cloud

Cloud computing is a recently evolved computing terminology or metaphor based on utility and consumption of computing resources. Cloud computing involves deploying groups of remote servers and software networks that allow centralized data storage and online access to computer services or resources. Clouds can be classified as public, private or hybrid.

Google Forms

March 18, 2015 by Andy Voelker
Categories: Productivity & Utility

googleforms

Availability: All Labs | Faculty/Staff | Access
Part of: Google Apps
Comparable: Qualtrics Research Suite

Google Forms is a tool that allows collecting information from users via a personalized survey or quiz. The information is then collected and automatically connected to a spreadsheet with the same name. The spreadsheet is populated with the survey and quiz responses.  Forms can be embedded in websites for surveys, information gathering, request forms, sign-up forms, etc.

Tags: cloud

Google Drawing

February 26, 2015 by Andy Voelker
Categories: Design & VisualizationMultimediaProductivity & Utility

Availability: Faculty/Staff
Part of: Google Apps
Comparable: GIMP, OpenOffice

Google Drawing is a basic cloud-based paint/drawing application that can be accessed directly through any web browser.  Drawing is useful for making basic sketches, diagrams, and performing basic image editing.  Drawings are automatically saved to Google’s servers (Google Drive), and a revision history is automatically kept so past edits may be viewed (although this only works for adjacent revisions, and there is currently no way to find and isolate changes in long documents). Documents can be tagged and archived for organizational purposes.

Drawing also gives users the ability to share the document.  Typically when a normal document is shared the recipient accesses a copy from one point in time.  With a Google Drawing the document is shared in real-time, so recipients can always access the most recent version of the document.  Sheet owners can also grant permissions for the recipient to comment on the document, edit, or revision.  This introduces real-time collaboration, where multiple users can be editing the same document simultaneously, see each others’ edits, and even chat with each other in a sidebar.

Tags: cloud

Google Slides

February 25, 2015 by Andy Voelker
Categories: Design & Visualization

google slidesAvailability: Faculty/Staff
Part of: Google Apps
Comparable: Keynote, OpenOffice, Powerpoint, Prezi, Sway 

Google Slides is a basic cloud-based presentation tool that can be accessed directly through any web browser.  Presentations are automatically saved to Google’s servers (Google Drive), and a revision history is automatically kept so past edits may be viewed (although this only works for adjacent revisions, and there is currently no way to find and isolate changes in long documents). Presentations can be tagged and archived for organizational purposes.

Slides also gives users the ability to share the document.  Typically when a normal document is shared the recipient accesses a copy from one point in time.  With a Google Slide the document is shared in real-time, so recipients can always access the most recent version of the document.  Sheet owners can also grant permissions for the recipient to comment on the document, edit, or revision.  This introduces real-time collaboration, where multiple users can be editing the same document simultaneously, see each others’ edits, and even chat with each other in a sidebar.  There are many other powerful features in Google Slides.

 

Tags: cloud