6 May 2011

New Google services launch

New Google services, in addition to the new mail one, are being launched by CiCS today.

First up is Google Docs which offers an online word processor, spreadsheet and presentation tool. Although not as powerful as uSpace, in which teams of people can collaborate, it does allow you to create simple documents and share them with colleagues at Sheffield and at other institutions. To see which CiCS services are best suited to storing and sharing different pieces of work see the following guidelines: http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/cics/recommendations

Google Calendar will replace the present myCalendar service from 11 July. On Saturday 9 July all staff calendar data for future meetings will be transferred over to the new system. Under the new system you can have multiple calendars so, for example, you could add the University’s general events calendar into your own so you never miss out on an event taking place. You can keep some calendars open to colleagues and keep others confidential. Don’t worry about not knowing how to use them – training will be available from CiCS nearer the time.

Blogs and pictures are also covered by the new services as staff will gain access to a range of Google services including Picasa for online photograph collections and Blogger for a personal blogging service. Although these services are not formally supported by CiCS, they are not discouraged either. You are welcome to experiment with any of these new services and potentially discover innovative approaches to learning, teaching and research. See the full list of new tools at: Additional Google Services

If you want to experiment further then Google Labs is for you. This is a testing ground in which enthusiasts can try out a collection of tools which are currently being developed by Google. Some tools offer great enhancements to the services offered in Google Apps and others are more experimental. While you are free to have some fun testing these please be aware that tools in Labs can be withdrawn without notice.

For any queries on these new Google services please contact: cicscustomerservice@sheffield.ac.uk