Simpleology Blog

1. Use Google Reader to subscribe to blogs. Blogs just like this one are regularly updated with new content. This nature of blogs opens up many ways of tracking the newly posted content. One of the easiest ways to do that is through feeds.

Instead of browsing through each website daily just to check if there's a new article, you can use a special software called Feed Reader to subscribe to the website and do the checking for you.

Google Reader is an online feed reader that you can use to track changes of hundreds of websites. Its robust interface arranges feeds into different folders based on assigned tags.

2. Use Google to automate alerts, search blogs, and go through news items. It's never been easier to follow the news and receive the latest updates on a particular topic.

Google Alerts can be used in many ways, but the easiest way to do it is by creating alerts using keywords related to the subjects you're interested in. Thus, you can sift through the data from blogs and news sites then automatically get updates on your searches via RSS feed.

For searches that are specific to blogs, you can use Google Blog Search.

3. Use Google Books to preview books. Google Books is an ambitious project involving the scanning and indexing of printed books and compiling them in a virtual library. As such, you can either browse the catalog of books or use keywords to find relevant literature. There are thousands of books indexed, so you have a pretty good chance of finding one that suits your taste.

One of its killer features is the Preview, which allows you to download a PDF of selected titles. (These are usually public domain books.) Other books, which are still actively sold and protected by copyright, likewise offer a significant number of scanned pages to give you an idea of what you will get when you buy them.

4. Know what's popular via Google Trends. If you want to find out how one subject compares to another in terms of popularity, Google Trends is the perfect tool. Based on the search requests stats on Google, Trends present you a historical graph of search queries about a particular subject. You only see a guideline and not the exact number of searches. (In any case, that's all you need when you're comparing two or more things.)

There's a list of the most popular trends each day. For each peak in the interest graph, you usually get a link to the source of these developments. Google analyzes the search activity and highlights the hottest topics.

5. Go GMail all the way. My personal favorite, GMail, is the next best thing since sliced bread. It has revolutionized the way we use online email services. In fact, I think it has become a better option than PC-installed email clients like Outlook or Thunderbird.

GMail ups the ante because it has plenty of space for your emails (7GB per mailbox and constantly growing), uses tags for organizing emails, and can collect emails from other mailboxes (POP3).

6. Use Google.com for spelling. Because of the sheer number of searches Google deals with, it is now in the position to suggest corrections to your search requests in case you make a typo.

Besides, you can always look at the number of search results found for your query. Words that are spelled accurately usually appear in more sites or pages.

7. Use Google to do math and convert measurement units. Simply type a math expression in your search bar and Google will be happy to do the calculations for you. You can also try using it to convert various units of measurement.

8. Use Google to find out what time it is anywhere in the world. If you're having a hard time calculating the local time when you're about to call and give birthday greetings to your aunt halfway across the world, use Google to find out if your timing is right.

Simply type your request like this: time in New York.

Then, right under your query, Google will show you the current time. Magic, isn't it?

9. Use the nifty Google Maps. I always use Google Maps to look up places and get driving directions to them. But it offers so much more. I guess the fact that Apple uses this service in their iPod Touch devices proves that it's one of the most efficient mapping services available today.

When you're looking at a map of any major city, you can enjoy schematic or aerial (satellite-imaged) view, browse local businesses in the area, as well as get driving and walking directions in either miles or kilometers. Nothing beats Google Maps' spot-on directions and realistic time estimations.

10. Store your documents online with Google Docs. Many of documents, spreadsheets, and presentations can now be done online using suites of online productivity tools. Google Docs is one of them. You can either create or upload new documents. (GMail likewise offers an option that will enable you to automatically convert attachments from your emails into Google Docs instead of downloading them to your PC.)

With Google Docs, you can easily access all your documents at any location since they're stored on Google servers. Thus, it also facilitates collaboration as it enables you to share documents with others so you and your colleagues can work on any document collectively in real time.

Credits: Screen capture shots from Google.

You can read more of the author's articles in his very own Personal Development Blog. Stop by sometime, there's plenty for you to read on goal setting, motivation, and productivity!

Suggested Resource: Calculate how much time Google's services saves you with the Daily Time Praxis on Simpleology 101: The Simple Science of Getting What You Want.