Google Account Basics:Getting Started with free Google applications.

What is a Google Account?A Google account provides

access to Google owned services and applications including:◦Google Calendar◦Google Reader◦Google Documents◦iGoogle (customized Google

homepage)◦Google Maps

Why create a Google account?Very portable– You can access your

Google Account from any computer with an internet connection

Customizable service that fits your needs

Free online storage for photos and documents

Easy way to keep track of places you like to visit on the Internet

Easy way to keep track of your schedule

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Setting Up Your Google Account: Option 1

•Start at: https://www.google.com/accounts

•Fill in all the registration details

•Type the letters of the CAPTCHA into the search box.

NOTE: A CAPTCHA is designed to make sure you are a human, not a robot or a computer program

•Click the “I accept button”

•Finish off by logging into your email, opening the email called “Google Email Verification” and clicking on the link provided.

CAPTCHA

Jane.Eyre@hotmail.com

********

********

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Setting Up Your Google Account: Option 2 (G-Mail)

1. Go to: www.gmail.com

2. Click Here...

3. Fill in these details

Signing up for an email account with Gmail automatically gets you a Google Account.

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When you have sorted out the registration login here…

Start here: https://www.google.com/accounts/

Type in your details here

Clicking “Sign in” Brings you here…

Click here to sign-in

Select “Google Home”

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iGoogle Homepage

“add stuff” is where you can find new features such as news, games or weather to add to your page.

Change the look of your page here.

Clicking “more” allows you to access all the Google ProgramsNote: If you do not see what you want in the drop down menu click on “even more” to see all the programs

The iGoogle Homepage is your very own customizable homepage

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Google Calendar• Free online day timer and planner

where you can:• Create events• Organize your schedule• Share your schedule with friends

and family• Create “to do” lists

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Navigating Your Google Calendar

Make different color tab calendars for different types of events like “work” or “social”.

To select which calendars or types of events show up on the page click on each title (the box will be highlighted with the event color as shown in the side bar)

Event will show up here

Task List will show up here

To create a new calendar entry click “create event”.

To make a “to do list” and add tasks

Have any friends or family using Google calendars? Send them a request to view their calendar

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Google DocumentsGoogle Docs is a free, Web-based

word processor, spreadsheet, presentation, and form application offered by Google.

It allows users to create and edit documents online while collaborating in real-time with other users

Your documents are stored online so you can access them from any computer connected to the Internet.

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Navigating the Google docs Main Page

To start working on a new document or to open a template click here.

To collaborate with another person click “Share”. (Remember: The person you share the document with must also have a Google Account)

Once you create a document it will show up here. To see a document you already created click on the title.

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Google TemplatesGoogle docs provides users with several useful document templates including:

•Resumes•Calendars•Cover Letters•Budgets•Letters

To save and edit a template click “Use this template.”

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Google Docs Word ProcessorTo open the word processor click on create new from the main documents page and click on document. You will notice it looks a lot like Open Office or Microsoft Word and works in a similar way.

To get started type here… To get help

on how to use this program click “Help” and “Google Docs Help Center”

Always remember to save your work before you close…

To share this document with another user so they can work on it or view it click “share” and “invite people”

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Google ReaderFree, Web-based reader for RSS

feeds. You can find feeds on nearly every Web site.

RSS feeds offer a simplified view of Web page down to just text, pictures and videos

Google reader takes RSS feeds from the sites you are interested in and lets you read web updates like you're browsing through e-mail.

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Add a Website to Your ReaderTo add a new site click here.

Recommends other sites you may be interested in based on what you have added

List of current subscriptions

Above you can see all the updates that this person requested…

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Google MapsGoogle Maps can help you:

◦ find businesses, addresses and places of interest.

◦Get directions from one place to another◦Look at Satellite aerial images and in some

cases 360˚ street viewsYou can find a location by typing in its

name or address.Remember to include the city and

country when you are searching for a location

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Finding an Address on Google Maps

To search for an address type in the name of a business or landmark and click “Search Maps”

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Google Maps: Search Results

To zoom in and see a more detailed map click on the “+”

To change the view of the map to aerial images click “Satellite”.

To get directions from one location to another click here.

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Google Maps: Get Directions

To get directions type in your start and end point

The route can also be seen on the map

Note: The view on this map has been changed to “Satellite”

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Other Google FeaturesGoogle 411: Google's new 411

service is free, fast and easy to use. Find and connect with local businesses for free. (1-800-goog-411)

Google Numbers: Does calculations for several conversions. For example try typing these phrases into the search box: “32 miles into KM”, “30 Canadian Dollars into American Dollars”, “teaspoons in a cup”,

Security and PrivacyNever share your password with anyone.If you forget your password or have any

other problems accessing your account click “Can’t access your account?” on the log-in page for help.

For information on privacy and Google check out:

1. http://www.google.com/intl/en/privacy.html2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Apps 3. http://news.idg.no/cw/art.cfm?id=96FBC9D61A6467EAE433B8765

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More SecurityMake sure you only enter your login

information into Google's site… Your browser address bar should say (http://www.google.com or http://mail.google.com)

If you think your Google Account has been compromised (someone has learned your password), change the password.

Only share your Google documents with people you know and trust

Signing out is important!

Always remember to sign out or log out of your email account – especially on a public computer

If you do not sign out, someone could view your personal information and account details

Using Google at EPLAn EPL library card is requiredYou have 60 minutes of Internet

access every day.Our staff can assist you with using

Google Applications. However, if you have not yet learned how to use a mouse or a web browser, our ability to assist you will be limited, and we recommend you acquire these skills before learning to use Google Applications.

Questions?

Contact Edmonton Public Library:

Website: http://www.epl.caPhone: 780-496-7020Email: eplcomputerbasics@gmail.com

Thank you!