Google News
Number one on my list is Google News. This is an oldie (in Internet years). Google News has been around since about 2004. It has been out of beta for a little over a year. And it is one of the most useful sources for news-alcoholics. Google News compiles news articles from all the major news providers like CNN, MSNBC News, ABC News, Fox News, The New York Times, The Washington Post, etc, etc, etc, etc. Right now, Google News pulls news from 4,500 different sources. Instead of browsing through different news sites to find out what's happening, Google News sorts out current events by topic and lets you pick which news provider when you want to read the full article. Trust me, just go to http://news.google.com and browse around. It's pretty cool. The first time you visit Google News, you will see some default categories on the left like "World," "U.S.," "Health," "Entertainment," etc. You can browse through these popular headings or do a search (like Xbox 360 if you are me) to find news relevant to you. Now, here is THE cool part. While browsing Google News (you must be signed in with your Google account), Google will start to figure out what interests you. It will then automatically compile a "Recommended" section that contains articles that you would like to read. Now, when I go to Google News, I rarely leave the "Recommended" section. Google News also lets you create your own sections (like "Xbox 360") so you don't have to do a search. Also, you can create e-mail alerts that notify you when "big news" is happening to a topic of interest. That's about it for Google News. Check it out, love it, use it. I never go a day without checking it.
Google Reader
I do apologize for the "I'm in love with Google tone," but the services they provide are certainly unique and par above the rest. So, what is Google Reader? Google Reader is just as essential (in my opinion) as Google News. Google Reader is a web based RSS/Atom feed viewer. Some of you are quite familiar with RSS feeds on your Google homepage. For those that aren't here is a post explaining RSS/Atom feeds and how that relates to your Google Homepage. Anyway, Google Reader allows you to subscribe to all your feeds, place them in folders, e-mail them, share them, sort them, organize them, star them (like Gmail), add tags (similar to "labels" in Gmail), etc. Basically, Google Reader is the perfect (web based) way to view RSS/Atom feeds. In order to make this applicable, here is how one would use Google Reader to view multiple blogs. If I were Kristen and had 15 blogs that I visited everyday, I would get tired of hopping from blog to blog and sifting through annoying load times. Google Reader would eliminate that. It automatically downloads THE ENTIRE POST from blogs (including pictures) and sorts the downloaded posts by date. Basically, you can view entire posts for every blog you frequent from one place. I won't go into features too much, but go to http://reader.google.com and check it out. It's worth your time.
Google Notebook
Google Notebook is no longer part of Google Labs. What this means: Google Labs looks cooler, has more settings to tweak, and allows for more control of sharing. You can allow people to read a notebook only, read and edit, or publish the notebook for the world to see. It's cool. Head over to http://notebook.google.com and play around. Its cool.
Google Homepage
Google Homepage has gadgets for these Google services: Google chat, Gmail, Google Calendar, Google News, Google Reader, Google Notebook, Google MP3 search, Google Docs, and some others. If you've used it, there is a Google Homepage gadget for it. Click "Add Stuff" from your Google Homepage and then search for "Google." All of the aforementioned Google services will be available to add to your homepage. They are very useful and very cool.
April Fools
This is one I wish was true. Head to http://mail.google.com and read about the new paper archive feature. Unless I'm way off here, looks like an early April Fools joke. My favorite line is the "Photo attachments are printed on high-quality, glossy photo paper, and secured to your Gmail Paper with a paper clip." However, Gmail was launched on April Fools day, so keep your eyes open for new changes to Gmail....ones that are real. Also watch out for Google's TiSP April fool's joke. This one made me laugh. It advertises free broadband by flushing a optical cable (provided by Google) down your toilet.
So there you have it. Technology from around the web. Enjoy, use them, and let me know what you think. If you want more details on certain features, just comment me. Until then, sianara
This was very informative and helpful! I am a google fan, so I'm with you on all the good google stuff! Thanks for keeping us up-to-date! And I wish that the paper archive was for real!
This is great info to know.