We all know that Google is great for doing research. However, Google provides many other tools to make a writer’s life easier.

Gmail is probably my favorite, since I keep having computers crash. I leave my email on their servers and can access it from any computer. It lets me create folders (they call it labels) to try to keep me organized. Now, they offer over 6GB of space.

Even I, the ultimate packrat, haven’t filled it up yet.

Google documents provides a way to back up your WIP offsite. If you backup to an external drive or thumb drive or memory stick (and you should), you run the risk of losing your data and backup in case of a fire or other disaster. Having the documents on Google’s servers helps minimize the risk. You can also share documents with other people for critiquing and collaboration. You can also put your documents there and share with others, if the file is too large to email.

Each one of my computers has a different version of Microsoft office. The Vista machine lacks MS Outlook. It does have the new Windows email program. I haven’t taken the time to set it up and learn how to use it. Google has a calendar function that works well, sends reminders to my cell phone and can be shared with others.

My XP machine doesn’t have MS PowerPoint. This weekend I had several friends send me inspirational PP slide shows. I was able to view them using Google documents. I’ve saved spreadsheets to Google documents and then set the link to people who don’t have Excel. They don’t need to have a Google account. You just send them a link.

Google Maps is a good alternative to Map Quest, especially combined with Google Earth. I have to be careful with that application. It is very entertaining and can become a great time suck.

I haven’t covered all the features and uses, but these are enough to get you started. If you have a favorite application or use for these tools, please leave a comment.

Write on,

Lynn Jordan

What would you do if your computer needed to go in for repairs? Would it totally stall your writing? Do you have a plan for restoring your data or moving your documents to a new machine?

As writers, we are dependent on our computers. Even though I have my Toshiba as a backup, I find that whatever file I need is always on the other machine.

Uploading your working files to Google Documents is a good way to make sure you have access to them no matter what happens to your computer. You can also use Google Documents to share files with your critique partners.

Did you know that when your computer has to go back to the manufacturer, it comes back with the disk drive set to the way it was when you bought it? All your data and settings are gone.

Since I’ve been having these problems, I’ve become paranoid about backing up my data. Everyday this week I’ve done a complete image backup on the HP. However, each day I’ve added more data and even some programs. This meant that I had to create another image. Yesterday, HP sent the machine a message (that’s a “feature” of Vista, being constantly in contact with the mother ship), that I should install SP1 for Vista. I didn’t dare do that upgrade, since I was having problems already. It’s best not to change too many things at once.

I also got a message (or rather the machine did) that they had discovered a problem in the model, and I should contact HP. I’d like to get that problem fixed at the same time. We’ll see if that happens.

I dropped the HP laptop off at the repair shop again today. I don’t know if they will need to send it back to HP or not this time.

I have my backup image safe on my external hard drive.

The problem that the microphone input doesn’t work. Recording using the bezel mics or with the input headphone jack generates static and nothing else. The repair folks thought that replacing the mainboard would also fix the microphones. Since the sound problem started long before the mainboard failed, I knew they weren’t related. The audio caused me problems with using Skype for phone calls and doing some audio for my website. However, I ended up using a USB microphone. This made the audio better, so I guess it worked out all right anyway.

Don’t take chances with your work. Back up your data.

Sincerly,

Lynn Jordan