Google

Anybody who is a Google user out there? I am. Google's Email (or GMail), Google Calendar, Google Docs and Spreadsheets, Google's Picasa Web Albums, Google's Blogspot, Google's GTalk, Google Desktop.

First is GMail. This, for me, is the best e-mail application out there. Why? It's everywhere -- accessible by web. Second, it makes use of JavaScript technology, such that the components behave like one of that a desktop application. The page doesn't load every time you click the refresh link, or the next page link. Sorry to say this, but this simply tops YahooMail for me. YahooMail, you're too late. You want an e-mail application with rich UI, that gives a lot of space (that you don't even need to delete mails)? Try GMail.

Next in line is the Google Calendar. Why? Portability. Calendar is accessed in the office, Calendar is accessed at home. Its plain simple. Why keep 2 calendars? Why keep synchronizing your calendar that you keep at home, and the calendar you keep in the office? Then this is the solution. What's more to this application is calendar sharing. You want your dad, or your friend to view the Birthdays in your calendar? Or perhaps your the dates of your vacation? Then share it.

Google Apps also comes with Google Documents and Spreadsheets. Oh. Sweet. Accessibility is simply the key. Why keep 2 documents or spreadsheet at 2 different places when you can manage just 1? Try this.

Next is Google's photo management application -- Picasa Web Albums! Oh this application is just sweet. It comes with 1.) Picasa software, and 2.) the web albums. Picasa does it all -- crop, straighten, redeye, contrast, color, lighting, shadowing, color temperature, other effects. Do you need to know all this? No! Because there is a "I'm feeling lucky" option. Users of Picasa can vary from the greatest photographers, to the mommy who doesn't know how to edit pictures. After you have managed your pictures with Picasa, with one click, you're ready to publish, you're ready to blog.

Let us not forget about Google's messenger -- GTalk! How I wish all of my friends would just use this instead of AIM, YM, or Gaim, or Jabber, or ICQ, or Trillian, or MSN, ... (the list goes on). Who among all of those archives the conversation in just 1 location? Let me rephrase, who among all these doesn't archive the conversation in the machine where you are using the messenger? Answer? Google Talk -- GTalk archives conversation in their own servers (perhaps in Mountain View, California). Now, that is just USEFUL! Who needs 2 archives when you have a YM in the office, and YM at home? How is one going to make use of 2 conversation archives? How are you going to search for messages? No no no, YM just didn't place themselves in the shoes of users. But Google Talk, they captured the need.

And Oh, how can I forget, the ever-useful, Google Desktop. You want a search engine in your own machine? Try Google Desktop -- searches everything in your computer from e-mails, files, up to web history! Window XP's search? Nope, not good enough. It is just not good enough! Windows, you're too late. But Google has thought of what the user needs.

Finally, the alpha, the beginning, the source, the origin of Google -- Google search engine. You want relevant results? Do you want customized search? Do you want to convert currencies? You want to define a word? You want a page that is so simple that it contains nothing but the search box and the search button? Then Google is for you.

End.

PS: I'm using Google's Blogspot by the way.