An Interesting Discussion about Exchange vs Google Apps

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Back in May, I posted Google Apps vs Exchange Part I that included a link to a comparison presentation. There have been some recent comments and an interesting discussion about the post and the presentation.


To save you searching back in time, you can click here to see the original post and the comments.

As always, your thoughts are welcome.

Snap to Grid is Snappy Feature

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One of my biggest frustrations with Google Presentations has been the inability to easily align text and images.
With the addition of “snap to grid”, this problem is solved. You can now use the Alt, Ctrl, and Shift keys to fine tune object and text placement.

[ALT] while dragging turns off the grid and gives you smooth drag (use [OPTION] on a mac)
[SHIFT] while dragging enables vertical and horizontal dragging guides
[SHIFT] while moving an object with arrow keys enables 1 pixel nudge
[SHIFT] while resizing preserves the aspect ratio of the object
[CTRL] while moving leaves the original object and drops a duplicate in the new location

Click here to learn more

Google Adds Scripts to Spreadsheets

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Google Spreadsheets now include the ability to use Google Script, a means for running server-side Java script. Already available for Google Sites, the addition of Google Script in Spreadsheets gives you the ability to automate complex or repetitive actions.

Click here to learn more or to read the overview.

Cost Savings versus Sustainability?

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A recent article in Mass High Tech lamented that “Company cost savings still trump cleantech, alternative energy“.


The assumption that cleantech and cost savings are mutually exclusive, however, is flawed.

Cloud computing lowers carbon footprint and, in most cases, offers significant cost savings. Furthermore, cloud-based solutions shift IT spending from capital expenditures to operating expense.

To see how cloud based solutions, such as Google Apps, compare with in-house solutions, such as Exchange, click here and here.

As Microsoft Competes with Google, Old Habits Die Hard

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A recent blog entry at CIO.com points out a disturbing practice: Microsoft is tainting Bing’s search results with pro-Microsoft results. If Microsoft is rigging search results, what traps will they place in other online products?

Microsoft Readies Office in the Cloud

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In a move that indicates Microsoft is looking to battle Google Apps in the cloud, Microsoft is now the owner of the Office.com domain (click here).


But, if Microsoft is going to going to compete, they will need to move away from the perpetual license business model. Some cannibalization of software sales will be inevitable as customers move to the cloud. Currently, however, Microsoft acknowledges that even the paid web version of Office 2010 will require a locally installed copy of all features to be operational.

In comparison, Google Apps stands-alone but has the ability to integrate with locally installed MS Office and Open Office software. So long as the local-copy is optional, Google Apps will have the advantage.

Google Calendars has its own Lab (Finally!)

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A few weeks ago, Google added a Labs link to Google Calendar. As with Gmail’s Labs, the Calendar Labs includes new features for users to try that may or may not become a permanent part of the system. User feedback helps the developers improve, pick, and choose.

Of the initial Calendar Labs entry, I love the Next Event widget, which counts down the hours and minutes until my next meeting, and the Jump to Date feature that lets me quickly go to any date in the past or future.

Click here to learn more …

Recent Google Site Upgrades, Part 3

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Since our last round of postings about Google Site upgrades, Google has added several features. Here is a summarized list:

  • You can add customized maps into your Google sites, including place marks, defined zoom level, and advanced map features
  • Layouts and Themes (more info)
  • 26 new themes are available
  • 7 new layouts
  • Automatic Navigation (more info)
  • Auto-generate your navigation links based on the site’s structure
  • Sub page listing gadget will create index pages
  • Easier management of all uploaded attachments

These features are available in all editions, helping improve your ability to use Google Sites for collaboration.

Google Tasks Provide Integrated “To Do” Management

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Back in mid-July, Google promoted “Tasks” from a Google Labs experiment to a full feature within Google Apps (all editions, learn more here …)

For me, the best part is the level of integration not usually found between email, tasks, and calendars. For example, you can:

  • Turn an email into a task using one click on the More Actions menu
  • Manage tasks with due dates as calendar entries (listed as events by due date)

Reminders for tasks are the same as reminders for calendar events: 1 screen; 1 notice; 1 user experience.

Google has included a mobile view for tasks as well as many supported languages.

Give Tasks a try and let me know what YOU think!

Google Features Horizon in Case Study

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Today’s Google’s Enterprise Blog features Horizon Info Services, one of our customers, and the web developer that brought us together.


Access Fitness Management Systems provides consulting and management services to health clubs, as well as being the owner and operator of the Worcester Fitness and Plymouth Fitness clubs here in the Boston area.

Horizon was introduced to the team at Access Fitness Management Systems by Cold Spring Design.