Communication is up next, with Google Talk taking center stage. This is the only app that has a download component (but you don't need to download anything if you use the Google Talk gadget embedded in your web page). Conner covers everything from signing on to blocking annoying chatters to transferring files. Talk has always seemed a bit self-explanitory to me, but it's covered in enough detail that even the Google newbie will be connected and talking in no time.
Google Calendar is my favorite Google app, especially since I can share my calendar, and insert calendars that others have shared with me. Conner does a great job in explaining how to do both of these things, which to me put the app way above Outlook in terms of flexibility and usability. The ability to send people invitations to events, and accept invitations to others' events, is another plus. Conner shows how this simple, Web-based application can take charge of your datebook, and how you can make it even more powerful through the use of some simple tips. I've used this app a lot, and I learned a few tricks myself.
Conner spends a good bit of the book talking about the potential uses for Google apps by businesses, including the use of Google Sites to integrate your apps under your business' own logo and site. Everything from signing your employees up to managing all the sites you have is covered, including granting permissions for people to edit different things site-wide.
Google Apps: The Missing Manual isn't meant to be read cover to cover. As with the other Missing Manual books, it's designed to be a desktop reference, for people to dig into when they have a specific question. It gets a bit repetative when you read it straight through, but Google Apps: The Missing Manual is a great reference work for an up and coming applications package.
Article comments
1 - JV
Nice review. I'll look for the book at my local bookstore.