Google Docs - Invaluable Productivity Resource

Much space has been given to articles about the Cloud. Everywhere you look it seems you will discover an article or blurb about how cloud computing is going to change the world. Even Microsoft has jumped on the bandwagon with their own Office Live.

Microsoft, I hate to break it to you but once again you are not the first on the scene, and you are definitely not the best on the scene where the cloud is concerned. Your main competitor? Google.

Google Docs is an incredible resource for anyone wanting to create, save and share documents. Unlike Microsoft's Office Live, you can use Google Docs in any operating system that can handle a standard Internet browser. As a result, when you save files to Google Docs, you can access them using any computer that is connected to the Internet. With Microsoft Office Live you are unable to access your files if you are not running a Windows or Apple computer. This undiscriminating accessibility is a boon for netbook users and others using Linux and other operating systems.

What is the big deal about Google Docs? The beauty of Google Docs is that if you have an Internet connection you have your files. No worrying about forgetting that important document on your computer at home. If you forget it - justlogin to Google Docs from any Internet-accessible computer and retrieve your file! Also if you have a hard disk failure or even a stolen computer your data will be safe!

The advent of cloud resources like Google Docs enables users to save money by not being forced to purchase high-end office suites - or expensive computers with the resources to handle them! Any reasonably-equipped computer with Internet access can be used to create, modify or share files. You can start on a paper at school or work and finish it at home on your laptop while relaxing in your easy chair. You can work on it while sipping your latte at Starbucks or while waiting for your kids to check out new books at the library! You can create word processing documents, spreadsheets or presentations with equal ease, and share them with others by using a few simple clicks - never having to fear that they may not have a compatible program to view it with! You can even upload PDF files into your Google Docs storehouse!

Google Docs does not intimidate the user with more features than they will ever need - instead it contains the most commonly needed features and leaves the rest alone. You won't have to take a class to understand how to use Google Docs - underneath the Help section is a small video and all the information you need to get you up and running in record time! In fact, if you have any experience with productivity software you may just hit the ground running!

There are two levels of service for Google Docs. One is the free service which holds hundreds of documents in itself with the ability to upgrade to Google Apps for a price of $50 per person per year. With that price you get 99% guaranteed uptime , 25 gigabytes of storage and a host of other features. I currently use the free version of Google Docs and have no reason for complaint. In fact, most of my articles are written on Google Docs!

Stick your head in the Cloud and check out Google Docs. You will be glad that you did.