Google Docs and Google Drive

Google Docs is a great, free, online alternative to Microsoft Office, but it also so much more.  With Google Docs anywhere you have a web browser and internet access you can write papers, create presentations, create spreadsheets, and store any type of file.  Here is a short video that gives a quick, simple explanation about Google Docs.  You don't need to have any software on your computer and you can do all of the work in your browser.  There are also apps for your iPhone or Android phone that will allow you to access and edit your documents and files.

Some great features of Google Docs are collaboration and versioning.  You can share your documents, spreadsheets, and presentations with your classmates and you can all simultaneously work on the same document and see all changes in real time.  All Google Docs also keep a history of all changes made and at any time, you can revert back to a previous version. As you type, it also automatically saves all of your changes.  Ever have Microsoft Word crash on you and you lost your work before you could save?  You'll never have that with Google Docs.  When you are done writing your document or creating your presentation, you can give your instructor the link to that Google Doc or you can export it as a Word, Excel, or PowerPoint file and submit that to your instructor.

You can also get free 5 GB of data storage online with Google Drive.  Google Drive is an upgrade of Google Docs, where in addition to being able to create documents online, you can store any type of file that you want to.  Similar to Dropbox, you can install the Google Drive application on your computer and have access to your files online and in a folder on your computer.  With Google Drive, you can finally ditch your flash drive.  Have you ever lost or broken your flash drive and lost your work?  Have you ever had your computer's hard drive die on you and you lose your work?  I know I have.  Last week I had the hard drive die with all of my photos that my wife and I have ever taken, including our wedding photos.  I have those stored in Google Drive, so I didn't lose any of them.  Thank goodness for online storage!

If you start using Google Docs or Google Drive, or are an Google Docs or Drive pro, feel free to leave your tips and tricks in the comments!