Google, More than just a search engine

The most well-known search engine is, well, more than just a search engine. Google offers many free products that users can use. A wide variety of things allows the user to find a tool that fits their needs, not just on one specific topic. But before you look at the many products that Google has to offer besides “searching”, you might want to sign up for a free Gmail account. This will also serve as your Google account that you use to log in so you can use their features.

Gmail

Click here to get started!

Alright, so you’ve got your Gmail and Google account set up now. Now wasn’t that easy?

Gmail: Features

So what makes Gmail so different and special from the other e-mail services? Well, take a look at the features you just got for free if you’ve signed up.

• Cost: $0
• 4529 MB (and counting) of free storage so you’ll never need to delete another message again.
• Excellent Spam Blocker
• Messages can be sent and read in over 40 languages

• Supported by numerous browsers (If your browser does not fit the minimum requirements, you can download it from Google)

Alright, so those are some things that are in the free Gmail Package. Now let’s see what features that are in the Gmail interface that make it different from the other usual e-mail service.

Folders/Features

Starred: Click on e-mail messages and chats to mark as a “special” item. It will automatically be placed in this folder so you can get to it quickly.
Archive Button: After reading an e-mail from your inbox, just press the “Archive” button and it will be put in the “All Mail” section for you.
Searching your e-mails: Google doesn’t just search for web related stuff on the web anymore. With Gmail, you can find a specific e-mail without taking extra time to search each message individually. You’ll never need to make a specific folder for your messages again!
Your e-mail conversations tell a story: It’s true, actually! To explain it better, here is an example: You ask your friend when the big project is due. Your friend replies and says that it is due on Monday. You “archive” your message and leave your desk. You come back and ask yourself, “When is that project due again?”. No need to bug your friend again! Find the message that you sent and you should find your answer, as if it was stapled to your outgoing e-mail. But that is just a two way conversation through e-mails. What if you sent a letter to all of your family and friends about your essay that won an award? All of the replies that you get will be attached to your sent e-mail. Also, the names of the senders who sent their response will have their names in a certain color, which makes it easy to identify who said what.
Chat while checking your e-mail: You can chat with anyone you know who is a Gmail user and is in your “Quick Contacts” list. You can click on their name to begin chatting with them. In your bottom right hand corner, you should see a small window where you can chat. Unless you specify not to, your chats will be automatically saved. This is used while you are logged on to your Gmail. However, if you are not logged on to your Gmail inbox, you can use Google Talk.
Google Talk: Not logged into your Gmail? No worries. You can save time by downloading Google Talk for numerous reasons. Google Talk doesn’t have a basic look like the chat in your Gmail, it looks professional. Not only can you chat with your friend using your keyboard, but you can actually speak to your friend. Plug in a microphone to your computer and make sure to turn on your speakers. Click on the “Call” button on your buddy’s name. You should then here a dial tone. They can either answer or ignore the call. If they aren’t there, you’ll have a self recording and you can leave a message. When they get back, they’ll be able to listen to the message when they find it in their inbox. But why just use your cell phone? Google Talk is free and you can talk to your friend over the Internet for free. Why waste your minutes when you could talk to them while doing anything on your computer? If you download Google Talk, you should find a small speech bubble on your toolbar after the installation. Click on it to access Google Talk.

Gmail “Must Have Add-Ons”

Google Talk: Talk for free over the Internet and IM your friends. Download it!
Gmail Notifier: This small envelope icon will appear on your toolbar, notifying you when you have new e-mail messages with a pop-up. Tells you who sent you the e-mail, when, subject, and shows a snippet of the e-mail. Download it!

Gmail isn’t the only free service that Google provides to its users! Here are some others:

SEARCH
Alerts: Get e-mail updates on the topics of your choice
Blog Search: Find blogs on your favorite topics
Book Search: Search the full text of books
Catalogs: Search and browse mail-order catalogs
Checkout: Complete online purchases more quickly and securely
Desktop: Search and personalize your computer
Directory: Browse the web by topic
Earth: Explore the world from your computer
Finance: Business info, news, and interactive charts
iGoogle: Add news, games and more to the Google homepage
Images: Search for images on the web
Maps: View maps and directions
News: Search thousands of news stories
Notebook: Clip and collect information as you surf the web
Patent Search: Search the full text of US Patents
Product Search: Search for stuff to buy
Scholar: Search scholarly papers
Special Searches: Search within specific topics
Toolbar: Add a search box to your browser
Video: Search for videos on Google video and YouTube
Web Search: Search over billions of web pages
Web Search Features: Find movies, music, stocks, books, and more

EXPLORE AND INNOVATE
Code: Download APIs and open source code
Custom Search: Create a customized search experience for your community
Labs: Explore Google’s technology playground

COMMUNICATE, SHOW & SHARE
Blogger: Share your life online with a blog — it’s fast, easy, and free
Calendar: Organize your schedule and share events with friends
Docs: Create and share your projects online and access them from anywhere
Gmail: Fast, searchable e-mail with less spam
Groups: Create mailing lists and discussion groups
Orkut: Meet new people and stay in touch with friends
Picasa: Find, edit and share your photos
SketchUp: Build 3D models quickly and easily
Talk: IM and call your friends through your computer
Translate: View web pages in other languages
YouTube: Watch, upload and share videos

GO MOBILE
Maps for Mobile: View maps and get directions on your phone
Mobile: Use Google on your mobile phone
SMS: Use text messaging for quick info

MAKE YOUR COMPUTER WORK BETTER
Pack: A free collection of essential software
Web Accelerator: Speed up the web

Now you know that Google is more than a search engine. Take advantage of the tools they offer for free. And take advantage of the hidden Flight Simulator on Google Earth. How do I access the Google Flight Simulator on Google Earth?

For questions and tips, e-mail me at sean@whatsupwakefield.com