Google Docs?

[MariDisney]

Can someone explain google docs to me? All of a sudden a ton of people are talking about it, and I'm not really getting what it is.

 

[ckay87]

As I understand it, it allows documents to be stored on a server so that multiple people or groups can access the documents. It allows for more efficient collaboration on a document than simply emailing it around. Does that make sense? We've been using a similar technology (Sharepoint) at work for years. But we are within the same network. This allows sharing by anyone with access to the internet, really. They would just have to be given permissions.

Again, this is just my understanding, never having actually used it.

 

[Strangeite]

Google Docs is the name of the web-based application suite that Google provides free to everyone with a Google account. Currently, there is a Word Processor, Spreadsheet, Presentation (like PowerPoint) and Form tool.

Your documents can be stored locally (on your computer) or in the cloud (on Google's servers). Having them in the cloud offers the advantage that you can access them anywhere you can find an internet connection.

Google Docs have not completely replaced Microsoft Office for me; but I love using it. If I didn't rely on document preparation for a living, I don't think I would ever purchase Microsoft Office.

I also like the seamless integration with Gmail.

Hope that clears things up.