GOOGLE WEARING DOC MARTINS

1. Title. GOOGLE DOCS

2. Description of Technology. Google Docs is an online publishing tool that can allow multiple users to edit view and engage in documents, spreadsheets and presentations. Google Docs is an easy to use application that will accept a wide range of file formats if you wish to upload existing documents or it has a plethora of templates available to make impressive and professional work.

3. Some Issues. One issue which is common to web based sharing applications is an age disclaimer about people under the age of 13 need parental authority and suporvision to use this is a Google disclaimer and it applies to all of their applications that require a login to use .

"In order to comply with federal law and the Google Terms of Service, students need to be over 13 years of age to use any product which requires a Google Account.
Students may participate in product use if the account is owned by a parent or teacher and that parent or teacher is present when the product is being used."

4. Educational applications - Their are so many benefits to both students and teachers using Google Docs. Not only can Google Docs unlock the door of Microsoft's 'vault' and free the innocent subscribers to their 'ever improving but never perfect' office suite, it also embraces the true nature of learning to outside normal availabilities the collaborative edit mode/ Presentations are created with a very similar format to powerpoint so previous users will quickly adapt.

5. Other thoughts - To make the most of Google's fantastic application you need to open a G-mail account. This in itself can open up a user to the world of 2.0. The best thing that I have found about a Gmail account is that from one page I can control and view all my other Email accounts, my blogging accounts, my RSS feeds from various sites I wish to stay in touch with.
The thing I liked best about using Google Docs was the online storage, meaning where ever I went I could work without having to carry around my thumbdrive, HDD, CD,DVD, flashdrive etc. . . Google is certainly a leader in free 2.0 applications that all speak to each other!!! ( :