Definition - What does Google Docs mean?
Google Docs is a Web-based document management application for creating and editing private and public, word processing and spreadsheet documents. These documents can be stored both online on the Google cloud and/or on the user’s computer. Access to these files is available from any computer with an Internet connection and a fully-featured Web browser. The documents may be viewed by other google groups and members with the document owner’s permission.
Google Docs is designed for both individual and real-time collaborative projects. Document security is maintained through storage online and storage on users’ computers, although some authors have security concerns that documents stored online may be viewed, copied or stolen by others.Furthermore, all documents created are compatible with most presentation and word processing applications and can be printed or published as a Web page. Spreadsheets can be created and edited in various fonts and file formats.
Google regularly releases new features for Google Docs, and maintains an online help group to answer user questions and fix problems.
How Google Docs Works?
Cloud computing -- a networkedcomputersystem that harnesses the resources of several servers to complete tasks and store data -- is shaping up to be the next big trend in the computing industry. Traditionally, only a few people could access the processing power of a supercomputer. With cloud computing, practically anyone could tap into that sort of power.
Since the debut of the personal computer, we've become used to storing information either on an external storage device like acompact disc or on a computer's hard drive. We're also conditioned to buy new machines or upgrade old ones whenever applications require more processing power than our current computers can provide. With cloud computing, the responsibility of storage and processing power falls to the network, not the individual computer
What can Google Docs do?
At its heart, Google Docs is a suite of onlineproductivity software. That means it's a collection of applications that make it easier to produce the kinds of files commonly used in corporate environments: documents, spreadsheets and presentations.
The Google word processing program started out as a product named Writely created by a company called Upstartle. Google acquired Upstartle in 2006 and began the process of converting Writely into a Google-branded product [source: InformationWeek]. The program allows users to create and edit documents online. Multiple users can access the document at the same time, making it easier for teams to collaborate on projects.
Google Docs Features and Limitations
System requirements for Google Docs are pretty simple. The only thing you have to worry about is your Web browser. Google Docs is compatible with Internet Explorer version 6 or greater, Firefox version 1.07 or higher (but not Firefox 3) and Safari 3.1 or higher. Googledoesn't support Google Docs for any other browsers at the moment, so there's a good chance it won't run on them. In addition, you must enable Javascript and cookies to use the applications.
To access Google Docs, you need to create a Google account. Google accounts are free. All you need is a valid e-mail address -- and the willingness to agree to Google's terms of service -- to create one. If you've signed up for Gmail, you already have a Google account. The account gives you access to many Google applications, besides Google Docs.
Advanced Tricks in Google Docs
Multiple people can view and edit a Google Docs file simultaneously. More importantly, they don't have to worry about creating duplicate copies of the same file. With Google Docs, everyone working on a project makes changes to the same master document. As users make edits, Google Docs tracks all the changes and tags each edit with the responsible Google account holder's name. That way, the owner of the document can scan changes and see who is responsible for each edit.
Google designed Google Docs to autosave almost constantly, preserving each edit shortly after a user makes it. Other users see the updated changes instantly. While working with documents or presentations, users can see who else is in the file. And with spreadsheets, users can click on a tab labeled "discuss" to chat in real time about the project.
Concerns About Google Docs
Whenever there's a discussion about storing data on a third party's database system, questions about security follow. It's easy to understand. Entrusting another company to keep your valuable information safe is a big step. When that information is in your control, you're aware of the security measures in place to keep it safe.
Google assures users that it keeps all data safe and private unless the user chooses to share files with others. As part of its security measures, Google doesn't discuss its approach to security in detail. Since users must have a Google account to access Google Docs, and since all accounts require passwords, we know that at least one stage in Google's security plan relies on password protection.
My Feedback
Google has a well-earned reputation for secrecy when it comes to their operations. There's not a lot of information available on the system Google Docs uses. But we can make some safe assumptions based on other Google operations. First, let's start with what we do know.
Google built the software that handles all the major functions of Google Docs -- the parts that in a traditional network would be called the server side of the system -- using the Java programming language. Java is a object-oriented programming language developed by Sun Microsystems. Google uses the Java programming language to build and develop the Google Docs applications.
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