Tuesday 10 August 2010

Google docs

Sharing by ryancr

A return to something easier. As I already had a Google account I could just go straight in and create something new. I chose to do a document as it would be quick to produce but then couldn't decide what it should be about. I finally thought of a list of books missing from the Library with the information displayed in a table. Once I had produced the document I went to 'File' but the save option was blanked out. There is an icon in the top right-hand corner, next to the 'Share' button which says 'Saved' and this seems to have worked. I shared the document with two other people on a view only basis but after responses from both of them about it I decided to change the sharing settings to "can edit".

I have also received documents from two people. I couldn't open the first one as I kept getting a message saying I had entered the wrong password despite trying my Google, Raven and Hermes passwords. This may have been because I didn't have anything in Google docs myself but when I had produced something I was able to open the one I had been sent and add a note to it. Now I can't open the second document either and can't remember what I did to open the first one. Senility must be creeping in.

Google docs is a great way of sharing documents when multiple input is required in their production. It can be sent to as many other people as you like and you can restrict those who you don't want interfering with it to a view only basis whilst still getting the opinions of those who matter. This tool would be useful in our library when writing the minutes of the library committee meeting. A draft version can be produced and sent out to the committee members for their thoughts and additional items which have been forgotten or need correction.






3 comments:

  1. I like the idea of sending out draft minutes for committee meetings ... so easy to forget things, or not be able to read ones own notes!

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  3. You're not the only one to have had problems opening Google Docs! I sent one to my Cam23 buddy using her 'cam' email and she couldn't open it either. I've now re-sent it using her Google email address... I'll wait to see if that is an improvement! Sharing docs via Google Docs is a great idea - just wish it worked better in practice!

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