.

I have to say I really like them. However they look so different compared to the icon at the left of “My Folders”. Thinking ahead to a possible redesign of some other UI elements of Google Docs makes me smile.

I can’t wait to see what’s next. :)