Google Docs is a great alternative to using, Microsoft office products or other operating system based products for creating and editing documents. Although you will be putting all your Documents at the mercy of Google and allowing Google to look after them (cough… privacy, cough… advertising) is questionable, but Google Docs does have many advantages.
Google Docs allows you to create and edit documents on line in a very nicely styled editor. All your Documents are stored within the cloud and therefore you can access them from anywhere with a Internet connection and keep them all in sync (as long as your browser is supported by Google Docs).
My Problem Before Using Google Docs
Before Google Docs, I used either Microsoft Office or LibreOffice depending where I was working and the operating system. I normally would write a document and save it to a USB stick and then use it between computers. I would normally also save a copy to my desktop hard drive as well for backup.
As you know Microsoft Office has lots of features especially on the newest version. As soon as you start to use these and try to open and edit in LibreOffice, you soon find formatting problems arise. Compatibility is a real issue between them both. I cannot use just one because if, I am at home I use Linux and when, I use other computers – normally they are Windows.
The next problem was remembering which was the up to date and latest version of the document. When I saved a copy on my hard drive and on my USB, it was easy to get confused or forget to update one. The documents soon became out of sync and became a big mess.
Neither Microsoft Office nor LibreOffice made writing or editing documents fun. They both have a heavy cluttered interface with too many features I would never even use (my thoughts).
So I went looking for an alternative and found Google Docs. After trying Google Docs, I find it prefect for my solution. One place to create and edit documents. One place to store and keep all documents in sync. Nice clean interface, easy to use and with just enough features. Prefect for my needs.
Why I decided to Use Google Docs
I found Google Docs fixed my problems of compatibility issues because, I can create a document in Google Docs and if need be still save it as a Word document or a PDF document. Although, I only use Google Docs for creating and editing documents now, its nice to know you can export your documents and are not locked into Google Docs once you create documents there.
I have found the Google Docs interface (the new one) to be very clear and easy to use. They do away with all the unnecessary features and really make it a nice editor to use.
You can access the Google Docs from any computer with a browser (as long as the browser is supported by Google Docs). All documents are kept synchronised and keep up to date, no more trying to find the latest version.
You can also see a revision of all your previous saved versions and see all the changes that have been made since. This is very useful if you delete parts of your documents and later want to check something you deleted from a previous version for example.
You can download the documents in many formats, noticeably; a Word compatible version or PDF version is on the list. Or you can even print the document straight from the Google Docs page – so you do not have to even download the document. Another great feature is you can send the document as a attachment by email – and its really simple, just add their email address and click send.
You can also comment on parts of your document, for your own notes. You might want to create a comment for example saying; need to add more details to here. That part of text then gets highlighted to show that.
Sharing is easy within Google Docs. You can share your documents with other people you choose, easily by a click on a button. Once you have shared the document with them they can, edit the document, comment and you can even chat. Imagine you have to create some notes about something, you can both write them together and see and discuss what each other is writing.
That is just some of the reasons I am using it. That is why I decided to write a post because I have found Google Docs so useful. But one thing to remember, Google is ‘looking after’ your documents, so caution is needed in my opinion.
Some Problems Related to Google Docs That I Have Experienced:
I have used Google Docs on Firefox, Linux fine. Some versions of Internet Explorer on Windows (yes I have to use it sometimes when studying) have caused Google Docs problems, although installing the, ‘Chrome Frame‘ normally fixes it.
If you upload the latest Word ‘.docx’ format it caused me editing and formatting problems within Google Docs, I tend to create and edit all my documents in Google Docs now anyway. But for others this may be a problem.
Conclusion
I no longer even carry a USB stick, because most of my documents are stored on the Google Docs cloud now. Although, I still download an make a backup copy for finished documents and save these else where.
Google Docs is great for editing and creating documents and gives you a great platform to store them and keep them organised. But remember Google is watching everything you do and is your new Big Brother. Google Docs is fine for writing up essays and assignments but creating and storing sensitive documents there is a no no for me.
Any comments or questions are welcome, please keep them friendly. What are your thoughts?