Google Reader

Isn't it fun when you find a new blog or news site, you follow it for a few days, and then forget all about it? Or, more likely, you find yourself pressing "refresh" every hour in hopes your brother has posted something new to his blog, only to find yourself close to tears with disappointment?

Google Reader ("G-Reader") is a piece of the Google-net that tracks and receives updates from all your sites through RSS feeds to one spot. Because all your new feeds are on one page, G-Reader will keep you informed and up-to-date, saving you valuable work hours and saving you from grave, hourly disappointment. To get set up, go to reader.google.com and sign in under your gmail name and password. Then pick the sites you want (such as this one!) and put their URL in the "add subscription" box on the left (or go to the site and click the little orange RSS feed button to get the feed). You will now be following those sites, and every time they upload, the posting will show up in that main window, for you to peruse at your leisure.

Once you're all set up, there are some fun "extras" that make the experience even more worthwhile. Once you start reading posts, you'll notice some options at the bottom of each entry. "Share" and "Share with note" will cause that posting to show up in the lists of each contact from your google contacts (who also use G-Reader). This means I get to enjoy what my friends and family find interesting, which gives a great flavor for what's going on in their lives (and it's so much easier and more appreciated than emailing your entire contact list every little msn article you think is cool). Sort of like snooping around their desk to see what they're reading, but easier!

If you use G-Reader, leave me a comment about additional perks...time for me to learn something new too!

Google Applications

Those smarties over at Google have won my heart, and they just keep getting better! This is the umbrella post to what will be several separate posts highlighting my favorite google apps, but I thought it would be helpful to start with a big-picture explanation.

Google has lots of web-based applications (ie you don't (usually) need to install anything on your computer and you can access your information from anwhere). They are easy to use, the applications can all be accessed from a main page, and when you're signed in once, all your information is available to you. Best of all, the appliations are all free, and the advertising on the right of the screen in pretty unobtrusive. Here's a list of some of the google apps I will be advocating (read: I LOVE!) in future posts: gmail, g-calendar, igoogle, google docs, google reader, and g-chat (with video!).

The easiest way to start is by getting a gmail account, which will be your username for all the applications. You can do that here: www.gmail.com. And don't worry if you're not ready to change your email account...there are ways to easily forward mail to and from different accounts while you decide if you want to change accounts permanently (also to be addressed later).

So go out, get a gmail account, and breathlessly wait for me to open doors you never even dreamed existed (thank you, Auntie Mame!)...

Can Molly really do?

I have a blog, day 1. I have been thinking about this blog for some time, so I'll give some background on my reasons for finally taking the giant leap into blog-world.

As the lucky ladyfriend of an IT professional and electronics enthusiast, I often find that his advice on programs, gadgets, and other "techy" things just don't work for me. I mostly use my computer for email, online shopping, paying bills, and watching tv. For the most part, the electronic stuff that really gets him excited just doesn't do it for me. Usually, he'll install something for me and a week later ask, "so what do you think about (insert gadget-of-the-week here)? Isn't it awesome?!" My reply 95% of the time: "what are you talking about?"

But, every once in a while, he brings me a gem. A gadget, website, or program that is easy to install, easy to use, makes my life easier (or more fun!) and most importantly, is so enjoyable that I ACTUALLY USE IT. This 5% of the time, my response to his question is to squeal excitedly at him, "honey!! Thank you SOOOOO much for that (insert life-changing-gadget here)!!! I should tell (insert perfectly-tech-comfortable-but-not-quite-savvy girl friend here)...she would LOVE it!"

And that's where this blog comes in. I'm going to post about the electronics that get ME excited. And, just maybe, you'll squeal as much as I do when you find that thing that makes your life a little easier too.