Improved Google Drive Search is here

Google Drive/Apps users rejoice!  Search is improved. Just click on the dropdown in the Search box and you’ll see lots of new options, including the ability to separate searching of the file name vs. content in the file.

I still wish I could search within a folder only (for those of us still stuck in folder paradigms) but this is a marked improvement. Check it out.

 

Source: Google Drive Blog: Because it’s gotta be super easy to find your files

Google Hangouts easier, faster: no need Google+ or Gmail

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I’m a huge fan of Google Hangouts and use them any time I need a video connection. Hangouts are fabulous for holding meetings where you want the face to face connection.  The only problem was that actually starting Hangout required  traversing a labyrinth of clicks.

That’s no longer the case. Now, you just go to https://hangouts.google.com/ and get started. Finally!

The only requirement is that you have a Google Account. You don’t need to have a Gmail address; you can register your existing email address as a Google account.

If you have the webcam hardware and haven’t tried videoconferencing, you don’t know what you’re missing. If you have used Google Hangouts in the past, it’s now easier than ever to start a Hangout.

 

Do it!

PC on a stick for $130

I’m going to have to try this. Just plug this stick into an HDMI port of any modern monitor/TV, bring your bluetooth keyboard & mouse, and you’re up and running. Combine this with a cloud-based service platform like Google Apps or Microsoft Office/365 and you are up and running for next to nothing.

Lenovo’s new HDMI dongle is basically a PC in stick, and though we’ve seen this type of devices before, the Ideacenter Stick’s price might make it quite attractive. The device starts at $139 and comes with the following specs:Intel Baytrail Z3735F CPUUp to 2GB of RAMUp to 32GB of storageSpeakersWiFI 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.01 x HDMI, 1x Micro USB 2.0, SD card readerWindows 8.1 with Bing

Source: Lenovo unveils the Ideacenter Stick 300: a $130 PC on a stick running Windows

Google Drive coming to a corporate server near you

Really big deal and long overdue. Google Drive is going after the enterprise.

Google Docs get custom styles

Finally! You can now customize the headings, i.e. styles in your Google Docs. Here are the details. While most folks don’t use styles, this makes the tra

nsition away from Microsoft Word to Google Docs that much easier for those of us that do.

How to easily transition from Microsoft Outlook to Google Gmail for Business (Part 2 of 2)

You’ve followed the advice I gave you in part 1, “The easy way to transition from Microsoft Outlook to Google apps for business Gmail” so by now you’re still using Outloo

k though it is connected to the Google apps for business Gmail servers. You’re also using Gmail’s superior search. So you’re feeling good because you’re saving money (lower hosting costs with Google) and you’re more productive with faster search. It’s time to “complete your training” to Gmail, young Jedi!

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Gmail Cheat Sheet

As you get used to working in Google Gmail for business, you need to start flexing your ninja muscles by learning shortcuts and search operators.

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The easy way to transition from Microsoft Outlook to Google apps for business Gmail (Part 1)

It’s been about 2 years since I completely switched to using Google Apps for our business and Gmail specifically; I haven’t opened Microsoft Outlook since.
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How secure is my data on Google Apps and Gmail?

Businesses are understandably and rightly concerned about the security of their data and even more so when that data is hosted in a nebulous “Cloud” – no pun intended.
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Google Apps Hawaii Users: Better Syncing with Outlook

If you love Microsoft Outlook but want to try out Google Apps for Business, the best way to go is use the free Outlook Sync application that Google supplies.  It lets you continue using Outlook but syncs your email, calendar, and notes with the Google servers.

It’s the perfect way to smoothly transition using Gmail to replace Outlook without having to go cold turkey. Let me give you my own story as an example:

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