First Look at Google Wave

This is my first look at Google Wave. My account was activated today, and I’m quite thrilled to try it out. I’ll post more as figure out things. For now, this is my first screenshot.

(Bigger Version)

First impression, it looks like an email client, but it’s not. I wanted to change my profile photo, so I clicked on the blank square in the “Contacts” section and it gave me a link to change my photo. This link takes me to my sandbox gmail settings. After more clicking, it takes me to my sandbox Gmail account. It looks like email isn’t integrated into Google Wave interface (yet?) besides having the two accounts linked up.

Read more

Popularity: 20% [?]

Gmail New Emoticons

Have you seen the new Emoticons in Gmail? They’re adorable!

To use them, compose a new email and click on the little happy face.

Once you click on that, a whole screen of icons will show up. Click on one to select. Enjoy!

Check out more new “stuff” at Google!

Popularity: 14% [?]

iPhone App Review: Google Earth

Name: Google Earth
Written By: Google
Category: Travel
Price: Free
Size: 8.9 MB
Requirements: iPhone / iPod Touch

Google Earth (iTunes Link) for the iPhone/iPod touch is amazing. You literally have the whole world in your hands!

When you first start up the app, you will see the earth. Tap on it a few times to zoom in. Keep tapping to zoom in even further.

Tilt your phone to adjust your view. This is great if you want to see mountainsides.

You can also search for a location on the top left. Or you can let Google Earth find your exact location by tapping at the icon in the lower left.

There’s just so much more to explore. Have fun playing with it!

Popularity: 15% [?]

Preview of iPhone App BrightKite

BrightKite is one of my favorite social networks. I’ve been using it mainly as a photolog of the different places I visit. And I’m excited to see that it’s coming to the iPhone and iPod Touch! Watch the demo below:

Brightkite for the iPhone from Brightkite on Vimeo.

BrightKite Video Demo, BrightKite Official Blog, Brightkite iPhone app preview, invites, video in action By David Chartier

Popularity: 1% [?]

iGoogle Layout

Ouu, my iGoogle page looks prettier today. :) I really love the TeaHouse theme.

Popularity: 4% [?]

PDF to Word Converter

I found this great program called PDF to Word. This will come in so handy! Our administrative staff have asked me in the past if they could edit PDFs.. well now they can. :) Hurry and get your copy. The program is $49.95 but free for today only.

PDF to Word is an easy-to-use software for converting a PDF document to an MS Word (RTF) document. The software supports all Adobe PDF modifications and it is possible to open the output RTF file with any version of MS Word, WordPad or OpenOffice. The PDF to Word converter retains the layout, images, text and formatting of the original PDF file.

PDF to Word is a highly efficient standalone software which doesn’t require Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Acrobat Reader installed.

You do not need any special skills to operate the software. Just drag and drop the document you want to convert to the main PDF to Word window and click Start Conversion.

Source:
PDF to Word

Popularity: 5% [?]

Google Shell

I love using Goosh, the unofficial Google shell. It brings back the old days of unix shell command lines. Just enter your Google search on the command line and hit enter!

Below you can see that I did a search for “Affinity Zero” and my results are displayed on the screen.

Thanks Emily Chang for finding this tool! And Max Kiesler has a great demo you can watch.

Source: Stefan Grothkopp

Popularity: 12% [?]

Create Surveys using Google Docs

I just learned how to create simple forms in Google Docs & Spreadsheets today.

First, go here to create you own Survey form. Start typing in the title, description, and adding your questions. This step is very intuitive and easy to use. Creating forms have never been this fun!

Next, click on “Next, choose recipients.” You can send the survey to specific people using the “Invite People” box. Or you can put the “Go to live form” link on your website.

Read more

Popularity: 13% [?]

Google Friend Connect

I’m currently learning about Google Friend Connect. It looks like an amazing way of adding social networking to any website with little effort.

Watch Scobleizer’s video from Google Campfire One.

I love how you can log into AOL, Yahoo, Google, etc. to connect to the websites. No need to create another login!

The website is going to live tonight, but invite only. If or when I get an invite, I’ll write more about it. ;)

Sign up for the preview: Google Friend Connect

Sources: TechCrunch, Scobleizer’s Qik Videos, and Google News

Popularity: 20% [?]

Google To Do List

I’m testing out Lab Pixies “To Do List” gadget. It’s cute, but I can’t seem to be able to save my data. Good thing I took a screen shot of it before navigating to another page. Test it out and tell me if it saves to your iGoogle or not.

Anyhow, what’s on your To-Do list for today? ;)

Popularity: 12% [?]

Google Docs Presentation

It’s been a while since I’ve used Google Docs, but after reading this article on mashable.com, I had to log in and see for myself.

The last time I logged in, only Documents and Spreadsheets were available. So I was really happy to see Presentation, which is Google’s version of Microsoft Office Powerpoint. You can insert new slides, add images, video, text, and even change the theme, just like MS Powerpoint!

But unlike MS Powerpoint, you can have several people edit the file at the same time! You can probably do this in MS Sharepoint, but Google Docs is so much easier.

Here’s my test in Google Presentation:

Sources: Google Docs, Google Docs Blog, and Mashable.com

Popularity: 11% [?]

Googley Design Principles

I really like the Googley Design Principles, which are:

• Focus on people—their lives, their work, their dreams.
• Every millisecond counts.
• Simplicity is powerful.
• Engage beginners and attract experts.
• Dare to innovate.
• Design for the world.
• Plan for today’s and tomorrow’s business.
• Delight the eye without distracting the mind.
• Be worthy of people’s trust.
• Add a human touch.

My favorites are #3, 8, 9, and 10, but they’re all very good points. #3 and 8 are my big goals when designing. I want to create beautiful web applications that are easy to use (maybe fool proof!) as well as pleasing to the eyes.

What about your favorites?

Source: The Official Google Blog

Popularity: 10% [?]

Photoshop World ’08 Orlando Adobe Keynote

I’m watching the Photoshop World ’08 Orlando Adobe Keynote right now, and I’m quite impressed with all the animated graphic submissions to the Cut & Paste Competition.

View the podcast to see their amazing work as well as what Adobe has been up to.

Popularity: 22% [?]

What is Twitter?

If you find yourself asking this question: “What is this Twitter that Daynah keeps talking about?”

Then not to worry! Instead of having me try to explain it, the good people at Common Craft have already done that in a nice understandable video. Click below to view.

Popularity: 11% [?]

Twubble, the Twitter Bubble!

Twitter is so much more fun when you follow interesting people!

My favorites are definitely Cali Lewis (from GeekBrief.TV and iJustine (from TastyBlogSnack).

If you need help finding interesting people with similar interests, check out Twubble. It’s a nifty software written by CrazyBob.

Go find your Twitter Bubble!

Popularity: 10% [?]

Tweet Clouds

Check out TweetClouds.com! Looking at mine, I guess I laugh way too much. :)

Follow me on Twitter?

Popularity: 12% [?]

All Things Twitter

If you’re looking for Twitter-related apps, be sure to check out franticindustries’ list of All Things Twitter.

I like what the simpleTwitter WordPress Plugin can do. I’ll have to test it out and let you know how well it works.

Popularity: 11% [?]

Free Web version of Photoshop Launches

Since Adobe Photoshop is somewhat complex to learn, I have been looking for a free image editor that our staff can use for basic image editing. I’ve tried installing Gimp, but the windows version crashes a few times. But great news, I can have the best of both worlds! ;)

The maker of the popular photo-editing software Photoshop on Thursday launched a basic version available for free online.

Photoshop Express will be completely Web-based so consumers can use it with any type of computer, operating system and browser. And, once they register, users can get to their accounts from different computers.

Read the full article on Yahoo! News

Check out Photoshop Express for yourself!

Popularity: 17% [?]

Spaz – a Twitter Client

I just installed Spaz, a client for Twitter on the Adobe Air platform. I love it so far. I’ve been using the client for Pownce before and was hoping there’d be one for Twitter. Well, I guess my wish came true. :)

Just a hint, turn down your volume when you first install it. Mine were up pretty high, so it scared me! :D

Popularity: 13% [?]

Google and Outlook Calendars

Now you can sync your Outlook Calendar with Google Calendar! I just love this software. :) Read more..

Popularity: 17% [?]

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